AKIRA’s POV. "Kael, I need to tell you something," I said, looking him right in the eye. "Not now, Akira," he growled, not even looking at me. I was thrown off guard by how quickly he changed, a few days ago he was on my neck demanding I tell him what I have been up to and now that I am here to tell him, he does not want to hear. “Hell no, you must hear.” The voice in my head hissed. "It can't wait," I insisted, trying to keep my voice calm. Kael stopped pacing and turned to face me, his eyes blazing with rage. "What is it?" "I've been investigating the sabotage and the things that suddenly seem to be going south in the pack," I began, trying to choose my words carefully. "I don't have time for this," Kael snapped, turning away from me. Then he turned to look at me before he shook his head and closed away. “I think that is your cue to continue talking… his ego is not interested but I think he is.” The voice in my head purred words of encouragement. "Listen to me, K
ALPHA KAEL’s POV.I paced back and forth in my office, trying to calm my racing mind. Akira had just left, and I couldn't shake off the guilt that clawed at me with each passing second. She didn't understand, she never did. She thought I was being stubborn and rude, but she had no idea what was at stake.Just as I was starting to calm down, Zephyr walked in, his brows furrowed in concern. "Kael, what's going on? Akira looked like she'd been through a war."I stopped pacing and turned to face him. "She doesn't get it, Zeph. She thinks I'm being rude and nonchalant, she called me a tyrant, but I know Keiran is playing a game. And Akira...she's too bold, too reckless. She doesn't know when to back down."Zephyr's expression turned thoughtful. "You're worried about her safety."I nodded. "Yes, I am. Keiran will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Akira...she's too innocent and sometimes she does not think shit through before she does it. She thinks everyone is as innocent as she is.
Kael’s POV.As I took the letter, the blood scent hit my nostrils, making my stomach churn. It was familiar, yet I couldn't quite place it. Whose blood was this? I felt a shiver run down my spine as I opened the letter, my heart racing as I hoped for the best yet prepared myself for the worst."Kael, what is it?" Zephyr asked, his voice laced with concern.I scanned the letter, my eyes widening as I read the words. "It's a warning," I said, my voice low. "Someone's threatening to kill Akira if I don't keep her under control."Zephyr let out a low throaty growl. "What? That's ridiculous. Who would do such a thing?"I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger and a hint of panic set it. "I don't know, but I plan to find out."The letter was brief, but the words sent a chill down my spine. "Keep your mate on a leash, Alpha Kael. If she continues to snoop around, she'll be dead within the week. You can't protect her from everyone. Not even you can stop the inevitable. And her death if she k
AKIRA’s POV.I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. I was fuming. Kael's words still echoed in my mind, "You're just a Luna in name, Akira. You're a breeder, nothing more." How dare he!I paced back and forth, my whole body shaking with anger. I couldn't believe he didn't listen to me, didn't trust me. I was his mate, his partner, but he treated me like a … like a bag of trash.As I turned to jump onto my bed, I noticed something was off. My room was scattered, my clothes and belongings thrown about. I froze, my senses on high alert, and panic began to set in despite how hard I fought against it.And then I saw him. A masked figure, hiding behind my curtains.My instincts kicked in, and I growled low in my throat. "Who are you?" I demanded, my eyes fixed on the figure.The figure didn't move, didn't speak. I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest."Answer me!" I snarled, my hands clenched into fists, ready to punch two teeth out of this figure if he did not ta
Alpha Kael’s POV.I leaned against the doorframe, watching Akira pace back and forth in my chambers. She was furious, and I couldn't blame her. Two days locked up, with no end in sight, was enough to drive anyone crazy."Kael, this is ridiculous," she said, spinning around to face me, a frown on her face. “I can't take it anymore. I need to get out of here. I can not breathe Kael.. look at me I am losing so much weight.” I raised an eyebrow. "You're not going anywhere, Akira. You're safe in here. And you are not losing weight, you are getting fat… look at your cute belly.” "Safe?" she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You call this safe? I'm a prisoner, Kael. A prisoner in my own home. And get your eyes off of my tummy.” She said, narrowing her eyes as she spoke. I chuckled. "You're not a prisoner, Akira. You're just...under protection.""Under protection?" she mocked. "From what? The big bad wolf? Newsflash, Kael, I can take care of myself and my tummy.” I smiled, enjoy
Alpha Kael’s POVI walked back into the pack's headquarters, my face schooling a frown caused by disappointment. Another day, another failed search. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was running out of time.As I entered my chambers, I spotted Akira pacing back and forth, gently biting her fingers, her eyes fixed on me. I knew she was worried, but I didn't have any news to calm her down. "Kael, how was the search?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.I shook my head. "Nothing. We found nothing."Akira's face fell, but she nodded. "I knew it wouldn't be easy."I took a deep breath, remembering the information she had given me days ago. "Akira, you mentioned that the females who were taken had a regular pattern of visiting the waterside. Do you think that's a coincidence?"Akira stopped pacing and narrowed her eyes. "I don't think so. I think whoever is taking them is targeting those who go there regularly."I nodded, a plan forming in my mind. "I need to talk to the others, and
