EIGHT

NOTE: Alpha Kael's POV and every other person would be narrated with the third person POV

KAEL

"A human lass?" Aiden muses as he strides beside Kael down the dimly lit hallway leading to his study. His tone holds no anger or judgment, just curiosity.

Kael doesn’t break his stride; his expression remains unreadable. "Yes, a human lass. Do we have a problem, Aiden?" he asks coolly, gripping the doorknob and pushing the heavy door open.

Aiden follows him inside, shutting the door behind them. "That’s not what I mean, Kael, and you know it," he says, stepping closer. "I’m just curious. Why did you accept such a gift from Alpha Lucian? We haven’t had a human living among us in years."

Kael exhales, rubbing his temple as he settles into the leather chair behind his desk. Aiden has always been the only person he could talk to without the need for formality. Though Aiden uses honorifics when others are around, when they’re alone, they revert to the way they’ve always been—brothers more than Alpha and Beta. He is the only one who truly understands Kael, and Kael trusts him more than anyone. Aiden has stood by him through everything: his battles, his burdens, and, most importantly, the endless search for Thalia. His expertise in strategy and intelligence gathering has been invaluable in uncovering the vile network of the trafficking organization that stole Kael’s sister from him.

"Because she reminds me so much of Thalia," Kael says finally, his voice quieter and more restrained. "They should be the same age now. She was also taken from her people when she was only six, just like Thalia."

Aiden’s usual sharp expression softens as he lowers himself into the chair across from Kael. His friend knows the implication of those words, the agony Kael has carried for years. "I know how you feel, Kael," Aiden says gently. "But none of this is your fault. We will find Thalia, but you have to stop blaming yourself for not finding her sooner."

"I can't help it," he mutters, hating the raw emotions in his voice. His fingers tighten around the armrest of his chair. But it’s Aiden. He is the only one who has ever seen the side of Kael that no one else in the pack ever will.

Aiden leans forward. "We will find Thalia; I know we will. But you know how the elders feel about a human standing beside an Alpha. The pack needs a strong Luna—"

Kael’s head snaps up, a look of incredulity flashing across his face.

"Who the hell is talking about a Luna?" he cuts Aiden off, his brows furrowing. Then, as realization dawns, he lets out a sharp breath, leaning back in his chair. "Wait. You all think I brought her here to make her my Luna?"

Aiden doesn’t reply, but the way he holds his gaze says everything.

Kael scoffs, shaking his head. "That’s ridiculous. I see Lyra as a sister, nothing more. And that’s what she’ll remain. Once we find her parents, she’s leaving this pack."

Aiden watches him for a moment with no words. Then, he simply nods, offering no further argument.

Kael knows what that means.

***

LYRA

The girl moves around me in slow steps, circling like a hawk, ready to snatch its prey. I stand still, my muscles tense, watching her with wary eyes. I don’t know who she is or why she’s looking at me with so much hostility, but I know she is not a servant. Her pristine dress, the gleaming jewelry adorning her wrists, and the air of arrogance she carries tell me she belongs to the privileged class of this pack.

"What is your name?" she asks abruptly in a clipped tone.

I square my shoulders, keeping my tone polite. "My name is Lyra."

"Lyra," she repeats slowly, rolling the name around her tongue like it tastes foul. Her lips curl into something between a sneer and a smirk. "So, it’s true."

My brows pull together. "What is true?"

Her eyes gleam with something sinister. "You are his new human toy, aren’t you? Is that why he put you in this bedchamber, so close to his own?"

My frown deepens as I try to process her words. His toy?

I barely have time to formulate a response before she presses on with condescension. "How old are you?"

I don’t like this girl’s attitude. Every word she says drips with venom, and my patience is wearing thin. My anger simmers beneath the surface, but I force myself to swallow it down. This is not my home. I can’t afford to make enemies, not on my first day here.

"Why does that matter?" I ask, keeping my voice as even as possible.

