Luna. Chapter 83

(Lyra's POV)

"Pancakes it is," I said, standing up from the kitchen table. The revelation about someone actively sabotaging my supernatural education was still sinking in, but Asher's simple request for breakfast felt like an anchor to normalcy.

"I'll help," Kael said, starting to get up.

"No, you're still recovering. I've got this."

But he was already moving toward the stove, his movements careful but determined. "I need to do something useful. Besides, I make excellent pancakes."

I watched him gather ingredients, noting how he moved with the same quiet efficiency he'd always had, even with the lingering stiffness from his surgery. There was something comforting about the domestic scene after everything we'd been through.

"When did you learn to cook?" I asked, getting plates from the cabinet.

"Had to learn. Three years of living alone and eating takeout gets old fast."

The coffee maker beeped, and I poured myself a cup, grateful for the caffeine. My mind was still racing from Asher's warning about the trap at the library.

"So what now?" I said quietly, not wanting Asher to overhear. "If we can't research celestial wolf abilities safely..."

"We find another way." Kael cracked eggs into a bowl. "There has to be someone we can trust."

Asher climbed onto his chair at the kitchen table, swinging his legs. "Daddy makes the fluffiest pancakes. They taste like love and butter and happy mornings."

"Daddy made breakfast!" he announced, like it was Christmas morning.

"I can see that." I ruffled his hair. "Go wash your hands."

While Asher was upstairs, Kael set three plates on the table. "How are you feeling about today?"

"Nervous." I sat down heavily. "What if it doesn't work?"

"It'll work."

"You don't know that."

"I know you." He met my eyes. "You don't give up when it comes to protecting people you love."

Something warm unfurled in my chest. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have him believe in me.

Asher came back downstairs and climbed into his chair. "The curse feels angry today."

My appetite disappeared. "Angry how?"

"Like it knows we're going to try to make it go away." He picked up his fork, completely calm about discussing supernatural forces over breakfast. "But it's scared too."

"Scared of what?"

"Of you, Mama. It doesn't like that you're getting stronger."

Kael and I exchanged glances. "Am I getting stronger?"

"Your wolf is brighter today. Like she's remembering things she forgot."

I closed my eyes, reaching for Aria. She felt more solid than she had in weeks, more present.

"Maybe that's a good sign," Kael said quietly.

"Maybe." I took a bite of pancake. It was perfect, fluffy and sweet. "These are really good."

"My secret ingredient."

"Which is?"

"Love."

The word hung in the air between us. I felt my cheeks heat, but I didn't look away.

"Daddy loves us," Asher said matter-of-factly. "Even when he's sad, he still loves us."

"I do," Kael said, his voice rough. "I never stopped."

I swallowed hard. "Kael..."

"I know. I'm not asking for anything. I'm just telling you the truth."

We finished breakfast in comfortable silence, and for the first time in years, we felt like a family.