Chapter 24
[Rogan’s Apartment]
Morning came quietly.
Lyra stood in front of the mirror adjusting the collar of her blouse, watching her reflection with mild suspicion. The exhaustion from the previous day had faded just enough to be manageable. She didn’t feel normal but she felt functional and that was enough.
She picked up her bag and stepped into the kitchen.
Rogan was already there, leaning against the counter with a mug in his hand.
He looked at her once and frowned.
“You should take another day off p>
Lyra paused. “I can’t p>
His brows drew together. “Lyra p>
“There is an event at the office today,” she said quickly, cutting in before he could build momentum. “It’s not optional, everyone has to be there p>
Rogan exhaled slowly, eyes searching her face. “You are still not fully recovered p>
“I am fine,” she replied, softer now. “Really, I feel better than yesterday p>
That wasn’t entirely a lie but Rogan didn’t look convinced.
He then handed her a glass of water. “Drink, finish the whole thing p>
Lyra looked at the glass with suspicion but she gulped it down immediately without asking any questions.
“You call me,” he said after a moment. “The second something feels wrong p>
She nodded. “I will p>
He didn’t move when she reached the door, he just watched her like he was committing the moment to memory.
Lyra smiled faintly, trying to ease the tension. “I will be back before you know it p>
The door closed behind her.
Rogan stayed where he was with the unease settling back into his chest the moment she was gone.
[Kaelen’s Penthouse]
Kaelen stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, the city stretching endlessly below him.
Morning light reflected off glass and steel, orderly, bright and deceptively calm.
Behind him, Elder Varyn adjusted the cuffs of his own coat, his movements unhurried.
“You don’t have to go,” Varyn said quietly. “Riven says he can manage it p>
Kaelen’s reflection stared back at him in the glass, composed, controlled, distant.
“I have already stayed away too long,” he replied. “Avoidance isn’t control, it’s fear p>
Varyn studied him. “And if the curse reacts? What are you planning to do then with so many humans around p>
Kaelen turned. His expression was steady but something sharp lived beneath it. “Then I handle it like I always have p>
“That’s not what happened the other night,” Varyn argued. “There is a limit to how much you can handle p>
He sighed. “You are the alpha of the most powerful pack that exists but that doesn’t make you completely invincible p>
Kaelen didn’t argue.
“I can’t keep hiding,” he continued. “Not when things are escalating, not when the packs are watching and when the government is involved p>
“Riven is capable, there is no doubt in that but he can’t shoulder the Alpha’s responsibilities p>
Varyn’s gaze softened, but his concern remained. “Then I will be there p>
Kaelen hesitated. “You don’t need to p>
“I want to,” Varyn said firmly. “If something happens, you won’t face it alone p>
A long silence passed.
Then finally, Kaelen nodded. “Alright p>
Varyn moved closer, lowering his voice. “Remember, control doesn’t mean isolation, it means awareness p>
Kaelen picked up his jacket, the familiar weight settling over his shoulders.
“I know,” he said.
But even as he spoke, something deep inside him stirred, not violently, not urgently, just aware.
For the first time in days, the curse wasn’t restless and that unsettled him more than if it had been.
[Blackthorn Enterprise]
The building was already alive when Kaelen arrived.
Voices echoed through the lower levels of Blackthorn Enterprise, polished shoes moved across marble floors and the low hum of conversation rose and fell in controlled waves. The security was doubled as government representatives, pack leaders, executives and too many people were gathered together.
There were too many humans for anything to go wrong.
Kaelen stepped out of the elevator and felt it immediately.
The curse tightened, not violently and not enough to break him.
But it was enough to make him restless.
His jaw clenched as the familiar pressure coiled in his chest, sharper than it had been all day. His wolf stirred beneath his skin, alert and uneasy, pacing just behind the walls of his control.
He slowed his steps but did not stop.
Riven noticed instantly.
“You feel it,” Riven said under his breath, falling into step beside him.
Kaelen didn’t look at him. “I have it p>
“That’s not what I asked p>
The pressure tightened again, testing.
Riven’s expression darkened. “This isn’t smart p>
Kaelen finally turned his head. His eyes were clear, focused and dangerous in their restraint. “I am not leaving p>
“There are too many civilians here,” Riven snapped quietly. “If this escalates p>
“It won’t,” Kaelen said.
“You don’t know that p>
“I do,” Kaelen replied evenly. “Because I am still standing p>
Riven exhaled sharply, then lowered his voice. “Lyra Hale is here tonight p>
Kaelen stilled for a fraction of a second.
The curse reacted—tightened, then steadied again.
Riven saw it.
“If we are right,” Riven continued, “and she is connected to this, then this is the worst possible environment. Humans are everywhere, there is room for error p>
Kaelen’s gaze flicked briefly across the crowd, not searching for a face, just tracking the pull.
“I am not losing control,” he said.
Elder Varyn stepped closer then, his presence grounding without being intrusive.
“Let him be,” Varyn said calmly.
Riven turned on him. “You are not stopping this p>
Varyn’s eyes never left Kaelen. “No p>
“This could be catastrophic p>
“Or clarifying,” Varyn replied quietly.
Riven stared at him. “You think this is the right time p>
“I think,” Varyn said, measured and grave, “that if the curse is reacting this way without breaking him, then we need to know why p>
Varyn continued, “We have spent years guessing, avoiding and suppressing. If Lyra Hale is the reason the curse stirs then tonight will tell us what we need to know p>
Riven looked back at Kaelen. “You are gambling p>
Varyn’s voice was low. “No p>
He took another step forward with Kaelen as the crowd thickened.
“We are deciding p>