A few days had gone by without a word. To say Kael was not restless would be an understatement. His pack was constantly under rogue attacks, his Luna was on his neck with outrageous demands, and then there was the council. It was all driving him crazy, and the only solace his soul craved could not be his. The delay was eating him faster than his problems. But the calm was far from over.
The door creaked open, and a furious Kelly walked in, tossing a note on the table. One glance was enough. Kael could recognize the handwriting. It had always been peculiar, and when it bled words for Elias, it was even more sharp and refined.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kelly growled, her body trembling. "We are married, and I will not tolerate you having another. I can live as your Luna, not share a bed with you, but the public disgrace is what I would not suffer. Not from you… not him," she hissed.
Kael picked up the note, his eyes scanning it like an eagle. It was new, something he had penned down in the depth of the night. The pain his heart begged to relay.
"You shouldn't be going through my belongings," he said dismissively, tucking the note away.
Kelly could not believe her ears. No apology. No regret.
"So this is how it's going to be? I marry you, and all you think of is a man you chased out of the pack? Someone who had murdered your father in cold blood?"
"Enough." Kael's hands slammed hard on the oak desk. His eyes burned with fury, and his body trembled with rage. "Step back before you get yourself burned," he warned.
But Kelly was not the type to listen.
"Of course," she chuckled bitterly. "What do you want me to do, Kael? It was I who stepped up when you needed help the most. I did not care what others said." She stepped closer, reaching out for his hand.
"Elias has always been by your side. He was your Beta, and I understand you love him. The fated bond is not something that can be broken so easily. But what about me?" Her voice dripped with fear, pain, and longing.
"I just want some of your time. Just to share a bed with you and have you comfort me—is that too much?"
Kael stared at the woman before him, short of words. She was the pure definition of a good opera actress—one who could turn her deeds into the crimes of others. But he was not one of them.
"You talk like my father didn't die at the hands of your men… at your command," he hissed, pulling his hands out of her grip. "Maybe back then, I felt something. But now, I carry nothing but hate for you."
He turned and walked over to the outstretched balcony overlooking the pack territory.
"I do not refuse or fail to appreciate your help. My heart…" he halted. His eyes closed, and his fingers tightened around the railing. "I loved him. No… I love him. And that you took away from me."
Kelly chuckled bitterly. She stepped closer, her eyes cold as ice.
"You stand before me, professing love to another…" Her lips curled.
"Kael, you're ungrateful. I came to you when your lover couldn't protect your land. The court was on your neck, and your father would rather risk passing the alpha position to his estranged son than to you." Her fists were folded, her gaze piercing into his back like daggers.
"I gave you what you wanted. My father made sure you became Alpha, and today, I am the evil stepmother in your love story?"
If looks could kill, Kael would be dead.
Kael turned, his face dark, his eyes glowing. His wolf was awakening, and Kelly knew better than to stand close.
"You killed my father," his thundering voice echoed. "Maybe Elias would have stayed if only I had married you. He would still be my Beta, and there would have been hope… But now, you destroyed everything," he hissed.
Kelly did not back away. She was not raised a coward. Her body trembled, her heart pounded, and fear gnawed within her, but she stood firm.
"Yes, I killed your father. But you proclaimed him the murderer," she hissed.
Kael was quick. Every step was swift, and his hand tightened around her neck, slamming her back hard against the wall. His claws dug into her skin until blood splattered.
"A little tighter and you can pay for the life you owe me," he snarled.
"You… you wouldn't dare," Kelly choked. Her fingers tightened around his shirt, her body trembling. "I am your way out. Deny it as much as you want, but this pack would crumble without me."
Her gaze matched his. The coldness within them was unmatched.
"So now what will it be, Kael? Kill me or be the dutiful husband you should?"
Kael tossed her body to the side, watching her gasp for air.
"I would never be your husband," he hissed, then walked out.
Kelly gathered herself. Hot tears streamed down her face. Her fingers tightened around her dress, and silent sobs wracked her body. Her frame trembled.
She loved him…
So much for love.
Darkness had swallowed the light. The lanterns were up, beautifully decorating the view.
Kael watched the clock tick away, anticipation growing.
In the ruins of the abandoned sanctuary of the cursed gods, Kael watched the cloaked figure and Mistress Daina, a black witch of the second order, set up the ritual.
The moon was full, and the sky was alive with wishes and curses. The cloaked figure turned, its eyes not meeting his.
"The preparations are complete, my lord. Once the vow is sealed at midnight… it cannot be broken."
Kael didn't flinch. No. He stepped forward, taking off his shirt and grabbing the dagger. His legs stepped into the glowing candlelight circle.
"I am not here to undo anything."