Chapter Four

KAI's POV

“Some messengers have extended an invitation from Blackpool Alpha Lucas, to join them for their mating hurdle.” One of the elders announced, his voice hesitant as I lounged on the throne, one leg casually dropping over the armrest while my hand rested on my chin as I stared at them poker faced.

“Decline it. We’re not going.” I stated flatly, my voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade and Silence enveloped the hall.

“But Alpha…” Elder Zed began, his tone laced with persuasion. “This could be a valuable opportunity for some of our younger wolves to find their fated mates. Surely, as their leader—”  

I leaned forward slowly, my gaze locking onto his, as my fingers drummed lazily against the armrest before I shrugged.

“Saying it again would mean I’m repeating myself. And you know, Zed,” I said, my voice dropping to a low growl, “I hate repeating myself. We’re not going. That is final.”  I could see the nervous exchange of glanced, heck, I could almost feel it but I wasnt about to give in.

Zed was right, some of the young lads looked forward to finding their mate at this hurdle but i couldn't care less.

I wasn't about to travel 5+ miles only to go and seat and watch some bunch of women be flirtatious while showing off fake smiles. That alone made me repulse.

 “Well, if that doesn’t convince you, perhaps this will. Your step…” he began, but the moment the words left his mouth, I raised a hand to silence him cutting him off abruptly.

“I do not want to hear it,” I snapped, my voice cold enough to frost the air between us and he swallowed nervously.

That was when the last word he had said caught my ears and I leaned forward.“What was it you were saying just now?” I asked, my voice calm but laced with quiet threat.

Anything that involves my brother always had its own way of drawing me in and piquing my interest.

“Start over.”  

Zed hesitated, clearly weighing his next words carefully. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to hear it… but your stepbrother still claims that he is the rightful heir to the throne.” He paused, his throat bobbing nervously under my sharp gaze. “He’s issued a formal challenge. A physical duel.”  

The air thickened, tension rolling through the room like thunder as I sat back, a slow, predatory grin spreading across my face.  

“Interesting,” I murmured, the amusement in my tone sending a visible shiver through the room. “So, the boy wants to dance with death.”  

“Oh that punk.” No one dared to speak as I rose from the throne, my gaze shadowed with lethal intent.

“Where is the venue of the duel he picked?” I questioned after a few seconds of thought.

“The Blackpool pack, right after the mating hurdle.”

“Let him know his invitation is accepted.”  

“Does that mean we would be going to the Blackpool pack anyways?” Zed questioned as I began walking out of the hall and i halted, swivelling to meet his face.

“Do you have a better explanation? Of course, we're going but not for the ceremony. We would go when the ceremony is over, I know that punk. He would wait till whenever I show up.” I stated and walked out and the murmurs of disapproval filled the air the instant they thought I was out of ear shot.

“Let me guess—you declined the Blackpool invitation?” My beta, Conry, asked as he fell into step beside me, his tone dripping with casual sarcasm.  

“Pretty much,” I said, shrugging my shoulders as we strode through the corridor toward my office. “Things like that don’t interest me.”  

He snorted, running a hand through his tousled brown hair.

“Of course not. A glorified  market where desperate wolves flaunt themselves like prizes? Loud music, heavy pheromones, and wolves showing all kind of erotic things in the corners? Definitely not your kind of scene, Alpha.”  

I couldn’t help the smirk tugging at my lips. That was why Conry was more than just my beta—he was my best friend. Always blunt, never afraid to speak his mind.  

“You know me too well,” I replied as we reached my office.  

“And yet you continue to surprise me,” he teased, holding the door open.  

Once inside, I sank into the leather chair behind my desk, exhaling deeply as I ruffled my hair.  

“Still, Kai, you’re going this year,” Conry announced matter-of-factly, leaning casually against the edge of my desk.  

 “No. I already said no.”  I raised a brow at him while he grinned, the kind of infuriating grin that told me he knew something I didn’t.

“You will. Trust me on this.”  

“I trust you with my life, but not with this,” I said dryly, resting my elbows on the desk.

“Why would I willingly subject myself to a gathering of posturing alphas and overenthusiastic females throwing themselves at me? I’d rather gouge my own eyes out.”  

Conry chuckled, crossing his arms. “It’s not just about that this year, Kai.”  

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”  

“Well,” he began, his tone suddenly serious, “apparently, the priestess had a vision.”  

That caught my attention and my eyes flickered with surprise. “What kind of vision?”  

He hesitated for a moment, then continued. “She said this year’s mating ceremony would be different. Unique. It’s where you’ll find… her.”  

My chest tightened, though I kept my expression neutral. “Her?”  

Conry nodded, leaning closer. “The comet bearer.”  

The words sent a ripple of chill through the room. The legend of the comet bearer wasn’t new to me.

“I thought the comet bearer was just a myth,” I said in a low voice.

“So did I,” Conry admitted, his grin fading into a serious expression. “But the priestess seems convinced. She said the signs are clear—the comet bearer will be at this year’s Blackpool ceremony. And she’s destined to be yours.”  

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. The very idea seemed ridiculous. A mate destined by the stars? A woman capable of changing everything?  

“Even if this prophecy is real, what makes the priestess think I care?” I asked, though the slight tremor in my voice betrayed my unease.  

“Because, Kai,” Conry said, his voice dropping into a whisper, “if you don’t go, someone else might claim her.”   

“And if someone else claims her,” Conry continued, “you’ll regret it. She’s yours, Kai. The stars have already decided.”  

I stood abruptly, pacing to the window that overlooked the  forest surrounding my pack’s territory.

“It doesn’t make sense,” I muttered. “A comet bearer? Meant for me? Why now? Why her?”  

“Maybe it’s fate,” Conry said simply, watching me carefully.  

Fate. The word tasted foreign on my tongue, almost laughable. I’d built my life on discipline, strength, and power—not fairy tales.  

 “Fine,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go.”  

Conry’s grin returned. “Good. You won’t regret it.”  

“You're not sure about that.” I didn’t trust fate. I didn’t trust prophecy. And most of all, I didn’t trust the idea that someone could hold the power to change me.  

 That was why when I find this comet bearer, I was going to use her for the immortality sacrifice.

My life was better off without a partner and having eternal life would only be a plus.