All Chapters of ALPHA'S DARK PAYMENT. HE REJECTED HER. HIS WOLF CHOSE HER.: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The kitchens hummed with the early-morning clatter of knives and copper pots, steam curling up from the great iron cauldrons like ghosts. Anika stood close to Jessica, the head cook, her fingers tight around the woman’s wrist so no one else in the bustling room could hear.“Blue-rimmed bowl,” Anika whispered, slipping the small velvet pouch into Jessica’s apron pocket. “Just like I showed you last night. One pinch in the Alpha’s stew. No more. The rest of the platters stay clean. Understood?”Jessica's eyes darted toward the doorway where two of the night-shift guards lingered, but she nodded once, quickly. “Yes, Lady Anika. As you said.”Anika smiled, thin and satisfied, then swept out toward the great hall where breakfast would soon be laid. The palace was already stirring; warriors fresh from dawn drills laughed in the corridors, and the scent of warm bread followed her like a promise. Everything was falling into place. By the time Kane took his first spoonful, the powder would be

KANE'S CHAMBERThe heavy oak door already cracked open, as if the place had been holding its breath for them. He didn’t bother setting her down; he just nudged the door wider with his boot and carried her straight inside, kicking it shut behind them with a solid thunk that sealed the rest of the world out.The room smelled like him—worn leather, wood smoke, and that faint sharp edge of steel from the weapons rack by the hearth. Moonlight cut across the big bed, turning the furs and dark green sheets silver. Kane crossed the floor in three strides and gently placed her down onto the mattress, as if she might shatter if he wasn’t careful.Elara’s head was still spinning in the nicest way. She grabbed fistfuls of his leather armor and tugged him down with her, laughing under her breath when he planted one hand beside her head so he wouldn’t crush her.“You’re still drunk,” he muttered, but not scolding her.“Celebrating,” she whispered again, arching up into him. Her fingers found the la

Elara barely made it two steps into the chamber before the door slammed shut behind her.The sound cracked through the room—sharp, final.She flinched.“My lord—”She didn’t get to finish.Kane was already there. One second, there was distance. The next, there was none. His hand closed around her arm, firm and unyielding, and he shoved her back onto the bed.A gasp tore from her lips as her spine hit the mattress. The sheets twisted beneath her; her hair spilled wild across the fabric.He loomed over her, chest rising and falling with barely leashed fury, red eyes burning.“You think this is a game?” His voice was low, dangerously controlled.Elara swallowed hard. Her heart slammed against her ribs—not from fear alone. “My lord… I can explain—”“Explain?” A bitter laugh scraped out of him. “Explain why another man had his hands on what’s *mine*?”Her lips parted. No words came.Kane leaned down, one hand braced beside her head, the other gripping her chin—tilting her face up so she ha

The moon hung high above, casting silver light across the stone walls. Most of the servants had already turned in for the night, leaving the corridors quiet except for the occasional distant murmur of voices.Princess Selene walked slowly along the upper hallway, her emerald gown sweeping the floor. She was still smiling to herself about the success of their little emergency council when she heard familiar footsteps behind her.“Princess.”Luciano's low and smooth voice called out. He fell into step beside her, hands clasped behind his back like the proper Beta he was.Selene glanced sideways at him, one eyebrow raised. “Beta Luciano. Out for a late stroll?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You looked awfully pleased with yourself earlier when you were playing dress-up with Elara. Kane’s probably tearing that black dress off her right about now.”Selene let out a soft laugh. “He needed the push. Men can be so stubborn when their egos are

**: HALLWAY ★**"Are you really going to let those old men push you into something you aren't ready for?" Prince Darius asked, breaking the silence as their footsteps echoed down the wide stone hallway."And what's that?" Kane replied."Choosing a Luna!""He can only choose if his fated mate doesn't show up," Luciano explained calmly. "We all know how this works. He has ruled long enough—he needs a Luna by his side.""So Anika is the right choice?" Darius growled, his voice low and dangerous."That's the elders' choice," Kane said, speaking for the first time."What about *your* choice?" Luciano and Darius asked at the same time.Kane sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. "I don't know... I can't go another full moon without my mate. Tyrant is already growing wild. He needs her.""And you need your Luna," Darius said, clasping a strong hand on Kane’s shoulder in quiet support."What becomes of Elara and Anika if she shows up?" Luciano asked, his tone careful."Elara is