Alpha Kael’s POV.I frowned, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "What about the Council, Elder? What's going on?"Elder Thorne's expression turned grave. "An emergency meeting has been called, Kael. Your presence is required."I stood up, feeling a pit form in my stomach. What now? I had enough on my plate with the missing females and the pack's security.“Shall we?” He said and I gave a curt nod.Elder Thorne led me to the Council meeting room, the tension between us palpable. As we entered, I saw the Council members seated around the table, some twitched their lips on seeing me but I could not care less."Alpha Kael," one of them began, "we've called this meeting to discuss the recent... happenings in your pack."I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "What's happening?"The council members exchanged looks before one of them spoke up again. "The missing females, the lack of patrols, the general disarray of your pack. It's unacceptable, Kael."I tried to explain, but the q
Alpha Kael’s POV.I paced back and forth in my private chambers, my mind racing with thoughts of the Council's challenge and the weight of my responsibilities as Alpha. It had been two days since I accepted the deal, and the stress was already taking its toll on me. The rain did not help, as it only gave rise to my hormones and I could see the slight bulge in my pants. It’s been a while since I had a lady in my room, I have been too occupied with pack politics, and I forgot I needed to let go of some steam sometimes.Just as I was starting to feel like I was going to lose my mind, there was a knock at the door. "Enter," I growled, not bothering to turn around. I already knew who it was, I had called for her. The door opened, and Akira slipped inside. My eyes locked onto hers, and a smirk spread across my face. I needed her tonight."Akira," I said, my voice low and husky. "I need you." I was surprised by how blunt and straightforward I was, but what even surprised me more was he
Kael's POVThe air tonight was heavy, like something invisible was pressing down on the entire pack. I could feel it in my bones—the tension, the discomfort, the shift. Something was wrong. Worse than usual.I stood outside the chamber, watching as the guards rotated. The moon in the sky was only a crescent, hardly enough to lay down much light. But my instincts didn’t need light. They needed the truth and I was damn close to it."Alpha," my Chief guard, Scar, stood beside me. His tone was strained, low. "We caught someone in front of the records chamber. Trying to slip out without being seen."My jaw snapped tight. "Who?He hesitated, his eyes turning black. "Zephyr."I lay there for a moment. My heart thumped, a drum for war. I didn't want to be right. I wanted to believe Akira was wrong about him. But there it was. Proof."Where is he now?" I barked."In the holding room downstairs.".I didn't wait. My wolf was already moving forward, hungry to greet him. I moved fast down the chil
The fire crackled in the hearth of my study, but its warmth didn’t touch the cold inside me. I stood by the tall window, staring out at the dark stretch of forest that surrounded the palace. The moonlight spilled over the treetops like silver blood, painting everything in a pale glow. I wasn’t interested in its beauty. I was thinking, calculating. Time was ticking, and soon, everything I’d worked for would finally fall into place. Kael was slipping. The pack could see it. His obsession with that breeder—Akira, was making him blind to everything else. Losing control. Turning away from tradition. And now, being so protective of her, like a mad wolf trying to protect his last scrap of pride. It was pathetic. Dangerous, too. A weak alpha meant a vulnerable pack. And vulnerability was the perfect opening. I walked back to my desk and opened the drawer, pulling out the sealed envelope that had arrived just before dusk. The wax stamp was unfamiliar. I’d had it checked; no scent, no c
Akira's POV The next day seemed to come too soon. I barely slept, and when I did, I had strange and fragmented dreams. I woke up tired, with a throbbing headache and a tight chest. The tension wasn't disappearing, it just kept on growing like a storm we could not stop. Kael hadn't said any word all through. We sat across from each other at the table during breakfast, barely touching our food. His mind was elsewhere, and so was mine. Something was happening in the dark, and we were only just starting to see pieces of it. "I don't trust this silence," I said quietly. Kael lifted his head, his eyebrows scrunched. "Neither do I. But we can't rush. We make one wrong step, and Zephyr runs…or worse." I nodded. The memory of Zephyr in the training room last night came back. His calm face. His eyes. How he'd asked, "You trust him?" That wasn't a casual thing to ask. That had been a warning in disguise. Kael pushed his plate aside and stood. "I'm going to the council hall. There's a mee
