The air turned heavy.
Dangerous.
Unforgiving.
Lyra’s eyes locked on Daniel.
He was breathing hard, his stance tense, ready to fight—but outnumbered.
Three against one.
And they weren’t weak.
Kael stepped forward.
Just one step.
But it was enough to shift everything.
“Step away,” he repeated.
His voice was calm.
But there was no mistaking the warning in it.
The stranger in front of them smirked.
“Alpha Kael,” he said. “We were hoping you’d show up.”
Lyra’s heart skipped.
They know him…
Kael’s expression didn’t change.
“Then you’ve made your mistake.”
The other wolves shifted slightly.
Circling.
Testing.
Lyra felt her wolf rise.
Not out of fear.
But instinct.
Protect.
Daniel’s eyes flickered briefly to Lyra.
Relief.
Then something else.
Conflict.
“Stay back,” Da
