Chapter 21
Kael’s POV.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the Shadow Claw packhouse, the sky just turning pink with dawn.
My arm ached where the beam had hit me in the fire, and my throat was still raw from the smoke. I climbed out, my boots heavy on the gravel, and helped my Luna out, her silver gown dirty and torn from our escape.
Her face was pale, her blue eyes tired, but she managed a small smile that made my chest tighten.
I wanted to pull her close, to tell her we were safe now, but then I saw her; Celeste, standing by the packhouse entrance, her dark hair neat, her smile too perfect for this early in the morning.
My gut twisted, suspicion flaring. Why was she here, waiting like she knew we’d come?
I kept my hand on my Luna’s back, guiding her forward, my eyes locked on Celeste. She bowed low, her smile sweet but fake.
"Alpha Kael," she said, her voice smooth, like she was playing a part. "Good to see you." Then her eyes flicked to my Luna, her smile sharpening.
"I need to speak with the Luna. Alone, if that’s okay."
My jaw tightened, my wolf Zeus growling low, uneasy. Celeste was trouble; I knew it in my bones.
Her being here, so early, after the fire at the Fang Pack, felt wrong, like a trap waiting to snap. I opened my mouth to say no, to tell her to leave, but my Luna spoke first, her voice soft but firm.