Akira's POV The next morning, the sun was already high, but the weight in my chest had not gone away. I stood by the window, observing outside as the pack guards marched in and out of the courtyard. I saw Kael outside giving commands, his voice sharp and crisp. But I knew better, his sharpness was just external. Deep down, he was carrying too much. After last night's conversation, I didn't sleep well. I kept wondering about Zephyr, how quiet he had been recently, how cautious. Too cautious. Last night's surprise appearance by him after our conversation was no accident. He was observing. A soft knock pulled me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I replied. Sheila-one of the maids-arrived with a tray of food. Her eyes scanned over me rapidly, as though she sensed my nervousness. "Are you okay?” I noticed you didn't come down for breakfast,” she said quietly. “I thought you'd be famished.” "Thanks," I responded, not feeling like eating. She put the tray down and waited. "I'm s
Akira's POVThe next morning, the sun was already high, but the weight in my chest had not gone away. I stood by the window, observing outside as the pack guards marched in and out of the courtyard. I saw Kael outside giving commands, his voice sharp and crisp. But I knew better, his sharpness was just external. Deep down, he was carrying too much.After last night's conversation, I didn't sleep well. I kept wondering about Zephyr, how quiet he had been recently, how cautious. Too cautious. Last night's surprise appearance by him after our conversation was no accident. He was observing.A soft knock pulled me out of my thoughts."Come in," I replied.Sheila-one of the maids-arrived with a tray of food. Her eyes scanned over me rapidly, as though she sensed my nervousness. "Are you okay?” I noticed you didn't come down for breakfast,” she said quietly. “I thought you'd be famished.”"Thanks," I responded, not feeling like eating.She put the tray down and waited. "I'm sorry about every
Akira’s POVThe weight on the room seemed to press heavily on me as I stood opposite Kael, his intense gaze piercing into me as he tried to read my thoughts. I felt uncomfortable for what I was about to say as I had struggled to confront Kael with it since I started thinking about it but at this point, I seem to be left with no choice. It wasn't just about me surviving anymore, it was about Kael's survival, and the entire pack's."It's about Zephyr."Kael's eyebrow went up, his expression going from bland to interested, but there was something in his eyes—something reserved. "What about him, Akira?" His voice was low, but I could feel under it the underlying frustration, the sense of urgency he usually reserved for problems that threatened the pack.I could feel my stomach form knots. The words were too risky to spit out, and I wasn't sure that I was ready to be burdened with them. But I was. For myself, for Kael, and for the benefit of everyone who had trusted in me."Well, I kind o
AKIRA’s POV.I paced back and forth in Kael's private chambers, frustration threatening to consume me.“F^^k it.” I cursed, pulling my hair.First, the search at Keiran's place yielded nothing. And now, Keiran was closer to being proven innocent. Which meant more trouble for me.“Why the f^^k is this happening to me?”All the evidence pointed to me, but I knew I didn't kill Kaida. Yet, Keiran wouldn't rest until I was killed. I couldn't understand why he hated me so much. What have I done to deserve this?“Maybe it is because you repeatedly promised to stop him from being the alpha of this pack, so he is teaching you a lesson on how to keep your nose on your face and out of other people’s business.” A voice in my head scorned.Or was he doing this to distract the pack from a bigger game he was playing in the shadows? I wouldn't put it past him. Keiran was cunning, always thinking several steps ahead.But what could he be planning? And why involve me in it?I stopped pacing and looked
Keiran’s POV. I stood up from the couch, my eyes fixed on the guards as they searched my house. My anxiety only got worse with each passing second. After Kael left, the guards seemed to double their efforts. I knew I had hidden all the things that would be of help to them, but I still could not help the fear that slowly took hold of me. What if they found something that I carelessly left? And why did Kael have to excuse himself for some time? Where did he go? I thought back to the moment Kael entered my quarters, his eyes scanning the room as if he knew what he was searching for. But what did it mean to him? And why did he have to speak with Akira afterward? In private, no less. My mind raced with questions, each one more unsettling than the last. I didn't like being in the dark, not when it came to things that affected me directly. And this... this was something big. Why would Kael side with me and refuse to search Zephyr only for him to give an order that I should
KAEL’s POV.“None of your business.” I hissed at Keiran and turned to leave his quarters. “Where to my king?” A guard who escorted me asked.“Miya’s,” I replied. Seconds turned into minutes and soon the chariot stopped in front of Lyra’s house.“You can go back,” I said dismissing the guard, who bowed his head and turned to leave.I knocked on the door, and a soft voice called out, "Enter." I pushed open the door and stepped inside. Miya’s house was dimly lit, the air filled with the scent of herbs and smoke."Kael, what brings you here?" Miya asked, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. She sat behind a cluttered desk, surrounded by strange objects, carvings and a pot situated in a corner of the room sizzled and hissed."The murder case," I replied, taking a seat across from her. I pulled out the picture from my pocket and placed it on the desk. "I need your help on this."Miya's expression turned serious as she picked up the picture. "A photograph... of Kaida." Her eyes scann