Blood On the Ballroom Floor

Sable's POV 

The ballroom had gone silent while I stood frozen in the middle of the dance floor, staring at the blood trickling from the corner of Kael's mouth.

 Rhett's fist had connected with his jaw, but the Superior Alpha didn't look particularly bothered. If anything, he seemed amused.

He slowly wiped the blood away with his thumb, his dark eyes fixed on Rhett. "What an interesting way to introduce yourself," he remarked.

Several elders hurried towards us, their faces pale with alarm. Richard was among them, grabbing Rhett by the shoulder and pulling him backwards.

"Have you lost your fucking mind?" he barked. "That's the Superior Alpha!" Rhett shoved his father's hand away, his golden eyes burning with fury.

"Stay out of this!" Whispers spread through the ballroom.

"Isn't that Sable?"

"She's marked by Kael?"

"How did a half-breed end up with the Superior Alpha?"

Celeste was practically clinging to Rhett's arm, screaming at him to calm down, but he barely acknowledged her. His attention remained on me.

I should have been terrified. Instead, beneath the embarrassment and confusion, something unfamiliar stirred inside me.

For years, these people had looked at me as though I were worthless. Now, two powerful Alphas stood facing each other because of me.

I wasn't sure whether to feel powerful or completely terrified. Kael finally turned towards me.

His large hand settled around my waist, pulling me against his chest. The movement was deliberate, almost possessive, and the entire ballroom watched.

"Let this be a warning to everyone here," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "Anyone who touches what is mine will bleed considerably more than this."

His gaze briefly returned to Rhett. "Remember that." He added in that baritone voice while I noticed Rhett's fists tighten but Kael wasn't finished.

"This woman is under my protection. From tonight, she is my future Luna." A collective gasp swept through the room and my heart skipped.

Future Luna?

I looked up at him, searching his expression for an explanation, but his face revealed nothing. His announcement sounded less like a declaration of affection and more like an order nobody would dare challenge and perhaps that was exactly what it was.

Richard slowly lowered his head. "Superior Alpha."

It was the first time I had ever seen fear in my stepfather's eyes. The man who had spent years making me feel insignificant was now bowing before the man holding me.

Kael didn't acknowledge him. Instead, he took my hand. "Come." He said and he didn't wait for an answer.

I followed him, my heels clicking against the floor as we approached the ballroom doors. Behind us, Rhett's voice suddenly thundered.

"SABLE!" My steps faltered.

I knew that voice. I had spent years responding whenever he called, running towards him whenever I needed protection but tonight, he had chosen someone else.

I tightened my grip on Kael's hand and kept walking and I didn't look back.

A black SUV waited near the entrance, surrounded by several suited guards. Kael opened the passenger door, allowing me to climb inside before joining me.

My hands were shaking and Kael noticed. Without saying anything, he removed his expensive jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

"Why did you do that?" I finally asked as he glanced at me.

"Do what?"

"Claim me in front of everyone. You barely know me." His expression remained unreadable.

"You're marked. My wolf doesn't tolerate seeing his marked mate humiliated." I touched the side of my neck, where his mark rested beneath my hair.

"And that's all?"

"For now." I turned towards the window again, sighing loudly. Apparently, I had become someone's possession without understanding what that actually meant.

Kael's huge mansion stood on the outskirts of Crestwood territory. It was an enormous mansion surrounded by high stone walls, security cameras and armed guards.

Everything about the property screamed wealth and authority.

A housekeeper opened the entrance as we stepped inside. Kael instructed her to prepare something for me before leading me into a spacious sitting room.

"Sit." I lowered myself onto the sofa and watched as he disappeared briefly and returned with a glass of water, placing it on the table in front of me.

"Drink." He said calmly. 

I obeyed, taking several sips while he removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves.

The man who had kissed me in the abandoned tavern seemed different tonight. His earlier arrogance remained, but something colder had replaced the reckless desire.

He sat opposite me. "We need to discuss something." He said and immediately,I lowered the glass.

"What?"

"My throne." He replied and I frowned. Kael leaned back, his fingers resting against the armrest.

"The current Alpha King is stepping down in seven days. His departure will leave the throne vacant, and four men are already positioning themselves to take it."

"Your brothers?" I asked, trying to understand the dynamics. 

"Stepbrothers." He corrected immediately and he said the word with obvious distaste.

"Rodgers, Fabian, Ryan and Delan. Each believes he deserves the throne. Unfortunately for them, I'm not particularly interested in surrendering what belongs to me." I swallowed.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"According to the council's succession laws, an Alpha must have a recognised mate and Luna to claim the throne."

"And you don't have one." I said, forgetting the fact that we've mated. 

"Not until tonight." I stared at him as understanding slowly dawned on me.

"You need me." I muttered. 

"Precisely." He didn't even attempt to disguise it.

"I need a Luna within seven days. You need protection, resources and an opportunity to leave the people who have spent your entire life treating you like garbage. I believe we can help each other."

I stared at him, wondering whether I had heard correctly. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

"A marriage contract.” He said and my lips parted.

"Marriage?"

"One year. That's the proposed duration. We present ourselves as a happily married couple, attend official functions together and maintain the appearance of a genuine union. In private, however, we establish our own boundaries." He paused.

"You'll have your own bedroom,there will be no forced intimacy, and I won't demand anything from you beyond what we agree upon." I looked at him suspiciously.

"And what do I get?" I asked, looking at the cup in my hands. 

"Protection from Crestwood and anyone who decides to pursue you. A monthly allowance, complete financial independence and the freedom to pursue whatever you want. If you wish to return to school, become a doctor or establish a life outside the pack, I'll fund it." My fingers tightened around the glass as he continued.

"Your status will change. Nobody will call you a half-breed and expect to get away with it. You'll have access to everything my position provides, and those who mistreated you will have to answer to me."