( Alaric’s POV)The numbers on the parchment blurred before my eyes.My office in the eastern wing of the chamber was silent save for the scratching of my quill, but my mind hadn’t been present for the last twenty minutes. I signed the same paper twice and read the same sentence five times.Because something was wrong.Deep in my bones, something clawed. My wolf was restless—pacing inside me. My mate.Kael.I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand across my face. "He’s with his mother," I muttered to myself, trying to shove the dread back down. "Just a conversation. That’s all."But it had been over an hour.Kael said he’d be back soon. And he always came back soon.I shook my head and forced myself to refocus. These treaties wouldn’t write themselves, and the kingdom wouldn’t wait because I was emotionally constipated.Still—my hand trembled when I reached for the next document.And then I heard it.Silence.That cursed, pressing kind of silence that doesn't belong in a palace. Not in my ch
Alaric’s fingertips ghosted along Kael’s wrist as they meandered down the palace hall, like he was tethering them together—half sweet, half just not wanting to let go yet.“You sure you’re good going solo?” he asked… again, for the third time.Kael offered him a small smile. “It’s just my mom. I’ll be alright.”But the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Alaric saw it—he always did. Still, he didn’t press further. He just gave Kael’s hand a squeeze and kissed his knuckles. “Come back to me soon.”Kael nodded and turned away, the pause between them stretching out, kinda thin and awkward, as he wandered down the hall toward his mom’s chamber.—Elara was waiting by the window, sitting there with her shawl wrapped tight like she thought it might shield her from whatever was about to happen. When Kael entered, she rose quickly, her face folding in on itself.“Kael,” she breathed, “you came.”Kael stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “You knew I would?”A silence settled like dusk over
(Kael’s POV)I didn’t remember walking out of Grandma’s room. My feet moved on their own. The echo of her words still clung to the walls of my chest, a heaviness I couldn’t name sinking deeper with every breath.Ask your mother who your father is.Ask whose blood runs through your veins.Ask whose soul you’re tied to.I sat on the edge of the bed in our—my—chamber, and stared at nothing. The bag Alaric brought sat unopened in the corner, and my palms were still cold. My chest… ached. But it wasn’t the pregnancy. It wasn’t even the aftermath of the tears I thought I was done crying.It was the confusion.I’d been raised by a woman who held my hand through nightmares, who fed me, clothed me, sacrificed for me. My mother was all I ever knew—everything I ever needed. I’d never cared that my father wasn’t in the picture. I didn’t ask questions. Not because I didn’t want to know, but because I trusted her. If he was gone, then maybe he should stay gone. That was my logic.Until that one mom
(Alaric’s POV)I didn't care what tradition said.If the palace expected me to walk a respectable three paces behind my Omega or to keep my distance for propriety’s sake—they could all burn for all I cared. Kael walked beside me, our hands brushing occasionally, and I kept close enough to catch him if he so much as stumbled.Right now I don't even care that they see him as my servant who shouldn't be this close to me.After everything… after almost losing him again, I wasn’t spending a single second more apart.Not for the court.Not for Amora.Not even for the Moon Goddess herself.He wanted to see Grandma. I had my own reasons for coming—namely, who the hell had grown stupid enough to try and poison my mate?As we entered her chamber, the air held the familiar scent of dried herbs and clean parchment. Kael was quickly pulled into a hug by her, soft words exchanged, but my gaze stayed fixed on the small bag tucked by the reading chair—Kael’s bag. The one he packed when he thought he’
Kael gasped.Alaric’s eyes snapped open.Kael’s hand flew to his belly.“Kael?” Alaric sat up instantly. “What is it—what’s wrong?”Kael’s face twisted. “I don’t… I don’t know, it’s—” His words choked off as another wave hit, sharper this time.A jolt of pain. Deep. Low. Wrong.Alaric was already on his feet, holding him. “Kael. Look at me. Hey—hey, breathe, baby. What’s going on?”But Kael didn’t answer. He curled into himself, breathing fast, clutching his stomach.And just like that, peace slipped through their fingers.“Is it hurting too much? Can you hang on for me to go get grandma?”“No,” Kael whispered, gripping Alaric’s hand when he tried to stand. “Don’t call for Grandma. Just… stay. Please. Just stay.”The urgency in his voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough to make Alaric freeze. Kael’s knuckles were white where they clutched his wrist. His breathing was labored, his brow glistening with sweat. But his eyes—those wide, haunted eyes—were begging.“Alright,” Alaric said gentl
Kael walked the familiar hall in silence, his steps slow, unsure—like a ghost tracing old memories. The palace was quiet, but inside him, everything screamed. The weight of the past days pressed down on his chest, yet the pull toward their chamber—his chamber—was stronger.It's been a few days, a few too slow, too dull, too painful, days for Kael, since he's been away from his Alpha.He didn’t know if he was ready to see Alaric.But he wanted to.And when the scent hit him—faint but distressed, like crushed cedar and rain—it almost buckled his knees.He’s hurting.Kael pressed his hand to the wooden door, exhaled shakily, and pushed it open.The living area was dim, untouched. The silence ached.But then, movement—just a shuffle. He turned toward the bed and froze.Alaric was on the floor, knees folded, shoulders hunched.His face buried in a bundle of soft fabric.Kael’s clothes.Not folded. Not packed. Just… held.Kael took a step, then another. His heart was already breaking, but t