A Friend
1620 Words
The training grounds were nearly empty at that hour of the night.
Only the sound of clashing swords echoed in the distance, along with a few warriors finishing their nighttime practice.
Kael moved quickly across the field until he finally saw her.
Amaris was sitting alone on one of the stone benches, staring out at the vast training grounds ahead of her.
The wind swept her hair from side to side.
Kael stopped for a few seconds, watching her from afar.
She did not even seem to notice his presence.
Then he started walking toward her without wasting any more time.
“So now you run away every time we argue.”
Amaris let out a bitter little laugh without looking at him.
“I’m not running away.”
Kael stopped in front of her. The only thing he could do was study every expression on her face.
“Then look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Amaris quickly lifted her gaze to him.
Her eyes were still slightly wet with tears.
And that made something inside Kael tighten once again.
“I don’t understand why you always have to talk to me that way,” she finally confessed.
Kael kept his cold expression, as if her words meant nothing to him.
“Because I’d rather you understand things from the beginning.”
Amaris stood up from the bench with visible disappointment.
“I’m not a machine made to give you children, and I’m not going to compete with another woman for attention.”
Kael raised an eyebrow and rubbed his temple tiredly.
“Gretel again?”
Amaris laughed ironically.
“You think I don’t notice the way she tries to provoke me?”
Kael looked away for a few seconds before answering.
“Gretel means nothing.”
Amaris felt her heart race the moment she heard that.
“Then stop making me feel like any woman could replace me.”
For the first time, Kael did not answer immediately.
Then Amaris spoke again, more softly this time.
“You have no idea how horrible it feels to hear that your only purpose is to give someone offspring.”
Kael clenched his jaw slightly because, even though he did not want to admit it… hearing her say that made him feel guilty.
Amaris lowered her gaze for a moment.
“I’m really trying to understand you, Kael.”
Those words made him step a little closer.
“And I’m trying not to lose control around you.”
Amaris looked back at him in confusion. Kael took a deep breath before speaking again.
“Ever since you arrived at Crimson Moon, I haven’t been able to think clearly.”
Amaris’ heart suddenly sped up.
But before she could answer, voices began to sound a few meters away.
Two warriors passed nearby talking to each other, but they stopped abruptly the moment they saw Kael.
“Alpha.”
Both of them immediately bowed before quickly walking away.
The moment was completely broken. Kael instantly returned to his usual cold expression.
“It’s late. Go back to the room.”
Amaris stared at him for a few seconds, and although she wanted to keep listening to him… she understood that he would never allow himself to say too much.
After that confusing conversation, several days passed.
Even though Kael and Amaris still shared the same room, both of them seemed to keep a certain distance after what happened in the training yard.
However, Kael continued watching her more than usual.
And Amaris was beginning to notice that he always found some excuse to keep her close.
That morning, Amaris walked toward the large training grounds.
The sounds of clashing swords and shouted commands echoed throughout the area.
Dozens of warriors were training under Kael’s supervision.
Amaris stopped for a few seconds to watch him.
Kael was sparring against several men at the same time, and even so, none of them managed to touch him.
His speed was astonishing.
Then one of the warriors hit the ground after Kael knocked him down.
At that exact moment, Kael lifted his gaze and saw Amaris.
His expression shifted slightly before he walked directly toward her.
“You cannot come here during training hours unless you are called.”
Amaris looked at him calmly.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you something.”
Kael grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his hands.
Then he looked toward the warriors.
“We’re done for today.”
The men immediately bowed before beginning to leave.
Kael looked back at Amaris.
“Speak quickly. Another group is coming afterward.”
Amaris took a deep breath before explaining. In her mind, she silently prayed that Kael would agree to what she was about to ask.
“I received a letter from my best friend.”
Kael remained silent as he listened to her.
“She says she’ll be staying a few days in my parents’ pack… but I’d like to invite her to stay here with me.”
“I don’t trust strangers inside my mansion.”
Amaris immediately shook her head and even smiled while talking about her friend.
“She’s not a stranger. We grew up together. But years ago, we were separated because of issues between our packs.”
Kael studied her expression for a few seconds.
It was the first time in days that she seemed genuinely excited about something.
“If that will make you stop looking so serious all the time… then let her come.”
Amaris’ eyes instantly lit up.
“Really?”
Kael let out a small sigh.
“Yes.”
Before he could react, Amaris hugged him quickly.
Kael tensed in surprise at the embrace. She was truly expressive… but he was not.
“Thank you,” she said excitedly.
A small smile appeared involuntarily on Amaris’ lips.
“I’ll write to her right now so she comes here instead of going to my parents’ pack.”
And without waiting for a response, she practically ran out of the training grounds.
Kael watched her walk away while that strange feeling stirred inside him once again.
Minutes later, Amaris rushed into the office.
She sat down in front of the enormous desk and grabbed paper and ink.
Without wasting time, she began writing.
“My dear friend, I’m waiting for you at Crimson Moon. I wish to see you as soon as possible. You have no idea how much I miss you.”
When she finished, she carefully sealed the letter and walked out of the office.
Then she called over one of the servants.
“I need this letter sent immediately.”
The man bowed respectfully.
“As you command, Luna Amaris.”
Amaris watched the servant walk away with the letter in his hands, and for the first time in several days… she smiled sincerely.
Amaris watched as the servant disappeared down the hallway carrying the letter.
A small smile still lingered on her lips.
But after taking only a few steps to return to the office, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness rush through her head.
She immediately pressed a hand to her forehead.
“What…?”
Her vision blurred for a few seconds, and she ended up collapsing onto the sofa before completely losing her balance.
Amaris took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
“What is happening to me…?” she asked herself softly.
At that exact moment, the office door opened.
Kael entered calmly, but when he saw her leaning forward, he frowned slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
Amaris quickly lifted her face, trying to act normal.
“Nothing.”
Kael kept staring at her for a few more seconds.
“It doesn’t look like nothing.”
She adjusted herself better on the sofa before answering.
“I was just happy because I sent the letter to my friend. She’ll be here soon.”
Kael remained serious, though he finally decided not to push further.
“All right.”
Then he walked farther into the office.
“There’s something important you should know.”
Amaris looked up at him.
“There will be a celebration tonight with the entire pack in the training yard.”
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“A celebration?”
Kael noticed how her eyes immediately began to shine.
“As my wife, you must attend.”
“I thought no one here ever had fun.”
Kael looked at her calmly.
“That used to happen more often.”
Amaris tilted her head slightly.
“And why did it stop?”
Kael’s expression shifted the moment she asked that question.
“The reason doesn’t matter.”
Before Amaris could continue asking, the door opened again.
Gretel walked into the office as if she belonged there.
“Kael, I need you to review some numbers from the northern businesses.”
Amaris looked at both of them for a few seconds before standing up.
“Then I’ll leave.”
Kael only gave a slight nod while Gretel smiled discreetly.
Amaris left the office and began walking through the hallway.
But as soon as she turned a corner, she ran into Velkan.
He smiled immediately when he saw her.
“So we’ll see each other tonight at the celebration.”
Amaris smiled, looking much more relaxed.
“Yes. I’m ready to enjoy it.”
Velkan let out a playful laugh.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Amaris continued walking toward the stairs.
“I need to find something to wear.”
“Then I hope you surprise everyone tonight, Luna Amaris.”
She laughed softly and shook her head as she continued toward her room.
- Writer
