CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59

Aria’s POV.

I stood in my room, my hands shaking as I packed my bag, my heart heavy with worry. The air was warm, the candle’s light dim, sending soft shadows on the stone walls.

Kael’s sudden plan for a vacation, to get Sonia and Liam out of the packhouse, left me a bit uneasy, his cold eyes, his quick words, "Let’s go on a vacation," echoing in my mind.

My wolf, Kyra, whined, her worry matching mine, sensing something wrong. Elijah’s death, the secret Kael wouldn’t share, hung over us, his silence cutting me deep.

I zipped my bag, my blue dress swishing, my boots soft on the floor, and turned to leave, my heart racing, wondering what this trip meant, why Kael was so distant.

I opened the door, my bag heavy on my shoulder, but Seraphina stood there, her red dress bright, her blonde hair glowing, her green eyes hard, blocking my path.

My heart jumped, my breath catching, fear creeping in. "Move," I said, my voice shaky, my eyes meeting hers, Kyra growling softly, her anger stirring.

Seraphina’s lips curled, her smirk cruel, her hands crossed.

"I’m going on the trip with Alpha Kael," she said, her voice sharp, her eyes glinting.

"Go back to your room." Her words hit hard, my chest tightening, my hands clenching the bag.

I shook my head, my voice pleading, though I hated it, hated feeling weak.

"That’s not right," I said, my eyes burning, my heart racing.

"Alpha Kael asked me to come." My words were soft, my fear loud, her threat from before..."I’ll make sure you lose everything" ringing in my ears.

Seraphina stepped closer, her smirk growing, her voice low. "Try to leave, and I’ll scream," she said, her eyes fierce.

"I’ll tell everyone who you really are." My heart stopped, my breath gone, fear gripping me tight.

She knew my secret, my true identity, and her threat was real, her power over me heavy. Kyra growled, urging me to fight, but my hands trembled, my courage fading.

I nodded, my eyes dropping, my heart sinking, feeling like a coward. I turned, my boots slow, back to my room, my bag heavy, my chest aching with shame and worry.

I sat on the bed, my bag beside me, my hands twisting, my heart pounding. The room was quiet, the air thick, my thoughts a mess.

Why was Seraphina doing this? Why did Kael’s silence hurt so much? Suddenly, loud noises broke the quiet area, shouts, angry and sharp, from outside.

My heart jumped, my curiosity stronger than my fear. I stood, my steps quick, walking to the window, my hands pushing the curtain aside. My eyes widened, my breath catching.

Kael stood by the car, his face red, his fists clenched, yelling at Seraphina, his arm raised like he’d almost slapped her.

Sonia and Liam stood nearby, her face pale, his small hand in hers, watching. Seraphina’s eyes were wet, her face angry, but Kael’s voice was loud, his words unclear but his fury clear, his ash-gray shirt tight, his boots planted firm.

My heart raced, my hands trembling, Kyra whining, her worry loud. Kael pushed Seraphina aside, his movements sharp, and stormed into the packhouse, his steps heavy, the door slamming.

Before I could move, my door burst open, Kael’s eyes fierce, his face hard, his breath heavy. My heart thumped, my eyes wide, shock hitting me.

He walked toward me, his boots loud, his presence overwhelming, my heart pounding with every step.

I opened my mouth, my voice shaky, but he grabbed my hand, his grip possessive, his eyes glaring into mine, no words, just heat, anger, and something deeper, hurt.

My chest tightened, my breath short, Kyra purring, her love for him strong despite my fear.

"Come," he said, his voice low, rough, dragging me out, my feet stumbling, my bag left behind. I wanted to explain, to ask about Seraphina, but his grip was tight, his eyes hard, silencing me.

"Brian, get her bag," he commanded, his voice sharp, his eyes flicking to Brian, who nodded, rushing to my room.

We exited the packhouse, the air cool, the sun low, Seraphina standing by the car, tears streaming, her eyes glaring at me, her anger hot.

My heart sank, her hate cutting me, but Kael’s grip held me, his protectiveness grounding me despite his silence.

Kael opened the car door, his hand firm, pushing me into the back seat beside Sonia and Liam. Sonia’s eyes were red, her face sad, Liam clutching her hand, his curls bouncing, his eyes curious but quiet.

Kael slid into the front, his posture stiff, his face cold. Brian got in, his hands quick on the wheel, and with Kael’s sharp "Drive," we left, the packhouse fading, the road bumpy, the forest thick around us.

My heart pounded, my eyes on Kael’s back, his silence heavy, his anger clear. I stared, my hands twisting in my lap, my worry growing, Kyra whining, her unease loud.

