Chapter 9
1029 Words
Kael pov
After exiting her room, she trailed behind, dressed in a short gown that gave her a rugged appearance.
"Hurry up, we're late for the pack meeting. It's a community business gathering, so please don't waste my time with your slow pace."
As I hurried along, my suit billowing in the breeze from the open window, I noticed the absence of footsteps behind me. I paused and glanced back, my expression turning sour, but I quickly softened. To my dismay, she had fallen to the ground in her heels, clearly struggling to walk in them.
"What on earth is happening?" I asked, exhaling deeply. She sat on the floor, her ankle twisted by the heel, not even bothering to look up as she attempted to adjust it. I approached her slowly, matching my energy to the situation; it was frustrating that she was causing me stress so early in the day. When I reached her side, she lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes heavy with embarrassment.
"I apologize," she said.
“My dress is too short, and these heels are not to my liking; I just want to wear what I prefer,” she insisted, avoiding eye contact as she spoke.
“Perhaps you've said enough,” I replied, crouching down to her level. I extended my arms and lifted her gently, her eyes widening in surprise as I turned my head back and averted my gaze from her.
As we made our way down the corridor, the buckles of her heels became loose, nearly slipping off. She leaned down to fix them, but my stern look caused her to hesitate and lean back instead.
As we arrived at the entrance of the hall, the grand wooden doors opened, and I let her slide down to the ground. She quickly bent down to adjust her dress, trying to make it longer. I observed her for a moment, feeling both frustrated and amused. Her efforts to maintain her dignity were almost charming.
With a sigh, I crouched beside her, aligning my gaze with her ankles. I began to buckle her heels, my fingers brushing her skin as I tightened the straps. She remained still, though her eyes flickered towards me in surprise. As I adjusted her shoes for a better fit, I felt a spark of electricity at my touch, but I dismissed it.
Next, I focused on her hair, gently tucking a loose strand behind her ear. She stood motionless, her gaze fixed ahead, reminiscent of a teddy bear, as I had thought earlier. Her lack of response was both captivating and frustrating. I finished styling her hair, my fingers lingering on the soft strands a moment longer than necessary.
“Follow me,” I instructed, standing up and giving her a serious look. “And try to walk sensibly.” Without waiting for her reply, I walked towards the hall entrance, and she followed, her heels clicking on the floor.
As we entered the hall, silence enveloped the room. The elders rose, their expressions solemn with respect. I nodded in acknowledgment, scanning the familiar faces before my gaze settled on the throne. I walked towards it, with Aria closely behind.
Upon reaching the throne, I gestured for her to sit beside me. “Sit,” I commanded, my tone firm yet courteous. Aria complied, her eyes cast downwards.
Just as she was settling in, one of the elders stood up, a look of concern on his face. "Excuse me, Alpha," he said, his voice hesitant. "That seat is reserved for our Beta and Gamma. Perhaps..."
I laughed, the sound low and smooth. "Aria, sit," I repeated, my eyes glinting with amusement. The elder's face fell, but he didn't argue further. Aria, sensing the tension, glanced up at me, her eyes questioning. I smiled, a small, reassuring smile, and she settled back into her seat, her shoulders squaring.
The elder's words hung in the air, but I ignored them, turning my attention to the matters at hand. The pack meeting was about to begin, and I had a feeling it was going to be a long day.
"Let's get started," I said, my voice carrying across the room. The elders nodded, taking their seats. I leaned back in my throne, my eyes scanning the room, before coming to rest on Aria. She was watching me, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"First item on the agenda," I said, my voice firm. "The recent attacks on our pack's territory. We need to discuss the best course of action to protect our people."
The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each elder offering their opinion on the matter. I listened attentively, my eyes never leaving the speaker. Aria, on the other hand, seemed fascinated by the proceedings, her eyes darting from one speaker to the next.
As the meeting wore on, I found myself glancing at her more and more. She was an enigma, a puzzle I was determined to solve. Her sassiness and determination were traits I admired, but her lack of decorum was something I needed to work on.
The meeting continued, with each elder offering their thoughts on the matter. I listened, weighing the pros and cons of each suggestion. Aria, sensing my gaze on her, turned to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her reaction. She smiled, a small, mischievous smile, and turned back to the discussion. I chuckled to myself, wondering what other surprises she had in store for me.
As the meeting drew to a close, I stood up, my eyes scanning the room. "Let's adjourn for now," I said, my voice firm. "We'll reconvene tomorrow to discuss further action."
The room erupted into a flurry of activity, the elders standing up, their voices murmuring in agreement. Aria stood up beside me, her eyes fixed on the floor.
I turned to her, my eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, Aria," I said, my voice low. "I think that was a good start. But next time, let's work on your... decorum."
She glanced up at me, h
er eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'll try, Alpha," she said
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