THE CHASED MATE

Chapter Twelve

The forest was alive with the sounds of the pack preparing for the spring festival. Laughter and chatter echoed through the trees as members worked together to decorate the main clearing with lanterns and flowers. Lyra watched from the edge, her arms crossed as she observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Kael was in the center of it all, his easy charm drawing people to him like moths to a flame. She couldn’t help but smile as he laughed with one of the younger wolves, lifting the pup onto his shoulders to hang a garland.

He caught her gaze across the clearing, his golden eyes lighting up as he waved her over. Lyra hesitated, her instinct to retreat battling with the pull she felt toward him. Before she could decide, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Well, if it isn’t the lone wolf finally playing nice with the pack.”

Lyra turned sharply, her heart sinking as she recognized the voice. Ethan. His smirk was as arrogant as ever, his presence a stark reminder of everything she’d tried to leave behind.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice cold.

Ethan leaned casually against a tree, his dark eyes scanning her with mock interest. “Just came to see if the rumors were true. Seems like the Ice Queen’s finally thawed.”

“Go away, Ethan,” Lyra snapped, her hands curling into fists.

“Relax,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just here to talk.”

“Lyra?”

Kael’s voice pulled her attention away from Ethan. He was approaching, his expression shifting from concern to something darker as his gaze landed on Ethan.

“Is there a problem here?” Kael asked, his tone calm but laced with warning.

Ethan’s smirk widened. “Ah, the new favorite. I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Kael stepped closer, positioning himself slightly in front of Lyra. “I’ll ask again. Is there a problem?”

Ethan shrugged, his posture relaxed despite the tension crackling in the air. “No problem. Just catching up with an old friend.”

“We’re not friends,” Lyra said sharply.

Ethan’s eyes flicked to her, something predatory glinting in his gaze. “Come on, Lyra. Don’t be like that. We’ve got history.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. “Leave,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, clearly weighing his options. Then, with a lazy grin, he pushed off the tree. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”

He walked away, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence.

Kael turned to Lyra, his eyes searching hers. “Who was that?”

“No one important,” she said quickly, brushing past him.

Kael caught her arm gently, stopping her. “Lyra, talk to me. Who is he?”

She pulled her arm free, her walls snapping back into place. “It doesn’t matter. Just drop it, Kael.”

His expression hardened, frustration flashing in his eyes. “It does matter if he’s going to cause trouble for you—or us.”

“There is no us,” she said, the words cutting even as she said them. “This—whatever this is—was a mistake.”

Kael stepped back as if she’d struck him, the hurt in his eyes like a physical blow. “You don’t mean that.”

Lyra’s chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay firm. “I do. This was never going to work.”

Before he could respond, she turned and walked away, her heart breaking with every step.