CHAPTER 40: CAN’T AND WON’T

ABDHYP2ECWKACYAZA

****************

Chapter 40

~Kael’s POV~

"Then do it," I said, holding her gaze. My voice was low, even, daring her to prove her words.

Rhiannon’s breath hitched, but her fingers curled against my chest like they were already testing how deep they could drive a claw.

I didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. I let her feel the steady drum of my heartbeat beneath her palm.

"I should," she whispered, the sound ragged, almost unrecognisable. "I should rip you open and make you feel what I feel."

"Then do it," I repeated, leaning in until my forehead almost touched hers. "Ravyn’s strong enough, isn’t she? Or is she all bark?"

Her eyes blazed red at the insult, her wolf surging to the surface. Her nails lengthened, grazing my skin through the thin fabric of my shirt.

One sharp movement and she could tear through me.

But I didn’t stop her.

Her breathing grew heavy, shoulders trembling as the beast inside her fought to break free.

For a heartbeat, I thought she would actually do it, that she’d let the rage and grief take her completely.

But then her fingers faltered. The heat in her gaze wavered.

"You think I won’t?" she snarled, but the edge in her voice was fraying. "You think..."

Her words choked off, swallowed by a sob that ripped out of her before she could stop it. Her nails retracted, her fist clenching over my shirt instead of into my skin.

I caught her wrist before she could pull away and held it firmly against my chest. "I know you won’t," I said quietly. "Because you’re not just rage, Rhiannon. You’re not just your wolf."

Her head bowed, silver strands of hair falling like a curtain between us, but I could feel the shuddering breaths wracking her. I could smell the salt of her tears.

"It’s not fair," she whispered as her voice broke. "He was all I had, Kael. And he died because of you. Because of all of you."

"I know." The admission came easily, because there was no point in denying the truth she saw. "And I can’t give him back to you. But I can make sure nothing takes you from me the way he was taken from you."

Her body gave way then—not in surrender, but in exhaustion.

The fight bled out of her all at once, and I caught her as she sagged forward. My arms closed around her, pulling her against me.

She resisted for half a second, fists pressed to my chest like she was still trying to keep me out. Then she broke, clinging to me with a desperation that nearly split me open from the inside.

I did not know when but I was already falling for her, my mate.

Rhiannon’s sobs were silent but relentless, each one digging into me deeper than any claw ever could.

I held her tighter, my hand sliding up into her hair, keeping her head tucked under my chin.

"You’re allowed to break here," I murmured into the crown of her head. "But I’ll be damned if I let anyone else see it."

Outside the door, a shadow flickered past. I didn’t turn my head, but my senses told me who it was, Seraphina.

And then, when I felt another heavier presence, my mind went to Andromeda, my sister.

I felt eyes even without seeing them, lingering just out of sight like carrion birds.

Rhiannon noticed my stillness. "What is it?"

"Nothing you need to worry about right now." I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "I’ll handle the stress outside this room. You handle the one inside you."

She nodded, but I could feel how tense she was.

Did she think it was my brothers?

I certainly hoped it wasn’t because she wasn’t ready to be overwhelmed right now.

Just as I reached and opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of my elder and Seraphina.

"Now’s not a good time. I’m busy."

Elder Mauris’ gaze darkened. "I think it is the perfect time, Alpha Kael. The traitor’s daughter is..."

"Is my mate," I cut in before he could finish the abominable words he wanted to utter. "And you would do well to remember she is also your Luna, Elder."

"Alpha," Seraphina quickly voiced with her sweet voice, hoping to calm me, but I wasn’t calm.

"Leave. I do not wish to be disturbed."

"Alpha Kael, sooner or later, she would have to stand trial for what her father did."

"Exactly. Her father and not her. He’s met his punishment. Let it rest."

Without waiting for a word from them, I turned around, turned on the doorknob, and was about entering when I stopped.

"I do not wish to return and meet you here nor smell your scents."

My gaze was more to Seraphina than Elder Mauris.

Whether I was an alpha or not, he was still older than I was, and I respected that. But that was it.

I slammed the door shut and exhaled when I saw Rhiannon standing by the bed.

Immediately, my wolf surged with worry.

"Why’s she not lying down? She’s weak, Kael. Do something."

Before thinking, I walked up to her and gently wrapped my hands around her. She stiffened, but soon, when my fingers gently soothed her back, she eased off a little.

"Why?" I began, but she beat me to it.

"They want me as well as my father, huh?"

"Pay them no heed, Rhiannon."

"You should just let me go."

"I can’t, and I won’t."

*****

The room felt too small; Rhiannon’s sobs still echoed in my head, and my wolf was pacing restlessly.

I needed air, so I left her chamber.

The hallway was long and quiet, with soft light flickering from the sconces on the stone walls. Halfway down, I passed a maid, her eyes dropping respectfully to the floor as I brushed past.

I was about to open a mind-link to find out where my brothers were when my their voices flooded into my head.

"Kael, to the study,"

Riven’s voice commanded.

"Is she awake yet?" Talon’s sharper voice followed immediately.

I didn’t reply; I just turned toward the study.

—

When I walked in, the atmosphere was filled with tension.

Lucien stood by the window, arms folded behind his back, his silhouette rigid against the morning light. Damon was by the bookshelf, fingers tracing spines, though his eyes weren’t really reading anything.

Talon sat at the head table, tapping it with restless fingers, while Riven sat beside him, posture composed but eyes sharp.

All of them turned the moment I walked in.

"Kael," Riven began evenly, "is she awake?"

I stopped in the centre of the room. My body felt heavier than it should, my bones aching with exhaustion. My eyes swept across them once before I exhaled.

"What do you think?"

"She’s awake," Talon answered for me, impatience lacing his tone. "But how is she?"

"Not good," I said flatly. "She’s mourning. She’s in pain."

I looked across the room and saw Lucien. He didn’t look back at me. His face was serious, and his hands were clasped behind him, like he was trying to hold something in. But I could tell he was bothered.

"You look like hell," Damon muttered, finally pulling his eyes from the shelves.

I ignored him. My focus stayed on Lucien. "You held her father’s heart in your hand."

Lucien finally moved, his jaw tightening. He didn’t speak, not yet.

I turned away first, forcing the heat down before it burned me alive. My brothers weren’t here to hear me rage. They wanted... what? To blame Rhiannon? To push this on her shoulders?

I wasn’t letting that happen.

"She just got her father back," I started slowly, "and now we killed him."

"Stop," Talon cut in sharply, his fingers slamming against the table to halt me. His red eyes flashed once. "The deal was never to keep him alive. We promised to reunite them, and we did. No one knew he’d plot against us. No one knew he’d come here with the intent to kill."

Riven lifted a hand, his calm steadying the rising heat. "Talon—"

But Lucien scoffed, finally breaking his silence. "Don’t soften it. Her father wanted me dead. He raised a blade to me in my chambers. I defended myself."

"Defended," I bit out, my glare snapping to him. "Or enjoyed ripping his heart out?"

Lucien turned his head then, eyes locking with mine. "Do you think I enjoyed it?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You think I wanted her to see me that way?"

The room stilled.

Damon broke it with a cold laugh. "Whether you wanted it or not doesn’t change what happened. The facts are plain. He had help." His eyes flicked toward me, sharp. "An insider. Someone who knew the guard patterns, the sacred chamber’s route. He killed our men, stole the Moonstone and dagger, and if Lucien hadn’t acted, we’d all be dead."

Talon nodded grimly. "Exactly. And now? The only person close enough to give him that knowledge..." He let the words hang, but his meaning was clear.

"Don’t you dare," I growled, stepping closer to the table.