Kael’s POV.
I paced my study, my boots heavy on the rug, my heart pounding with worry. The room was dim, the candle’s light flickering, causing shadows on the stone walls.
A guard stood by the door, his armor glinting, his face tense, waiting for my orders. I’d sent him to find Aria, my Luna, who I knew was really Aria pretending to be Celeste, but she hadn’t returned.
Hours had passed since she left the packhouse at dawn, her quick exit, her distant words "I’m leaving for a bit" still stinging.
My side throbbed, the wound under my bandage burning, a mystery that gnawed at .
My wolf, Zeus, whined, his protectiveness fierce, urging to find her, to make sure she was safe. The seer’s warning "Don’t fall deeply in love with her. You’ll be hurting her" still in my head no matter how hard I tried to get it off, the visions of her screaming, blood-soaked, haunting .
Was she avoiding because of that?
I stopped by the window, my hands clenching, my eyes scanning the courtyard below, empty except for a few maids sweeping.
"Any sign of her?" I asked the guard, my voice rough, my jaw tight. It was the third ti I’d asked, my worry growing with each shake of his head.
"No, Alpha," he said, his voice low, his eyes dropping.
"No word yet." His words hit hard, my chest tightening, frustration mixing with fear.
The elders were waiting in the throne chamber, expecting , expecting their Luna, and her absence was a disgrace, a crack in my leadership.
I wanted to wait, to hold off until she was here, but ti dragged, the sun climbing higher, and I couldn’t keep them waiting forever.
"Fine," I snapped, my voice hard, my hands fisting.
"I’ll go alone." My heart sank, my steps heavy as I left the study, the guard trailing behind, his armor clinking.
The packhouse halls were quiet, the torches flickering, the air heavy with tension. My mind spun, Aria’s scared eyes at the event, her fake sleep last night, her quick exit today.
Was she running from ? From the visions? From Seraphina’s threats? My wound burned, my body weak, but my worry for her was stronger, Zeus growling, urging to find her.
I pushed open the throne chamber doors, the hinges creaking, the room bright with sunlight streaming through tall windows.
The elders sat around the long table, their gray robes stiff, their faces stern, Clara among them, her dark eyes sharp.
The air was thick, their gazes heavy as they stood, bowing. "Alpha Kael," they said, their voices low, but their eyes flicked behind , searching for Aria.
My jaw clenched, my hands clenching, my heart racing with worry and anger.
"Where’s Luna Celeste?" an elder asked, his voice sharp, his gray beard twitching.
The others nodded, their eyes narrowing, their whispers starting.
I knew they ant Aria, thinking she was Celeste, and her absence stung, their judgnt clear.
"She’s not coming," I said, my voice firm, my eyes hard, daring them to challenge .
"She’s busy." My words were a lie, my chest aching as I protected her, even when she wasn’t here, even when she was avoiding .
The elders’ faces twisted, their anger loud, their voices rising.
"That’s disrespectful!" one snapped, his hand slamming the table.
"The Luna must be here!" Others joined in, their words sharp, accusing, but my anger flared, Zeus growling, his protectiveness surging.
"Enough!" I roared, my voice booming, my fist hitting the table, the wood shaking.
The room went quiet, their eyes wide, their anger fading under my glare.
"She’s my Luna, and I say she’s busy. Move on." My heart pounded, my wound burning, but I stood tall, my eyes burning into theirs, protecting her, always.
The elders hesitated, their faces tense, then nodded, their voices low as they started their reason for coming.
"We’re here about an heir," an elder said, his tone firm, his eyes on .
"The pack needs one, Alpha Kael. You and Luna Celeste must produce a child soon." His words were blunt, the others nodding, Clara’s eyes glinting, her smile sly.
My jaw tightened, anger boiling, my hands clenching. An heir? We weren’t even married long, and they were already pressuring , pressuring Aria?
My chest ached, my worry for her mixing with fury. "We’ve got ti," I said, my voice hard, my eyes narrowing.
"That’s not your concern." My words were sharp, Zeus growling, his frustration matching mine.
The elders frowned, their whispers starting, but I didn’t care, my mind on Aria, her absence louder than their words.
I changed the topic, my voice sharp. "What about the fire?" I asked, my eyes burning into theirs.
"The one that nearly killed . Found who did it yet?" My wound throbbed, the mory of that night, the flas, the crash, vivid.
The elders looked at each other, their faces blank, their eyes wide with shock. They had no answers, no clues, their silence deafening.
"You don’t know?" I snapped, my voice loud, my fist clenching.
"You’re here pushing for an heir, threatening to replace my Luna, but you can’t find who tried to kill your Alpha?" My anger spilled over, my heart pounding, Zeus roaring, his rage hot.
"You’re useless!" I shouted, my voice echoing, their faces paling, Clara’s smile gone.
They opened their mouths, ready to argue, but I was done, my worry for Aria louder, my patience gone.
Just then, a guard burst in, his armor clinking, his voice loud. "Alpha, Luna Celeste has returned!" My heart stopped, my breath catching, relief and fear crashing together.
Aria was back.
I stood, my voice sharp. "Everyone out," I said, my eyes burning into the elders.
They hesitated, their faces angry, but I growled, low and deep, Zeus close, and they scrambled, their robes rustling as they left, the doors shutting behind them.
Aria stepped in, her blue dress simple, her silver hair loose, her eyes on the floor, avoiding mine. My heart raced, relief flooding , but her distance hurt, sharp and deep.
I walked toward her, my boots heavy, my hand reaching to touch her, to pull her close, to ask where she’d been, why she was avoiding .
"Aria," I said, my voice soft, using her real na in my HEAD but not out loud, still waiting for her to trust .
She stepped back, her eyes still down, her hands clenching, and my hand hung in the air, my chest aching, sadness hitting hard. Why was she pulling away?
"Look at ," I said, my voice firm, my heart breaking, Zeus whining, his love for her pushing .
"Please." I needed her eyes, needed to see her, to understand. But she didn’t move, her face still, her silence loud.
I stepped closer, my hand reaching again, desperate to bridge the gap, when the door burst open, Beta Brian storming in, his face red, his breath heavy.
"Alpha Kael, you need to see this!" he said, his voice urgent, his eyes wide, panting.
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