Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Draven’s POV
The bonfire burned long into the night.
Even from the far side of the courtyard, I could hear the pack’s laughter rising with the sparks drifting into the dark sky. It echoed off the stone walls of the keep, warm and alive in a way Solhaven hadn’t felt in weeks.
It should have been a relief.
After the rogue attack, morale needed something like this.
But instead of joining them, I stood on the balcony above the courtyard, watching the firelight flicker over the gathered wolves below.
Watching her.
Lyra sat among them now, squeezed between Elias and Toren. A mug rested in her hand as she listened to some wildly exaggerated story Toren was telling.
Every few seconds she laughed.
The sound carried clearly through the night air.
And every time it did, something tight in my chest loosened.
I folded my arms against the stone railing, trying to focus on the bigger picture.
The rogues were still out there.
Mira was still waiting for her next move.
Solhaven’s defenses needed strengthening.
There were a hundred things an Alpha should be thinking about tonight.
Instead, my attention kept drifting back to the same place.
Lyra.
Dorian’s voice broke the silence behind me.
“You’re staring again.”
I didn’t turn around.
“I’m observing.”
Dorian stepped up beside me, leaning his elbows casually against the railing.
“Sure you are.”
“I’m checking on the pack.”
“Of course.”
He followed my gaze down toward the bonfire.
Right toward Lyra.
Then he snorted quietly.
“Interesting definition of ‘the pack.’”
I shot him a flat look.
“Say what you came to say.”
“Oh, I plan to.” Dorian grinned. “You’re terrible at hiding things, you know.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“Draven.”
“Yes?”
“You’ve been watching that girl for the last ten minutes.”
“I watch everyone.”
“Not like that.”
I didn’t respond.
Below us, Toren made some dramatic gesture with his arms and nearly knocked Elias off the bench. Lyra laughed again, shaking her head.
Dorian tilted his head thoughtfully.
“She fits in faster than I expected.”
“She defended the pack,” I said. “That tends to help.”
“True.”
For a moment we watched in silence.
Then Dorian said casually, “You like her.”
I didn’t move.
“You’re mistaken.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That wasn’t even convincing.”
“It’s the truth.”
“You walked into her flames two nights ago.”
“That was strategy.”
“You also spend every training session watching her like a hawk.”
“She’s inexperienced.”
“And you look at her like she hung the moon.”
I finally turned toward him.
“That’s enough.”
Dorian held up both hands.
“Relax, Alpha. I’m just making observations.”
“You’re making assumptions.”
“Am I?”
His grin faded slightly, replaced by something more thoughtful.
“You know what this looks like from the outside, right?”
“I don’t care what it looks like.”
“You should.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re the Alpha.”
The reminder hung in the air between us.
I looked back toward the bonfire.
Lyra had leaned back slightly now, listening as Elias argued with Toren about the details of the rogue attack. Her expression was relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen when she first arrived at Solhaven.
Less guarded.
More at home.
Dorian followed my gaze again.
“That’s what worries you,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“That you might be getting attached.”
I didn’t answer.
Because that wasn’t entirely wrong.
He sighed.
“Look, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.”
“It could be.”
“Why?”
“Because leadership requires clear judgment.”
“And?”
“And emotions complicate judgment.”
Dorian leaned back against the railing.
“Draven, you’re allowed to have emotions.”
“I’m an Alpha.”
“You’re also a person.”
I didn’t reply.
He studied my expression for a moment.
“You’re already in deep, aren’t you?”
I exhaled slowly.
“This conversation is over.”
“That’s not a no.”
“It’s a warning.”
He laughed softly.
“Fine. I’ll stop.”
But he didn’t move away.
Instead he nodded toward the fire again.
“You know the younger wolves are already talking about it.”
I frowned.
“Talking about what?”
Dorian’s grin returned.
“Her.”
“What about her?”
“They’re placing bets.”
I turned toward him slowly.
“Explain.”
“Well,” he said casually, “half of them think the fire wolf is going to become Luna.”
I stared at him.
“They said what?”
“You heard me.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Because from where I’m standing,” Dorian said, gesturing toward the courtyard below, “it looks like the pack is already starting to accept her.”
Lyra said something that made Elias burst out laughing.
Toren clapped her on the shoulder like she’d been part of the pack her entire life.
Dorian continued, “And the way you look at her doesn’t exactly discourage the rumor.”
I dragged a hand through my hair.
“This is exactly the kind of distraction Solhaven doesn’t need.”
“Or,” Dorian countered, “it could be exactly the kind of hope they do need.”
I didn’t answer.
Because the thought had crossed my mind too.
The pack had been tense for months.
Fear of rogues. Fear of Mira. Fear of prophecy.
But tonight…
Tonight they were laughing.
And Lyra was right in the middle of it.
Dorian pushed away from the railing.
“Well,” he said, stretching his arms. “I’m heading down before Toren drinks himself unconscious.”
I nodded absently.
He took a few steps toward the door before pausing.
“Oh—and Draven?”
“What.”
He smirked.
“You might want to figure out your feelings soon.”
“I don’t have feelings.”
“Sure you don’t.”
Then he disappeared down the stairs.
Leaving me alone on the balcony again.
Below, the bonfire crackled softly.
Lyra tilted her head back, laughing at something Elias had said.
The sight of it stirred that same strange warmth in my chest.
And despite everything I’d just told Dorian—
Despite every logical reason to keep my distance—
I already knew the truth.
I was far too deep to pretend this meant nothing anymore.