Chapter 19: The Confession

KAEL'S POV

The library still smelled like her. Strawberry and lavender clinging to the chaise, the blanket she’d left behind, the pages of that book with the bent corner. I hadn’t moved since she walked out.

I stood by the fireplace, one arm braced on the mantle, staring into flames that did nothing to burn the palace stink off my skin. All of it was still in my throat.

The door creaked open.

I didn’t turn. I knew that heartbeat. Fast. Hesitant. Then stubborn.

Annabeth.

She stepped into view reluctantly, bare feet silent on the old rug, that oversized sleep shirt swallowing her. Her hair was a jungle mess, probably from sleep and from running her hands through it. She’d been thinking. Torturing herself.

She stopped three paces away. Too far. The blanket from earlier was gone. She had nothing to hide behind now except her fury.

“You’re still here,” she said. Not a question. An accusation perhaps.

I said nothing. The fire popped and A log shifted.

Her chin went up. That defiant tilt I’d come to crave and curse in equal measure. “I asked you a question before, but you were silent.”

“You made an observation,” I corrected her, voice low. Rough from silence.

She flinched. Barely. But I saw it.

“Fine.” Her hands curled into fists at her sides. “Then I’m asking now. What’s bothering you?”

Bold. Goddess, she was bold. One week ago she wouldn’t meet my eyes. Now she was demanding answers from the Lycan Enforcer in his own library, at midnight, while wearing nothing but my shirt and an unshakable courage.

I turned finally. The firelight cut shadows across her face. I could see the faint smudge of exhaustion under her eyes. The way her pulse jumped at her throat. She was afraid.

“What’s bothering me?” I repeated. “Well, let's say, I refused Princess Armea tonight.”

Her brow furrowed. It seemed she didn’t understand the weight of that. Not yet.

“In front of the Council members. In front of her brother. In front of the king who I'm sure wouldn't let that go easily.” I pushed off the mantle and took one step toward her. She didn’t retreat back. Another Progress for me. “I told the most powerful royal family in the Territories that I would not take their daughter as my mate.”

Understanding dawned slowly in her eyes. Then horror. “Because of...”

“Because of you,” I finished for her. “Because I already found you and you’re here with me, In my house. Wearing my clothes. Smelling like mine.”

She sucked in a breath and Her scent spiked.

“I’m afraid, Annabeth.” I admitted. The word Afraid felt foreign in my mouth. Lycans didn’t admit fear. Enforcers never did. “I’m afraid I might have put you in danger.”

The silence stretched. She searched my face like she was looking for the lie. The trap. The manipulation but couldn't find any.

Then she laughed. It was a broken, bitter sound that made my chest tighten.

“You could always send me back to Red Moon,” she said, voice shaking but eyes hard. “Forget about everything. Forget about me. And Say yes to the princess. Pretend I never existed.”

The suggestion hit like a blade in my chest.

I moved before I thought. Closed the distance in two strides. She gasped but didn’t run. My hands itched to grab her, to shake her, to make her understand. I didn’t. I fisted them at my sides instead.

“Do you think I could?” I snarled. The Lycan bled into my voice. “Do you think I could live without you now? After knowing you existed? After knowing you're my Mate?”

She froze. Her eyes Vulnerable.

“After smelling you in my bed and all over the house,” I continued, quieter but no less savage. “After watching you slowly accept me and show me some affection? You think I could give all that away?”

Her lips parted. No words came out.

“I’m not a good man, Annabeth,” I told her. The fire threw my shadow over her, swallowing her whole. “I’ve killed. I’ve tortured. I’ve torn wolves apart with my bare hands because the Council told me to. But I will not pretend you don’t exist. I never will.”

She swallowed hard. I watched her throat move.

“Armea saw you here,” I said. “Here. In my home. She’s not stupid. She’ll figure out what you are to me. And when she does...” I couldn’t finish. The image of Armea’s smile, made my claws prick my palms.

Annabeth’s breath hitched. “Then why keep me? If I’m in danger because of you...”

“Because the alternative is you dying without me knowing,” I snapped. The truth ripped out of me. “Because the thought of you back in Red Moon, unprotected, with Dorian not caring about you well enough, makes me want to burn the whole Territory to the ground.”

She stared at me.

“I don’t want your protection,” she whispered. But her voice lacked conviction.

“But you need it,” I murmured. Not cruel. Just true. “You know you do, as your heartbeat agrees with me.”

Her face flushed. She looked away, toward the dark window, anywhere but me.

“I still hate you,” she said to the glass.

“I know.”

“But I... I didn’t like seeing you like that. Earlier. You looked...” She struggled for the word. “Lost.”

Something broke open in my chest. She cared for me. She really cared enough to notice.

I reached for her before I could stop myself. Just a brush of my knuckles against her cheek. She flinched but didn’t pull away. Her skin was warm. Soft. Inviting.

“You shouldn’t care,” I told her, thumb grazing the corner of her jaw. “I’m the monster who took you. Remember?”

“I know,” she whispered again. Her eyes met mine. Terrified and Honest. “That’s what makes this so hard for me.”

The urge to pull her against me, to bury my face in her hair and promise her no one would ever touch her, was overwhelming. But I dropped my hand.

“Go back to bed, Annabeth,” I said, my voice hoarse. “And Lock the door behind you. Please.” I might not be able to restrain myself more than this.

She didn't argue, She just nodded, once, and slipped past me. Her shoulder brushed my arm. The contact burned, sending waves of pleasure to my whole body and I closed my eyes.

I listened to her footsteps fade down the hall. Listened to her door click shut again. And Listened to the lock slide into place.

Only then did I let myself breathe again.

Armea would come for her. I know it and The Council would question my refusal. I just had this feeling that War was already brewing.

I pressed my forehead to the cold windowpane.

Goddess help me.

~~