Luna. Chapter 105

(Lyra's POV)

"I want to show you something," Kael said after we'd been sitting together for an hour.

My hand was still in his. The burning had faded to a manageable warmth. I felt almost normal again.

"Show me what?"

"What happens when I'm not touching you."

"Kael, no. I feel fine now."

"You feel fine because I'm here. Because we're connected. But I need you to understand how much your body needs this contact. It's important."

I didn't want to let go of his hand. The thought of losing that connection made my chest tight with panic.

"Trust me," he said softly. "I won't let you suffer. Just for a minute."

I took a shaky breath. Nodded.

He slowly released my fingers.

The effect was immediate.

The burning came roaring back. Worse than before. My skin felt like it was on fire. Every nerve ending screamed. My heart hammered so hard I thought it might explode.

"Kael," I gasped.

"I know. Hold on."

He stood up. Moved away from the couch. Just a few steps.

The distance felt like miles.

The pain doubled. Tripled. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My vision started to blur around the edges.

"Please," I whimpered.

But he didn't come back. He just watched me with those intense dark eyes.

"Do you feel it?" he asked. "Do you understand now?"

I nodded frantically. Tears were running down my cheeks.

"This is what happens when your mate isn't close. This is why I can't just leave you to handle this alone."

"I get it. Please, Kael. Come back."

He stepped closer. The relief was instant but not complete. The burning eased but didn't disappear.

Another step. Better.

Another step. Almost manageable.

When he sat back down next to me, I nearly sobbed with relief.

"Your hand," I begged.

He took my hand in both of his. The pain vanished like it had never existed.

I was shaking. From relief. From fear. From the intensity of what I'd just experienced.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I hated doing that to you. But you needed to understand."

"I do. I understand." My voice was rough. "I need you. My body needs you."

"Yes."

"That's terrifying."

"I know."

I looked at our joined hands. His skin was so much darker than mine. Rougher. Scarred from years of hard work. But touching him felt like coming home.

"What if this changes things between us?" I asked. "What if I can't tell the difference between what I actually want and what the wolf wants?"

"The wolf is part of you now, Lyra. Its wants are your wants."

"That's not helpful."

He smiled slightly. "The connection we have isn't just physical. It never was. Yes, your body craves my touch now. But your heart..."

"What about my heart?"

"That's something only you can answer."

I knew what my heart wanted. I'd always known.

But admitting it out loud was different than knowing it silently.

"The impulses will get stronger," he warned. "More demanding. Are you prepared for that?"

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"There's always a choice. If you really don't want this, there are other ways. Other werewolves who could help you through the transition."

The thought of another werewolf touching me made my stomach turn. Made the wolf inside me snarl.

"No," I said quickly. "No other werewolves."

"Then you're stuck with me."

"I can think of worse fates."

He laughed softly. "Can you?"

"Yes. I can."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while. His thumb rubbed gentle circles on the back of my hand. The motion was soothing. Hypnotic.

"Kael?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For being patient with me. For explaining things. For not just... taking advantage."

His grip on my hand tightened. "I would never take advantage of you. Not ever. No matter what the circumstances."

I believed him. Kael had always been honorable. Always been good.

It was one of the reasons I'd fallen in love with him in the first place.

"How long before the impulses get stronger?" I asked.

"Probably tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning."

"And then?"

"Then we'll figure it out. Together."

Together. The word sent warmth spreading through my chest.

"Okay," I whispered. "Together."

He brought our joined hands to his lips. Pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles.

The simple gesture shouldn't have affected me so much.

But it did.

Oh, it did.