CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66

Kael’s POV.

I sat on the bed in Aria’s room, my heart still racing from the fight with Seraphina, her slap on Aria’s cheek burning in my mind, her cries as the guards dragged her out echoing.

Aria’s hand was warm in mine, her silver hair loose, her blue eyes soft but worried, her cheek still red from the hit. Liam sat beside us, his small body leaning against me, his toy wolf clutched tight, his brown eyes bright, calling me "Big Brother" with a smile that eased my anger.

The air was cool, the torchlight flickering, the stone walls of the Shadow Claw packhouse dim, the room quiet except for Liam’s soft giggles.

My heart ached, wanting to stay here, to hold Aria, to play with Liam, to forget the elders, Nicholas, and Elijah’s death.

A sharp knock broke the silence, my heart jumping, my jaw tightening, Zeus growling, sensing duty calling.

I squeezed Aria’s hand, my voice rough. "Come in," I said, my eyes on the door, my body tensing, knowing peace never lasted.

The door creaked open, Brian stepping in, his armor glinting, his brown eyes tense, his face grim. My heart sank, my stern face hiding my wish to stay, to ignore the pack’s demands, to be with Aria and Liam.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice hard, my eyes burning into his, my hand still holding Aria’s, her warmth grounding me.

Brian bowed, his voice low, his hands clasped. "Two elders are waiting, Alpha," he said, his eyes meeting mine, his worry clear. "In the throne chamber. They need you now." My chest tightened, my anger flaring, my heart heavy with the memory of suspending Ruth and Thomas, their cruel words, kill Sonia, enslave Liam, still stinging.

I didn’t want to go, didn’t want to face more fights, more judgments, but duty pulled, my role as Alpha heavy.

"Send them away," I said, my voice sharp, my eyes narrowing, my hand tightening on Aria’s, Liam’s small hand on my arm, his trust heavy. Brian’s face tensed, his head shaking, his voice urgent.

"They won’t take no, Alpha," he said, his eyes pleading, his hands clenching. "They’re insisting." My heart raced, my anger hot, my wound throbbing, Zeus growling, urging me to fight, to protect my time with Aria, with Liam.

I opened my mouth, ready to refuse, to stay here, but Aria’s voice cut through, soft but firm.

"Go, Alpha Kael," she said, her eyes meeting mine, her hand squeezing mine, her worry clear but her strength stronger.

"It sounds serious." My heart sank, her words right but painful, my need to stay battling my duty.

I looked at Liam, his eyes big, his smile fading, and my chest ached, my guilt for dragging them into this mess sharp. I nodded, my jaw tight, my voice low.

"Fine," I said, my eyes on Brian, my heart heavy. "Let’s go." I stood, my boots heavy, my armor clinking, kissing Aria’s forehead, her skin warm, Liam’s cheek next, his giggle soft.

"Stay here," I said, my voice gentle, my eyes meeting theirs, my love for them fierce. Aria nodded, her smile small, Liam waving, his toy wolf raised.

I followed Brian, my steps quick, the halls dim, maids stepping aside, their whispers quiet, my heart racing, my anger simmering, my worry for what the elders wanted growing.

The throne chamber was cold, the stone floor hard, the torches weak, casting long shadows. Elders Marcus and Lila sat at the table, their gray robes stiff, their faces stern, their eyes sharp.

I stood before my throne, my armor heavy, Brian behind me, his face tense, his loyalty steady. My heart pounded, my fists clenching, my wound burning, Zeus growling, ready for a fight.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice rough, my eyes burning into Marcus’s, my patience thin after the last meeting, their cruelty still fresh.

Marcus leaned forward, his beard white, his voice deep. "The Lunar Festival is coming," he said, his eyes steady, his hands folded.

"It’s set to be hosted in the Shadow Claw pack this year." My heart eased slightly, my anger cooling, the Lunar Festival, a celebration of the moon, of pack unity, where the Luna leads the preparations, familiar, expected.

I nodded, my voice calm.

"Host it," I said, my eyes meeting his, my hands relaxing. "I’ve no problem with that." My heart steadied, thinking it was simple, a chance to show strength, to unite the pack after Elijah’s death, the elders’ threats.

But Marcus and Lila exchanged a glance, their faces tense, their eyes sharp, and my heart jumped, my worry returning, Zeus whining, sensing trouble.

Lila spoke, her voice firm, her gray hair tight in a bun. "The Luna must arrange it," she said, her eyes locking on mine, her words heavy.

"Celeste will be in charge of everything, decorations, feasts, rituals." My heart stopped, my breath catching, my anger flaring, my mind on Aria, her red cheek, her worry, her burden as Luna Celeste, a name hiding her true self.

The festival was huge, tasking, endless work, banners, food, ceremonies, every detail watched by the pack, judged by the elders. My chest tightened, my fists clenching, my protectiveness fierce.

