"She needs to rest," Rogan said finally.
"I know." Kaelen's voice was steady and controlled.
Rogan's eyes narrowed slightly. "You shouldn't have come."
Kaelen didn't rise to it. "I had to."
A tense silence followed.
Rogan folded his arms, posture calm but ready. "All these years," he began quietly, "I have kept her safe."
His gaze sharpened.
"I raised her, I protected her and I made sure nothing touched her." His jaw tightened just slightly. "She is more than my niece. She is my daughter."
Kaelen listened without interrupting.
"And if anyone hurts her," Rogan continued, voice lowering, "I don't care who they are. Alpha or not, I will not let it slide."
The threat wasn't loud because it didn't need to be.
Kaelen held his gaze for a long time.
"I would never hurt Lyra," he said quietly.
There was no arrogance in his tone, no ego, just certainty.
Rogan studied him carefully, searching for weakness, for deception.
