The alpha's human mistake

Chapter3

There was only a heavy silence between us and the rustle of the leaves as the distant howl faded into the night. Kael stood there like a man carved out of stone, his amber eyes reflecting the sliver of moonlight that shone through the cloak. He paused for a long time without speaking. His jaw muscle flexed in the same way I had learned to read him during late-night conversations when he was struggling with his pack.

“You’re right,” he said finally, his voice rough. "There are more. However, it is not what you believe."

I crossed my arms tighter, the chill of the forest seeping through my thin dress.

"Then inform me, no more half-truths, Kael. People who claimed to own me have kept me in the dark for far too long."

He sharply exhaled as he ran his hand through his dark hair. The Alpha who was in charge of hundreds suddenly appeared human and exhausted, which almost softened my anger.

Almost.

Selene's arrival was not coincidental. Silvercrest, her pack, has been calling for an alliance for months. There has been... trouble along their eastern border with ours, banding together of rogues in the mountains, whispers of something older stirring. Politics were just made inevitable by the mate bond.

Politics.

I said, that's right.

My stomach shook and I had mistakenly believed that our connection existed despite all of that.

"So what was I then?" Despite my best efforts to keep my voice steady, I asked. "A stepping stone until the right alliance appeared wrapped in a fated bow?"

“No.”

He moved closer, but when I flinched back, he stopped.

You never were that. I was shaken when I discovered you in that Blackfang cage. I couldn’t leave you there. You brought to mind what we fight for, which is not just power expansion but also the protection of the weak. That needed to be emphasized to the pack as well.

I should have been warmed by his words. They, on the other hand, felt like salt on the wound.

"So what now? With her here, radiant, flawless, and everything a Luna ought to be?"

Kael turned his attention to the forest floor.

Elara, the bond is real. I feel it in my veins like fire. To claim her and build a future that the Moon Goddess herself would approve of, every instinct cries out. But when I look at you..."

He reached out to touch my cheek, but he hesitated.

“Even on the worst days, I still see the woman who made me laugh, who endured hell and continued to choose kindness. That's impossible for me to reconcile."

I was shaken inside by the sincerity in his voice. I swallowed the tears down when they came back at me. It wouldn't help to cry, not any longer.

Then perhaps you shouldn't, Kael, maybe this is the end of us. You find the ideal partner and form a strong partnership. For a human who overstayed her welcome, I accept... whatever comes next."

He gave his head a firm shake.

I will not permit the pack to drive you out. You are safe with me. Always.”

I bitterly echoed, "Protection."

"Like a prized member of the stable. Useful until better comes along.”

His chest gave out a low growl, the wolf side coming out. But he controlled it.

"Never do this. Don't try to push me away when I'm trying to get through."

"Find a means?"

I laughed hard and without emotion.

Kael, there is no way, not without causing harm to someone. And that person is me right now.

The distance between us seemed to be larger than the territories he ruled as we stood there in the pitch-black woods. A portion of me desired to move forward and allow him to pull me closer as he had in the past, to pretend that I belonged for one more night.

However, the stronger component, the one who had survived worse things like chains and starvation, knew better.

Once, illusions had saved my life.

Now, they wouldn't save me.

He eventually silently escorted me back to my cabin. He stayed at the door.

Give me some time, please. I must find a way to maintain equilibrium without losing you.

I didn't make any promises. I simply leaned against the door that separated us until I heard him leave.

Again, sleep was fragmented.

I made a decision as the morning light came through the window. Nothing would have changed by hiding in my cabin. I needed to see this new reality in person if I wanted answers and the chance to decide my own future even though it hurts.

I set out for the training facilities in practical attire.

The pack was already moving about and under the watchful eye of their elders, young wolves engaged in combat. Grunts, giggles, and occasionally a playful growl filled the air.

There was Selene.

She moved gracefully, powerfully, and precisely, like liquid moonlight. In three moves, she defeated one of the more powerful warriors and disarmed him. The audience booed, she gave a modest smile, but her eyes focused on me after scanning the others.

Our eyes locked.

Hers was not particularly cruel.

More... enthused, calculating, as though she were attempting to solve a puzzle.

She approached after the session while wiping her brow of sweat. She was even more striking up close, with her high cheekbones, storm-colored eyes, and quiet strength.

She declared, "You are Elara."

There is no query.

"Kael has mentioned you."

My expression remained neutral.

“Has he?”

She made a head turn.

"He takes care of you, deeply. Through the bond, I can feel it. It's... complex and complicated."

The storm that was raging within me felt too big for the word.

I whispered, "I won't stand in your way. However, I will not vanish either, not until I know exactly what this means."

I was the focus of Selene's lengthy attention. Her expression flickered with something—respect, perhaps? or trepidation.

Choice is sacred, but the bond is sacred. I did not request this in the same way that you did. This alliance was needed by my pack, I needed a reason.

I was surprised by her honesty and I almost felt sorry for her for a moment.

Almost.

Kael appeared at the edge of the field before I could respond. His shoulders showed tension as his eyes moved between us.

"Is everything okay?"

Selene said softly, "Fine."

She then excused herself to speak with the elders after making a casual claim about lightly touching his arm that still sent a shock through me.

Kael looked at me.

"You weren't required to do that."

I replied, "I did."

"I must stop hiding if I am to survive here."

The remainder of the day was filled with sporadic interactions. I assisted Mira in gathering herbs near the river and listened as she talked quietly. The more powerful alliance excite some wolves, others were concerned that it would alter the identity of the pack, which Kael had created to be more compassionate than the others.

I returned to my cabin as dusk approached and discovered a small bundle on the porch.

Kael used to whittle a wooden wolf for me in the quiet evenings, and it was exquisitely carved inside, a handwritten note that reads "For the nights the nightmares come. I remain here."

Emotions clashing within me, I clenched it tightly—anger, longing and fear.

The number of questions rose.

What additional information about the rogues and the mountains was Kael keeping hidden? Why did Selene appear to be both genuine and cautious? And the most perilous aspect of all is that, if I decided to remain, would I be able to establish a identity for myself that was not based on my status as the Alpha's discarded human? Or was there genuinely someone or something better just waiting for me to leave?

A distant sound drifted through the night as I turned the wooden wolf over in my hands as I lay in bed that day.

This time, there was no howl, something more focused, a cry of alarm from the border guards—trouble was on the way.

I was still caught up in the middle of it, regardless of how much I liked it.