"No," I said, my voice hard, my eyes burning into hers, my heart racing. "It’s too much for her. A maid can do it." My words were sharp, my anger hot, my love for Aria pushing me to shield her, her fear of Seraphina’s threat, "I’ll expose you" still raw.

Zeus growled, his strength surging, urging me to fight for her.

Marcus shook his head, his voice stern. "A maid can’t," he said, his eyes fierce. "The Luna must lead. If anything goes wrong, the pack will blame her. You don’t want that, Alpha." His words cut, my heart sinking, my fear for Aria growing.

They were right, if the festival failed, Aria would be shamed, her place as Luna questioned, her secret at risk.

My anger boiled, my wound throbbing, my mind spinning with the elders’ demands, their power over me, over her.

"I won’t host it then," I said, my voice booming, my fists slamming the table, the sound echoing, my eyes fierce. "Cancel it." My heart raced, my anger unstoppable, my protectiveness for Aria stronger than my duty to tradition.

Marcus and Lila gasped, their faces shocked, their whispers loud, but Lila stood, her voice sharp.

"You have no choice, Alpha," she said, her eyes hard, her hands clenched. "The festival is sacred. The pack expects it. Refusing shames us all." Her words were final, her judgment clear, and my heart pounded, my anger mixing with fear, my duty as Alpha clashing with my love for Aria.

I argued, my voice loud, my hands waving, but their faces stayed firm, their words unyielding, the weight of tradition crushing me.

I stopped, my chest heaving, my eyes dropping, my heart heavy. "Fine," I said, my voice low, my nod slow, my heart sinking, knowing Aria would carry this burden, her fear, her secret, at risk.

"Dismissed," I said, my voice rough, my eyes flicking away, my anger still hot. The elders stood, their robes swishing, leaving the chamber, the doors shutting, the air heavy.

I turned to Brian, my boots heavy, my heart racing. "To my study," I said, my voice hard, my steps quick, Brian following, my mind on Aria, on how to protect her from this.

***

I sat in my study, the air heavy, the torchlight dim, causing shadows on the stone walls.

The wooden desk was cluttered with papers, the chair creaking under me, my ash-gray shirt tight, my side throbbing from the unhealing wound, but my heart was heavier, my mind on Aria and the Lunar Festival.

The elders’ demand, her leading the preparations, every detail on her shoulders, burned me, my protectiveness fierce, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his worry for her loud.

I couldn’t let her face it alone, not with Seraphina’s slap, her threat to expose Aria’s secret as Luna Celeste, still fresh.

My fists clenched, my anger hot, my guilt for Elijah’s death, for dragging Aria into this, sharp. Brian stood by the door, his armor glinting, his brown eyes tense, his loyalty steady.

"Find a maid," I said, my voice rough, my eyes burning into his. "Someone to help Aria with the festival preparations. She can’t do it alone." My heart raced, my worry for her growing, wanting to ease her burden, to protect her from the pack’s judgment.

Brian nodded, his face serious, his voice low.

"I’ll find someone, Alpha," he said, his hands clasped, his eyes meeting mine, his assurance calming me slightly.

I nodded, my jaw tight, my hands gripping the desk, my anger at the elders, at Seraphina, simmering.

A knock came, sharp and quick, my heart jumping, Zeus growling, sensing more trouble. "Come in," I said, my voice hard, my eyes on the door.

A guard stepped in, his armor scratched, his gray eyes nervous, bowing low. "Alpha, we’ve finished flogging Seraphina," he said, his voice shaky, his hands trembling.

My heart pounded, my anger flaring, memories of her slapping Aria, her cruel words, fueling my rage.

"Let’s go," I said, standing, my boots heavy, my armor clinking, Brian following, his steps quick. We walked through the packhouse, the halls dim, maids stepping aside, their whispers quiet, my heart racing, my wound burning, my anger hot.

We reached the punishment room, the air cold, the stone walls damp, Seraphina slumped against a bench, her red dress torn, her blonde hair messy, her green eyes wet with tears, her face pale, her body weak.

She looked up, her voice breaking, her tears falling. "Why, Alpha?" she cried, her hands reaching, her eyes pleading. "Why did you do this to me?" Her words were desperate, her pain clear, but my anger didn’t waver, my heart hard, Zeus roaring, his rage for Aria’s hurt stronger.

I stepped closer, my boots loud, my eyes glaring, my voice low. "This is just the beginning," I said, my words cold, my fists clenching. "Stay away from my Luna." My heart pounded, my protectiveness fierce, her slap on Aria’s cheek, Liam’s scared face, burning in my mind.

Seraphina’s eyes widened, her tears stopping, her voice sharp.

"She doesn’t belong here," she said, her words defiant, her eyes fierce. "Your Luna must leave." My anger exploded, my scoff loud, my heart racing, my patience gone.

"Don’t act like a demon," I said, my voice hard, my eyes burning into hers. "If you go near her again, you’ll regret it. I’ll cut all ties with you."

My words were final, my heart heavy, her fear clear, her face paling, her body trembling, my threat sinking in.