Chapter 34
Lisa’s POV_
The silence of the Frostbane Packhouse was comforting as we stepped through the front doors. The occasional creak of old wood was grounding me after the chaos of the day. Rylan’s hand was still wrapped around mine. His grip was firm but gentle, as though he was afraid that if he let go, I might disappear into the shadows again.
Neither of us spoke at first. The moonlight spilling through the tall windows lit the hallway in silver, making everything feel almost unreal. It was like a dream, or maybe a dream I didn’t dare believe in.
Once we reached the staircase, Rylan finally broke the silence. “You’re shaking,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble. “Are you alright?”
I nodded quickly, though my voice betrayed me. “I just didn’t expect to see him again,” I whispered.
Kael.
The name alone still made my heart twist, not with longing anymore, but with confusion. Pain. A ghost of something that once was.
Rylan turned to face me fully. His expression was unreadable. “Lisa,” he said carefully, “why didn’t you tell me that your ex-mate was Kael Blackthorn?”
I looked away, guilt burning in my chest. “Because I didn’t want to be defined by that bond. I didn’t want you…or anyone here…to see me as the girl who got rejected. I’m trying to move on, but seeing him again… it just brought everything back.”
Rylan’s eyes softened. He reached out and gently tilted my chin until I had no choice but to meet his gaze. “You don’t have to hide anything from me. Not your past. Not your pain. And definitely not your strength.”
I blinked back sudden tears. “It’s just… he made me feel like I was nothing. Like I didn’t matter. And then today, he looked at me like I was everything he had lost. I don’t understand how he can change so quickly.”
Rylan’s expression hardened. “Because men like Kael only realize the worth of something when it’s no
longer theirs to possess.”
His words sank deep, wrapping around the raw wounds Kael had left behind.
“I wanted to hit him again,” Rylan added. “The way he spoke to you, the way he tried to act like he still had a right to you. I don’t care if he’s the Alpha’s son. I was ready to start a war.”
My eyes widened. “But you didn’t,” I said quickly. “Why?”
He exhaled heavily and ran a hand through his dark hair. “Because it’s not just about me. It’s about my people. I lead the Frostbane Pack, and I can’t risk lives just to satisfy my pride. This matter could have escalated into a full-blown war. That’s why I forced myself to calm down.”
I swallowed hard.
He noticed. “But I would do anything to protect you, Lisa. You matter to me. You belong here. You can stay
here for as long as you want to.”
His words caught me off guard. “You really mean that?”
“Yes.” His voice was firm. “You’ve been through enough. You deserve safety, peace… and happiness.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded, the lump in my throat growing bigger.
After a few moments, Rylan looked down at our joined hands. “You know,” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, “if I ever meet my mate, I don’t care if she’s an Omega or an Alpha or a human. I would never reject her. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”
“You believe that?” I asked. I was a little surprised.
“Absolutely.” He met my gaze again. “A mate is a gift. A sacred bond. Rejecting that is like spitting in the
Goddess’s face.”
I hesitated, then asked, “But what if… what if you never find your mate?”
He chuckled softly. “Then I guess I’ll just have to keep teasing you for the rest of my life.”
I laughed, and the sound felt good….like I was finally breathing again.
“But honestly,” he continued, growing serious, “there are times I wonder if the Goddess forgot about me. Or maybe she’s waiting for the perfect moment. Maybe she’s testing my patience.”
“Maybe,” I murmured.
He studied me for a long moment, then took a slow breath. “Lisa, I know you’re still healing. I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through. But I want you to know something.”
I looked up at him. My heart was pounding.
“I like you a lot,” he said simply. “Not because you’re broken. Not because you’re some mystery I want to solve. I like you. The way you look at the world. The way you keep getting up, no matter how many times
you’re knocked down.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Rylan…”
“I’m not saying this to pressure you. I just want to be honest. You’ve been through hell, and you still manage to smile. That’s rare. That’s beautiful.”
His words wrapped around my heart like silk, gentle but unbreakable.
“Which brings me to this,” he said, suddenly a little more awkward. “Would you… maybe like to go out with
me tomorrow night?”
I blinked. “Out?”
He nodded and scratched the back of his neck. “Like a real date. Just you and me. Somewhere outside
the Packhouse. No rogue attacks, no Kael drama. Just… a break from everything.”
I hesitated. “I don’t know if I’m ready…”
“It doesn’t have to mean anything serious,” he said quickly. “We don’t have to define it. Just one night. We can eat, talk, maybe watch the stars. I want to see you smile for real.”
Sierra stirred in my mind. Say yes, Lisa. You need this.
I smiled softly. “Okay. One date.”
His grin was so bright it made my chest ache. “Perfect. I’ll plan everything. You just worry about looking stunning, which honestly, seems to come naturally to you.”
I blushed. “You’re such a flirt.”
He winked. “Only for you.”
As he walked me to the top of the staircase, he leaned in and pressed a feather-light kiss to my cheek.”
Good night, Lisa.”
“Good night, Rylan,” I whispered.
I watched him retreat down the hall. His presence lingered long after he was gone.
As I climbed the stairs to my room, I felt something shift inside me….like the first petal of a flower
”
unfurling after a long and bitter winter. Maybe tomorrow would bring more confusion. Maybe Kael wouldn’t give up. But for now, I had something else to hold onto.
Hope.
And maybe, just maybe, something more.
