Kamrynn's POV
"Surprise!" He announced, his arms spread dramatically as he stood in the doorway.
Rmonica shot up, her face breaking into an enormous smile. "Kyven!"
The man-Kyven, apparently-bounded over and scooped Rmonica into a tight hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her in circles. "Did I get you? Did I surprise you?" he teased, his voice light and full of mischief.
"You absolutely did!" Rmonica laughed, her voice ringing with genuine delight. "What are you doing here?"
"Semester's over," he said, setting her down and brushing invisible dust from his jacket. "Figured I'd spend my break with my favorite aunt and uncle."
Rmonica beamed at him, clearly thrilled by his unexpected visit. "It's so good to see you! Kamrynn, come meet Kyven."
I stood slowly, trying to mask the unease creeping through me as Rmonica gestured toward me with enthusiasm. "This is the Alpha's nephew," she said proudly. "Kyven, meet Kamrynn. She's a dear friend."
Kyven turned his attention to me, his grin sharpening into something more scrutinizing. His eyes flicked over me, and I felt their weight like a physical thing. "Well, well," he said, stepping closer. "What do we have here?"
I forced a polite smile and extended my hand. "Kamrynn," I said simply.
He clasped my hand in his, his grip firm but lingering just a beat too long. "Kyven," he replied, his tone warm but his gaze too intense. "Nice to meet you."
I pulled my hand back, taking a subtle step away. Something about him felt… wrong. The way his eyes scanned me, the way he leaned in slightly, as if testing the boundaries of personal space. He was charming, sure, but there was a thread of something beneath it-something I couldn't quite place.
"This is great!" Rmonica said, breaking the tension as she looped an arm through Kyven's. "We've missed you around here. I can't wait to catch up."
Kyven chuckled, his focus shifting back to her. "You can tell me everything over dinner. I've got stories too-college is wild, Rmonica. You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen."
As they bantered, I took a step back, letting their reunion play out without me. I told myself not to overthink it, not to judge someone on a first impression. But the unease lingered, a faint but persistent thrum at the back of my mind.
The next morning, I barely had time to settle into the day before Kyven appeared, all bright-eyed and buzzing with energy. He wasted no time diving into a barrage of questions, his curiosity relentless.
"So, how did you meet Rmonica?" he asked, leaning in too close as I worked on slicing some fruit for breakfast.
"Uh, through mutual circumstances," I replied vaguely, trying to sidestep the details.
"Mutual circumstances?" he echoed with a grin, clearly not satisfied. "Come on, Kamrynn, spill! What's the real story? Were you always close? Or did you, like, meet recently?"
I sighed, my patience thinning. "Recently," I said, forcing a polite smile. "But we've grown close."
"Interesting," he mused, tapping his chin theatrically. "So, are you staying here permanently? Or is this just a stop along the way?"
I glanced at him, trying not to let my irritation show. "I'm taking things one day at a time."
Kyven nodded, as if that was the most profound thing he'd ever heard. "Makes sense, makes sense. And your pregnancy-how's that been? Twins, right? That's got to be intense."
I stiffened, surprised by how easily he brought it up. "It has its moments," I said carefully. "But I'm managing."
He kept at it, question after question, like a child pestering an adult for answers to life's mysteries. Where was I from? Did I miss my old life? How did I feel about the Blue Bell Pack? By mid-morning, my politeness was hanging by a thread, and I was counting down the seconds until he'd leave.
Finally, salvation came in the form of a knock at the door. The driver had arrived to take Kyven sightseeing. "Master Kyven, we're ready to leave," the man announced.
Kyven turned to me with a grin. "Guess we'll have to continue this later. Don't miss me too much, Kamrynn."
I managed a tight smile. "Have fun."
As soon as the door closed behind him, I slumped into a chair, exhaling deeply. "Finally," I muttered, savoring the rare moment of peace.
The reprieve didn't last long. Rmonica entered the room not long after, her expression a mixture of excitement and purpose. "Kamrynn, I have good news."
I perked up immediately, sitting straighter. "What is it?"
"I spoke to the Alpha," she began, her voice tinged with excitement. "He remembered a retired spiritual healer in the Pack. Her name is Marwynn. She's quite old now and doesn't practice anymore, but when the Alpha told her about your situation, she agreed to see you."
My heart leapt. "She'll see me? She's willing to help?"
Rmonica nodded, her smile widening. "She said she'll do what she can. She lives in a small cottage near the Pack's border. We can arrange for you to meet her in two days."
I grabbed her hands, my gratitude spilling out. "Thank you, Rmonica. And please thank the Alpha for me, too. I don't know what I'd do without you both."
Her gaze softened. "You don't need to thank me. You deserve this, Kamrynn. After everything you've been through, it's about time something good happened for you."
Warmth bloomed in my chest, the heavy weight of uncertainty easing just a bit. Two days. I could hold onto hope for that long.
***
The healer's cottage stood like a sanctuary at the Pack's border, surrounded by wildflowers and overgrown herbs. The wooden exterior was weathered, yet the place exuded a sense of calm. As I approached the small, crooked door, I felt a strange energy in the air-a hum, almost like a pulse, brushing against my skin.
The elderly woman who answered my knock was smaller than I expected, her back slightly hunched but her presence commanding. Her silver hair was tied into a long braid, and her piercing gray eyes seemed to look straight into my soul.
"Kamrynn," she said, her voice low and melodic. "I've been expecting you. Come in."
I stepped inside, immediately enveloped by the scent of herbs, beeswax candles, and something faintly floral I couldn't place. The walls were lined with shelves holding jars of dried plants, crystals, and aged books. A woven rug covered the wooden floor, and a single table sat in the center, its surface cluttered with tools I couldn't begin to name.
She gestured to a chair. "Sit," she instructed, her tone calm but firm.
I obeyed, settling into the chair as she moved about the room, her hands deftly gathering items. She murmured softly to herself, her movements precise. After a moment, she lit a bundle of sage, the pungent smoke curling through the air and filling the room.
"Close your eyes," she instructed. "Breathe deeply."
I hesitated, nervous about what she might find, but her steady gaze reassured me. I closed my eyes, inhaling the earthy scent as it filled my lungs and seemed to settle my racing heart.
"Good," she murmured. "Now, let me see."
I felt her fingers lightly touch my temples. A strange warmth spread through me, not unpleasant but undeniably foreign. Her hums were soft, almost inaudible, as she moved her hands to hover over my chest, then my stomach.
There was silence for a moment before she spoke. "Your wolf," she began, her voice tinged with something that sounded like relief. "She is not gone, child. Aryna slumbers."
My eyes flew open, meeting her calm yet knowing gaze. "She's alive?" My voice cracked with emotion. "You're sure?"
She nodded, her expression kind but resolute. "Yes. She hides, protecting herself from the pain you endured. She's waiting for you."
Tears blurred my vision as hope flooded my chest. "Can you help me bring her back? Please."
The healer smiled gently, her weathered hand resting on my shoulder. "Yes. But such things require preparation. A cleansing ritual will be needed to awaken Aryna and restore your bond. Return to me in three days. By then, I will have all that we need."
I nodded fervently, my voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you."
Her smile deepened, and her grip on my shoulder firmed. "You've already started by taking the first step. Trust in your strength, Kamrynn. You are far stronger than you realize."
As I left the cottage, the air seemed lighter, the sunlight warmer against my skin. Hope bloomed in my chest, vibrant and alive. Three days felt like an eternity, but with each step away from the healer's sanctuary, I found myself daring to believe that Aryna and I could be whole again.