CHAPTER 168 : UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

At her words, Bryan chuckled breathlessly with a mix of disbelief as he ran a hand through his hair, his eyes showing all the emotions that his lips couldn't tell.

He felt like he could finally breathe properly by just staring at her, while Aiden, on the other hand, laughed softly and shook his head, not sure of what to say to that.

"You-" he started, but stopped and exhaled before stepping forward and pulling her into a tight hug.

The emotions were just too much to put into words, and there were so many things to ask, so many things to say, to tell, but for now, just hugging each other was enough.

Aiden's hand cradled the back of her head as he tightened the hug, his fingers threading through her hair softly despite the armor she was wearing.

He buried his face into the curve of her neck, breathing her in, as if inhaling her scent was going to soothe something inside him, which it absolutely did, bringing him great comfort and peace.

Smiling widely, Kira melted into him as she closed her eyes, the hug something she had been looking forward to. She had missed them as much as they had missed her, and none of them tried hiding it.

Aiden and Kira stayed that way for a few long moments, just holding onto each other and enjoying the hug, but they had to break the hug because clearly, someone also needed one, and when they did, Bryan, who was smiling, pulled her into another hug, which was just as tight as Aiden's.

His hand cupped the back of her head as well before trailing down her back as he poured every ounce of his emotions into the hug-the longing, the missing, the relief, everything. And Kira held onto him just as much, laughing softly at the way he almost squeezed the life out of her.

When the hug finally ended, Kira could not help but notice the figure that just stood like a statue, watching them.

Knowing what was coming, she chuckled and turned to face Ryker, who had his arms crossed with an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"That was quite an entrance, Luna Kira," he teased, uncrossing his arms.

"I missed you too, Ryker," Kira responded, laughing quietly right after.

"Better," he chuckled. "I was not about to not be missed."

"But..." Bryan interrupted them. "How are you here?" He asked, his curiosity taking over.

"I will explain everything later," Kira promised as she looked at him. "For now, where are Mom and Dad?"

"They are inside their room," Aiden answered. "The guards are guarding them."

"Right," Kira muttered and nodded. "And what about Morane? I haven't seen her."

"Morane left a week ago, said she had some things to do, friends to visit and so on," Bryan explained. "She will be back, but not for a while."

Exhaling softly, Kira nodded again, taking in the information. "Okay." Then, as she looked at them properly, she noticed something and moved closer to them, her fingers now touching the tears in their clothes and the cuts on their bodies.

"You're hurt," she murmured as she inspected them, her tone laced with worry.

"It's already healing," Bryan said reassuringly while smiling. "It's nothing."

"We are fine," Aiden agreed, not surprised at her reaction. "In no time it will be completely healed. Just give it a few minutes."

"Hmm," Kira hummed, her lips pressed together as she studied them for a moment longer.

"Alright," she finally said, satisfied.

Just as Aiden was about to speak again and also check her body and ask if she was okay or injured, a voice cut through the moment, stopping him.

"So, this is the famous Alpha twins," the person said, their tone both teasing and intrigued.

Kira, smiling while biting her lips, shook her head, turned and gestured for Lythari to come forward, as she then proceeded to introduce them to each other.

"Bryan, Aiden, this is a very close friend of mine-Lythari, and Lythari, these are the men who have my heart."

Smirking, Lythari gave Kira a teasing look before clearing her throat and extending a hand to Bryan and Aiden. "Nice to meet you both; I have heard so much about you two."

"It's nice to meet you as well," They said, shaking her hand and nodding politely. "I hope Kira has not been much of a problem to you. She can be very stubborn."

"Truly stubborn, I tell you," Lythari agreed. "But I love her regardless."

"As do we," Aiden said, making Lythari give Kira another teasing look before her gaze landed on Ryker.

"It seems like you and the men who have your heart, are indirectly confessing your feelings to each other," Lythari said to Kira, noticing how they each kept dropping sweet lines. "Anyway, who is this?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.

But before Kira could answer, not to talk about opening her mouth, Ryker stepped forward and outstretched his hand.

"Ryker," he introduced himself smoothly, cutting Kira off completely.

"Oh, okayyy," Kira mouthed to herself, raising her hand in mock surrender. "You do you."

