TWINFIRE

CHAPTER 6

The path to the private courtyard feels like a noose if the council chamber was oppressive.

I shouldn't do this.

I shouldn't meet him alone.

Not the exile.

Not the mate fate placed on me.

Not the youngster who vanished and returned as a storm-carved man.

But the council insisted—talk to him privately. Hearing his truth.

Choose whether he stays or departs forever. So here I am. Walking towards where my whole body trembles.

Late afternoon sunshine enters via the courtyard entrance, which is half-open. The warm, cedar-and-earthy air behind it. Under my skin, my wolf paces immediately. Because he's near. Way too close.

I brace and open the door. Kael is standing with his back to me, hands clenched behind him, studying the courtyard's old pine tree, where Alphas have sworn their oaths for years.

He's bigger than expected. Taller. Years of exile, pain, and primal survival weigh on him. Wind-ruffled dark hair catches the sun, revealing silver temple streaks. Unrelated to age. From pain. My throat tightens. Senses me before I speak.

His head tilts slightly, showing me his pointed jaw, cheek stiffness, and alert physique. Like he feels me in his bones and spirit.

“Lyra.” He exhales my name like a harsh exhale from a chest that hasn't breathed in years.

I tighten fists.

Damn him. I hate that voice. Damn it soaks into my flesh.

I say, “You asked for privacy,” attempting to appear unaffected.

“Say what you must.” He turns entirely. The world stops.

God, their eyes lock onto me like a punch.

I recall deep blue, but now something lives in them.

Darkness. Hunger. Fury. Something rawer beneath.

Recognition. Pain. Need.

We bond like a wire under tension.

“Not even a greeting?” he whispers. “After years?” Years you chose to vanish.”

His jaw hardens. “I told you—I didn’t choose it.”

And I'm supposed to believe that? “You should,” he whispers, approaching. Because it’s true.”

The air surrounding us becomes electrified and hazardous. I have two instincts: half wants to retreat, the other wants to dash into him.

He stops a few steps away, as if knowing how near he can approach before breaking me. He continues, “You look different,” lowering voice. “Stronger. More centered.” You look troublesome.” A hint of a grin tugs at his mouth. You always knew me.” “And you left.” There. The truth. Bitter. Ugly. His eyes flash with remorse that makes my heart race. “I didn’t want to leave you,” he whispers. Why did you? “The council.” “I doubt you.” You don't need to believe me.” His voice stiffens. “It happened still.”

We are separated by brittle, hazardous, internally heated silence.

Then he approaches. “Lyra.” My name again.

He speaks with a challenge in his lower, thicker voice. Wind increases.

Thunderous pulse. Snarling, touching my flesh, my wolf wants him. The end of control. I straighten and raise my chin.

What brought you back? He briefly looks at my mouth before moving on. “I felt you.” Painful stomach twists.

“What does that mean?” Just “the bond,” he explains.

“It survived. Whatever distance I ran. Despite my efforts to hide it.”

And now?

“Now it's louder. Sharper. Violent.” Exhaling, he strokes his hair.

“Something woke me up four nights ago. You feared. It cut me like a knife.”

Catching breath. No. No, no.

He shouldn't feel that.

He shouldn't feel me. “I wasn’t afraid,” I lie.

Head tilts. “You forget—I taste your emotions.

“Never lie to me about fear.” I blush when he says taste.

This is horrible. This spirals. “Enough,” I yell. “Tell me your wishes.” His gaze is heavy on me.

After that, say “You.” The word shocks me.

My knees weaken. My heart hits my ribs.

I temporarily forget to breathe. Kael notices.

He does indeed.

His eyes deepen dangerously.

Heat waves roll off him as he approaches too closely. “I want answers,” I shakily say.

“Not—whatever.” “This is destiny,” he whispers.

This is chaos.” “We are chaos.” He twitches, resisting the temptation to grab me.

All of his body is tense with restriction. “Lyra…” Voice lowers. Look at me.” I shouldn't. I shouldn't. But I do.

Something ancient clicks when our eyes lock. A gravity-fire pull. A long-awaited power. He inhales hard, as if my sight knocks out his air.

“The bond is alive,” he whispers. “Maybe stronger.” “That’s impossible.” “It is,” he whispers. “We survived separation better than most wolves.

