Chapter 15
578words
A tall woman with silver-streaked hair steps forward. "Nephew,” she greets Kieran warmly. "We came early to help with preparations.”
"Aunt Elena." Kieran embraces her briefly. "Always welcome."
Her gaze shifts to me, curious but not unfriendly. "And this must be Selene."
I'm surprised she knows my name. "Yes."
"Elena is my mother's sister," Kieran explains. "And alpha of the Blackthorn pack since my mother's death."
Elena studies me with interest. "The wolf who broke a forced bond. Impressive."
"Kieran broke it," I correct.
"With your strength," she counters. "A bond breaks from both sides."
The others introduce themselves—Elena's daughter Lyra, her son Caleb, and two sentinels whose names I miss, distracted by Lyra's familiar gaze toward Kieran.
"You must join us for the pre-run meal," Elena tells me. "We have much to discuss."
I glance at Kieran, who nods encouragingly. "I'd be honored."
As the group moves toward the house, Lyra falls into step beside Kieran, her hand touching his arm as she speaks to him in low tones. The casual intimacy of the gesture makes my wolf growl softly within me.
Not your business, I remind myself sternly. He's your alpha, not your mate.
But the distinction feels increasingly blurry.
---
The day passes quickly with preparations. The Blackthorn wolves blend with Kieran's pack, helping with everything.
I spend the afternoon with Thea, trying to ignore how often Lyra seeks Kieran's attention.
"They grew up together," Thea explains when she catches me watching them. "Lyra and Kieran. Their mothers were sisters."
"They seem close," I say, aiming for casual and missing by a mile.
Thea gives me a knowing look. "Not in the way you're thinking."
"I'm not thinking anything."
"Sure." She bumps my shoulder playfully. "That's why you're glaring holes in her back."
I flush, caught. "I'm just... curious."
"Mmhmm." Thea grins. "For what it's worth, I've never seen him look at her the way he looks at you."
"And how's that?" I can't help asking.
"Like you're a puzzle he's desperate to solve."
Before I can process this, Elena approaches. "Selene, walk with me?"
I nod, following her away from the busy kitchen into the quieter library.
"Kieran tells me you're considering joining the pack," she says once we're alone.
"I'm... thinking about it."
Elena studies me with those penetrating amber eyes so like Kieran's. "My nephew is a good alpha. Better than most. But he carries burdens he won't share."
I'm not sure how to respond to this. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you've changed something in him." She moves to the window, looking out at the pack preparing for tonight's run. "Since his mother died, Kieran has led with his head, not his heart. Duty above all."
"That seems admirable."
"It is. But incomplete." She turns back to me. "An alpha needs balance. Strength and compassion. Power and restraint."
"Kieran has those things," I say, feeling oddly defensive on his behalf.
"Yes." Elena smiles slightly. "But until you arrived, he'd forgotten the joy of using them."
I shake my head, confused. "I don't understand what you want from me."
"Nothing you're not already doing." She pats my arm. "Just be aware that not everyone will be pleased to see an alpha remember he's also a man."
With that cryptic statement, she leaves me alone with my thoughts.
