Chapter 5

Kael’s POV

My father had summoned me from my estate to his house. At just twenty-two, I was already living in my own place, a fleet of cars lined up neatly.

A billionaire, powerful and untouchable. I had nothing to worry about. Nothing… except my human mate.

My father had always been wary of my eyes.

My brother was his favorite; cool, calm, obedient. He hardly ever summoned me. So this time, I knew it had to be serious.

As I stepped into his luxurious study, the cold look in his eyes met mine. Kelvin was already there, seated beside him.

I stood stiffly by the window, arms folded behind my back.

“Good morning, Dad.”

My father stood abruptly. “At least look at me when you greet, you disrespectful wolf.”

I turned.

My brother greeted me with his usual warm smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

He was obviously sad.

My father began pacing, sharp angry strides echoing across the marble floor. The fire behind him crackled like it shared his rage.

“You idiots,” he snarled, his voice reverberating off the stone. “You’ve embarrassed this bloodline.”

I didn’t flinch. I was used to the venom. But each word still dug deeper.

“What’s the point of being the wealthiest business executive in town and the greatest Lycan leader alive if my own sons give me no reason to live?” He growled, his voice thick with disdain.

“It wasn’t enough to lose the North Pact to the Sovereign after Kelvin’s mate died…” His voice faltered, just for a moment. Something human flickered in his cold gray eyes.

Kelvin lowered his head. His pain was still raw, even now. He hadn’t let another woman near him since.

“And you, Kael.” My father’s glare shifted to me. “The strongest hybrid Lycan in generations. Gifted, Feared by all. Born of your grandfather’s cursed blood. And still mateless.”

My jaw clenched.

“I didn’t choose to be mateless,” I said, voice tight.

Kelvin shot me a warning glance, as if threatening to tell him the truth. I returned it with a look that said: Don’t you dare.

“You damn well should’ve forced it by now,” my father spat. “Without a Luna, the empire is vulnerable. You can’t lead the Council. And my enemies… they’re watching.”

I remained silent.

“There’s only one explanation,” he muttered darkly. “Something is wrong with you.”

Each word struck like a blow.

He had no idea.

I had found her.

But Diana… she was human. Fragile. Mortal. And completely impossible.

“You are the crowned Alpha of nothing if you remain unbonded.”

The room thickened with tension. I didn’t look at Kelvin. He sat in silence, grief still written across his features.

I was different.

I’d never had a mate to lose. I’d only played around.

But lately… something's changed.

A pull. A scent I couldn’t ignore. A presence that haunted me.

Diana.

It couldn’t be.

My father slammed a drawer shut. “Fix this,” he hissed. “Or I’ll find someone who will.”

I couldn't take it anymore. I'd had enough. Without a word, I turned and walked out.

Let Kelvin deal with his grief. Let him take the brunt of our father’s anger for once.

★ ★ ★

Diana’s POV

I didn’t sleep throughout the night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, twisted in rage, his hand around my throat, his voice like a storm in my ear.

But it wasn’t fear that kept me awake. It was the confusion.

Why had he said I was empty? Why had Eva told me to look at his eyes?

I felt haunted.

When morning finally came, I got out of bed before dawn and dressed in silence. Pulling on my thickest hoodie like armor and headed straight to school.

Ashmoor’s halls were quiet this early. Too quiet.

Today was worse than yesterday.

The stares were sharper. The whispers louder. Eyes followed me like wolves stalking wounded prey.

I kept my head down. My hoodie up. But it didn’t help.

I wasn’t one to skip class, but something about this place felt off. So I bailed on my last period before lunch. I needed air.

I wandered out to the back gardens, where the wind smelled different.

I sat on a stone bench surrounded by dying roses. It was the only place I could breathe.

“I won’t run. Not again,” I whispered to myself.

The bell rang. Time for lunch.

I made my way to the cafeteria.

Just like yesterday, everything stopped when I walked in.

Trays paused midair. Smirks twisted mouths. They were waiting for me.

A circle had formed beneath the arched glass ceiling. Everyone was there. Everyone except Eva.

Abigail sat at the center, the queen bee.

I grabbed my tray and tried to pass by, but Abigail called me back.

“Hey, Diana. Come sit.”

My instincts screamed no. But turning her down would be worse.

“Hi,” I muttered, glancing at each of them.

“Come sit with us,” Abigail repeated. She took my tray and dropped it on their table.

Reluctantly, I sat.

“You’re new,” Vicky said, smiling so sweetly. “How about we introduce ourselves?”

“I’ll start,” a tall boy said. “Elijah Langston. Son of California’s senator.”

The pit in my stomach deepened. This wasn’t just about introductions.

“Camille,” said a girl with perfect skin and dead eyes. “President’s niece.”

“Theo,” another chimed in. “My mother’s on the World Council. You’ve probably seen her on television.”

One by one, they stood, heirs to wealth and power. Children of politicians, CEOs, global elites.

Then came Abegail.

“As you all know, I’m Abigail. Only daughter of San Francisco’s mayor.”

Applause followed.

Then all eyes turned to me.

“And you, Diana?”

“I’m Diana,” I said quietly. “My father’s a soldier.”

A beat of silence.

“What rank?” Camille asked, sugary sweet.

“S-Sergeant.”

The laughter was instant. 

“Sergeant?” a girl snorted. “What is this, public school?”

“Not even an officer,” Elijah sneered. “That’s… tragic.”

A girl to my left scoffed.“Do you mop floors too?”

Abigail didn’t laugh. She just smiled. Wider.

“Someone must have pulled strings to get you into Ashmoor,” she said.

I didn’t answer.

“This school has a class chain,” she said softly. “And you? You’re at the bottom.”

The words cut deeper than I expected. My breath caught in my chest, but I couldn’t let them see how much it hurt.

“No,” said a gum-chewing girl beside her. “She’s lower than that… a beggar!”

“Not a beggar,” Abigail corrected. “Out cast. One word. Lowest rank. No power. No name. No shield. Anyone can challenge you, mock you, break you... and you have no right to fight back.”

The words sank into my bones.

I stepped back, gripping the strap of my bag like it could protect me.

 Then a voice roared through the cafeteria.

“You say that again… and you’ll regret it.”

Everyone froze.

I turned, a wave of relief washing over me as I looked toward my unexpected savior.

To my greatest shock, my eyes met his.

It's him.

The arrogant boy with the piercing blue eyes.

The cafeteria was silent, frozen in time. Tables sat abandoned, trays of food left half-eaten.

All eyes were locked on the new arrival, the striking boy who commanded attention without even trying.

He stood before me, his gaze softer than the winter wind. I couldn't believe he had a soft side.

He had just come at the perfect moment, like a prince stepping out of a fairy tale, saving me from everything.

He moved closer, his eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn't control myself anymore.

What was happening? How could I be falling for someone like him? Someone so dangerous, so cold, like a demon dressed in human skin.

His voice broke the silence, harsh, commanding, and laced with something possessive: “She is mine alone to torment."