Luca had been babbling for the past five minutes.
"You know what would be nice? If you officially introduced her to the pack. Just saying. People are talking. Half of them think she's your mate, the other half think she's a princess from a secret healer kingdom."
Kael didn't respond.
He couldn't.
Because while Luca kept yapping about introductions, tours, and rumors, Kael's mind was stuck on one thing.
No—one person.
Her voice.
Her hands.
Her smile.
The way she frowns when she concentrates.
The tiny huff she makes when she's frustrated.
Moon goddess, he thought. If this idiot doesn't stop talking, I swear I'll punch him just to shut him up.
"…And if you're not gonna say anything, at least don't glare at me like I kicked your puppy," Luca was saying. "You've been walking in silence like you're possessed—"
Then fate struck.
She turned the corner.
Asha.
Her soft blue dress brushed against her legs as she walked. She looked serene. Tired—but peaceful.
And she smiled.
At Kael first.
Then politely at Luca.
"Hi," she said gently.
Kael felt his heart stutter.
But Luca—Luca, the menace—stepped right in.
"Asha!" he said with a grin. "I'm Luca—the Beta of our pack. Kael's better half, really."
Kael shot him a murderous glare.
"Thank you for saving this boy for us. He wouldn't say it out loud, but trust me, the whole pack owes you."
"Also, if you ever want a tour of the territory—I'll be your guide. Day or night."
Asha blinked, surprised by the offer, but gave a small laugh. "Thank you, Luca. That's very kind."
Kael's jaw clenched.
He wasn't sure if it was the smile she gave Luca or the fact that Luca was still breathing.
Luca turned to Kael and whispered just loud enough:
"You're welcome."
Kael stepped forward slightly, his voice smooth but firm.
"She already has a guide."
Luca raised a brow. "Oh? I didn't know she asked for one."
"She didn't." Kael's eyes flicked to Asha's, softer now. "But she has one anyway."
Asha's cheeks flushed, just a little, and she looked down.
Luca just grinned wider. "Aren't you two just adorable."
Kael growled.
Kael didn't respond to Luca's final jab.
He didn't even look at him.
Instead, he turned to the only thing in his world that suddenly mattered.
"Asha," he said softly, "would you like to see the Healers' Hall?"
Her eyes lit up instantly.
Not just happiness—purpose.
Like someone had finally asked her what she'd been waiting her whole life for.
"Yes," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please."
And that was all Kael needed.
He didn't think.
Didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward… and took her hand.
Not casually.
Not like a friend.
Like a man reaching for something he'd been starving for since the moment she vanished from that forest years ago.
Her eyes widened, shock written all over her face.
A flush climbed up her cheeks, pink and perfect.
Kael felt it too.
That electric current—like lightning had licked his skin, but it didn't burn.
It woke something in him. Something ancient.
His wolf surged, his heart pounding louder than ever before.
He didn't let go.
Couldn't.
Moon goddess… he thought. Don't play with me. Not this time.
If she's not mine… if I'm not meant to have her—then why does holding her feel like coming home?
I will be damned if I let her go again.
The walk to the Healers' Hall should've been peaceful. Calming, even.
Kael still had Asha's hand in his, and her touch—gods, her touch—was enough to silence even his raging thoughts.
But.
There was a problem.
A noisy problem.
Luca.
The fool was trailing beside them like an excited pup, talking endlessly, cracking ridiculous jokes, and—not for the first time—ignoring every single mindlink warning Kael sent him.
"Luca, shut up."
Blocked.
"Luca, I swear to the moon, one more word—"
Still blocked.
Kael clenched his jaw, his grip on Asha's hand tightening slightly.
To make matters worse?
She was laughing.
At Luca's jokes.
Her soft, melodic laugh filled the air like a song, and Kael's wolf howled inside his chest.
She's laughing at him. Not me. HIM.
Luca was mid-sentence, grinning like he owned the world.
"—so I told the Alpha of Silver Claw that if his ego was any bigger, it'd need its own packhouse—"
Asha giggled again, covering her mouth with her free hand.
Kael stopped walking.
Luca noticed too late.
"Everything okay, Alpha?"
Kael turned slowly. "Yes. Except for the part where you're ruining the moment."
Luca blinked. "What moment?"
Kael raised a brow. "Exactly."
Luca smirked. "Ah. You mean your imaginary mating dance?"
Kael didn't even dignify it with a response. Instead, he turned to Asha, softer this time.
"The Healers' Hall is just ahead. You'll have full access whenever you need it… and I've made sure it's stocked."
She smiled up at him, her fingers curling just a little tighter in his.
Kael shot a quick glance at Luca—who winked like the menace he was.
Dear Moon Goddess, Kael thought grimly. Please give me the strength not to bury my Beta in the herb garden.