Chapter 43
Kael’s POV.
I stood in the throne chamber, my heart pounding, my hands clenched tight, my side throbbing under the bandage that still hid my unhealing wound.
Clara’s voice grated, her dark eyes sharp as she pushed for Lila to join the Gamma Training Academy, her daughter standing nervously beside her in her green dress.
The three elders nodded, their gray robes stiff, their faces expectant, but my anger burned hot, my wolf Zeus growling low, his protectiveness fierce.
I didn’t trust Clara, never had, her schemes, her hunger for power, always lurking. Lila was kind, but the academy was brutal, and I didn’t want Clara’s family closer to me or my Luna, Aria, who I knew was pretending to be Celeste.
My chest tightened, guilt and worry mixing, the seer’s warning, "Don’t fall deeply in love with her. You’ll be hurting her" echoing in my mind.
Aria’s quick exit from the dance floor, her scared eyes, her silence tonight, weighed heavy, and I wasn’t letting Clara pull me away from her.
"Please, Kael," Clara said, her voice soft but sharp, her hand on Lila’s shoulder.
"Lila’s strong. She’d serve the pack well." The elders murmured, their eyes on me, but my jaw tightened, my patience gone.
"No," I snapped, my voice loud, my eyes hard.
"The academy’s too dangerous, and I don’t trust your motives, Clara." My words were blunt, my anger clear, Zeus pushing me to protect the pack, to protect Aria.
Clara’s face fell, her eyes narrowing, but I didn’t care. I turned, my boots heavy, storming out of the chamber, the doors slamming behind me, the sound echoing in the quiet hall.