Chapter 42
Kael’s POV.
I stood on the dance floor, my heart pounding as I watched Aria slip away, her blue dress swishing, her silver hair catching the chandelier’s light.
The charity event buzzed around me, the hall filled with pack members laughing, eating, the air filled with the smell of flowers and roasted meat.
But my focus was on her, my Luna, my mate, rushing to the side door, her steps quick, her face tight with something, fear, maybe, or pain.
My wolf, Zeus, growled low, his worry sharp, urging me to follow her. I’d been cold to her that morning, snapped at her, "Go to the room. Don’t cause a scene" and the guilt sat heavy in my chest, her hurt eyes haunting me.
My side throbbed, the bandaged wound still raw, not healing, and the seer’s warning, "Don’t fall deeply in love with her. You’ll be hurting her" echoed in my mind.
I took a step, ready to chase her, to fix whatever was wrong, when Seraphina appeared, her red dress bright, her green eyes glinting, her smile sly.
"Alpha, dance with me," she said, her voice loud, her hand on my arm, her touch bold.
The crowd clapped, their eyes on us, expecting the Alpha to honor the event’s traditions. My jaw tightened, my eyes narrowing, suspicion burning.
Seraphina was always trouble, her malice sharp, and Aria’s sudden exit felt wrong, like Seraphina had something to do with it.
I couldn’t refuse, not with the pack watching, their whispers ready to spread. I nodded, my hand stiff on her waist, my steps mechanical as the music played, a slow waltz filling the hall.
"What did you do to my Luna?" I asked, my voice low, sharp, my eyes locked on hers, searching for a lie.