You're making a mistake

Luna's POV

I couldn’t sleep.

The cave was quiet, except for the soft crackle of the small fire Kael had built and the faint sounds of the forest outside. My mind, however, was far from quiet. Kael’s words echoed in my head over and over: If you go back now, they’ll kill you.

What did he mean? Why would my own pack-my father-want me dead?

I glanced at Kael, who sat near the entrance, his back against the wall. His eyes were closed, but I could tell he wasn’t fully asleep. He had this restless energy, like he was ready to spring into action at any moment.

I waited, barely breathing, until I was sure he wouldn’t notice. Then, as silently as I could, I got to my feet and crept toward the entrance.

“You’re making a mistake,” his voice cut through the silence like a blade.

I froze, my heart pounding. Slowly, I turned to see him watching me, his amber eyes glowing faintly in the firelight.

“I’m going back,” I said, lifting my chin.

Kael stood, his movements slow and deliberate. “Did you hear nothing I said? If you go back now, you’ll die.”

“You don’t know that,” I snapped, my voice trembling with frustration. “My father wouldn’t hurt me.”

Kael stepped closer, his expression dark. “You think you know him? You think you’re safe because you’re his daughter? Wake up, Luna. You’re a pawn in his game, nothing more.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” I shot back, my fists clenched. “He’s my father. He’s protecting me!”

Kael’s laugh was cold and bitter. “Protecting you? Is that what you call promising you to a man twice your age? Throwing you to the wolves-literally?”

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand more than you think,” he said softly. “But if you’re so determined to run back to your cage, I won’t stop you.”

I hesitated, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. But the anger and confusion boiling inside me were too much. Without another word, I turned and ran into the forest.

The night was darker than I expected, I stumbled over roots and rocks, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I didn’t know exactly where I was going, but I figured if I kept heading east, I’d eventually find my way back to the pack.

It wasn’t long before I heard voices.

“Alpha’s orders were clear-bring her back alive.”

I froze, pressing myself against a tree as two figures moved through the shadows ahead.

“She can’t have gone far,” one of them muttered. “Keep searching.”

My heart raced. My father had sent them to find me. Relief flooded through me, followed by a wave of guilt for doubting him.

But as I stepped out from my hiding spot, the nearest guard turned to me with a sneer.

“Well, look who it is,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

“Thank the moon,” I said quickly. “I need to see my father.”

The other guard chuckled darkly. “Your father, huh? Don’t think he’ll be too happy to see you.”

Something about their tone made my stomach twist. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve caused a lot of trouble, little princess,” the first guard said, grabbing my arm roughly. “Time to take you back where you belong.”

“Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling against his grip.

“Shut up,” he snapped, shaking me hard enough to make my teeth rattle.

Panic surged through me. These men weren’t treating me like the Alpha’s daughter. They were treating me like a prisoner.

Before I could scream, a blur of movement came from the trees. Kael.

He hit the first guard like a storm, slamming him into a tree with a sickening crack. The second guard barely had time to react before Kael’s fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling.

“Kael, stop!” I screamed as he moved in for another blow.

He ignored me, his teeth bared in a snarl. The guards didn’t stand a chance. In seconds, they were unconscious, their bodies crumpled on the forest floor.

Kael turned to me, his chest heaving. “Are you hurt?”

I stared at him, horrified. “What did you do?”

“They were going to take you back,” he said flatly.

“You didn’t have to-” I gestured to the guards, my stomach churning. “You didn’t have to go that far!”

Kael’s eyes darkened. “If I hadn’t shown up, they would have dragged you back to your father. And trust me, you wouldn’t have liked what happened next.”

“You don’t know that!” I shouted, my voice shaking.

Kael stepped closer, his gaze boring into mine. “Yes, I do. Because I’ve been where you are, Luna. I’ve trusted him. And I paid the price for it.”

I took a shaky step back, his words slicing through my defenses. “What are you talking about?”

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Your father betrayed me. Just like he’ll betray you.”

I stared at him, my mind spinning. “What did he do?”

Kael’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was low and bitter. “He exiled me for uncovering a truth he didn’t want anyone to know. A truth that would destroy everything.”

“What truth?” I whispered.

Kael’s gaze softened, but there was a sadness in his eyes that made my heart ache. “You’re not ready to hear it.”

Before I could press him further, a faint howl echoed in the distance. Kael’s head snapped up, his body tensing.

“They’ll be back,” he said grimly. “We need to move.”

I nodded numbly, my legs shaking as I followed him deeper into the forest. But no matter how far we ran, his words lingered in my mind.

What truth could be so dangerous that my father would exile him-and could he be right about me being next?