King's help!

My only hope now was Alpha King Kael. His word was law and his command could break any Alpha’s pride. But then again, what would I give to him in exchange for his help? He certainly wouldn't help me for free. I had never met him but I've heard rumours about how he values his gains more than anything.

A sharp knock startled me. Gina entered and she smiled pitifully. It was a look I hated with passion. "Luna, the Alpha says to inform you that the King’s convoy is minutes away. He... he requests you dress properly to welcome him."

He's always asked me to be proper, as if I were just a doll to be dusted off for his prestige.

"I’m on my way," I said, closing my eyes and sucking in a breath of air that felt like shards of glass.

I chose a flowing light green silk dress. It clung to my frame but it was decent enough. As I stood before the full length mirror, I saw the cracks in my soul reflected in my eyes, but I refused to let them reach the surface. My heart was shattered, yes, but my spine was made of steel. I painted my lips a bright shade of red, tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, and walked out.

I descended the grand staircase with elegant grace, each step making a statement. Cade was waiting by the massive oak doors, checking his watch with an irritable twitch of his jaw and he didn't even bother to look up at me.

"Hurry up, Risa, he’s almost…" He stopped mid-sentence as I reached the landing, and I could see that admiration in his eyes.

Now that I think about it, all these years, the way he's treated and looked at me, it certainly wasn't love but just admiration for my person and the power I exuded. I have been deluding myself all these years

I shifted my gaze from him and I saw her.

Zara was tucked under his arm, draped in a pale pink chiffon that made her look like a wilted lily. Her fingers were curled into Cade’s sleeve and she sneered at me, her expression so minute that Cade didn't notice.

My steps faltered for a fraction of a second before I hardened my gaze again. I looked at Cade, my brows arching in a silent question.

"Please don't start, Risa," Cade hissed, his voice low as he felt my irritation. "Zara only wanted to see the King, and she’s still recovering from her travels. She’s not strong enough to stand for long, so I’m supporting her. Don't cause drama today please. This is too important for your dramatics."

I didn't give him the satisfaction of an argument. I simply walked to his other side, standing straight, my hands folded perfectly in front of me. I felt his eyes on me, heavy with a mix of guilt and the typical arrogance of a man who thought I’d never leave him.

"If you're angry,” his voice came out low. “I'll make it up to you later," he muttered, almost an afterthought. "Just be the perfect Luna for now."

I remained silent, as the roar of engines announced the King’s arrival.

The convoy was a terrifying display of power as black SUVs flanked by royal guards on horseback, in their silver armor gleaming under the sun made their way inside the grand compound. When the lead car opened, the air itself seemed to thicken with a crushing, dominant pressure.

Alpha King Kael stepped out and he wasn't at all what I was expecting.

He looked way younger than the rumors suggested, but his presence was ancient. His hair was the color of a starless night, it was jet black with specks of white at the tip and his features were sharp, and devastatingly handsome. His eyes, a piercing icy blue, swept over the estate as if he was unimpressed. This was the man who broke rebellions with a flick of his wrist.

Cade stepped forward, bowing low to greet the Alpha of alphas. "Your Majesty, the Grayson Pack is honored by your presence. Welcome to our home." He said respectfully.

Kael didn’t speak at first. His gaze moved slowly. Then it landed on Zara, who gave a dainty, shivering little bow, then it shifted to me. His eyes lingered on me, then flicked back to Cade. A small, cold frown marred his perfect features.

"I was under the impression I was visiting an Alpha and his Luna," Kael’s voice was smooth like silk but hard like a stone. It was sweet but deep and dangerous. He looked at Zara’s hand still clutched to Cade’s arm. "Have you brought both your wife and your mistress to greet me, Alpha Cade? Or have I moved to a land where such indecency is the norm?"

Cade flinched as if he’d been struck by lightning and his face went pale, then a mottled red. "Your Majesty... you misunderstand. Zara is an important member of our pack and a dear friend. She is merely... unwell so…”

I didn't hide the scoff that escaped my lips. I stepped forward, bypassing Cade, and offered a perfectly executed bow. "Welcome King Kael. I am Risa, Luna of the Grayson Pack. We have prepared everything for your comfort." I offered a polite smile.

The King’s gaze snapped to mine. For a heartbeat, something stirred in the air. There was a strange, electric familiarity that made the hair on my arms stand up. He looked at me as if he were reading a book I hadn't realized was open. He gave a sharp, single nod and walked past us without another word to Cade.

After the King was shown to his quarters, Cade rounded on me in the hallway.

“We need to talk.” I said to him, but he held up a hand, his face twisted in frustration.

"I don't have time for your jealousy, Risa! You saw how he looked at us. He thinks I’m incompetent because you couldn't just keep a straight face."

"He thinks you're incompetent because you're holding your ex-lover's hand while greeting royalty," I said, my voice cold and steady.

"Enough!" he snapped. "I told you, I’ll compensate you later. I'll buy you a new car, or give you a new wing for the house, whatever you want. But for now, think only about how to make the king comfortable whilst he's in our pack. You represent this pack so be the perfect Luna and get whatever foolish thoughts of divorce out of your head. I have a King to impress."

He turned on his heel and walked away. I clenched my fist then turned to stare at the hallway leading to the King's guest wing.

I didn't hesitate and I walked straight to the King’s chambers.

The royal guards stood like statues. I expected them to bar my path, but to my shock, they stepped aside, opening the doors before I could even find my voice.

Inside, the room smelled of cedar and lavender. King Kael was already seated, his jacket discarded, and the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. He was swirling a glass of liquor, with a dark grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You came back faster than I thought you would, Luna Risa," he said, his voice vibrating through the walls.

I paused, my heart hammering against my ribs. "You were expecting me?"

He waved a hand dismissively. "What I expected isn't important. Why you are here... that is the question." His lips curled into a smirk.

I clutched the side of my gown. I didn't have time for games or going back and forth so I stated my business immediately. "I need your help.” I said plainly.

He raised a brow, leaning back, his sharp eyes tracking the movement of my throat as I swallowed. "Go on." He urged me to continue.

"I want a divorce," I bit out, my gaze turning sharp and unwavering. "My husband refuses to let me go because he wants the power of my father’s lands, which I merged with his. I want you to use your authority to dissolve the union and return my lands to me."

Kael snickered, a low, dark sound. "As a King, I have an empire to run, and I do not involve myself in the domestic squabbles of Alphas who can't keep their houses in order."

"I’m not asking for a favor," I cut him off, stepping closer. I felt the heat radiating from him, the sheer, suffocating weight of his Alpha aura, but I pretended to be strong because a weak person definitely cannot negotiate with a man such as this. "If you help me, I will give the Crown permanent territory access through my original pack lands. It’s the fastest route to the northern ports and I know for a fact you’ve wanted that trade route for years. You are also aware my Redmoon pack is no small pack. I just need full control of it, away from Grayson pack involvement."

The room went silent as Kael’s gaze turned icy, his calculating mind clearly weighing the scales. Then he stood up slowly, and he towered over me, his shadow swallowing me whole. I felt a tremor of fear, but I forced my chin up.

He walked toward me, his movements fluid and predatory, until he was inches away. My heart was racing so fast I thought it might burst.

"A tempting offer," he murmured, his voice a low rumble in his chest. "Territory is precious and access is power. But…" he paused and I held my breath. “I do not wish to get involved.”