Alpha Kael's POV
I dialed her again. "Pick up" I muttered into the phone, thumb hovering over the call button until it connected. I had tried her a dozen times and every ring had been an empty echo. Her demand was impossible. I loved Aria. There was no doubt of that. I had given up things for her. I had chosen her over others. Still, to kill Elena for her was beyond me. Fate bound me to Elena in ways I could not simply undo.
When she finally answered, her voice was steady, colder than I expected.
“Aria, you know what you are asking is impossible. I cannot end my fated mate’s life.”
Silence on the line felt louder than any shout. Her reply came clipped. “Since you cannot, then fine.”
“You must understand,” I said, trying to shape reason into a sound she could hold. “If s
