THE RETURN

Kieran’s POV

I slammed my fist into the car door as we pulled up to the pack house.

“Easy there, brother,” Caelan said from the driver’s seat. “What’s got you so angry now?”

Everything. That’s what I wanted to say. But I couldn’t tell my brothers I was sick of being perfect. Sick of everyone expecting me to be the flawless future Alpha. Sick of pretending I wanted to marry Elaria when she made my skin crawl every time she touched me.

I was tired of being what everyone else wanted instead of who I really was.

“Just tired,” I lied, hating how easily the words came out.

Lucien snorted from the back seat. “You’ve been ‘just tired’ for two years, Kieran. Maybe try being honest for once instead of pretending everything’s fine.”

I wanted to punch him. My wolf wanted to challenge him right there in the driveway. But that would prove everyone right—that I couldn’t control myself. That I wasn’t ready to lead. That I was just another hot-headed monster who couldn’t handle pressure.

The golden-boy image would crack, and then what would I be?

“Let’s just go inside,” I muttered, climbing out before I said something I’d regret.

But as soon as I opened the door, something hit me—like lightning striking twice.

A scent. The most intoxicating scent I’d ever experienced.

Honey and wildflowers. Summer rain. And something else I couldn’t name—something that made my wolf howl and claw at my insides, desperate to escape and find its source.

I stumbled back, almost losing my balance.

“Whoa!” Caelan caught my arm. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I couldn’t speak. The scent filled my lungs, my head spinning like I’d downed an entire bottle of whiskey. My wolf was going feral, pacing and growling.

“Do you smell that?” I rasped, my voice rough and alien.

“Smell what?” Lucien asked, stepping out and sniffing the air. Then his eyes widened. “Oh. Oh, damn. What is that?”

Caelan joined us, and I watched the same transformation sweep across his face. His eyes darkened. His breathing quickened. His hands trembled.

“What is that?” he whispered, sounding just as lost as I felt.

I didn’t know. But I had to find out—before I lost control completely.

We walked toward the pack house like we were in a trance. The scent grew stronger with every step, pulling us forward like invisible chains. My hands were shaking. My wolf was screaming.

This had never happened before. I was always composed, calm, collected—the perfect future Alpha. But right now, I felt like a wild animal pretending to be human.

“Kieran,” Lucien said, gripping my shoulder. “Your eyes are glowing.”

I turned toward the car window and froze. My reflection stared back with bright golden eyes. My wolf was so close to the surface, I barely looked human.

“What’s happening to us?” I asked, hating the fear in my voice.

No one had an answer.

We opened the front door—and the scent slammed into us like a wall of raw need.

“We’re home!” Caelan shouted, though his voice sounded strained and breathless.

Pack members rushed over, hugging us, laughing, welcoming us back. But I barely heard them over the pounding in my head.

Find her. Find her now. She’s here. She’s close.

My wolf’s voice echoed so loud, I half-expected everyone to hear it too.

“Where is everyone?” I asked my father, trying to sound normal. My voice didn’t sound like mine at all.

“Most of the pack’s here,” he said, studying me with concern. “Are you alright, son? You look pale.”

No. I was not alright. I was falling apart because of a scent.

“Kieran,” Lucien hissed, tugging my sleeve. “Follow me. Now.”

He was already moving toward the back of the house, following his nose like a hunter. Caelan trailed behind him, eyes still glowing gold.

We wove through the crowd, ignoring everyone’s chatter. The world felt muffled, distant—except for that scent.

“Do you smell that?” I asked, though I already knew they did.

“Honey and wildflowers,” Lucien said hoarsely.

“Like summer and sunshine,” Caelan added. “Where is it coming from?”

I inhaled deeply. The pull was strongest near the kitchen. Whoever she was, she was there.

She.

I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did. My wolf was howling one word in my mind: Mate.

That couldn’t be right. My mate was supposed to be Elaria. The arrangement was set. My destiny was already decided.

“There,” Caelan whispered, pointing at the kitchen door. “She’s in there.”

We moved as one—silent, focused, dangerous.

The door was closed, but I could hear her inside. Quick breaths. A fast heartbeat that fluttered like wings.

“She’s scared,” I murmured, surprised by the ache that stirred in my chest.

“We’re scaring her,” Lucien growled softly. “She can probably smell us, too.”

“Should we knock?” Caelan asked.

“No,” I said. “If we knock, she might run.”

And I couldn’t let that happen. I needed to see her. Needed to know who she was and why my soul was breaking open for her.

My hand trembled as I reached for the handle.

“Kieran,” Lucien said quietly, “what if this changes everything?”

I looked at them both—my brothers, my packmates—and saw the same confusion, the same fear.

“What if it’s supposed to?” I said.

The handle turned. The door creaked open.

And there she was.

Pressed against the far wall like a trapped doe. Dark hair. Wide, terrified eyes. Small, delicate—and yet she made my wolf bow in submission.

Our eyes met.

The world shattered.

Pain lanced through my chest—sharp, consuming, beautiful. Not the pain of breaking, but of becoming whole.

The mate bond snapped into place.

I was looking at my mate.

But then I felt it—two other connections sparking beside mine.

My brothers.

All three of us. One girl.

Impossible.

This would destroy everything.