Kamrynn's POV
After Aryna awoke within me, everything changed in ways I hadn't thought possible. It wasn't just a physical shift; it was visceral, a transformation that radiated from deep within. Strength coursed through my veins, so potent it felt as though I could lift mountains if I tried. My senses sharpened to a near-supernatural degree. I could hear the softest whispers from across the room, smell the faintest traces of herbs lingering in the air, and feel the subtle vibrations of footsteps on the ground before they even reached my ears.
Tasks that had once left me winded-bending to pick something off the floor, climbing stairs, or even enduring the day-to-day weight of my pregnancy-now seemed laughably easy. My body felt lighter, almost like I was floating just above the earth but with a grounding force that kept me steady.
And my awareness… it was unnerving at first. I noticed details I would have missed before: the slight shift in a person's tone, the tension in their shoulders, the faintest flicker of unease in their eyes. It was as though Aryna's return had fine-tuned my instincts, sharpening them to an edge I hadn't known existed.
"Feel that?" Aryna's voice purred in my mind, soft yet filled with pride.
"I do," I whispered back, pausing to flex my fingers, marveling at how steady and strong they felt. "It's... incredible."
"This is how it was always meant to be," Aryna replied, a note of contentment in her tone. "Together, we are whole. Together, we are unstoppable."
The bond between us wasn't just a presence; it was a hum, a steady rhythm that pulsed in the back of my mind. It grounded me, strengthened me, and reminded me of who I was. Of what I had been missing. Whole. Unyielding. Limitless.
Yet, even with this newfound power, there were irritations I couldn't shake-chief among them, Kyven. His timing was impeccable in the worst way possible. Whenever I was deep in thought or enjoying a rare moment of peace, he would show up, grinning like a mischievous pup.
"Kamrynn!" he'd call out, his voice carrying a cheerfulness that grated on my nerves. "Got a minute?"
I'd sigh inwardly, forcing a polite smile. "What is it now, Kyven?"
And then the barrage would begin. His stories ranged from his childhood escapades in the Blue Bell Pack to his adventures at university, all delivered with the enthusiasm of someone who believed they were the center of the universe. It was how I found out, unbidden, that Kyven is the son of Alpha Orion's sister who moved away to another Pack after finding her mate. Kyven spent most of his life in the Blue Bell Pack with Rmonica and the Alpha so he holds them in very high regard.
While he spoke, I'd try to focus on something else-anything else-but his energy was impossible to ignore.
"Did I ever tell you about the time Rmonica caught me sneaking out past curfew?" he asked once, leaning against the kitchen counter as I tried to prepare a light lunch.
"Twice," I said dryly, hoping he'd take the hint.
But no. Kyven was persistent, chatting on as though he hadn't heard me.
Today was one of such days. What I'd give to be able to mute him. I stood at the counter, squeezing the last of the oranges into the juicer. The tangy aroma of fresh citrus filled the kitchen, a brief comfort in what I hoped would be a rare moment of solitude. That peace didn't last long.
"-so then my mom said, 'Kyven, if you don't come back for the holidays, your aunt will never forgive you.' She's dramatic, obviously, but you know how families are," Kyven's voice cut through my thoughts like an unwelcome gust of wind. He was perched on the counter, all effortless charm and boundless energy.
I bit my tongue and kept working, pouring the juice into a glass. "Mmhmm."
"And Uncle Orion," he continued, waving his hands as if reliving the moment, "he's got that tough Alpha exterior, right? But deep down, he's all heart. I mean, why else would he practically beg me to spend my break here?"
"Why indeed," I murmured, taking a sip of the juice and savoring the brief silence.
Kyven didn't notice-or didn't care. He leaned closer, grinning. "You ever feel like you're the glue holding everyone together? That's me. My mom says I'm the peacemaker of the family. Keeps everyone in line, you know?"
"Kyven," I said, turning to him with an arched brow. "Why are you really here?"
He blinked, caught off guard. "What? I can't just enjoy your company?"
I stared at him for a beat, unimpressed. "You've been enjoying my company for half an hour now, and I still don't know why."
He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Alright, fine. I just thought we could... talk. You're interesting."
"Am I?" I asked dryly, pouring another glass of juice.
"Yeah! I mean, you're a rogue-well, you were-and you're living here, and you've got this... mysterious vibe." He gestured vaguely, like he couldn't quite find the words.
"Mysterious," I repeated, unimpressed.
"Exactly!" His grin widened, oblivious to my exasperation. " You know, it's kind of funny. My name, Kyven, right? My mom told me it means 'strong.' Pretty cool, huh? She told me when I was little."
I raised a brow, unable to resist the jab. "How old were you when she told you that?"
"Oh, I don't know... maybe six?" he said, shrugging. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "I'm nineteen now, by the way."
That made me pause. "Nineteen?"
"Yeah," he said, his grin turning bashful.
He cleared his throat and leaned closer, his grin widening. "I never got to ask, where are you from...?"
That made me stiffen momentarily but I quickly shook it off, keeping my eyes on the counter as I spoke. "It's a secret."
"Why is it a secret?" he pressed.
I set my glass down, turning to face him fully. "Kyven, we need to have a serious conversation."
"Uh... okay?" He tilted his head, his expression wary.
I folded my arms, meeting his gaze head-on. "If you've started developing any kind of romantic feelings toward me, you need to stop. Right now. I'm not interested."
His grin faltered for half a second before it returned, cocky and unbothered. "Is this because you're pregnant? Because, honestly, I don't care about that. I've got experience with kids. Aunt Rmonica used to take me to orphanages all the time for her charity work."
"This isn't about my pregnancy," I said flatly.
"Then what is it?" he pressed, stepping closer.
"You're too young for me," I said simply.
He frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "You're twenty-one. That's barely a difference."
"You became an adult just a year ago," I pointed out, my voice steady but firm. "You haven't even found your mate yet. You haven't lived, Kyven. You haven't seen the world, figured out who you are, or what you want. It would be a mistake-a foolish one-to make a life-changing decision based on a fleeting crush."
"It's not a crush!" he said, his voice rising with emotion. He stepped forward, gently grabbing my arms. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced with a rare seriousness. "This isn't some stupid, childish thing, Kamrynn. I know how I feel!"
I pulled my arms free, staring him down. "Your feelings are your responsibility, Kyven. Not mine. I'm not interested in you, and I never will be. Let it go."
The weight of my words hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting. For a moment, he looked like he might argue, but then he dropped his hands to his sides, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation.
Without another word, I grabbed my glass of juice and left the kitchen, my footsteps echoing down the hall. As I walked away, Aryna's voice drifted through my mind, soft and amused. 'Handled like a true Luna.'
"I'm no Luna," I replied silently. "Just a pregnant woman with no patience for nonsense."
Aryna chuckled. 'Well, he needed to hear it. Let's hope it sticks this time.'
I didn't reply, but I couldn't help hoping she was right.