[KAIRO'S POV]
He smelled her before he saw her.
Jasmine, fire ash, and winter steel.
He hadn't scented that combination in years.
Not since the battlefield outside Ravien.
Not since the blood pact broke.
Not since Selene.
---
She walked into the clearing like she owned it.
Same silver-white hair pulled tight behind her ears. Same piercing blue eyes. Same tattoo of the Luna's fang on her neck — faded but deliberate.
> "You haven't changed," she said softly.
"Still brooding. Still pretending you don't bleed."
---
Elyna stood near the edge of the porch, arms folded.
Lyra stepped outside, hesitant.
And Selene's gaze locked on her instantly.
Sharp.
Cold.
Calculating.
> "So this is the girl," she said.
"The one you're willing to burn the treaty for."
Kairo's jaw clenched. "I didn't invite you here."
Selene smiled faintly. "No, but the flame did. It always calls us back."
---
[LYRA'S POV]
She didn't know why her palms were sweating.
Why her instincts screamed even though Selene hadn't lifted a hand.
Maybe because when the woman looked at her…
It wasn't like a rival.
It was like a hunter sizing up prey.
---
"I'm Selene," the woman said, stepping forward.
"Former second to the Alpha of Ravien. Blood sister to Kairo by battle. And the one who buried him alive when he lost control."
Kairo growled under his breath. "That's not how it happened."
Selene arched a brow. "No? Should I tell her how you slaughtered twelve to save one? Or how the Council branded you unfit to lead a real pack?"
---
Lyra blinked. Her heart raced.
She glanced at Kairo.
He didn't deny it.
Didn't explain.
Just stood there — a statue made of silence and shame.
---
"I don't trust her," Selene continued. "That mark? The prophecy? It's too convenient. Too ripe. And too dangerous."
Elyna rolled her eyes. "She's not a fruit."
Selene ignored her. "If the Council finds out what you're hiding, Kairo… they'll do more than exile you this time."
---
Kairo stepped forward, voice like thunder:
> "Let them come."
---
[KAIRO'S POV]
He knew Selene wasn't just here for politics.
She never came unless she wanted something.
And now she was sniffing around Lyra like a wolf circling a newborn pup.
> Ours, his wolf growled.
Back off.
He was about to say something—anything—when Selene's gaze dropped to Lyra's chest.
The mark had begun to glow again.
> "It's awakening," she said slowly. "Already?"
---
She looked up at Kairo.
"I hope you're ready to lose everything for her. Again."
---
[LATER THAT NIGHT – LYRA POV]
She sat outside on the porch, the stars cold and wide above her.
She didn't know who Selene truly was… but she saw it in her eyes:
She knew something.
About Kairo.
About her.
And she wasn't going away.
Not yet.
---
Kairo stepped out, sat beside her without speaking.
After a long silence, Lyra finally asked:
> "What happened in Ravien?"
He stared into the trees for a moment. Then said:
> "I broke the world to save someone who didn't want saving."
Lyra looked at him. "And now?"
He didn't answer.
But she didn't need words.
Because the way he looked at her…
> Like she was the second fire
he was willing to burn everything for.