Erald returned to her room, the door clicking softly shut behind her. She leaned against it for a beat, closing her eyes. The adrenaline had worn off, but her mind buzzed, far from rest.
She wasn’t sure what surprised her more: that Lucien had finally told the truth, or that she’d agreed to stay.
That decision hadn’t co from so grand forgiveness. She hadn’t forgotten everything Lucien had done, hadn’t erased the fear in the people’s eyes or the weight of his silence.
But sothing about his story... his guilt, his exhaustion, the quiet desperation behind his gaze... pulled at her.
She understood what it ant to carry the burden of others’ expectations, to be hated by the very people you tried to save.
Still.
That didn’t an she trusted him.
Whoever had tried to kill him tonight was still out there, hiding in the shadows of his pack, maybe even in his own council. And they wouldn’t stop just because she’d scread in ti.
"I just need to think of a way to root out the traitors."
"Not easy when everyone in this place hates him," Viola muttered.
"I know, right?" she replied.
She needed eyes... ears.
And then it hit her—Talia.
Maids often went unnoticed, quietly present and attentive to everything happening around them. If anyone knew the secrets the council shared in private, it was her.
She made a ntal note to speak with her again soon.
As she moved toward the bed, sothing tugged in her chest: sympathy, maybe pity... but mostly clarity.
She couldn’t deny the pit she felt in her chest when he’d said, "They began to look at like they looked at my father."
That kind of loneliness... she knew it.
And as much as she wanted to run from it all, so foolish part of her didn’t want to abandon him, at least not yet.
He needed help; he needed to fix what he’d broken. And if she stayed, maybe she could help him start.
—
Morning ca sooner than she expected.
Erald, still curled on the bed in a t-shirt and leggings, blinked against the warmth, her mind still swirling with ideas and questions.
She was lost in her thoughts when she heard a soft knock on the door. She sat up, blinking. "Yes?"
Talia stepped in, eyes wide. "Alpha... there’s soone here to see you."
Erald blinked. "I have a guest?"
"Yes. He’s in the east courtyard."
Frowning, Erald tried to think. "Who..."
And then it hit her... Kieran.
Her eyes widened. "Oh... no."
She scrambled up, ran a hand through her hair, and followed Talia out. As they walked down the corridor, her pulse quickened. She had changed her mind after her conversation with Kieran and forgot to cancel. Now, he’s here to take her ho.
The mont she stepped into the sitting hall, she saw him. Kieran stood at the centre of the open space, arms crossed, waiting casually as ever. His hair was tousled from travel, and his jacket hung open over a fitted black shirt.
When he saw her, his face lit up.
"There she is," he said, opening his arms. "Still breathing, thank the gods."
"Kieran," she breathed.
Before she could say anything more, he crossed the space between them and pulled her into a hug.
His arms wrapped around her like warmth and safety all at once, and her breath caught in her chest. She hadn’t realised just how tightly she’d been wound until she was in his arms.
"I was worried," he murmured against her hair.
She pulled back slightly, guilt curling in her stomach. "I should’ve called last night. I... forgot you were coming."
"I don’t mind," he said with a grin. "Seeing you alive is good enough."
She opened her mouth to tell him she wasn’t leaving anymore when another voice cut through the room like a blade.
"What’s he doing here?"
Lucien.
He stood in the doorway, gaze locked on Kieran. His voice wasn’t raised, but the tension was instant.
Kieran turned, slowly releasing Erald. "I’d have said nice to see you too, but... seems it might not be."
Lucien stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "Could you not leave Erald alone for a few days?"
Erald moved between them before it could escalate. "I asked him to co get ."
A flicker of pain crossed Lucien’s face before he quickly masked it.
Erald turned to Kieran. "I should have called you earlier to inform you that..."
Kieran blinked. "You’re staying?"
"Yeah. I’m sorry for making you co all this way. I should’ve cancelled."
"It’s fine." Kieran’s tone was light, but his eyes never left Lucien.
Erald turned to Lucien. "Can you give us a minute?"
Lucien hesitated, eyes shifting between them. His expression turned blank, showing no emotions.
"I’ll explain everything," she added. "I have a plan."
"Sure," he replied flatly.
He turned and walked out, not looking back.
Erald exhaled.
Kieran raised a brow. "That looked... complicated."
"That’s one word for it," she muttered, sitting on the edge of the low couch.
He sat beside her. "So... why the change of heart? You were practically begging to co get you."
She looked down at her hands. "He told the truth."
"All of it?"
And so, Erald went on to tell him what Lucian told her... at least, enough of it.
Kieran was silent for a few seconds, studying her. "Even if what he said is true... Em, what can you even do? This pack is rotten from the inside. He’s not wrong when he says people want him dead."
"I know," she said. "But I told him I’d help. And I don’t go back on my word."
Kieran sighed. "You’re so stubborn."
Erald smiled faintly. "Takes one to know one."
They sat in silence for a beat before she looked over. "Can I ask you sothing?"
"Always."
"If you were ... where would you start?"
Kieran leaned back, thinking. "You need to watch them. Make them think they’re safe, then rattle the cage. Stir the pot, and let them show their hands. The ones with sothing to hide always react the strongest."
Erald’s eyes lit up. "Trigger the snake pit."
He nodded. "Exactly."
"That’s actually... brilliant." She smiled. "Thank you."
He grinned. "I do have my monts."
Then, before either of them could think too hard about it, he leaned in and hugged her again.
This one lingered; his arms wrapped around her like he didn’t want to let go. And when they pulled back, their eyes locked.
For a brief mont, they were right next to each other, their breaths mingling. But instead of kissing her lips, Kieran leaned in and gently kissed her forehead.
She closed her eyes.
"Stay safe," he whispered.
"You too," she said quietly.
Then he stood and walked toward the doors.
Erald watched him go, her heart both heavy and lighter all at once. Just as she turned to return to her room, her phone buzzed.
She looked down at her phone. The screen showed an unknown number, but deep down, she already knew who it was.
Ares.
She tapped the ssage: I don’t like the ice boy. But even I think you should leave with him. You’re not safe there.
Erald stared at the screen.
Then, aloud, she muttered, "Seriously? Do you have nothing better to do than stalk ?"
Another buzz.
I’ll be watching. If anything happens to you, I won’t hesitate to rip you out of there.
She let out a sigh and groaned. "Possessive maniac."
Reviews
All reviews (0)