Kael's POV:
I sat on my throne, my eyes fixed on Zephyr as he approached me. His expression was serious, and I could tell something was wrong. "What is it, Zeph?" I asked, my voice firm. "Aria has requested to leave the pack," he said, his voice low. My eyes narrowed. "What? Why would she want to leave?" Zephyr shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "She's unhappy with your rule, Kael. She thinks you're too harsh and demanding." My face became dark with rage. How dare she question my leadership? I am the alpha, and my decisions are final. "I'm the alpha, it's my job to make tough decisions," I growled. "I can't have weak members in my pack." Zephyr sighed. "I understand, Kael, but Aria is a valuable member. We need her skills to survive. She is a fertile one.” I waved my hand. "I'll find a new breeder, one who is loyal and obedient. Aria is no longer welcome in this pack." Zephyr nodded, but I could see the disapproval in his eyes. I didn't care. I am the alpha, and my word is law. Besides, she only gives birth to female pups and I need an heir. "See that she leaves immediately," I ordered, turning my attention back to the matters at hand. Zephyr nodded and left, but I could sense his hesitation. I didn't care. I would do whatever it takes to maintain my power and control over this pack. Just as Zephyr left, the sounds of footsteps were heard behind me. I turned around, my hackles raised ready to attack as a strange yet familiar scent filled my nostrils. “Kieran..” I said through gritted teeth and turned to face him. “It’s me.” He said with a mock bow. “Get out!” I roared at him. As Kieran approached me, a smirk played on his face. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The great Kael, still thinking he's in charge." I rolled my eyes, I have more important issues to attend to but this cursed wolf was not one I would want to ignore. "Kieran, you're the last person I wanted to see. What are you doing back here?" Kieran chuckled. "Oh, I'm just here to stir up some trouble. You know, keep things interesting. Your pack is boring.” My face contorted in rage. "You're not welcome here. Leave now, before things get ugly." Kieran laughed. "Oh, I'm shaking, I am so scared. You think you can intimidate me, Kael? I'm not afraid of you. You know that, I am the big brother and you the little one. It’s surprising how a kid like you got dad’s pack and I was discarded, not fair is it?” I took a step closer, my eyes blazing with rage. "You should be. I'm not the same weakling you used to push around. I'm the alpha now, and I won't hesitate to defend my pack. And I got the throne 'cause I deserve it, if you have any problem suck it up.” Kieran sneered. "Your pack? Ha! Do you mean the group of misfits and weaklings you've gathered around you? Please. I'll have them do my bidding in no time." I gritted, my fists clenched. "You're not going to cause chaos in my pack. I'll stop you before you can even try. Don’t mess with me, leave while you can.” Kieran smiled, a cold smile. "Oh, I'm shaking with fear. But I think I'll take my chances. You see, I have a plan, and it starts with finding a new breeder for the pack. Someone who will do my bidding, not yours. Just hope you get a good breeder… or else… I will use her to get to you and there is nothing you can do about it.” I narrowed my eyes. "You'll never find someone willing to join your cause. The pack is loyal to me, and they won't betray me for you." Kieran chuckled. "We'll see about that. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and I'm not afraid to use them." "You're so predictable, Kael," Kieran sneered. "You think you're the only one who can lead this pack? Newsflash, brother: you're not as strong as you think you are. You are weak!” I snarled. "You're just trying to get in my head Kieran. It won't work." Kieran chuckled. "Oh, but it already has. You're so easy to provoke, so easy to manipulate. And that's exactly what I'm going to do." He stopped talking and faced me . "I'll find a way to take over this pack, Kael. And when I do, you'll be the first one I come for." I growled, my teeth bared ready for attack. "You'll never take over this pack. I'll make sure of it." Kieran smiled. "We'll see about that. But for now, I think I'll just leave you with a little present." He snapped his fingers, and a figure walked into the room... A figure I recognized all too well. "Aria," I growled, my eyes narrowing. "What are you doing with him?" Aria smiled. "I've seen the light, Kael. And I've joined forces with the winning side. You are harsh, do not care about me, but him… he cares about me and listens to me!” My eyes widened in shock as Kieran wrapped an arm around Aria's shoulders, pulling her close. "Looks like you're not the only one who can play the game, brother," Kieran sneered. "And this time, I'm going to win." I was scared at this point, Aria was one of my most loyal breeders. If my brother could get to her then…. But I refused to show my fear. Kieran's smile grew wider as he gazed at Aria. "And now, with Aria by my side, I have everything I need to take over this pack. Including a new breeder, courtesy of our mutual friend, Ryker." My eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Kieran?" Kieran chuckled. "Oh, just a little surprise I have in store for you. You see, I've been in contact with Ryker, and he's agreed to send me a new breeder. One who will be loyal only to me." My heart began to pound as Kieran pulled out a phone and dialed a number. "Yes, Ryker. I'm ready. Send her to me now." My mind was already racing with plans when Kieran spoke up again. "You'll never stop me, Kael. I'll have the pack, and I'll have the breeder. And there's nothing you can do about it." The line went dead, and Kieran turned to Aria. "It's done. Our new breeder will be here soon. And when she is, nothing will ever be the same again." The two of them turned on their heels and left the room. Immediately I took my phone out and dialed a number. “Let’s talk.”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 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 sorr
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