She steps closer until our faces are mere inches apart. Her glare is sharp enough to cut. "It matters because I want you to understand something," she hisses. "You do not stand a chance here. Do not be fooled by this little show of kindness. He will chew you up and spit you out when he’s done because that’s all you are, a weak, pathetic human who can’t even fight to defend her clan."

Her words strike something deep in me, but I keep my face neutral.

"Alpha Kael knows that," she continues, her voice dropping into a taunting whisper. "He and I go way back. We are closer than any other female in this pack, aside from his sister, of course. I was born in Silverfang. I am pureblood, a strong she-wolf, and I have never been a slave."

I blink at her, still trying to piece together what this is all about. "Why are you telling me all this?" I ask, genuinely confused.

She recoils slightly, her eyes flashing as if my question offends her. Then she scoffs, and her nose wrinkles in disgust. "I am telling you to know your damn place," she bites out. "You could never be fit for Luna."

Without another word, she turns on her heel and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her so hard the hinges shake.

I flinch at the sound, her final words still ringing in my ears. Silence stretches in the room as I stand there, unmoving, trying to make sense of what just happened. Then, suddenly, I scoff. Is that what this is about? She thinks I’m competition? The thought almost makes me laugh out loud. I have zero interest in becoming a pack Luna. I have even less interest in seducing my so-called master. Alpha Kael would never, could never think twice about a weak human like me. And I would never let myself think twice about a werewolf.

*

I must have slept off because I jolt awake to the sound of my door creaking open. My body tenses as I sit up too quickly, momentarily disoriented. My mind scrambles, but then the memories flood back—Silverfang, Alpha Kael, the unfamiliar warmth of a real bed. It's dark outside. I must have overslept. I can’t even remember the last time I slept so deeply. Probably not in the last twelve years.

Panic grips me as I clamber out of bed, my heart hammering in my chest. But as my gaze lands on the figure standing in the doorway, my breath catches. Alpha Kael stands on the threshold, his towering form cloaked in a fine golden robe that shimmers faintly under the dim candlelight. He looks every bit the Alpha he is, even in casual clothes.

I bow quickly, lowering my gaze. My heart pounds against my ribs. "Al... Alpha."

I brace myself for his anger, expecting him to scold me for sleeping so long, and for wasting an entire day doing nothing. But instead… silence. When I finally risk a glance, I find his expression as unreadable as ever. There’s no way to tell what he’s thinking. Without a word, he steps inside.

"I heard Olivia was here earlier."

I scramble to remember the name. Olivia? I search my mind, coming up blank at first. But then it clicks. The she-wolf who stormed into my room earlier, the one who tried to stake her claim on him. Before I can respond, he continues.

"I didn't expect anyone to give you trouble on your first day."

I shake my head quickly. "It’s not a problem, Alpha. I’m used to those kinds of confrontations. I’ve dealt with worse," I say with a little chuckle to emphasize how insignificant her presence was to me.

Silence.

Then—

"She will never harass you again. I made sure of that."

I nod, swallowing the sudden lump in my throat. "Thank you, Alpha. I really appreciate it."

"Good." He turns, already heading for the door, but I find myself speaking before I can stop myself.

"Er... Alpha."

He stops, turning slightly to look at me, his piercing gaze making my stomach tighten.

"I was wondering if there was anything I could do around the pack. I can be helpful," I say.

His expression remains unreadable. "You should rest. You are not my servant; you are my guest. I will find your parents and take you home."

Something inside me bristles. My jaw tightens. My defiance flares. I'm not one to sit around and do nothing. "I refuse to take without giving in return, Alpha," I say, my voice firm. "I do not wish to be a liability. I want to contribute. I don’t want to sit here and do nothing."

His sharp gaze locks onto mine. He says nothing. I realize my mistake... my tone. The defiance in my voice. I open my mouth, about to apologize, but he speaks first.

"Fine," he says, his voice like steel. "What do you want to do?"

Excitement flares in me. "Infirmary," I blurt out. "I can work in the pack infirmary. I would really love to work there."

The air shifts. His body stiffens. For the first time since I met him, his jaw clenches, and his expression flickers just for a moment.