Was he mad at me? Did he know Seraphina’s threat? His coldness hurt, his lack of words leaving me lost.

The journey to the Eastern Island was long, the air warm, the car quiet except for the engine’s hum and Liam’s soft breathing.

Sonia stared out the window, her face sad, her hands tight around Liam. I wanted to ask, to comfort her, but Kael’s silence stopped me, my heart raced rapidly as my thoughts remained a mess.

I kept looking at him, his dark hair messy, his shoulders tense, but he didn’t turn, didn’t speak, his coldness a wall between us.

My chest ached, my worry loud, wondering if he’d ever talk to me again, if his anger was for me, for Seraphina, or something else.

We arrived at the Eastern Island, the air salty, the waves crashing, the sun setting, sending orange light over the small cabin.

Kael got out, his boots heavy, his face still cold, walking away without a word, his figure fading into the dusk. My heart sank, my eyes burning, my worry overwhelming.

Was he that mad? Would he shut me out forever? Brian opened my door, his face soft, his voice low.

"This way, Luna," he said, leading me to a small room in the cabin, the walls wooden, the air cool, a single bed in the corner.

He set my bag down, his eyes kind but quiet, and left, the door shutting softly.

I sat on the bed, my hands trembling, my heart heavy, ordering a meal from a staff, the hour late, the sky dark.

I waited, my eyes on the door, hoping Kael would come, would talk, would explain his coldness, his anger, his silence.

****

My meal sat untouched on the counter, the bread cold, the stew thick, ordered hours ago when we arrived, but I couldn’t eat, not with Kael gone, his cold silence from the car ride cutting me deep.

My wolf, Kyra, whined, her unease loud, sensing my fear that Kael was mad at me, that he’d never talk to me again.

His anger at Seraphina, his possessive grip when he dragged me from the packhouse, his wordless walk into the dusk, left me lost, my chest aching, my eyes burning with tears I wouldn’t let fall.

Soon, the door creaked open, and my heart jumped, my head snapping up. Kael stepped in, his ash-gray shirt loose, his dark hair messy, his face hard, his eyes shadowed in the dim light.

My breath caught, relief mixing with fear, my heart racing. I stood, my blue dress swishing, grabbing the food plate, my hands shaking, my eyes quivering as I walked toward him, the floor creaking under my boots.

"You’re back," I said, my voice soft, my eyes searching his, hoping for warmth, for words. "Will you eat?" My words were shaky, my heart pleading, wanting to reach him, to fix whatever was wrong.

He stepped closer, his boots heavy, his voice deep, rough. "Why aren’t you asleep?" he asked, his eyes narrowing, his tone sharp, making my heart sink.

I opened my mouth, my mind blank, my words stumbling, unable to explain my worry, my fear of his anger, my need to see him.

"I... I was waiting," I said, my voice small, my eyes dropping, my hands gripping the plate tighter.

He looked at the food, his face cold, his jaw tight, and my chest tightened, sadness hitting hard.

"I’m not eating," he said, his voice flat, his eyes flicking away, and my heart broke, my sadness growing, my worry loud.

He hadn’t eaten all day, his body tense, his wound still unhealed, and I couldn’t stand it.

"You haven’t eaten anything all day," I said, my voice soft, my eyes pleading, stepping closer, the plate heavy.

"Just take a bite, please." My words were desperate, my heart racing, Kyra urging me to care for him, to break his coldness.

He paused, his eyes locking on mine, deep and intense, burning into me. My breath caught, my heart thumping, his gaze holding me still.

He took the plate, his fingers brushing mine, warm and rough, and set it on the counter, the clink loud in the room.

Slowly, he walked toward me, his steps deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine.

My heart raced, my feet moving back, my body trembling, until my legs hit the bed, and I fell, my hands catching the edge, my eyes wide, my breath short.

He leaned down, his hand sliding under my chin, lifting my face, his fingers firm, his eyes fierce, burning with something new, hunger, not anger.

"If you care about my diet so much," he growled, his voice low, his breath hot, "why don’t you give me something worth eating?" My heart pounded, my cheeks flushing, my voice stuttering.

"What... what do you mean?" I asked, my words shaky, my eyes wide, Kyra purring, her excitement rising.

He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear, nibbling softly, his breath warm, sending shivers through me.

"You," he grunted, his voice rough, his word sharp.

My heart raced, shock hitting hard, my mind spinning. Wasn’t he angry at me? Why was he so close, so warm, after his cold silence?