17 - The Ribbon Between Us

Kael POV

The moment Kael stepped into the hospital room, the air changed. His wolf, restless since they crossed into Moonfang territory, let out a low, vibrating purr that rumbled beneath his skin. Kael was nearly dizzy with it—the scent that hit him full force the second he entered.

Warm amber and wild lilac. Sunlight over pine. It was intoxicating.

His gaze was locked on Ryker at first, as intended. That was the reason for being here. But every ounce of discipline he’d called upon since stepping into Moonfang crumbled the second his eyes shifted and landed on her.

Her.

She stood beside Ryker’s bed, still half-turned toward the patient, one delicate hand bracing herself on the rail. Her fire-red hair tumbled in thick waves down her back, catching the morning light like flame. Her breathing was uneven. Her pulse visible along her throat.

And her scent was hers alone—earthy and bright, summer rain over crushed flowers. His wolf, Fenric, surged forward with a low growl of approval.

‘There you are’, he whispered in Kael’s mind.

Kael’s body reacted before his mind caught up. He took a step closer, his focus narrowing to her face. Her eyes—wide, stunned, and locked on his. Gods, she was beautiful. Not in the usual way others might whisper about around bonfires, but something else. Elemental.

"Aria, are you alright?" the injured Beta asked her softly, concern flickering in his voice.

Aria. That was her name. Ryker had called her that. Kael’s chest tightened.

Kael took another step and saw her sway, catching herself on the bed again. He stopped abruptly, unwilling to overwhelm her further. His instincts warred—one half wanting to get closer, the other begging him to tread carefully.

He glanced at Ryker and spoke in a low, steady tone. “We’re here only to show respect. And to speak with Alpha Theron when the time is right.”

He forced himself to look away from Aria, though every part of him protested. He addressed Ryker with the calm of a seasoned Alpha. “I understand you’re recovering. We won’t keep you long.”

Kael then turned back to Aria, gentling his posture. “I’m Kael,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Alpha of Nightclaw.”

He extended a hand toward her.

For a heartbeat, she didn’t move. Her eyes flicked from his hand to his face, like she didn’t know if she could survive touching him. But then—slowly, cautiously—she reached out.

Their fingers met.

A jolt surged up Kael’s arm like lightning wrapped in silk. Warm and bright and alive.

The bond. It snapped into place instantly, coiling around their hands like a ribbon of heat. Kael saw it in her eyes—that she felt it too.

Behind him, Elias shifted slightly. Watching. Aware.

Kael didn’t dare look away from her. “You’ve been tending to Beta Ryker?” he asked, keeping his voice as even as he could, though his heart was pounding beneath his ribs.

Aria blinked, seeming to return to herself. Her voice, when it came, was breathless. “Yes. I’m his assigned healer.”

Ryker let out a groan from the bed. “More like a personal warden,” he joked, trying to bring the attention back to himself. “She’s got a brutal touch when you’re out of line, but I wouldn’t want anyone else sticking needles in me.”

Kael gave a tight smile but didn’t break eye contact with Aria. Her hand was still in his. He felt the heat of her skin through the contact, the magic of the mate bond humming beneath the surface.

With great effort, he released her hand, the absence of her touch like a sudden chill.

Kael turned slightly, gesturing to the man at his side. “This is my Beta, Elias Vael,” he said. “And with us is Soren, one of our strongest soldiers.”

Elias stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully toward Aria and then to Ryker.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Elias said, though his eyes flicked briefly to Kael with unspoken questions.

Soren, taller and broad-shouldered, offered only a nod. He remained silent, but his stance was alert—ever the soldier.

Kael looked back to Ryker. “We came unarmed and with peaceful intentions. I know tensions are high, but we felt it was necessary to acknowledge the attack that injured you. What happened in our bordering lands shouldn’t have touched your people. I came to extend my apologies in person.”

Ryker blinked, surprised. He opened his mouth to respond, but no sarcasm came this time. His tone was steady. “I wasn’t expecting that. Not from Nightclaw.”

Kael nodded once. “I understand your hesitation. I only ask for a moment of you and your Alpha’s time when you feel up to it. I won’t push.”

Ryker studied him, his expression calculating. Then he glanced at Aria, as if sensing something he didn’t quite understand but wasn’t willing to question.

Kael turned to Aria again, slower this time, letting himself look at her more freely now. Her pulse still fluttered visibly in her throat. Her lips were slightly parted, and her cheeks had gone a delicate shade of pink.

“I didn’t expect…” she began, then trailed off.

Kael waited. But when she said nothing more, he gave a nod of understanding. “Neither did I.”

Fenric hummed in the back of his mind, claws curled, aching to get closer to her.

Mate.

That word had never felt so enormous.

He stepped back to give her space, unwilling to rush this moment despite everything in him demanding he close the distance again. His eyes still clung to her, memorizing the curve of her cheek, the cautious awe in her expression.

The room felt too full, yet everything was centered on her.

He heard Elias shift again, clearing his throat behind him—subtle, a reminder they weren’t alone.

“We’ll speak with Alpha Theron and set up a meeting,” Kael said, this time more directed to the room. “Until then, we’ll wait.”

Ryker gave a short nod, eyes flicking between Kael and Aria.

Kael lingered one more moment, then inclined his head toward Aria. “Thank you. For caring for him.”

Her lips parted like she wanted to speak again, but all she could manage was a small nod.

Kael turned, motioning for Elias and Soren to follow. But even as they stepped into the hall, Kael didn’t need to look back to feel her still watching him.

The bond hummed beneath his skin, pulled taut as a bowstring.

She was real.

And she was his.

But nothing about this was simple.

Not with the future of both packs hanging in the balance.

Yet Kael knew one thing for certain: fate had made its move. And now… so would he.