Unfazed by Kira's words, Lythari shook Ryker's hand and offered a smile, which he returned.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Ryker," Lythari said, a little too sweet to Kira's ears.

"It's nice to meet you too," Ryker responded, also sounding a little too sweet to Bryan and Aiden's ears.

"Okay, it's nice to meet everyone," Kira interrupted, her turn to throw Lythari a teasing look at her being all flirty with Ryker.

"What?" Lythari questioned with her eyes. "He's fineee," she mouthed, making both herself and Kira giggle, while the boys just watched them while smiling.

"Don't mind her," Kira said to them, clearing her throat and acting all serious.

"Yes, do not mind me," Lythari muttered, agreeing with Kira, as she matched Kira's serious face. "And as much as this reunion and introduction is sweet, we have to leave now," she said to them kindly.

"That's right," Kira murmured to herself. "I need to say goodbye to the others," She informed Bryan and Aiden. "As you know, I'm back for good."

"We are coming too," Bryan and Aiden simply said together. "We owe them our gratitude," Bryan said, and from the side, Ryker nodded in agreement.

"Alright then," Kira smiled. "Let's go."

The battlefield was quieter now, and among the remaining werewolf warriors, some of the elven warriors who had the ability to heal with magic and herbs kneeled beside some wounded werewolf warriors, treating them and helping them heal.

Some used magic, their hands glowing with soft light as they gently healed the wound, closing gashes and soothing bruises with a touch, while others that worked with herbs and natural remedies carefully applied poultices and salves to help speed up the recovery.

And as Kira and the rest approached the elves where they stood, her eyes softened, and her heart warmed at what she was witnessing.

"Gather around," Lythari instructed all the elves, and they did as told, now standing with Lythari as they faced Kira, Bryan, Aiden and Ryker.

"We can't thank you all enough," Aiden said, his tone sincere. "We truly appreciate your help today."

"Thank you for everything," Kira added. "For fighting alongside me. Alongside us. It means a lot."

"Of course," one of the elf said, giving Kira a heartwarming smile. "We fight for what is right, and it was an honor fighting with and beside you."

Then, Kira stepped forward and hugged some of them, the hugs warm as she bid them goodbye. She also clapped some on their shoulders the same way they did to her, murmuring farewells as they all wished her well.

After that, Kira turned to Lythari, her chest tightening slightly at the thought of parting ways.

She knew the day would come, and now that it did, it was much harder than she thought.

Without hesitation, she pulled Lythari into a tight hug, holding her close. "I'm going to miss you a lot," she murmured.

"Me too," Lythari said, hugging her just as tightly. "I'll miss you a lot too."

"You know you are always welcome in the kingdom," Lythari said after they finally pulled back, their gazes meeting each other. "You are one of us and always will be. So don't even think about hesitating to visit. And you better visit," she warned.

"Yes, ma'am!" Kira saluted jokingly before Lythari pulled her into another hug, squeezing her.

"You have done good," she said to Kira quietly. "I am so proud of you, and if you need anything... you know where to find me."

"Thank you, Lythari," Kira muttered gratefully. "I truly appreciate everything, and please, my regards to Queen Elyria."

"Of course," Lythari accepted, and then they broke the hug again and smiled at each other.

"Oh, and by the way," Lythari suddenly remembered. "You don't have to return your armor."

"Oh, really?" Kira asked, surprised as she thought she would have too.

"Yes, really, and your horse stays with you too," Lythari added. "You two have already bonded and are in love with each other."

"That's true," Kira chuckled, and just then, one of the elven warriors approached, leading her horse toward her.

"Thank you," Kira smiled and grasped the smooth and well-worn leather reins of her horse gently, then ran a hand along his muzzle.

The horse leaned into her touch, and it made Kira's smile deepen.

"Looks like you're stuck with me," she whispered while stroking his sleek coat.

One by one, the elves mounted their horses, Lythari the first.

They all raised their hands in a final farewell as Kira, Bryan, Aiden, and Ryker returned the gesture.

Afterward, Lythari lifted her hand, an object in it, and opened the portal.

As the portal opened, the elves guided their horses forward, disappearing into the portal, and finally, Lythari turned back, locking eyes with Kira one last time.

"See you soon," she called with a smirk.

Then, she rode through.