The pack slowly dispersed, but the tension didn’t leave with them.
Lyra could still feel it.
Not just their stares.
Something else.
Stronger.
Closer.
She turned to leave, needing space, but she barely made it a few steps before Kael’s voice stopped her.
“You’re walking away again.”
She didn’t turn. “I need to think.”
“Or avoid,” he said.
That made her pause.
Slowly, she faced him. “Why does it matter to you?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately. He stepped closer instead, closing the distance between them in a way that felt deliberate.
“It matters because you’re pretending this doesn’t affect you.”
Lyra frowned slightly. “I’m not pretending anything.”
“Then look at me and say that,” he said quietly.
She held his gaze.
Too easily.
And that was the problem.
“Everything is affec
