Waking up the following day, I found Kael sitting up, his eyes fixed on me. I greeted him with a sleepy "Morning," to which he responded similarly. His look had an intensity that set me on edge, like something was troubling him. "What's up?" I asked."Nothing," he replied, but his eyes told a different story."Did you get any sleep?" I inquired, noting the weariness "Not really," he admitted.Sitting up fully, I reached for the bag with the phone inside. "I need to message Cassy and let her know I'm coming back today."He surprised me by saying, "She knows.""How?" "I called Mom this morning to let her know, and I could hear Cassy in the background. She's pretty worked up. I'm afraid she will insist on coming with us for the run, but..." He trailed off, seeming hesitant to continue. "I just think you might want it to be a bit more private.""Cassy has her wolf?" I asked, surprised."No, we've always carried her. Koda and Kage, too," Kael explained.The other two brothers began to s

I told Kyran I needed to talk to Kael, suggesting he and Knox return to the river. His mental sigh conveyed his reluctance. 'Skyla, if you start always trying to console him like this, it'll never end. I promise you.'Kyran's directness caught me off guard, starkly contrasting his usual demeanor. It dawned on me that he felt comfortable expressing these concerns because it was just the two of us communicating. 'I'm a big girl, Ky. I'll be okay,' I reassured him mentally before heading to the tent.Inside, Kael was sitting rigidly, fully clothed and human, his eyes fixed on the ground. I tried to communicate mentally, but he immediately cautioned, 'No, don't do that. It'll give us both nasty headaches. Only communicate human to wolf in emergencies.'Desperate to talk, I made the painful decision to shift back. The transformation was excruciating, each bone and muscle contorting back into human form. When it was over, I lay in the dirt, naked and vulnerable, looking up at Kael's concern

Walking into the pool house, I found myself in a spacious studio-like room. A bed was tucked into one corner, while a couch and sitting area occupied the center. The small kitchen was on the opposite side. It felt like a cozy, secluded haven, away from the chaos of the main house.Still damp, Kael flopped down on the couch and dried his hair with a towel. As he did, his muscles flexed visibly. His stomach, arms, his entire physique was on display. I couldn't help but notice, and I felt a surge of attraction that was hard to ignore.He peeked out from under the towel and caught me staring. His smile, knowing and a little teasing, sent a wave of heat through me. I flushed and quickly turned away, acutely aware of my heavy breathing and other signs of arousal. I realized that resisting Kael would be much more complicated than anticipated.I took a seat in a chair across from him. He stood up, walked over to the fridge, and returned with a bottle of wine. He poured two glasses and handed

As I stepped out of the poolhouse, the resonating sound of Kael's commanding voice filled the night air, echoing from the direction of the pavilion. The tone of his voice, once light and playful during what his brothers mockingly called a 'safety meeting,' was now heavy with the weight of leadership. The situation had lost all semblance of humor.I approached the pavilion quietly, lingering at the back for a moment. Kael's eyes found mine across the space, and I saw a subtle shift in his demeanor, slightly lessening the tension in his shoulders. It made me wonder if my presence could truly bring him any sense of relief or comfort.In a moment of unexpected boldness, I moved away from the shadows of the back and walked straight to the front, sitting at the table where Kael was orchestrating his plans. Maps and notes were strewn across the table, a tangible sign of the chaos he was trying to control.Kael paused mid-command, relief flooding his eyes as they met mine. A small smile flick

Waking up in Kael's arms felt like a small sanctuary amid the chaos of recent events. His embrace was a mixture of comfort and protection, a silent vow that he wouldn't let anything harm me. I could feel the tension in his body, the restless energy of a mind that hadn't shut off for even a moment."Did you get any sleep?" I whispered, noticing the distance in his eyes.He flinched slightly, suddenly pulled from his thoughts. Looking down at me, there was a weariness in his eyes. "Not really," he admitted, his voice a quiet rumble."You need to rest, Kael. Seriously," I said, concerned.He offered a half-hearted shrug. "I will. Eventually." There was a resignation in his voice, a silent acceptance of the burdens he shouldered.As I tried to sit up, I realized Ky and Knox were missing. Kael, sensing my unasked question, quickly filled in the blanks. "Ky's with Naomi. Told him to take the day off. Knox is covering for him, along with his own duties. He'll be back by lunch."I settled bac