Chapter Six

Ayla’s POV

“I’m sorry… I-I shouldn’t be here.”

I swivel on my heels, intending to flee, but a large hand clamps around my wrist, bringing me to a halt mid-step.

Alpha Kael pulls me closer, my body slamming into his solid, rock-hard frame.

Heat surges through me and my wolf purrs and stirs within me, releasing a sharp wave of desire rushing all through my body.

No, not now. I plead silently to the wolf within me. That’s when it hits me. The pull I’ve been feeling, that irresistible tug in my chest and gut—it’s coming from him. Alpha Kael.

“I know you feel it too,” he murmurs, his deep voice vibrating through my core. One hand presses against my waist, keeping me tethered to him, while the other grazes my temple in a gesture that feels tender and possessive.

Tender? Why would I think this man is tender? There’s nothing tender about him.

If he thinks I’m going to surrender to this bond, he’s absolutely mistaken. I would never—ever—be with a man like him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

I deny the existence of the magnetic force between us even when my pulse is hammering and my heart is beating so fast—betraying my lies.

Kael doesn’t argue. He only smiles, a slow, knowing smile before releasing me from his grasp.

“The goddess must be testing me right now,”

he says under his breath, his tone laced with amusement.

Before I can respond, he turns, strides to the edge of the pool, and dives in. The splash wets me instantly leaving my clothes glued to my body and revealing my underwear. 

Kael turns and this time, his eyes doesn’t meet mine but they roam my body hungrily—but all I could focus on is how his toned muscles glistened under the bright moon.

He takes one more glance at me, and I swear I see a coy smile form on his lips.

goddess, please… this is a mistake. He possibly can’t be my mate.

Since I’ve stepped foot into this territory, it’s been hell for me, and now this—

“Undressing me with your eyes is rude,” Kael calls out lazily, snapping me out of my reverie.

“Likewise.” I drawled, rolling my eyes at him before stepping out hurriedly. goddess knows what will happen if I stay here one minute longer. 

Kael’s POV

“I never knew you to be the shy type—Riian. If you want her, talk to her.” My voice is flat and void of any emotion as I speak.

Riian’s jaw tenses.

“But Alpha, she’s a Sayer… it’s forbidden,” he says.

There it is again. The ancient law that has kept wolves and Sayers apart for centuries.

I should agree with him and remind him of the consequences of what is going to happen if he ever crosses that line.

“Forbidden doesn’t mean you stop wanting something.”

I don’t know where the words came from. But I say it.

The look Riian gives me is sharp and confusing, like he’s wondering why the leader of a wolf pack would utter such a statement.

If only he knew the dilemma the goddess put around me.

My mind drifts to Ayla for a moment. The way she trained alone this morning, her eyes burned with something unlike what I’ve seen.

I held myself back last night at the pool—barely. I know it’s just the mate bond that’s making me feel this way. But—she’s so different.

Other mates I’ve had accepted the bond in less than a day—but her, she hasn’t accepted it, and it’s eating me alive. I keep trying so hard, every second and minute I spend with her around, to hold in the urge to feel her skin against mine—but she’s not for me.

“Kael.”

“Kael.”

Elder Moren’s voice snaps me back. 

He approaches me slowly, leaning heavily on his worn walking stick. 

Elder Moren never leaves his abode unless something was very wrong. Riian understands this and excuses us both. 

He settles on the bench beside me and pats the empty space, urging me to sit.

“The new girl—She’s dangerous, and I see calamity tied around her but…”

I already know Ayla is dangerous, but calamity… that’s a new one.

“I’m listening, Elder,” I say, straightening.

“There’s a solution. You must sever the bond between you.”

I should have done it already. But every time I imagine cutting that bond, something clenches painfully in my chest. There’s something else about her I can’t explain yet… something I need to understand.

“She’s my mate, Elder. I can’t sever a bond without hurting her.”

I’m surprised by my own hypocrisy. A week ago, I considered sacrificing her to break my curse. Now I’m hesitating to even harm her.

“She’s a Sayer, Kael!” Elder Moren snaps.

“It is forbidden! A wolf and a Sayer can never be together!”

I’ve never seen him this angry.

I need answers.

Ayla summoned the Messenger.

She’s not just any Sayer. 

“If it’s so forbidden, then why did the goddess bind us?” I counter.

Elder Moren sighs before his tone softens.

“She tests all leaders. Strength alone doesn’t make a king, Kael. Wisdom. Restraint. Obedience to ancient law—those matter too.” He fixes me with a grave look.

“You cannot bond with that girl. She will bring calamity upon you and the pack.”

My jaw tightens.

“I’ll do what I must. But I’m still the Alpha. My word is final.”

“I’m not bonding with her,” I continue. “I only need her blood to break the curse. After that… I’ll send her away.”

But as soon as the words leave my mouth—

I smell her.

Ayla.

Her scent spikes… then disappears instantly.

She heard us.

Shit.

She wasn’t supposed to hear that, but I force myself to act like nothing happened.

“Kael, sending her away won’t solve anything,” Elder Moren says coldly. “You must end her. Sayers were never meant for this world.”

The words hit harder than I expect.

End her?

My mate?

For the first time in years, I feel a real connection to someone even though it’s not a connection I want but can’t help it. The ancient laws say she has to die.