Severed Bonds

Fracture

Present Day

"Friends first. Friends forever."

Those familiar words now echoed in my mind, hollow, empty as I moved through the grand hall like a ghost, steps practiced, tray balanced, eyes lowered to mask the pain and fear that rocked deep into my core. All around, golden cutlery clinked, laughter spilled through the hall, bright but meaningless.

Behind a pillar, my son watched everything with wide, careful eyes. "Stay quiet and hidden," I had told him earlier and for once, he listened, as though understanding the gravity of the situation.

At the heart of the hall stood Kael and his father, power radiating off them like heat. Alpha Valen's gaze swept the room, landing on me with open disgust as I walked over. Kael stood beside him, tall, broad, engrossed in a conversation with a few pack men, his crown catching the light as though reinstating his authority and position.

But then, as though sensing my approach, his eyes found mine.

My breath caught.

Those blue eyes were nothing like the ones I remembered; cold, distant, something dark stirred beneath the surface. The familiar pulse of something old that had once throbbed with love, warmth then emptiness- the bond, now seared with excruciating pain, so sharp and sudden. It was like a wound being torn open.

I gasped, biting down hard on my lips.

Kael's eyes darkened, his mouth tightening as though he’d felt it too but then he held out his glass. "Wine," he clipped.

Lowering my head, I stepped forward, uncorked the bottle with trembling hands and filled his glass up. But just as I moved to retreat, my fingers brushed against his.

The world tilted.

Heat rushed through me, dangerous, familiar. His breath stuttered, gaze sharpening as recognition flared in his eyes for a brief moment right before he jerked back as though scalded. The wine glass tipped, wine spilling across his fingers. "s**t," he muttered angrily.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything but words failed me.

Clarissa sauntered over, "You alright, love?" She said sweetly, handing over a wipe to him and subtly asserting herself between us. Looping her arm through his, she pressed flat against him as if to remind me where she stood. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

"Just a slip-up," he dabbed at his fingers, draping his arm around her waist and pulling her even closer, not sparing me another glance. Once again I was invisible.

Stepping back to join the other maids in waiting, my stomach tightened as I watched helplessly.

Clarissa smiled sweetly, clinging tightly onto him as she whispered loud enough to be heard, "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, darling."

Kael said nothing but his grip around her tightened. Alpha Valen, who had been watching their interaction, beamed, nodding in agreement, "Your coronation and wedding is going to be so grand, it'll be written in pack history books. Isn't that right, Phil?" He said, turning to his Beta, Clarissa's father.

"Absolutely," Phil agreed, his beady eyes shone with greed as he stroked his long white beard. "You wait till you see the gifts he has prepared for you two."

Clarissa gasped, faking surprise. "Alpha Valen, you spoil us."

Alpha Valen's face softened with pride. "Only the best is reserved for my son, the Alpha and his future Luna," he announced loudly.

The hall erupted with cheers.

Clarissa glowed, soaking in the attention as people moved to hug and congratulate them but I couldn't look away from Kael. His eyes were fixed on mine, cold, unmoving, deliberate, disregarding everything else. My heart thrummed hard against my chest and for several moments nothing else seemed to exist.

But then something shifted in those icy blue eyes.

He moved deliberately, eyes never leaving mine as he wrapped his arm around Clarissa and drew her close, firmly, gently, before saying the old, familiar words that split right through me, "Mine."

Cheers rang out but Kael spared me no other glance, looking down at Clarissa, who wore a victorious smile, like she hung the world. Blinking back tears, I could only look away but just at that moment a loud crash echoed through the room, halting conversations midway.

My heart dropped.

"Rider," I whispered in terror as I watched a guard drag him roughly from behind a food cart, pushing him forward, food scattered at his feet. His tiny frame shook, face crumpling as his eyes darted around, searching until they found me.

His mouth moved, forming a word that made my chest tighten: "Mommy."

Hastily placing down the tray, I moved, desperate but Clarissa seemed to guess my move; her voice rang out, stopping me in my tracks. "Now, now, careful Laila. You know the rules of duty in the palace. No maid is granted the luxury to wander around when on-"

"Please, Clarissa," I pointed in desperation as the guard moved past, forcing Rider's tiny frame to the door. "Look. He's only a child-"

"And he should be chastened when he commits a crime. It's obvious he was stealing, sweetie," she interrupted calmly, her gaze sweeping over my face with a cold amusement. "Take him out, please."