That breakup should have killed us.

Or numbed us.” He approaches. I retreat. “Do you feel nothing?” My voice is hoarse. “I don’t owe honesty.” His jaw moves. Then lie.” That request—what kind? Who returns from exile and demands your truth like his own? “A lie won’t fix this,” I say.

His smile is not amused, but somewhat mournful.

I reject lies. Let's admit the relationship keeps burning.” It doesn’t.” “Oh?” His whisper is dangerous.

Then why are you shaking? Damn him. He sees all. “Avoid me,” I say. “No.” Word is simple. Firm. Unmovable. “Kael—” “I’ve stayed away for ten years, Lyra,” he said, tense. “Ten years of silence, distance, and pretending the bond was dead. No more pretending.”

His eyes burn.

Not lustful.

Without possessiveness.

With sorrow.

Chest tightens.

“You have no right to come back and demand anything from me,” I respond.

“You have every right to hate me,” he whispers.

“But it won't change us.” “I choose my fate,” I whisper.

“And I’ll respect whatever you choose,” he continues.

“But not until you hear everything.” He approaches slowly.

No returning this time. Just a breath apart. Between us, heat crackles. Electric. Violent. Unavoidable.

He smells like his wilderness—pine, smoke, and raw moonlight.

My wolf presses so strongly against my flesh I feel claws from the scent.

Kael raises a hand and stops above my cheek. I'm not touched.

Restraint shakes him. I see it in his tense fingers and tight jaw. “You don’t want this,” I whisper. He laughs softly, without humor. “Lyra. I burned half my life for this.” Swallowed hard.

“Please,” he whispers. If you feel the draw, don't pretend otherwise. I close my eyes. Mistake.

Because with them closed, I focus on his aroma, warmth, and breath on my skin. Bonds hum like live wires.

When I open my eyes, his face is etched with need and pain. I breathe “Kael”.

When I say his name, his lips part slightly. “Tell me truth,” he says, shaking. “Do you feel it?” Yes. Gods, absolutely. It rips me apart. But I won't give up. Not now. Not without answers. Not without knowing why he returned. “No,” I fib.

He is sliced by the term.

He scarcely flinches, yet my heart twists.

Something changes behind his eyes. Shadow. A storm.

A pledge.

He whispers, “If that’s the game you want to play,” stepping back an inch. I'll let you pretend.” His stare lingers on my mouth. "But we know the bond will break you before the lie." My pulse jerks. “And when it does,” he says, growling, “I'll be right here. Waiting.” Air ignites between us.

Heat. Rage. Longing. It spirals in a strong, magnetic pull neither of us can resist.

Shaking, I exhale. “Whatever it is, it cannot affect my leadership.”

Kael head tilts. You think I want your throne? “That’s council opinion.” He laughs harshly, disbelieving. “I didn't challenge you again. It was the link that brought me back.” “What do you want?” “You,” he whispers. “Not your title. Not your crown. Just you.”

My ribs are drummed by my heartbeat. “I don’t belong to you,” I whisper. His eyes go soft. “No. You don't. You were born for me, and I was born for you.” “That’s not an option.” It never was.” My demand for distance makes me turn away. Air. Distance. Something that doesn't separate me.

When he speaks again, I freeze mid-step. “I didn’t leave you, Lyra,” he whispers. “I was taken.” My breath stops. “What?” I turn sharply. Memory hollows Kael's eyes as we meet. The night of the red moon, I vanished and was hauled out of the territory. Stomach drops.

“Dragged?” I whisper. “By the wolves who threatened your bloodline years ago. They still want you dead.” My universe tilts. My breath thins. Kneels threaten to buckle.

I whisper, “You’re lying,” because I can’t bear him being honest. Kael approaches cautiously and carefully. “I would never lie about this,” he claims. I was taken because of you.

Because they knew our fate.” Ears pound with pulse. “And they spoke before cutting my bondmark.” Cold blood.

“What?” Kael whispers steel. "The girl will fall with the false moon in rise." Chills run down my spine.

Kael's final words, scarcely audible, confirm my heart's struggle: "I came back to protect you." The globe sways.

The link roars.

For the first time, I'm afraid of how much I need him, not him.