chapter 2

The balcony door creaked open.

"Alpha Kael?" a guard called from the doorway. "The elders are asking for you. The ceremony is about to continue."

Kael didn't answer. Instead, he gently pulled Elias farther into the shadows behind one of the marble pillars. His broad body shielded the smaller omega completely from view. Elias could hear the guard's footsteps growing closer, and his heart pounded so loudly he was certain they would be discovered.

The guard stepped onto the balcony and glanced around.

"Strange..." he muttered. "I could have sworn he came this way."

After a few moments, the guard shook his head and returned to the ballroom.

"You can breathe now," kael said softly.

Elias immediately stepped away, putting as much distance between them as the small balcony allowed.

"You shouldn't have hidden me," he whispered. "If someone had seen us together... the rumors would spread through the entire kingdom."

"I wasn't thinking about rumors."

"You should have been."

Kael looked at him for a long moment. "I was thinking about you."

The words struck Elias harder than he expected.

He quickly looked away, pretending to admire the moon hanging over the palace gardens.

"Congratulations on your engagement," he said quietly.

Kael sighed. "Is that all you have to say?"

Elias forced a smile that never reached his eyes.

"What else should I say? Everyone inside is celebrating. You and my sister are the perfect match. Soon you'll become Alpha King and she'll be your Luna."

"And what do you think about that?"

"It doesn't matter what I think."

"It matters to me."

Elias finally looked into Kael's piercing blue eyes. For a brief moment, he wanted to kiss him

He immediately lowered his gaze.

"You shouldn't say things like that."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to marry my sister."

Kael clenched his jaw.

"There are truths you don't know yet, Elias. If you knew the whole story, you wouldn't be saying this."

Before Elias could say another word, the balcony door swung open once more.

"There you are!"

Selene stepped outside, her elegant silver gown shimmering beneath the moonlight. A graceful smile rested on her lips, but her sharp eyes immediately landed on Elias.

For the briefest second, suspicion flickered across her face.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Kael," she said, slipping her arm through his. "The elders are waiting to announce the wedding date."

Kael's gaze lingered on Elias for one silent moment before he reluctantly turned away.

"I'll be there."

As Kael walked back into the ballroom beside his fiancée, Elias can not stop looking at them.

***********

The grand ballroom fell silent as the Head Elder stepped onto the raised platform. His silver robes swept across the polished floor while two guards unrolled a long parchment bearing the royal seals of both packs.

"Honored Alphas, Betas, Elders, and guests," the Head Elder announced, his voice echoing through the hall. "Tonight marks the beginning of a new era. The union between the Silver Moon Pack and the Night Fang Pack will strengthen our kingdom for generations."

Elias stood near one of the marble pillars, a smile rested on his face, but it felt heavy, as if it didn't belong to him.

His eyes drifted toward Kael.

The Alpha stood proudly beside Selene, accepting the congratulations of the nobles. They looked every bit like the perfect couple everyone believed them to be.

Elias couldn't bear the celebration any longer, he quietly slipped through the crowd toward one of the palace corridors.

"Elias." His father's deep voice froze him in place.

He slowly turned around.

The Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack stood with his hands behind his back, his expression stern.

"Where are you going?"

"I... just needed some air."

His father frowned. "This celebration is for your sister. Guests have already begun asking why you've disappeared twice tonight."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be." His father's voice was calm, but every word stung.

" Your sister carries the future of this family on her shoulders. The least you can do is support her instead of wandering off."

Elias lowered his head. "Yes, Father."

His father looked him for a moment before speaking again. "I expect you to behave properly until the festivities are over."

Without waiting for an answer, he walked away.

Elias remained standing in the corridor, his hands trembling slightly.

Not once had his father asked if something was wrong.

Not once.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Elias finally made his way outside.

The palace gardens were peaceful beneath the moonlight. White roses swayed gently in the cool night breeze, and the laughter from the ballroom sounded distant.

Elias walked slowly along the stone path, trying to calm the ache in his chest.

"You always disappear when things get too loud."

He stopped.

That voice...

Turning around, Elias's eyes widened.