Claimed By The Twin Alphas

Chapter Sixteen: Isolated

LARA'S POV

The next morning, I woke alone in Kael's bed. He was already gone, probably to early council meetings. For a brief moment, I felt relief at his absence.

Then I opened the door to my chambers and found Dante waiting outside.

"Good morning, Luna," he said aloud. Alpha Kael's orders. I'm to stay with you at all times now.

My heart sank. So Kael had meant it. I really was going to be watched every moment of every day.

"For my protection," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

Dante's expression was sympathetic. “I'm sorry. I tried to argue with him, but he wouldn't listen.”

I forced a smile. "It's fine. I understand. There are security concerns."

But we both knew that was a lie. This wasn't about security. This was about control. Kael was making sure I couldn't see the twins. Couldn't even try to contact them.

I went through my morning routine with Dante standing guard outside the bathroom door. Got dressed in another long-sleeved gown that covered the mate marks. Braided my hair. Applied cosmetics to hide the dark circles under my eyes from not sleeping.

When I emerged, Dante fell into step behind me as we headed to breakfast. The dutiful bodyguard and his Luna.

Breakfast was in the formal dining hall with Kael and several council members. I took my seat beside Kael, and he immediately reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together on top of the table. Claiming me in front of everyone.

"Good morning, my love," he said, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," I lied. "Very well."

He smiled as he believed me, but his grip on my hand was just a bit too tight. A reminder of last night and a warning.

The council members talked about the pack business and border patrols. I tried to follow the conversation, to look interested and engaged like a good Luna should. But I could feel eyes on me constantly.

Kael's eyes, watching my every move.

Alden's eyes, cold and calculating from across the table.

And strangest of all, Alden kept staring at my stomach. His gaze would drift down from my face to my flat belly, then back up again. Over and over throughout the meal.

Why? There was nothing to see there. I wasn't pregnant. I wasn't showing any signs of anything unusual.

So why did he keep looking?

It made my skin crawl, made me want to cover myself even though I was fully dressed. There was something predatory in the way he watched me, like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

After breakfast, Kael had business to attend to. He kissed me at the door to his study, long and possessive, making sure everyone in the corridor saw.

"Dante will stay with you," he reminded me. "Don't go anywhere without him."

"I won't," I promised, because what choice did I have?

The rest of the day dragged on endlessly. I attended a council meeting about winter preparations. Sat through a discussion about trade agreements with neighboring packs. Smiled and nodded, and played the perfect Luna.

All while feeling Kael and Alden's eyes tracking my every movement.

During the trade meeting, when Kael was focused on reading a document and the others were arguing about grain prices, Dante caught my attention from his position by the wall.

He said quickly, subtly, where only I could see. “Are you okay?”

I glanced at Kael to make sure he wasn't watching, then signed back just as subtly. “Trapped.”

Dante's jaw tightened, but he nodded. He understood. There was nothing he could do to help me, but at least he understood.

The meeting finally ended as the sun was setting. Kael walked me back to our chambers, his arm around my waist in what anyone else would see as affectionate. But I could feel the possessiveness in his grip, the way his fingers dug in just slightly too hard.

"Dinner will be brought to our rooms tonight," he said. "I thought we could have a quiet evening together. Just the two of us."

The thought of being alone with him all evening made my stomach twist. "That sounds nice."

He kissed my temple. "I need to finish some paperwork first. Why don't you rest? You look tired."

"I am a little tired," I admitted.

"Then rest." He guided me through the door into our chambers. "I'll be in my study if you need me. Dante will be right outside."

Always Dante. Always someone watching.

Kael left, and I was finally alone. I sank onto the bed, exhaustion washing over me. Not physical exhaustion. Emotional. The constant pretending, the constant fear, the constant awareness that I was being watched and controlled.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. How had my life turned into this? I'd thought being chosen as Luna would make me happy, would prove I was worthy despite being broken.

Instead, I felt more broken than ever.

I must have dozed off because when I opened my eyes, the room was darker. The sun had fully set, and only the fire in the hearth provided light.

I sat up, disoriented, and felt something crinkle beneath my pillow. Something that hadn't been there before.

I pulled out a piece of folded paper, my heart starting to race. How had this gotten here? I'd been in this room the whole time. Dante had been outside the door. No one could have come in without me knowing.

Unless they'd come in while I was sleeping.

With trembling fingers, I unfolded the note. The handwriting was strong and clear, written in dark ink.

"We feel your fear through the bond. Meet us at Silverbrook Falls tomorrow night. Come alone. C&R"

Cian and Rowan. The twins.

They'd somehow gotten into the palace, into my chambers, past all of Kael's security and Dante's guard, just to leave me this note.

My first instinct was terror. If Kael found this, if he knew they'd been here, in his chambers while I slept...

My second instinct was something else entirely. Something that felt dangerously like hope.

They felt my fear through the bond. They knew I was trapped. They were trying to help.

I should burn the note. Should tell Kael immediately. Should be the loyal Luna I was supposed to be.

But instead, I read it again and again.

"Come alone."

How? How could I possibly get away from the palace, away from Dante's constant watch, away from Kael's control, long enough to meet them at Silverbrook Falls?

It was impossible.

But I found myself folding the note carefully and hiding it in the pocket of my dress anyway. Found myself already trying to think of a plan. Found myself wanting, desperately, to see them again.

The door opened, and Kael walked in carrying a tray of food. He smiled when he saw me awake.

"There you are. I brought dinner." He set the tray on the small table by the fireplace. "Come eat with me."

I stood on shaking legs, "That's wonderful. Thank you."

He pulled out a chair for me, ever the gentleman. As I sat, his hand brushed my shoulder, and I had to fight not to flinch.

"You seem tense," he observed, taking the seat across from me. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I lied, reaching for a piece of bread I didn't want. "Just tired still."

He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes searching my face. Could he tell I was lying? Could he somehow sense the note hidden in my pocket?

"Lara," he said softly, reaching across the table to take my hand. "I know the last few days have been difficult. The restrictions on your movement, the constant guards. But you understand why, don't you? I'm just trying to keep you safe."

Safe. From what? From the twins who were my fated mates? From the bond that was supposed to complete my soul?

"I understand," I said, because it was what he needed to hear.

He smiled and squeezed my hand. "Good. That's my perfect Luna."

We ate in silence, and I tried not to think about the note in my pocket. Tried not to think about Silverbrook Falls tomorrow night and tried not to hope.

But hope, once planted, was hard to kill.

Even when you knew it would probably destroy you.