Chapter Nineteen - The Alpha in a Towel

Kael’s POV

I knew something had changed the moment I stepped into the hallway.

The first omega I passed bowed deeply.

“Good morning, Alpha.”

I nodded. “Good morning.”

She straightened, but instead of walking away, she gave me a strange smile, then she giggled.

I frowned. “What?”

“Nothing, Alpha.” She quickly lowered her head.

I continued walking. The next two omegas I passed did the same thing.

They bowed, smiled, giggled and whispered.

I stopped and they immediately froze.

“What is going on?” I asked.

One of them looked at the other.

“Nothing, Alpha.”

“Then why are you laughing?” I frowned.

“We’re not laughing.” The other omega covered her mouth.

A muffled giggle escaped anyway.

My eyebrow lifted and she

immediately bowed.

“Congratulations, Alpha.”

My stomach dropped.“Congratulations for what?”

She looked at me as though I had asked the most ridiculous question.

“For finally claiming Lady Aria.”

My body went completely still. Of course because of the mark, everyone knew.

I swallowed. I forced my expression into something calmer.

“Thank you.” The words felt strange coming out of my mouth.

The omega smiled. “Everyone is very happy for you, Alpha.”

Then she hurried away.

I continued walking and another group of servants approached.

The moment they saw me, their faces lit up.

“Alpha! Congratulations! May the Moon Goddess bless your union.” The first smiled.

“Finally!” The second giggled. “Lady Aria will make a wonderful Luna.”

I forced myself to smile.

I nodded, I accepted their congratulations, and I even managed to say thank you.

But inside, I felt nothing like a man who had just achieved something worth celebrating.

I felt like a man who had committed the greatest mistake of his life.

Every congratulations reminded me of her face. Her tears, her frightened eyes, and her voice begging me to let her go.

My wolf stirred.

I clenched my jaw. I hated that word MATE now.

Not because I didn’t want Aria, but because I had heard it in my own head when she had been terrified of me.

The pack saw a successful Alpha, they saw a man who had finally claimed the woman everyone expected him to marry.

They didn’t see what happened inside that study and they didn’t see how badly I had lost control.

But I couldn’t tell them, I couldn’t tell anyone. So I walked through the halls with my shoulders straight and my face composed.

I played the role they expected.

Proud Alpha, future husband, future father, and future Luna beside me but every step felt heavier than the last.

By the time I reached the eastern corridor, a warrior approached.

“Alpha.” He called out. “Elder Elijah requests your presence in the council hall.”

I nodded. “Tell him I’m coming.”

The warrior bowed and left.

I took a deep breath. Perhaps the elders wanted to discuss the wedding.

I hoped they would because there was something I needed to make clear.

Aria had been marked, but that didn’t mean she had agreed to everything.

A mark could not erase her feelings, It could not erase what she had said to me, and it certainly couldn’t make what I had done right.

I headed toward the council hall.

When I entered, Elder Elijah was already seated with Elder Agatha and Elder Abel.

All three looked unusually pleased.

Elijah rose immediately. “Alpha Kael.”

I bowed slightly. “Elders.”

“Come in.” He motioned to me.

I took the empty seat across from them.

Elijah smiled. “I must say, you have surprised us.”

I frowned. “How?”

Agatha laughed softly. “We didn’t expect you to mark Aria so quickly.”

I said nothing.

Abel leaned back. “Just recently , we were discussing the formal preparations. Immediately , she already bears your mark.”

Elijah smiled. “Excellent.”

I forced myself to nod. “Thank you.”

There it was again. Thank you was a phrase I had been saying all morning even though I didn’t feel grateful at all.

Agatha clasped her hands. “This changes everything.”

“How?” My brows furrowed.

“The coronation.” She beamed.

I stared at her. “What about it?”

“We should hold it as soon as possible.” She explained.

I leaned back. “Why the hurry?”

Elijah looked surprised. “Why wouldn’t we hurry?”

“Because Aria and I haven’t discussed it.”

Abel frowned. “What is there to discuss?”

“Everything.” I looked at each of them. “The ceremony, the marriage, her responsibilities, and the timing.”

Elijah waved his hand dismissively.“The mark has already settled the most important matter.”

I felt my stomach tighten. “What do you mean?”

“She is your mate.” He peered at me.

“That doesn’t mean she has agreed to every decision we make.” I admitted.

Agatha smiled. “Kael, she accepted the mark.”

My hands curled into fists beneath the table. “You weren’t there.”

