The moment I stepped back into my old territory…
Everything felt smaller.
Weaker.
Like I had outgrown it.
Eyes turned toward me as I walked through the pack grounds.
Whispers followed.
"Is that… Lyla?"
"She looks different…"
"Stronger…"
I ignored them.
Until I felt it.
That pull.
That connection.
Even broken… it was still there.
Slowly, I lifted my eyes.
And there he was.
Alpha Kael.
Standing across the courtyard.
Watching me like I was something he didn't understand anymore.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then he started walking toward me.
Each step deliberate.
Each step heavy with something unspoken.
When he finally stopped in front of me, the air between us turned thick.
"You came back," he said, his voice lower than I remembered.
I crossed my arms.
"I didn't come back for you."
Something flickered in his eyes.
Regret.
Desire.
Frustration.
"You've changed," he said.
"So have you," I replied calmly.
His gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.
That small movement sent heat through my body.
Annoying.
Dangerous.
"You shouldn't be here," he added.
I stepped closer instead.
Close enough to feel the warmth of his body.
Close enough to remind him.
"You rejected me," I said softly. "You don't get to tell me where I belong."
His jaw tightened.
"You don't understand—"
"Then explain."
Silence stretched between us.
Tense.
Heavy.
His hand moved suddenly, grabbing my wrist—not harshly, but firmly.
My breath caught.
The contact sent a shock through both of us.
His grip tightened slightly.
"I had my reasons," he said, his voice rough.
I leaned in just enough for him to feel my breath.
"And I had mine for leaving."
For a second…
It felt like he might pull me closer.
Like he might finally give in.
But then
"Kael."
The voice cut through the moment.
Mira.
She stepped forward, her eyes locking onto me with clear dislike.
And jealousy.
Her gaze dropped to where his hand still held my wrist.
Then back to my face.
"She's back?" she said, her tone sharp. "Why?"
I slowly pulled my hand from his grip.
"Relax," I said coolly. "I'm not here to take anything that's yours."
But the look on her face told me one thing—
She didn't believe me.