Chapter 173: Two Predators

It wasn’t a friendly peck. Not a greeting. A real kiss. Her mouth pressed to his. Her hand sliding up to his neck.

Time stopped. The world stopped. Everything stopped.

I felt Darian's shock through the bond. Felt him freeze. Felt him not respond.

But he also didn't pull away immediately. Didn't shove her off.

Just stood there. Frozen.

My vision went red. My wolf exploded forward. Rage like I'd never felt before consumed me.

This woman was touching what was mine. Kissing what was mine. Claiming what was mine.

My hands turned to fists. My claws extended. I stepped forward.

Then Darian moved. Jerked back. Broke the kiss. Put distance between himself and her.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

Celeste smiled. Unbothered. Like she'd expected his reaction. "Greeting you properly."

"That's not—" He stopped. Looked at me.

I stood frozen. Watching. Trying to understand. Trying to process.

Who was this woman? Why had she kissed him? Why did she act like she had the right?

"Lyra," Darian said. His voice was urgent. Apologetic. "This isn't—"

"Who is she?" I interrupted. My voice came out flat. Cold.

Before he could answer, Celeste turned to me. Really looked at me for the first time.

Her expression changed. Surprise. Then something sharper. More calculating.

"Oh," she said. "You brought a pet."

The word hit like a slap. Pet. Like I was nothing. Like I didn't matter. Like she wasn’t in the entrance of a wolf’s settlement.

My wolf snarled. Loud. Vicious. Ready to attack.

"Don't," Darian said to Celeste. His voice was hard. Dangerous. "Don't speak to her like that."

"Why not? That's what she is, isn't it? A little wolf following you around?"

"She's my mate."

The words came out harsh. Final. Like a declaration of war.

Celeste's eyes widened. Real shock this time. "Your mate?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"That's none of your concern."

"It absolutely is my concern, Darian. We have an arrangement. An understanding."

My stomach dropped. Arrangement. Understanding. What did that mean?

"We had an arrangement," Darian corrected. "Past tense. It ended months ago."

"Did it? Because I don't recall agreeing to that."

"You didn't need to agree. I ended it. I told you it was over."

Celeste's smile was sharp. Predatory. "You told me you needed time. That's different from over."

"I was clear, Celeste."

"Were you? Because here I am. And you haven't sent me away."

The implication hung heavy between them. Like she was testing him. Like she was waiting to see what he'd do.

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Everything I'd felt in the flower field. Everything we'd shared. It all suddenly felt fragile. Threatened.

This woman was from his past. Someone he'd had an arrangement with. Someone who clearly thought she still had a claim on him.

And she'd kissed him. Right in front of me. Like I didn't exist. Like I didn't matter.

The bond pulsed. Frantic. Darian's emotions bled through. Anger. Frustration. Panic. He was trying to fix this. Trying to make it right.

But it was too late. The moment was poisoned. The happiness we'd been carrying home was gone.

Replaced by this. By her. By complications I didn't understand.

"Lyra," Darian said again. Desperate now. "Please. Let me explain."

I looked at him. At his gray eyes. At the face I'd kissed less than an hour ago. At the man I'd told I loved.

Then I looked at Celeste. At her satisfied smile. At the way she stood too close to him still.

My wolf wanted blood. Wanted to fight for what was ours. Wanted to prove we were stronger. Better.

But I wasn't my wolf. I was me. And I was drowning in confusion and hurt and rage I couldn't control.

"Explain what?" I asked quietly. "That you have a past? That you had someone before me? That she thinks she still has a claim on you?"

"It's not like that—"

"Then what is it like, Darian? Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like that."

Celeste laughed. Soft. Amused. "Oh, this is delicious. You actually care about her."

"Stop talking," Darian snapped. "This doesn't concern you anymore."

"Doesn't it? Because I came all this way to see you. To remind you what we had. What we could still have."

"We have nothing."

"Don't we?"

She stepped closer again. Reached for him.

I moved before thinking. Put myself between them. Faced her directly.

"Touch him again," I said. "And see what happens."

My voice was calm. Deadly. The voice I used before a kill.

Celeste's eyebrows rose. "Threatening me? Bold."

"Not a threat. A promise."

We stared at each other. Two predators. Two females fighting for territory.

Behind me, I felt Darian. Felt his hand on my shoulder. Gentle. Grounding.

"Lyra," he said quietly. "Come with me. Let me explain. Please."

I wanted to. Wanted to hear his side. Wanted to understand.

But I also wanted to tear this woman apart. Wanted to make her bleed for touching what was mine.

The bond screamed at me. Confused. Torn between trust and rage.

"Explain," I said without looking at him. "Now."