THe SCENT HE CAN'T FORGET

It was 2 AM.

The *Blackthorn Pack* mansion was silent. Only the rain, and the sound of restless breathing from the Alpha’s room.

*Kael Veyron* was tossing on his bed.

The fever was gone. His body was fine.

But his heart… his heart was going insane.

Her scent was still in his nose.

Cold. Like rain.

And like pain.

`Lyra.`

Just thinking the name made his chest ache.

"Torin!" Kael roared.

The door flew open. His Beta rushed in. "Alpha?"

"Find that girl. Miss Wynter. Where she’s staying. Where she came from. Everything."

"But Alpha, she said no questions-"

"I SAID FIND HER!" He slammed his fist on the table. Wood cracked.

Torin ran out, scared.

Kael closed his eyes.

And the dream started.

`FLASHBACK / DREAM`

That same mating ceremony night.

The girl in the white gown. Trembling.

"Kael, I’m your mate."

And he… he tore her heart out in front of everyone.

"I reject you."

There were no tears in her eyes. Only death.

She turned and ran into the rain.

Kael screamed in the dream: "LYRA!"

His eyes snapped open. Sweat. Gasping for air.

On his chest… right where she touched him today… it was burning.

Like a mark was forming.

"What’s happening to me," Kael clenched his fists.

---

Morning.

*Lyra Wynter* sat in the guest room.

The window was open. Rain was coming in.

In front of her was a small vial. With her blood in it.

She touched the vial with one finger.

"One drop is enough," she whispered. "To heal your body. And to kill your heart."

A knock.

"Miss Wynter? Breakfast?" A maid’s voice.

Lyra instantly pulled her hood on. "Leave it inside."

The maid set the tray down and left.

Lyra didn’t touch the food. She looked in the mirror.

5 years.

The scared 20-year-old girl was gone.

In her place was this woman.

Cold. Hard. Here for revenge.

The door opened. Without permission.

_Kael_ walked in.

He was still weak. But his eyes were on fire.

Lyra didn’t stand. "I said no questions."

Kael shut the door. "And I said I’m the Alpha. My rules."

Silence between them. Only the rain.

Kael took one step closer. "Last night… your hands."

"It was treatment," Lyra answered coldly. "Nothing more."

"Liar." Kael was right in front of her now. "I can’t forget your scent. I haven’t forgotten it in 5 years."

Lyra’s heart stopped for one second. Then went normal.

"Must be a mistake, Alpha. Many women have similar scents."

Kael yanked her hood down in one move.

Lyra turned and caught his wrist. Like before.

This time harder.

Their eyes met.

Blue vs Grey.

"Let go," Kael said in a low voice.

"No," Lyra said. "Not until I want to."

And she let go. Stepped back.

Kael’s breath caught. Anger and… something else.

"You’re not leaving," he said. "Not until I’m healed."

"Three days," Lyra picked up her bag. "Three days and the medicine is done. Then I’m free."

"Free?" Kael laughed. A broken laugh. "You think I’ll let you go again?"

Lyra reached the door. Turned.

"Try me, Alpha."

And she walked out.

Kael punched the table. Blood came from his hand.

Torin entered. "Alpha?"

"Follow her," Kael said. "Watch her 24 hours. Where she goes. Who she meets."

"Understood."

Kael went to the window. Outside, Lyra was walking in the rain.

Her wet hair, the way she walked…

It was all like that night.

Only difference was, she wasn’t the scared girl anymore.

She came back as his curse.

---

Night.

Kael got a fever again. But not of the body. Of the mind.

He closed his eyes and all he saw was Lyra.

Her touch.

Her "Try me, Alpha."

He tore the bedsheet.

"Torin!"

Beta ran in. "What happened?"

"Bring the medicine. Now."

"But Miss Wynter said morning-"

"NOW!"

In 5 minutes the medicine was there.

Kael downed it. It was bitter. But it had… her taste.

Lyra’s taste.

Kael threw the vial at the wall. "Why did you come back? For revenge? Then do it!"

No answer.

Only his heartbeat.

And in her room, _Lyra_ looked at her hand.

A faint mark was forming there too.

Where Kael grabbed her wrist.

The mate bond. Broken. But still alive.

Lyra closed her eyes.

"Don’t push me, Kael. Or I’ll ruin you."

But a part of her heart was still screaming:

`He rejected me. Remember that.`

---

Midnight.

*Blackthorn Pack* was attacked.

Rogue wolves. More than 10.

Alarms. Screams.

Kael was still weak. But he grabbed a sword and ran out.

In the middle of the fight. Blood everywhere.

And then he saw it…

A rogue running at Lyra. Knife raised.

Lyra had no weapon. Just her bag.

"GET DOWN!" Kael yelled.

And he threw himself in front of her.

The knife sank into his shoulder.

Lyra’s eyes went wide.

Kael dropped. His blood stained the ground.

Lyra immediately dropped to her knees. Her hands were shaking. For the first time.

"No," she whispered. "I didn’t… I didn’t want this."

She put her hands on Kael’s wound.

Heat poured from her touch. Light.

Kael barely opened his eyes. Looking at her through the blood.

"Scared…?" he gave a weak smile. "Saving… me?"

Lyra didn’t answer. She just healed him.

The rogues were killed.

Torin ran over. "Doctor!"

"No need," Lyra said, exhausted. "He’ll live."

Kael grabbed her hand. Tight.

"Answer me," he said. "Why did you come?"

Lyra looked into his eyes. 5 years of pain. 5 years of hate.

Then she said quietly:

"To heal you…

And then to break you."

And she pulled her hand away. Stood up. Walked inside.

Kael lay there. In the blood. In the rain.

The only word on his lips was:

`Lyra.`