“We don’t need to be.” Elijah’s expression became firm. “The mate mark is proof enough.”

I shook my head. “No.”

The room became quiet.

“No?” Abel frowned. “Why?”

“Because it’s her life. Aria needs to be involved.” I looked away.

Elijah stared at me for several seconds. Then he sighed.

“You’ve always been a thoughtful young man, but you’re overthinking this.”

“Maybe.” I shrugged.

“Aria is your mate now.” He gave me a stern look.

“That doesn’t mean she has no voice.” I glared back.

Agatha smiled. “She will have plenty of time to speak once she is Luna.”

My jaw tightened. “That’s not what I mean.”

Elijah leaned forward. “The sooner the marriage takes place, the better.”

“Why?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Because the pack needs stability.”

I nodded. “Then give us time.”

“Time for what?” He snorted

“For Aria to adjust.” I paused. “For us to talk.”

Abel chuckled. “Talk?”

I looked at him. “Yes.”

He shook his head. “You young people make everything complicated.”

I nearly laughed. Young people?

I had spent years training warriors, handling pack disputes, negotiating borders, and carrying the responsibilities of an entire territory.

Yet apparently, wanting my future wife to have a say in her own coronation made me young and foolish.

Elijah sighed. “Kael, your father would have understood.”

I stiffened. “My father?”

“He would have told you that an Alpha cannot allow emotions to delay important matters.”

I stared at him. “And what about Aria’s emotions?”

Agatha exchanged a glance with Elijah.

Then she said, “She is grieving, she has been through a lot, and perhaps the ceremony will give her something positive to focus on.”

I wasn’t convinced. But before I could argue, Elijah spoke.

“The coronation will take place the day after tomorrow.”

My eyes widened. “That’s too soon. Aria hasn’t even been told.”

“We will tell her” He looked me straight in the face. “It is necessary.”

I shook my head. “No.”

Elijah frowned. “What?”

“I will tell her.”

Agatha smiled. “Of course.”

She seemed completely satisfied.

“Then it’s settled.” I stared at them.

It wasn’t settled. Not to me, but I knew arguing further would accomplish nothing.

Elijah leaned back. “And after the coronation, the wedding preparations can proceed immediately.”

I frowned. “I thought the coronation and wedding would be together.”

“They can be.” Elder Elijah smirked.

“Then why separate them?” I raised a brow.

“Because the Luna coronation should happen first.” Abel smiled. “And after the wedding, you can finally begin trying for pups.”

My wolf stirred instantly. I closed my eyes for a second.

The elders continued talking. They were already discussing heirs, future generations, the royal bloodline, and the stability of Ironcrest.

It was as though Aria were a piece on a chessboard rather than a woman who had just returned home after losing her father.

I stood. “I need to speak with her.”

Elijah nodded.

“Do so.” Then he smiled.“Congratulations again, Alpha.”

I forced a nod. “Thank you.”

I left the hall. The moment the doors closed behind me, my smile disappeared.

I rubbed my forehead.

Pups, marriage, and coronation. Everything was moving too quickly and the worst part was that I knew Aria didn’t want any of it.

I walked through the corridor toward my chambers.

I needed to talk to her. I needed to explain, and I needed to apologize.

I didn’t know if she would listen but I had to try.

When I reached my chambers, I pushed the door open without knocking.

I stepped inside. “Aria?”

There was no answer. I frowned and closed the door behind me.

The room looked different. Her belongings were everywhere.

Books, clothes, jewelry, and a few small things she had brought back with her.

I stared at them then I remembered her things had been moved here.

I had ordered it myself. Yet somehow, I had completely forgotten.

I walked farther inside. “Aria?”

Still no answer so I assumed she wasn’t there. Perhaps she was with Martha.

I sighed. I was exhausted. The day had been long, and I needed a shower.

I walked toward the bathroom while removing my shirt.

I tossed it over a chair, then I reached for my trousers. The moment I pulled them down, I heard the bathroom door open.

I froze. A second later, Aria stepped out.

She had a towel wrapped securely around her body.

Her hair was damp, water droplets rested against her shoulders.

She and I stopped dead. For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then her eyes widened.

My entire body went rigid.

“I…..” I immediately grabbed the nearest piece of clothing and covered myself. “Sorry.”

Her face turned red with fury. “What are you doing here?”

I stared at her. “My chambers.”

She pointed toward the door. “Get out.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Get out. Can’t you see I’m trying to dress?” She barked.

