Chapter 7 — “If He Didn’t Care, Why Did He Keep Protecting Her?”

[LYRA'S POV]

She heard him leave before the sun even touched the trees.

No goodbye. No explanation. Just the soft sound of the door closing, and the crackle of dried leaves under heavy boots as Kairo disappeared into the woods.

Again.

---

She hated how empty the cabin felt when he wasn't there.

Not because she liked him.

She didn't.

At least… she told herself she didn't.

---

Cold. Sharp. Rude. Distant.

He had a million walls, and none of them had doors. And yet… he hadn't let her die in the forest. He hadn't left her to sleep in the rain. He hadn't hurt her, even when his eyes promised he could.

No.

He gave her a bed.

A blanket.

And now—apparently—a healer.

---

The knock came just after noon.

She opened the door to find a woman standing there with two long braids, silver streaks in her black hair, and bright green eyes that looked like they saw too much.

"Lyra, is it?" the woman asked, smiling gently.

Lyra nodded.

"I'm Maera," she said. "Pack healer. The Alpha sent me."

She stepped inside without asking.

Lyra blinked.

He sent someone?

---

"He said you might be… unusual."

Lyra winced. "That sounds like him."

Maera chuckled. "He's always been blunt. But protective."

Lyra sat back on the edge of the bed.

"I'm not sure what I am," she admitted.

"That's alright," Maera said softly, pulling a small glass vial from her satchel. "Sometimes, your soul knows before your mind catches up."

---

She sat across from Lyra, pulling her hands gently into hers.

"Now, close your eyes."

"Why?"

"I'm going to read your energy. Feel what's dormant inside you. It won't hurt."

Lyra hesitated. But nodded.

---

The moment Maera's fingers touched her palms, something shifted.

Warmth.

Light.

A soft humming in the air, like invisible strings being pulled tight.

---

Maera's smile faded.

Her brow furrowed.

Her grip tightened slightly.

Lyra's eyes snapped open.

"What is it?"

Maera didn't answer right away.

She stood up. Walked toward the window. Stared out at the trees like they held the truth.

Finally—

"You're not fully wolf," she said.

Lyra swallowed.

"I know."

"You're not fully human either."

"…I guessed."

"But it's more than that," Maera whispered.

"What do you mean?"

The healer turned, her voice quiet and sharp.

"There's something buried in you. Old magic. Ancient blood. Something that's been sealed. Who did that?"

Lyra looked down.

"I don't know."

---

Before Maera could press further, the wind outside howled—and the sky darkened like a storm was being called from nothing.

Maera's eyes widened.

"You need to be careful, child."

"Why?"

"Because when that seal breaks… people are going to come looking for you."

---

[Meanwhile… in the forest]

Kairo's wolf paused mid-stride.

His head jerked toward the cabin.

A chill ran down his spine.

She's not safe.

He didn't know how he knew it.

But he turned around.

And started walking back.