CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72

Kael’s POV.

My hand gripped Celeste’s neck, my fingers tight, my rage boiling, lifting her from the dungeon floor, her green dress torn, her dark hair messy, her eyes wide with fear.

My heart pounded, my chest heaving, my anger at her burning, my wolf, Zeus, roaring, his fury sharp.

Aria’s limp body in the river, her pale face, her faint breath, flashed in my mind, Celeste’s part in the crash clear, her not being with Aria when Torin drove the car into the water making her guilty.

The dungeon was dark, the air damp, torches flickering, guards watching, their eyes tense. Celeste gasped, her hands clawing at mine, her voice weak.

"Please, Alpha, let go," she begged, her tears falling, her body shaking.

My heart raced, my anger hot, my eyes burning into hers, needing answers.

"Where were you?" I growled, my voice low, my grip tighter, my fear for Aria fueling me. "When the car went into the river, where were you?" My words were sharp, my heart pounding, Zeus urging me to make her talk, to know why she left Aria alone with Torin.

Celeste’s eyes darted, her voice shaky, her tears loud.

"I went home," she said, her hands trembling, her face pale. "Our mother was sick. I had to go." Her words sounded weak, her story shaky, her eyes not meeting mine.

My anger flared, my sneer sharp, my gut screaming she wasn’t telling the truth, her leaving Aria too convenient.

"You’re lying," I said, my voice cold, my heart racing, my grip loosening, not because I believed her, but because the guards’ eyes were on me, their whispers quiet, their judgment heavy.

I didn’t want to look like a cruel Alpha, choking Aria’s twin sister, even if I didn’t trust her. My chest tightened, my love for Aria pushing me to protect her, not lose control.

I let go, Celeste falling to her knees, her groan loud, her hands hitting the stone floor, her tears flowing, her eyes scared but sly.

"Two weeks suspension," I said, my voice hard, my eyes glaring, my fists clenching. "Stay away from the packhouse." My heart pounded, my anger hot, my suspicion of Celeste strong, her being Aria’s twin not enough to clear her.

Before she could speak, her mouth opening, her eyes pleading, I turned, my boots heavy, my heart racing, walking away, the dungeon’s cold air biting, Zeus growling, his rage unsatisfied but my duty as the Alpha was clear.

Brian followed, his armor clinking, his brown eyes tense, his steps quick, matching mine. The packhouse halls were dim, torches weak, maids stepping aside, their eyes down, their whispers soft.

My heart raced, my fear for Aria loud, her still body in the car, her blue lips, haunting me.

I needed to see her, to know she was safe, the Lunar Festival’s weight, Torin’s betrayal, all heavy but her life heavier.

I reached our room, my hand on the door, my breath short, my worry choking. The physician was leaving, his bag heavy, his white hair messy, his face calm. He turned, his eyes meeting mine, his voice low.

"Luna Celeste will be fine," he said, his hands clasped, his smile small. "She needs rest." My heart lifted, my fear easing, but my worry lingered, knowing the pack saw her as Celeste, not Aria, her twin sister’s name a cover she used.

I nodded, my voice rough.

"Thank you," I said, my eyes dropping, my hand pushing the door open, the wood creaking.

The physician left, Brian following, the door shutting, the room quiet, the air cool, the bed soft under Aria’s still form.

I walked closer, my boots soft, my heart pounding, sitting beside her, my hand taking hers, her skin warm now, her chest rising slowly.

My heart swelled, my love for her strong, Zeus purring, his warmth steady. The room was dim, the torchlight faint, the blankets soft around her, her silver hair spread on the pillow, her face peaceful but pale.

I sat there, my eyes on her, my hand tight on hers, my heart racing, my fear of losing her sharp.

The river, the sinking car, Torin’s betrayal, played in my mind, my guilt for letting her go with him heavy.

My body tired, my love for her kept me awake, my protectiveness fierce.

The elders’ demands, the festival, Celeste’s strange actions, faded, my only thought Aria, her safety, her life.

Her eyes fluttered, my heart jumping, my eyes widening, my breath catching. She woke, her blue eyes soft, her face confused, her hand squeezing mine weakly.

My heart lifted, my smile breaking, my tears close. "Celeste," I said, my voice soft, my eyes searching hers, my love loud.

"Are you okay?" My heart raced, my worry clear, Zeus purring, his joy strong.

She nodded, her smile small, her hand touching her head, her face wincing. "My head hurts," she said, her voice weak, her eyes closing, her body shifting.

My heart sank, my worry spiking, my hand brushing her hair, her skin warm, my love for her overwhelming.

"Relax," I said, my voice gentle, my hand tight on hers, my eyes pleading. "You need rest." My heart pounded, my fear of her pushing herself loud, the festival’s weight still there, Celeste’s shadow lingering.

She shook her head, her eyes fierce, her voice stubborn.

"No," she said, her hand pulling away, her body sitting up, her face pale but determined. "The Lunar Festival. I have to keep going." Her words cut, her strength inspiring but scary, my fear of her hurting herself stronger, the river’s cold still in my bones.

"You almost died," I said, my voice hard, my eyes burning, my hand grabbing hers, my grip possessive.

"You’re not leaving this bed." My heart raced, my anger at Torin, at Celeste, mixing with my fear, my love for her fierce, Zeus growling, his protectiveness matching mine.

She looked at me, her eyes soft, her fight fading, her hand squeezing mine, her nod slow.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice weak, her body relaxing, her head resting on the pillow.

My heart eased, my breath steadying, my hand holding hers, my body close, my eyes never leaving her.

I stayed by her side, the night was long and the room remained quiet, the torchlight faded as my heart became full.

My fear eased but my anger at Celeste still lingered. My love for Aria keeping me there, my arms around her, her warmth grounding me.