Chapter 9 MOVE ON.

As I followed Kalen through the forest, I couldn't help but think about Racheal and Asher. I had made a choice, and now I had to live with it.

Kalen's pack home was a grand, imposing structure made of dark stone and wood. It loomed above us as we approached, casting a shadow over the surrounding trees.

Inside, the pack home was warm and welcoming, with soft lighting and plush furnishings. Kalen led me to a beautiful room with a large window overlooking the forest.

"Make yourself at home," he said, his voice gentle. "I'll have someone bring you some food and drink."

I nodded, still feeling a little numb. As Kalen left the room, I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts.

But before I could think too much, there was a knock at the door. A pack member brought in a tray of food and drink, and I realized I was starving.

As I ate, I couldn't help but think about Racheal and Asher. I missed them so much already.

Kalen came back into the room, a soft smile on his face. "How are you feeling?" he asked, sitting down next to me.

I looked at him, trying to read his expression. "Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kalen's smile faltered, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the old Kalen, the one I had known before.

"I'm sorry, Lyra," he said, his voice low. "I never meant for things to go this far. I just... I couldn't stand the thought of you being with Racheal"

I looked at him, shocked. "You love me?" I asked, my voice incredulous.

Kalen nodded, his eyes locked on mine. "I do. And I want to make things right between us."

I was taken aback. I had never expected Kalen to feel this way.

But as he reached out to touch my face, I knew I had to escape. I couldn't stay here, not with Kalen, no matter how nice he was being.

I waited until he was distracted, and then I made a break for the door. I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest.

I heard Kalen shouting behind me, but I didn't look back. I kept running, my feet pounding the forest floor.

I was almost free...

But then, I heard a growl behind me, and I knew Kalen had shifted into his wolf form.

I ran faster, my lungs burning, but I knew I couldn't outrun him.

And then, suddenly, I was falling. I had stumbled over a root, and I was tumbling down a steep hill.

As I came to, I saw a figure standing over me.

The air was thick with tension as Racheal and Kalen faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. I tried to move, but my body was still recovering from the fall.

Racheals eyes flashed with anger as he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Kalen, you've gone too far this time."

Kalen, still in his wolf form, took a step forward, his teeth bared. But as he looked at me, his expression changed. He saw the fear in my eyes, and the determination.

He took a deep breath, and his wolf form began to shift. He stood up, his human form tall and imposing.

"Lyra, I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I never meant to hurt you. I just... I love you."

The words hung in the air, and I felt a surge of shock. Kalen's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw the truth there.

But I was already shaking my head. "Kalen, no," I said, my voice firm. "I love Racheal ,not you."

Kalen's face fell, and for a moment, I saw the pain in his eyes. But then, his expression hardened.

"I'll never stop loving you, Lyra," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And I'll never let you go."

Racheal stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "You'll have to go through me first," he growled.

The two brothers faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. I knew that this was it. One of them would have to die.

And then, in a flash of fur and claw, the fight began. Ryder and Kalen clashed, their bodies crashing together in a flurry of punches and kicks.

I watched in horror as they fought, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what to do.

But then, I heard a tiny cry, and I looked down to see Asher, my precious pup, standing next to me, his eyes wide with fear.

"Mama!" he cried, his tiny voice trembling.

I scooped him up, holding him close to my chest. "It's okay, baby," I whispered, trying to calm him down. "Mama's here."

The sound of Asher's voice seemed to snap Ryder and Kalen out of their rage. They stopped fighting, their chests heaving with exhaustion.

Kalen looked at me, his eyes lingering on Asher. And for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the old Kalen, the one I had known before.

"Lyra, I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I never meant to hurt you or Asher. I just... I love you."

I shook my head, feeling a surge of sadness. "Kalen, you need to leave," I said, my voice firm. "You can't keep doing this. You need to let go and move on."

Kalen's face fell, and for a moment, I saw the pain in his eyes. But then, he nodded, and turned to walk away.

As he disappeared into the trees, Ryder turned to me, his eyes locked on mine. "Lyra, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

I nodded, feeling a surge of relief. "I'm fine," I said, smiling. "Thanks to you."

Ryder smiled back, and pulled me into a tight hug. Asher squealed with delight, wrapping his tiny arms around our necks.

"I'll always protect you, Lyra," Racheal said, his voice low and sincere. "And Asher. You're both my family, and I'll never let anything hurt you."

I hugged him back, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. I knew that I was safe, and that Racheal would always be there for me and our pup.