The moment they stepped into the Healers' Hall, something changed in Asha.
Kael felt it before he saw it.
Her entire being lit up.
She moved around the room with a kind of reverence—like someone walking through a sacred place. Her fingers grazed over vials, dried herbs, salves, and burners. She was already listing out plants she'd need more of, murmuring things about rare roots and moon-soaked petals like she was home.
"I'm going to need to restock valerian… maybe double the chamomile. Oh! And I didn't see any silver bark, we should—"
Kael didn't move.
He just watched her. Eyes soft. Arms crossed. Heart loud.
And then—
Luca cleared his throat.
Kael didn't even turn. He didn't need to.
"So I was thinking," Luca began, that telltale smirk in his voice, "this would be a perfect time for—"
"Ehhhmmm, Luca," Kael interrupted, finally speaking. "I just remembered something."
Luca blinked. "Yeah?"
"I brought back a rogue," Kael said, his voice smooth but firm. "I need someone to interrogate him. Figure out why the rogue packs—who've been quiet for months—are suddenly making moves again."
Silence.
Then:
"You want me to do it? Now?"
Kael finally turned. Raised a brow.
"Yes. Now."
He could see the disappointment all over Luca's face, but he didn't care.
Not even a little.
I'll deal with his complaints later, Kael thought. Right now… I need her.
Luca sighed, clearly catching on. "You owe me one, Alpha."
"Add it to the list," Kael muttered, already turning back to Asha.
Once the door closed behind Luca, the silence was… peaceful.
Just the soft sound of Asha humming under her breath as she arranged herbs and Kael… watching her again, like she was something too good for this world.
Kael didn't want to leave.
Not when Asha was glowing like that—completely immersed in her herbs, humming softly, her fingers dancing over bottles like they held the stars.
But the mindlink came sharp and fast.
Alpha, your presence is required in the dungeon. Urgent.
He cursed under his breath.
Luca, he thought grimly. That smug bastard got his way.
Still, he turned to Asha, hesitant to break her rhythm.
She was pouring a thick mixture into a vial, her brow furrowed in focus.
"Duty calls, mi lady," Kael said softly, voice laced with reluctance.
Asha looked up, surprised, but then blushed faintly at his words.
"Of course, Alpha," she said with a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
But just as quickly as the blush appeared, she returned to her mixtures—shaking one, sniffing another, as if she'd never been interrupted.
Kael lingered at the doorway for a second longer than he should have.
Then he turned and left.
The dungeon was cold, the air thick with tension.
And there he was.
Luca.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, smug smirk glued to his face.
He hadn't even started the interrogation.
Kael raised a brow, unimpressed. "Really?"
Luca shrugged. "I figured you'd show up eventually."
Kael walked past him, glaring. "You used a rogue as an excuse to pull me away."
"I used duty, Alpha," Luca corrected with a mock bow. "Not my fault your wolf was practically purring in there."
Kael ignored him.
He was not purring.
Luca followed with that damn grin. "So, how was the hand-holding? Did you two plan your wedding yet or—?"
Kael growled low in his throat. "Touch her and I'll break your hands."
Luca snorted. "Relax. I'm not trying to steal your mate. Just making sure you don't keep her all to yourself before she even knows what's going on."
Kael didn't reply.
Because deep down… Luca wasn't wrong.
She didn't know.
Not yet.
But she would.
Soon.