Lyra's POV
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Kael's words echoed in my head, refusing to fade.
"…why does your wolf react every time you stand this close to me?"
My heart slammed painfully against my ribs.
He was watching me too closely.
Far too closely.
I forced myself to look away, refusing to let him see the storm of emotions building inside me.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said coldly.
The lie came out quickly.
Too quickly.
Kael didn't look convinced.
Of course he didn't.
His eyes remained fixed on my face, studying every reaction like he was trying to peel apart my thoughts one layer at a time.
"You're lying again," he said quietly.
I clenched my fists.
"Believe whatever you want."
My voice sounded sharper than I intended.
But I didn't care.
This entire situation was ridiculous.
A forced alliance.
A political marriage.
And now this arrogant Alpha standing in front of me acting like he owned me.
I lifted my chin slightly.
"This announcement changes nothing."
Kael's eyebrow rose.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
I met his gaze firmly.
"This is politics. Nothing more."
My wolf stirred uneasily again, clearly disagreeing.
I ignored it.
Kael, unfortunately, did not.
"You keep saying that," he murmured.
"Because it's true."
He took another step closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
My back stiffened instantly.
"Then explain something to me."
I didn't respond.
His voice lowered slightly.
"Why does your wolf react every time I come near you?"
My breath caught again.
Damn him.
Damn his stupid Alpha senses.
"You're imagining things," I snapped.
Kael let out a quiet huff of amusement.
"I don't imagine things."
Another step forward.
Now there was barely any distance left between us.
I could feel the heat radiating from him.
His scent surrounded me—warm, steady, impossible to ignore.
My wolf shifted restlessly.
Stop that, I scolded it silently.
But it didn't listen.
Kael noticed immediately.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"There it is again."
My jaw tightened.
"You're insufferable."
"And you're stubborn."
The words slipped out of his mouth so casually that it almost caught me off guard.
I glared at him.
"You barely even know me."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"I know enough."
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
His gaze flickered briefly across my face before returning to my eyes.
"I know you heard my wolf earlier."
Silence stretched between us.
The memory rushed back.
That moment during the competition.
The deep voice inside my head.
Mine.
My heart began racing again.
"I didn't hear anything," I said firmly.
Kael studied me for a long moment.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"You're really going to keep pretending."
"Yes."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You're terrible at it."
My patience snapped.
"Why does it matter to you so much?" I demanded.
Kael's expression shifted.
The hint of amusement disappeared.
Something heavier replaced it.
"Because," he said slowly,
"this alliance just tied you to me."
My stomach twisted.
"I didn't ask for that."
"Neither did I."
That surprised me.
I frowned slightly.
Kael continued, his voice quieter now.
"But whether we asked for it or not…"
His wolf stirred beneath the surface.
"…it happened."
I shook my head immediately.
"No."
His eyes narrowed.
"No?"
"This doesn't change anything," I insisted.
I took a small step back.
"I refuse to let my life be decided by some political arrangement."
Kael watched me carefully.
"And if it's not just politics?"
My chest tightened.
"It is."
"And if it isn't?"
"Then it still doesn't matter."
His brow furrowed slightly.
"Why?"
Because I refuse to let fate control me.
Because I don't believe in mate bonds.
Because I refuse to belong to someone I didn't choose.
But I didn't say any of that.
Instead, I met his gaze steadily.
"Because I don't want this." The words settled heavily between us. For a moment, Kael said nothing. Then something dark flickered in his eyes.
"You don't want the alliance," he said slowly.
"Correct."
Another pause.
"And you don't want me." My silence was answer enough.
Kael let out a quiet breath. For the first time since this conversation began… He stepped back. Relief flickered through me. Good. Maybe now he would finally leave. But instead of turning away…
He smiled.
Not amused.
Not mocking.
Something far more dangerous.
"You might not want it," he said calmly.
"But that doesn't change the fact—" His wolf stirred again. "—that you're mine." My anger flared instantly. "I am not—" "Lyra!" The sudden voice cut through the tension.
Both of us turned. Kiera was hurrying toward us, slightly breathless.
"Your father is looking for you," she said quickly. My stomach dropped. Of course he was. This announcement had just pulled our families into the center of everyone's attention. Which meant one thing. There were going to be conversations. A lot of them.
Kael's gaze flickered briefly toward the center of the festival grounds, where the pack leaders were gathered. Then back to me. Something in his expression told me he wasn't finished. Not even close. "You should go," he said quietly. I hesitated for half a second.
Then I turned and followed Kiera into the crowd. But even as I walked away I could still feel his gaze burning into my back. And for some reason… My wolf stirred again.
Restless.
Curious.
Awake.
The sensation sent a chill down my spine.
Because a single, unsettling thought had begun to form in my mind.
What if this was only the beginning?