Chapter 210
Lynette's POV
Kael moved closer. Two steps. Three.
"This season's brutal," he said. His voice was low. Careful. "You should layer up more. Last thing you need is getting sick."
My heart did something weird.
Skipped. Stuttered.
I forced myself to breathe normally.
"I'm fine," I said. Kept my tone casual. "Just needed air. You look like you've got something on your mind though."
He stopped about an arm's length away. Close enough that I could smell him—snow and cedar and something darker underneath.
His jaw tightened. Released.
"Yeah," he said finally. "I guess I do."
Silence stretched between us. Not uncomfortable. Just... heavy.
I waited.
In my first life I'd learned that silence was a weapon. People filled it when you didn't. Revealed things they meant to keep hidden.
Kael looked out toward the forest. His profile was sharp against the moonlight. Strong nose. Hard jaw. The kind of face that could've been carved from stone.
"I've been thinking," he said slowly. "About how to pursue someone."
My pulse jumped.
Fuck.
"Why the sudden interest?" I asked. Kept my voice light. Curious.
He turned to face me. Those amber eyes locked onto mine.
"What if she's full of secrets?" His voice dropped lower. Rougher. "What do I do then?"
The air left my lungs.
He was talking about me.
About me.
My brain screamed at me to deflect. Change the subject. Make a joke.
But my mouth wouldn't cooperate.
"Everyone's got secrets," I heard myself say. The words came out quieter than I meant. "Maybe when the time's right she'll want to share them."
"And if she never does?"
The question hung between us like a blade.
I swallowed. My throat felt tight.
"Then... respect her choice."
Kael studied me. His gaze moved over my face like he was memorizing every detail.
"Alright," he said softly. "Then I'll wait. I respect all her choices."
Something cracked inside my chest.
Not painful. Just... breaking open.
I'd spent twenty years in my first life surrounded by wolves who only followed me because I was strong. Because I could kill them if they didn't.
No one had ever looked at me like this.
Like I was worth waiting for.
Like my secrets didn't matter as much as me.
My eyes stung.
Shit.
I blinked hard. Looked away.
"You've got plans tomorrow?" Kael asked. His tone shifted. Lighter. Giving me space.
I grabbed onto the change of subject like a lifeline.
"Yeah. Need to head out for a bit." I cleared my throat. "Coming back later today."
Meeting Cole. Finalizing contingency plans. Making sure everything was in place before I went home to the Greys.
"Want me to arrange protection?"
I almost said no.
The refusal was automatic. Instinctive.
I didn't need protection. Never had.
But then I remembered—Wild Hunt's remnants were still out there. Fenrir and Rezar were dead but their network wasn't.
And I was going home in two days.
To Elara. To Mom and Dad. To Ethan.
I couldn't afford to be reckless.
"Yeah," I said finally. "That'd be good."
Kael nodded. No smugness. No I-told-you-so.
Just acceptance.
"I'll have Natasha ready in the morning."
"Thanks."
Another pause.
This one felt different. Warmer.
Kael moved again. This time he was close enough that I could feel his body heat cutting through the cold.
He shrugged out of his coat.
"What are you—"
He draped it over my shoulders before I could finish.
The weight settled around me. Heavy. Warm.
It smelled like him.
My skin felt too hot suddenly. Like every nerve ending had woken up at once.
"Go back inside," he said. His voice was gentle. "Don't want you catching cold."
I looked up at him.
Big mistake.
He was too close. His eyes too intense.
"You should take care of yourself too," I managed.
The corner of his mouth lifted. Not quite a smile. Something softer.
"I will."
I forced myself to step back. To turn around.
My legs felt shaky.
"Goodnight Kael."
"Night Lynette."
I walked away. Slowly. Deliberately.
Didn't let myself look back even though every instinct screamed at me to turn around.
The coat was still warm from his body heat.
I pulled it tighter around myself.
---
Morning came too fast.
I'd barely slept. Just laid in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about amber eyes and quiet promises.
Fucking ridiculous.
I was a twenty-year veteran of the bloodiest Pack wars in Canadian history. I'd killed Alphas twice my size. Survived assassination attempts. Built an empire on frozen ground.
And now I was lying awake like a teenager because a guy gave me his coat.
I dragged myself out of bed. Showered. Got dressed.
Black jeans. Combat boots. Thermal shirt under a leather jacket.
Kael's coat was folded neatly on the chair.
I'd give it back later.
The dining room was empty when I came down. Just coffee and pastries laid out on the sideboard.
I grabbed a cup. Drank it black.
My phone buzzed.
Cole: Ready when you are. Same spot as always.
I typed back: On my way.
The front entrance was quiet. Early morning light filtered through the tall windows turning everything gold.
Natasha was already waiting by a black SUV.
She looked different in daylight. Less intimidating. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail and she wore tactical gear that somehow looked casual.
"Morning Lynette," she said. Her voice was warm. Friendly even.
Complete one-eighty from the cold efficiency she'd shown during the Wild Hunt cleanup.
But that was the thing about good soldiers. They adapted.
"Morning," I said.
She opened the passenger door for me.
I slid in. The leather seats were heated.
Of course they were.
Kael thought of everything.