---- Marcus is an excellent Beta; he'll look after the pack for now. And I... 1 must atone here." Eira thought for a moment, then nodded. "The council accepts your explanation, but on one condition. From this moment on, you must remain in the Sanctuary as Kaelen Nightfang, no more concealment. Also, you will assist us in strengthening our defenses and preparing for a possible conflict." Kaelen stood up. "I accept the condition." As night fell, I stood on my cottage porch, looking at the distant mountains. The moon was exceptionally bright tonight, as if foretelling something. "will you go back?" I suddenly asked, sensing Kaelen standing not far behind me. "Back to Nightfang?" "Only after I'm sure you and the child are safe," he answered quietly. ---- "They need their Alpha," I turned to face him." You know what happens to a pack without a leader. " "you also need protection," his voice was firm. " And... I've lost the right. I betrayed my mate, broke my vows. I don't deserve to be Alpha." "Self-pity isn't a solution," I looked him straight in the eye. ''You made a mistake, yes. But now innocent pack members are suffering because you're not there." He closed his eyes in pain. "You think I haven't thought about that? Every night I can feel the pack's call. But if I go back, who will protect you?" "] don't need your protection," I said calmly. "I have my own strength." "Against Lyra and the Northern Pack?" He shook his head. "Even the most powerful Luna can't face such an enemy alone." ---- I turned to look at the moon. "Sometimes, responsibility is more important than personal desires. Isn't that what you always told me?" The silent irony hung heavy in the air. Finally, Kaelen broke the silence. "Regardless, I won't leave until the threat of Lyra is gone. After that... I'll make the right choice." Just as we stood there, deadlocked, the alarm horn blared from afar. "Someone's breached the outer defenses!" a guard's shout came. Kaelen and I locked eyes, both realizing at the same time - Lyra had found the Sanctuary. "Stay here," he said quickly, drawing his dagger. " Lock the doors and windows, don't come out, no matter what happens." He turned and ran towards the sound, his figure quickly disappearing into the darkness. ---- I closed the door, my heart pounding. Not just because of the sudden danger, but because I realized that no matter how much I wanted to cut ties with Kaelen, fate seemed to have a way of binding us together. And, more disturbingly, in that moment of danger, my first thought was still for his safety.