Chapter 4

KAELION POV

I was furious.  

At everything. At everyone.  

At myself. At this godforsaken pack. At its absent Alpha. At the Alpha’s daughter. At the damn Moon Goddess.

I’d have to give credit where credit was due though; the Alpha's daughter was a devious little bitch. I hadn't anticipated it. She'd appeared harmless, frail even, but she'd moved with lightning speed. Too quickly. I’d underestimated her.

Never again.

I’d sent my best trackers after her the moment she fled, telling them to return her however far she might hide. She would not be roaming free for long.

But for now, I waited.

I was waiting for her parents. Waiting for their return so I could finally have my revenge.

I opened the Alpha's office doors with too much force, causing them to slam against the walls as I strode in. The room was dimly lit, with high bookshelves lining the walls, the scent of old paper and ink mixed with the lingering smell of blood that had seeped into the wooden floors. Thick curtains were draped at the windows, their once rich material now worn at the edges.

His gaze swept the bookshelves, fingers running over the spines. The library was large and full of politics, history, and strategy, information that could be useful. A lesser man would have torn the shelves to pieces in his rage, but I restrained myself. There could be something I could use here. Something I could use against them.

From the window, smoke poured out into the darkness, drifting up from the burning remains of Ember Fang's homes and businesses.

I searched for even a glimmer of remorse in myself.

There was none.

Yes, I was cold-blooded. Yes, I was cruel. I’d destroyed entire families and innocents for her. For Misha.

The thought of her name struck me like a knife to the stomach.

My fists balled.

I’d been careless. Foolish.

I hadn't guarded her like I should have, and now…now she was gone.

Misha was the one person I’d ever loved. The only one who had made the world worth living in.

And for it, I’d make the world pay.

A faint noise came to my ears.

My body stiffened.

My sensitive senses sharpened, my nostrils flaring as a scent floated towards me, one that had escaped my attention before. 

I stalked towards it soundlessly.

My steps were soft as I closed in on the edge of the room farthest away.

There was a large, decorated trunk up against the wall, the top barely ever opened.

I stooped down and flung it open.

A small squeak of terror hung suspended in the air.

Inside, wrapped up in himself, was a boy.

The kid could not have been more than seven, with a face stained with dry blood and his clothes torn. Panic shimmered in the kid's green eyes as they glanced up to look at me.

But his eyes really drew my attention.

Startlingly bright. Familiar.

An identical green shade as hers.

I cocked my head, watching the boy like a predator watching prey.

"And who," I spoke, voice deceptively calm, "are you?"

The boy swallowed convulsively, his little fists clenching. "T-Thalric," he stammered.

My lips curled into something short of a smile.

"Well, Theris," I murmured, sinking to the boy's level. "You don't just happen to have a sister, do you? About this size," I cupped my hand over my chest. "Fiery red hair. Bright green eyes. What's her name?"

Thalric’s lips folded stubbornly.

My good humour ran out.

I moved in closer, revealing my pointed canines in a low, lethal growl. "I asked you a question."

The boy flinched. His thin frame trembled. His breath stalled.

Then, finally, he whispered:

"S-S-Seliora."

I let the name run through my mind, memorizing it. 

Seliora.

That was the name of the audacious, slippery woman that’d run from him. 

The one who the Moon Goddess had dared to mate him to, right after Misha's death, no less.

My jaw was clenched. The concept of the mate bond revolted me and caused my stomach to turn in disgust.

My gaze snapped back to the boy, and my irritation flared.

Seliora's little brother.

I rose and made an unenthusiastic wave with my hand. "Up. Out. Now."

Thalric stumbled out of the trunk, his wiry body shaking as I grasped his wrist.

He didn’t even struggle as I dragged him to the 

 massive oak desk and shoved him into the thick wooden chair.

Then, without hesitation, I shackled him.

The metal loop on the desk was sturdy, strong enough for securing prisoners, though it was clear no one had ever thought to use it on a child.

Thalric pulled on the restraint, breathing in harsh gasps.

I ignored him.

I walked over to the door and bellowed, "Rex!"

One of his most trusted men appeared before me in a heartbeat. "Alpha?"

I gestured towards the boy. "Have the search parties know, or let it slip that we have a young boy named Thalric in our hands."

Rex's face cleared in understanding. "Do I double the search teams?"

I exhaled a deep breath, my eyes darting to the trembling kid.

"No," I said, a savage smile playing on my lips. "He will be enough incentive."

Rex nodded and disappeared.

My eyes switched back to the window, watching the smoke curling in the air.

My fingers drummed against the desk, my mind already working through the next steps.  

It wouldn’t take long.  

Seliora would come for her brother.  

She wouldn’t leave him behind.

And when she did?  

I would be waiting.  

I smiled, dark and predatory.  

Come on, Seliora.  

Come find me.