CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65

Kael’s POV.

I stormed out of the throne chamber, my heart pounding, my fists clenched, the air thick with the echo of my words suspending Elders Ruth and Thomas.

Their cruel demands, kill Sonia, enslave Liam, still burned in my mind, my anger burning hot. How could they even suggest such a thing if they weren’t monsters?

The packhouse halls were dim, torches flickering, the stone floor cold under my boots, my ash-gray shirt tight, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his rage steady, his protectiveness fierce.

I saw Brian near the entrance, his brown eyes tense, his armor glinting, his hands clasped.

My heart raced, my worry for Liam and Aria loud, their safety my duty after all we’d been through.

"Where’s Liam?" I asked, my voice rough, my eyes burning into his, my chest heaving.

Brian bowed slightly, his face serious, his voice low.

"With Luna Celeste, Alpha," he said, his eyes meeting mine, his loyalty clear. "In her room." My heart eased, but my worry lingered, Aria’s care for Liam, her promise to be Sonia’s friend, warming me but not enough to calm my anger at the elders, at Nicholas, at this mess.

I nodded, my jaw tight, my boots heavy.

"I’m going to them," I said, my voice firm, my eyes flicking to the hall, my heart set on seeing Aria’s face, Liam’s smile, to ground myself after the chamber’s fight.

Brian nodded, his steps trailing as I moved, the packhouse quiet, maids stepping aside, their eyes dropping, their whispers soft.

My wound burned, my body tired, but my anger and duty pushed me forward, Zeus urging me to protect, to lead.

I reached the room door, the wood worn, the air cool, but I stopped, my heart jumping at a sudden noise inside, angry voices, sharp and loud.

My ears strained, the words muffled, but I knew it was Aria and Seraphina, their tones heated, Seraphina’s voice cruel.

My chest tightened, my anger flaring, memories of Seraphina’s stubbornness, her threat to go on the vacation, her blocking Aria’s path, burning in my mind.

She was mad I’d chosen Aria, mad I’d pushed her aside, her hate for my Luna clear.

My fists clenched, my heart racing, Zeus growling, his instincts sharp, sensing trouble.

A sharp slap echoed, the sound clear, cutting through the door, and my heart stopped, my breath catching, rage exploding.

I shoved the door open, the hinges groaning, my eyes wide, my anger blinding. Aria was on the ground, her hand on her cheek, her silver hair loose, her blue dress crumpled, her eyes wide with shock.

Seraphina stood over her, her red dress bright, her green eyes scared now, her hands trembling. Liam sat on the bed, his brown eyes wet, his toy wolf clutched tight, his face pale.

My heart pounded, my anger hot, my voice booming. "What just happened?" I growled, my eyes glaring at Seraphina, my fists shaking, Zeus roaring, his rage overwhelming.

They froze, Aria’s eyes meeting mine, her fear clear, Seraphina’s face paling, her breath short.

I rushed to Aria, my boots slamming the floor, kneeling beside her, my hands gentle, helping her to her feet, her body trembling, her cheek red from the slap.

My heart broke, my anger surging, my protectiveness fierce. "I just asked... What happened?" I asked again, my voice colder, sterner, my eyes burning into Seraphina, my hand on Aria’s arm, her warmth grounding me but not enough to calm my rage.

Seraphina’s eyes darted, her voice shaky, her lie quick. "She took something from me, Alpha," she said, her hands waving, her face desperate.

"She wouldn’t give it back." Her words were weak, her lie clear, her fear loud, and my anger grew, my eyes narrowing, my jaw tight.

Before I could speak, Liam’s small voice cut through, his words brave, his eyes fierce.

"She’s lying, Big Brother!" he said, his voice loud, his finger pointing at Seraphina, his curls bouncing.

"She came in, yelled at your Luna, and hit her!" My heart swelled, my pride in Liam sharp, his courage breaking through his fear, his trust in me clear.

My anger exploded, my eyes burning into Seraphina, her face crumbling, her tears starting, her lie exposed.

I stood, my armor clinking, my voice low, my rage cold. "Guards!" I shouted, my words echoing, the door still open.

Two guards rushed in, their armor heavy, their eyes wide, bowing low. "Take her," I said, pointing at Seraphina, my voice hard, my eyes fierce.

"Flog her. Twenty strokes." My words were final, my anger unstoppable, Zeus roaring, his approval strong.

"What? No way, Alpha Kael. I’m your sister! You can’t do this for her... a stranger!" She snapped but I tried to hold back my rage.

"Take her away... she has no respect for the Luna!" I commanded and my guards do as I said.

Seraphina yelled, her voice loud, her hands reaching, begging, but the guards grabbed her arms, dragging her out, her red dress trailing, her sobs fading down the hall.

Aria dropped to her knees, her voice shaky, her eyes pleading. "Alpha Kael, please," she said, her hands clasped, her face pale.

"Don’t hurt her." My heart ached, her kindness cutting me, but my anger was too hot, my protectiveness for her too strong. I shook my head, my voice firm.

"Stand up," I said, my eyes meeting hers, my hand reaching to lift her, her warmth calming me slightly, but my rage lingered, Seraphina’s slap on my Luna unforgivable.

Aria stood, her eyes wet, her body trembling, her hand on her cheek, and my heart broke, my guilt for not protecting her sharp.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice softer, my eyes searching hers, my hand on her arm, my worry loud.

She nodded, her smile small, her eyes grateful, and my chest eased, my love for her strong, Kyra’s purr in her gaze warming me.

I turned to Liam, his eyes bright now, his toy wolf still tight in his hands.

"You did good, Big Brother," he said, his voice proud, his smile wide, his small hand reaching for mine.

"I’d like to be like you when I grow up. An Alpha feared by all." He giggled softly.

My heart lifted, my anger softening, a smile breaking through, my hand squeezing his cheek gently, his warmth grounding me, his trust a light in my darkness.

"You’re brave, Liam," I said, my voice warm, my eyes meeting his, my pride in him real.

The room was quiet now, the air heavy, the torchlight flickering, Aria’s hand in mine, Liam’s smile bright.

My heart raced, my wound throbbing, my anger at Seraphina, at the elders, at Nicholas, still burning, but my love for Aria, for Liam, stronger.

Suddenly, a knock came, sharp and loud, the sound cutting through the silence, my heart jumping, my eyes narrowing, Zeus growling, sensing more trouble.