Chapter 53
Kael’s POV.
I woke up slowly, my body heavy, my side aching. The room was a bit darker than usual, the candle burned low, its light flickering on the walls, the air warm with the smell of herbs and Aria’s scent.
She lay beside me on the cot, her silver hair spread across the pillow, her face soft in sleep, her breathing steady.
My heart pounded, my chest tight with a mix of love and worry, my eyes tracing her features, her closed eyes, her parted lips, her peaceful expression.
Last night, her touch, her moans, her tears of pleasure, had filled me with warmth, pulling me close, grounding me after my collapse.
But now, staring at her, my mind spun, a question nagging me. Why hadn’t I seen the vision again? The one of her screaming, blood-soaked, her wolf dying? It haunted me since that night, but not anymore as we made love?
Was the seer’s warning true or not? Was I the danger to her, or was it something else? My hands clenched, my heart racing, Zeus, my wolf, whining softly, his love for her fierce, urging me to protect her.
A knock came, sharp and loud, breaking the quiet. My heart jumped, my body tensing, not wanting to wake Aria.
I slid off the cot, my boots soft on the floor, my ash-gray shirt wrinkled, my pants stiff from yesterday’s chaos. I opened the door quick, my hand on the handle, my eyes narrowing.
Beta Brian stood there, his brown eyes wide, his face lit with relief. Before I could speak, he lunged, his arms wrapping around me, hugging me tight, his voice loud.
"Thank the Moon Goddess you’re alive, Alpha!" he said, his words shaky, his grip strong.
My chest tightened, warmth and annoyance mixing, Zeus purring at his loyalty but growling at the fuss.