Matthew's eyes followed Elyra and Dain as they sat near the fire, their conversation quiet but charged with something unspoken. He saw the way their shoulders brushed, how Dain's gaze lingered on Elyra's face longer than was necessary. It wasn't the first time he'dnoveldrama

noticed these moments, but tonight, it was too blatant to ignore.

When Dain stood to fetch more firewood, Matthew seized the opportunity. "Elyra," he said firmly, his voice low to avoid Dain overhearing. "We need to talk."

Elyra's brow furrowed as she set her plate aside. "What's wrong?"

Matthew leaned forward, his expression tense. "What's going on between you and Dain?"

Her breath caught, but she quickly masked her reaction. "Nothing's going on. He's my brother."

Matthew's expression darkened. "Don't lie to me, Elyra. I've watched you two grow up together, and I know what a sibling bond looks like. This isn't it."

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, the guilt gnawing at her. "It's... complicated," she admitted.

"No," Matthew said sharply. "It's dangerous. Do you realize what could happen if anyone finds out? That Lycan King creature is already after you. If he knew about this..." He trailed off, his jaw tightening.

Elyra's voice quivered as she replied, "I didn't ask for this, Matthew. Do you think I don't know how wrong it feels? But it's not something I can control."

Matthew shook his head, his disappointment evident. "You can control what you do about it. Dain has always been protective of you that's his nature-but this... this will destroy you both."

Dain returned then, a bundle of wood under his arm. His sharp gaze darted between them, sensing the tension immediately. "What's going on?"

Matthew stood abruptly, his voice hard. "We were just discussing how to keep this family together."

Dain's eyes narrowed. "Is that what you call it?"

"You don't get to challenge me, Dain," Matthew said, stepping closer. "I've raised you both, kept you safe all these years. And now, when everything is falling apart, you're risking it all for something that can't happen." Elyra stood, her hands trembling. "Matthew, please "

"No," he snapped, his voice raw. "You both need to understand what's at stake. The Lycan King won't just come for you-he'll destroy anyone who stands in his way. Including me."

Dain's voice was dangerously low. "We never asked you to protect us, Matthew. You chose that."

"And I'd do it again," Matthew shot back. "But I won't stand by while you throw your lives away for something that can never be."

Elyra's chest tightened, tears brimming in her eyes. "Matthew, you don't understand. We're not just anyone. We're..." She faltered, unable to finish.

Matthew's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "You're my family. That's what matters. But family doesn't do this."

Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Finally, Matthew turned away, his shoulders rigid. "Get some rest. We move at dawn."

As he walked toward the edge of the camp, Elyra turned to Dain, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's right. We're putting him in danger."

Dain stepped closer, his orange eyes blazing. "We're not doing anything wrong. No one gets to decide what we feel-not Matthew, not the Lycan King, no one." Elyra stared at him, her heart aching with conflict. "But what if this destroys us?"

Dain hesitated before cupping her face gently. "It won't. I won't let it."