A Heart Begins to Open

The night air was heavy with tension, the silence between Kaelan and Rhea stretching as they stood in the aftermath of Zane’s threat. The shattered window let the cold seep in, but neither of them moved to fix it. Kaelan’s fists were still clenched, his knuckles white, while Rhea watched him cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest.

“What did he mean, Kaelan?” Rhea’s voice was steady, but there was a tremor beneath it that betrayed her unease. “What did Zane mean when he said you couldn’t protect me?”

Kaelan turned his head sharply, his eyes locking onto hers. The intensity in his gaze made her chest tighten. “It doesn’t matter,” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. “I told you, I’m going to end this.”

Rhea crossed her arms, refusing to back down. “You keep saying that, but you haven’t told me how. Or why I should even trust you to protect me, Kaelan.” Her voice softened, but there was still an edge to it. “You can’t keep shutting me out.”

Kaelan’s jaw worked, his frustration evident, but before he could respond, the faint rustle of movement outside snapped both their heads toward the door. Kaelan stepped in front of Rhea instinctively, his body tense and ready.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered, his voice low.

Rhea opened her mouth to argue, but the sharp look he shot her silenced her. His tone wasn’t domineering this time—it was protective, almost pleading. Reluctantly, she nodded and stayed close behind him as he moved toward the door.

Before they could reach it, the door burst open with a loud crash, and Zane strode in, his presence filling the room with a suffocating sense of danger. Two of his pack members followed, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

Kaelan’s growl was low and guttural, his body practically vibrating with tension. “You’re crossing a line, Zane.”

Zane smirked, his gaze flicking lazily to Rhea before returning to Kaelan. “You think you can stop me, Kaelan? Without your full power?” He stepped closer, his tone mocking. “You’re not the Alpha you once were. You’re weak.”

Rhea’s eyes darted between the two men, her heart racing. She didn’t fully understand what Zane meant, but the way Kaelan stiffened told her it was true. Her stomach twisted with unease.

Kaelan squared his shoulders, his voice cold and sharp. “I don’t need my wolf to take you down.”

Zane laughed, the sound grating and filled with malice. “Brave words for someone who’s already lost everything. Let’s see if you can back them up.”

Before Rhea could process what was happening, Zane lunged. Kaelan moved to intercept him, their bodies colliding with a force that shook the room. The fight was brutal, raw, and chaotic. Kaelan threw punches with precision, his movements fluid despite the lack of his wolf. But it was clear Zane had the upper hand. He was faster, stronger, and completely merciless.

Rhea watched in horror, her hands clenched into fists as she tried to fight the urge to intervene. She knew she’d only be a liability if she got involved, but the sight of Kaelan taking blow after blow made her heart ache in a way she didn’t expect.

“Kaelan!” she shouted as Zane landed a particularly brutal hit, sending him crashing into a table. The wood splintered beneath him, and he let out a pained groan.

Kaelan pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from a gash on his forehead. His breathing was labored, but his eyes burned with defiance. “Is that all you’ve got, Zane?” he taunted, his voice rough but unwavering.

Zane sneered. “Still so stubborn. You never know when to quit, do you?”

The fight continued, and Rhea found herself inching closer despite her better judgment. Her heart pounded in her chest, every fiber of her being screaming at her to do something, anything, to help.

Then Zane’s fist connected with Kaelan’s ribs, and the sickening sound of the impact made her stomach churn. Kaelan crumpled to the ground, coughing and struggling to breathe.

“Stop it!” Rhea yelled, stepping forward without thinking. “Zane, stop!”

Zane turned to her, a twisted smile on his face. “Why? Are you worried about him, Rhea? Do you care about this pathetic excuse for an Alpha?”

Rhea clenched her fists, her fear giving way to anger. “You’re a coward, Zane. Attacking someone who isn’t at full strength? That doesn’t make you strong—it makes you pathetic.”

Zane’s smile faltered, and his eyes darkened. He took a step toward her, but before he could get any closer, Kaelan surged to his feet with a roar, tackling Zane to the ground. The two men grappled, their movements a blur of fury and desperation.

It was Kaelan who managed to gain the upper hand, pinning Zane beneath him. His fist hovered in the air, ready to strike, but he hesitated. His breathing was ragged, his face contorted with pain and anger.

“Do it,” Zane goaded, his voice dripping with venom. “Prove to her what kind of monster you really are.”

Kaelan’s fist trembled, but he didn’t move. Slowly, he lowered it, his expression hardening. “I’m not like you, Zane,” he said quietly. “Not anymore.”

Zane’s smirk returned, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—frustration, maybe even fear. Before Kaelan could say anything else, Zane’s pack members moved to intervene, forcing Kaelan to release him. Zane stood, brushing himself off, his smirk firmly back in place.

“This isn’t over,” he said, his gaze flicking to Rhea. “Watch your back, sweetheart.”

Kaelan growled, but Zane and his pack were already retreating, disappearing into the night.

---

The silence that followed was deafening. Kaelan stood in the middle of the room, his shoulders slumped, his breathing heavy. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining his shirt and the floor beneath him.

“Kaelan,” Rhea whispered, stepping toward him. Her voice was soft, but there was a tremor in it. “You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine,” he muttered, but his legs wobbled, and he had to grab the edge of the broken table to steady himself.

“Don’t be stupid,” Rhea snapped, rushing to his side. She looped an arm around his waist, guiding him to the couch. “Sit down before you collapse.”

Kaelan didn’t argue, which only made her worry more. He was pale, his movements sluggish, and the gash on his forehead was still bleeding heavily.

“Stay here,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m getting the first aid kit.”

Kaelan watched her go, his expression unreadable. When she returned, she knelt in front of him, her hands steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

“This is going to sting,” she warned, pressing a cloth soaked in antiseptic to his forehead.

Kaelan hissed but didn’t pull away. His eyes never left her face as she worked, her movements careful and precise.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said after a moment, his voice quiet.

“Do what?” she asked, not looking up.

“Stand up to Zane,” he clarified. “He could have hurt you.”

Rhea finally met his gaze, her eyes fierce. “And he could have killed you, Kaelan. What was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch?”

Kaelan didn’t respond, but something in his expression softened. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them heavy with unspoken words.

As Rhea finished bandaging his wounds, she couldn’t help but notice the way her hands lingered on his skin, the way her heart seemed to ache for him in a way that scared her. He wasn’t just the overbearing Alpha she’d resented when they first met. He was more than that. And despite everything, she couldn’t ignore the pull she felt toward him.

But just as she opened her mouth to say something, a knock at the door made them both freeze.

Rhea stood, her heart pounding. Kaelan tried to rise as well, but she placed a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down. “Stay here,” she said firmly, moving toward the door.

When she opened it, there was no one there. But a folded piece of paper lay on the ground. She picked it up, her hands trembling as she unfolded it.

The message was simple but chilling: Stay away from Kaelan, or you’ll regret it.

Her blood ran cold as she turned back to Kaelan, her heart racing. “Kaelan,” she whispered, holding up the note. “They’re not done with us.”

Kaelan’s eyes darkened, and his expression hardened. “Then we’ll be ready.”

But as Rhea stared at the note, her mind raced with fear and doubt. She wasn’t sure they could survive what was coming next.