the pack leader Jyrus

Chapter Four: The Aftermath

The clearing was still alive with energy, but for Cyrus, everything felt muted, distant. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver light over the pack, but it was as though the world had narrowed to a single point: the soft thrum of his heartbeat, the lingering warmth of Jonah's touch, and the swirling emotions in his chest.

Cyrus couldn't believe it had actually happened. His lips were still tingling from Jonah's kiss. It had been soft, almost tentative at first, and then everything melted away—the doubts, the insecurities, the fear. It was as if they had both stepped into the same orbit, and now there was no going back.

But as the crowd of pack members slowly dispersed after the ceremony, Cyrus found himself standing there, rooted to the spot. Jonah was nowhere to be seen. Had it all been a dream?

"Hey, Cy, you okay?"

Buffy's voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned to find her and Andi approaching. Buffy, ever the supportive friend, gave him an expectant smile, while Andi wore a softer, more knowing expression.

"I... I don't know." Cyrus ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "It felt real, but now I don't know what to think. He kissed me, Buffy. But now he's just gone."

"Cy," Buffy said, her voice gentle but firm, "Jonah's been through a lot tonight. He's probably just... processing things."

"I don't know," Cyrus said softly, shaking his head. "I don't think it's just that. Something's off." He felt it in his gut—Ash, Jonah's wolf, had pulled him in, kissed him, and then suddenly retreated. And now the distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Andi placed a hand on his shoulder. "Cy, remember what I said. You and Jonah are connected in ways neither of you probably understand yet. This bond—it's overwhelming for both of you. But don't let it scare you. He's your mate. And he's not going to run from you."

Cyrus nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at him. "I hope you're right."

Before they could say more, Marty came jogging toward them, his wolf, Mack, walking beside him with a spring in his step. "There you are, Cy! You've been standing here forever. What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Cyrus mumbled, trying to brush it off. He didn't want to admit to Marty, or to himself, that he was replaying the kiss in his head over and over, wondering if he had done something wrong.

"Come on, let's head back to the bonfire," Marty said, slapping Cyrus on the back. "Jonah's waiting for you." His eyes sparkled with that mischievous gleam. "He wanted me to tell you, but I figured it's better coming from me. He's been looking for you, Cy. Really looking."

Cyrus's heart skipped a beat. "He has?"

Marty grinned. "Yeah, but don't go getting all nervous now. Just go talk to him. He's got something he wants to say."

Before Cyrus could respond, Marty had already turned, leading them toward the roaring bonfire at the center of the festival. The flickering orange light illuminated the faces of pack members, their voices rising in a chorus of excitement and celebration. But Cyrus's focus was entirely on Jonah, who stood by the fire, talking with TJ and Marty. His green eyes sparkled under the moonlight, but they looked distant, as if he were lost in his own thoughts.

Jonah's gaze met Cyrus's across the crowd, and for a heartbeat, time seemed to slow. There was something in Jonah's expression—something raw and vulnerable—that made Cyrus's breath catch in his throat.

"Go on," Buffy whispered in his ear as she nudged him forward. "He's waiting."

Cyrus hesitated, feeling his heart pounding in his chest, but he couldn't turn away now. He had already stepped into this, and there was no turning back.

Slowly, he made his way toward Jonah, his feet heavy with the weight of what he was about to do. The world seemed to hush around him as he neared the bonfire. His thoughts were scattered, and his wolf, Snow, paced uneasily beneath his skin.

Jonah turned to face him as he approached, his expression unreadable. The heat of the fire flickered over Jonah's face, casting shadows across his strong jawline. There was a brief moment of silence, where the tension between them thickened, and Cyrus almost felt like he might choke on it.

"So..." Jonah started, his voice low, almost hesitant. "About earlier..."

Cyrus's heart raced as he took a breath, forcing himself to look Jonah in the eye. "Yeah?"

"I..." Jonah paused, shifting on his feet. Ash was close to the surface, Cyrus could feel it, and yet Jonah was holding back. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a gesture that made him look even more disarmed. "I didn't mean to make things awkward, Cy. I just... I don't know how to do this. I've known you were my mate for a long time, but with everything going on..." He trailed off, his gaze softening as he met Cyrus's eyes. "I didn't want to mess things up."

Cyrus felt his chest tighten, the knot in his stomach loosening just a fraction. "You didn't mess anything up," he said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the fluttering of his heart. "I just didn't expect... any of this. You're the future Alpha, Jonah. You've got a whole pack to lead. And I'm just... me."

Jonah's eyes flickered with something akin to frustration. "That's the thing, Cy. You're not just you. You're my mate. And that's more important than anything else. I've spent so much time worrying about how I'm going to lead the pack that I never stopped to think about how I'd handle this—us."

Cyrus's breath caught in his throat as Jonah took a step closer. The air around them felt charged, as if the world was waiting for them to finally figure things out.

Jonah's green eyes were so intense, his gaze unwavering. "I want this, Cy. I want you. No more running. I don't care about the pack's expectations. I care about you."

Cyrus's heart hammered in his chest. He had always known Jonah was strong, destined for greatness, but hearing him speak like this—vulnerable, honest—made him feel like maybe, just maybe, they could have this. Together.

Before he could respond, Jonah's hand reached for his, fingers brushing against his. The contact sent a bolt of warmth through Cyrus's chest, and without thinking, he squeezed Jonah's hand, grounding himself in the moment.

"I want this too," Cyrus whispered. "I want you."

Jonah's face broke into a smile, and for the first time, it wasn't the confident grin of the future Alpha. It was something softer, more real. He took another step closer, until their faces were inches apart. The bond between them pulsed in the air, undeniable, magnetic.

And then, before either of them could speak again, Jonah leaned in and kissed him—this time, more confident, more sure, as if the world itself had fallen away.

As they pulled apart, breathless and wide-eyed, Jonah whispered, "Together, Cy. Always."

And for the first time in his life, Cyrus truly believed it.