I fell to my knees. "Please," I begged, looking around desperately but no one made a move, only staring back with either coldness or pity. "Spare him."

"Are you questioning the Luna of this pack?" Alpha Valen suddenly thundered, his face red with anger.

"No, no," I said hastily but he paid no mind, gesturing to the guards to hasten.

"Throw this filth out."

Murmurs echoed through the hall as they sprung into action but just at that moment a familiar deep voice cut through the noise with an authority that made the room go quiet. "Wait."

My teary eyes snapped up to Kael's.

"Son," Alpha Valen said discouragingly but Kael stayed silent as he stepped forward. "Bring the boy."

Beside me, Clarissa stiffened. "Kael. Darling-" but he held up his hand, effectively silencing her.

The silence that followed was deafening, enough that a pin drop could be heard. It seemed like the room held its breath as Rider was brought forward. The terrified look on his tear-streaked face made me want to rush over and release him from the grip of the guard but I stayed still. I wasn't going to risk the safety of my child, not with Clarissa and Valen involved.

For several moments, Kael stared at Rider with an intense, unreadable expression, saying nothing then he moved forward. Crouching down, he swiped at a trail of tear streaks on Rider's face. "What's your name, boy?"

"R-Rider," my son whispered.

"Rider," Kael nodded, approval in his voice. "A steady, strong name for a boy."

"A boy who is a result of her treachery and unfaithfulness. A bastard," Clarissa scoffed, her voice carrying a heavy weight that cut through the silence.

I froze.

Kael went still.

The world seemed to hold its breath as a fraction of the truth unraveled. Then came the pain. The bond erupted with pain so violent and searing, it tore through me. His fury poured into it, raw, unfiltered. I gasped, unable to hide it.

He slowly got to his feet, backing away as his gaze cut to me, once again cold and dead. "Is it true?" he demanded. "Is he your son?"

"Yes, Kae- Alpha," I lowered my gaze, blinking back tears, wishing, aching for him to uncover every fraction of truth. "He is."

Kael stayed silent, shoulders stiff but the pain intensified, like he was trying to punish me, causing me to whimper.

Clarissa moved, crossing the room and taking up a stand beside Kael, placing a hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner, a cruel expression on her face as she gestured towards the guards, "Please take him out. We don't need this spectacle on a grand day as this."

At that moment, Rider broke free. With terror written across his face, he dashed across the space to me, burying his head in my bosom, seeking protection from the onslaught but Clarissa demanded, "Grab him."

"No- please-" I cried desperately, anger and frustration flooding my veins. "He's just a child. You asked me to bring him here today. He would be tucked away in bed, safely, if you didn't."

A low murmur moved through the hall at my words, quiet but unmistakable.

Clarissa's fake gasp and shrill voice echoed through the space, "How dare you lie against me!"

"I'm not lying Clarissa-"

"It's Luna to you-" she interjected angrily but I continued.

"You came to my room-"

"Enough," Kael's voice suddenly cut through coldly. His eyes harboured it's coldness but also burned with anger and something akin to hate. My heart stuttered. "Throw them both out. She'll not only be punished for lying but also for her son's actions. These will serve as a lesson to all those who lie, scheme and live a treacherous lifestyle."

"My son," Alpha Valen beamed as Kael flicked his fingers and the guards immediately sprung into action.

"Please," I begged, voice breaking, heart heavy with unspoken truths but he looked on, gaze empty, cold, as though I was nothing more than an object.

My heart shattered again for the opteeneth time, the pain making my body quake. Tears streamed down my face heavily, blurring my vision as I and my child were roughly dragged across the hall.

In a split moment, through the blur, my eyes briefly caught Adrian's in the crowd. His face was tight with quiet sorrow, gaze heavy with helplessness but then the whispers drowned everything out: cruel, sympathetic, curious, satisfied.

"A bastard child? Disgraceful."

"What a pity."

"She's a traitor. A whore."

As I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of my baby sobbing, something died inside of me. I turned back one last time as my hope died out to look at Kael but nothing had changed. He stood with a hard, closed-off expression with Clarissa by his side, shooting me a victorious look.