“Aria…” I began moving towards her.

“Now!” She shrieked

I looked around. “These are my chambers.”

“Not anymore.” She folded her hands in front of her.

I frowned. “You said you wanted separate chambers.”

“And I still do.” She tightened the towel around herself. “You moved my things here without asking me, so I decided to use the bathroom.”

I opened my mouth but closed it. It was fair enough.

“I thought you weren’t here.” I rubbed my head tiredly.

“Clearly.” She pointed toward the door again. “Go.”

I glanced down. I was wearing nothing except a towel around my waist.

I looked back at her. “Aria, I can’t exactly walk through the packhouse like this.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s your problem.”

“My problem? You want me to walk through the hallway half-naked?” I frowned.

“I want you out of my room.” She gave an evil grin. “ yes go away from my room.”

“Our room.” I corrected her.

“Absolutely not.” She gave me a disgusted look.

I sighed. “Aria.”

“No.” She folded her arms. “I won’t get dressed while you’re standing here.”

I stared at her. “You’re serious?”

“Completely.” She shot me an angry look.

I looked at the door, then at her, then at the towel around my waist.

“This is ridiculous.” I muttered.

“Then leave.” She scoffed.

I muttered something under my breath.

“What did you say?” She looked at me

“Nothing.” I forced a smile.

She narrowed her eyes. I grabbed another towel from the bathroom and wrapped it more securely around my waist, then I walked toward the door.

Aria watched me suspiciously.

I opened it. The corridor was busy, and I immediately stopped.

Two omegas were walking past.

They saw me, their eyes widened, and they froze.

Then they both immediately bowed their heads. “Good afternoon, Alpha.”

I stared at them. “Good afternoon.”

Neither looked up as they hurried past.

Another servant approached. He saw me, stopped, and looked at the floor.

“Alpha.” He greeted.

I nodded stiffly. “Carry on.”

He walked away. I stepped farther into the hallway.

A group of warriors came around the corner. The moment they saw me, every single one of them suddenly became fascinated with the floor.

One cleared his throat, another turned his head, and a third bowed so deeply that I thought he might injure his back.

“Alpha.” They greeted.

I closed my eyes. This was very humiliating.

I glanced back into the room. Aria stood by the door with her arms folded.

She looked far too pleased with herself.

“Happy now?” I asked

“Very.” She smiled.

I glared at her. “You planned this.”

“I did not.” She shrugged. “You should have knocked.”

I opened my mouth. She raised her eyebrow, so I closed it. She was right though, since I was not the only one in the room again, perhaps I should get accustomed with knocking.

I sighed. “How long?”

“Until I’m dressed.” She began closing the door. Then she stopped.

“Kael.”

I looked at her. “What?”

Her expression became serious. “Don’t ever do that again.”

I knew what she meant. Not the door, not the chambers, but the mark.

My chest tightened. “I won’t.”

She held my gaze for a moment, then she closed the door.

I stood outside in nothing but a towel and somehow, that was the least humiliating part of my day.

I leaned against the wall and sighed.

A few moments later, an omega walked past carrying folded sheets.

She glanced at me and Immediately looked away.

“Alpha. Good afternoon.” She walked faster.

I rubbed my face. This was absurd.

I had fought rogue attacks alongside her father, I had faced hostile Alphas, and I had sat through hours of council meetings.

But standing outside my own bedroom wearing only a towel while my future Luna refused to let me inside somehow felt like the greatest test of my authority.

I heard movement inside, then Aria’s voice. “You can come in now.”

I opened the door. She was fully dressed but her hair was still slightly damp.

She walked past me without looking at me while I stepped inside.

She stopped at the doorway. “My things are still in your room.”

I looked at her. “Yes.”

“I want them moved back.” She mumbled.

I hesitated. “Aria…”

“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t argue.”

I sighed. “Fine.”

She looked surprised. “You agree?”

“I’ll have them moved.” I nodded.

Her expression softened for half a second. Then it hardened again.

“Good.” She walked away.

I watched her disappear down the hallway.

My fingers instinctively touched the mark hidden beneath my collar.

The pack might celebrate it, the elders might call it a blessing, and they might see it as proof that the future of Ironcrest was secure.

But I knew the truth. A mark wasn’t enough, a marriage wasn’t enough, and a throne wasn’t enough.

If I wanted Aria beside me, I would have to earn something I had never been able to demand which was her trust.

And after what I had done…I wasn’t sure she would ever give it to me.