Kairis's POV
1146 Words
I stormed through the castle corridors, my mind reeling with the events of the previous night. Elena's tears still haunted me, and the memory of her pain-filled eyes made my gut twist with guilt.
Why had I done it? Why had I taken out my anger and frustration on her?
I knew the answer, of course. I was still reeling from Luna's death, and the thought of taking a new mate felt like a betrayal. But that was no excuse for what I had done.
I reached my office and slammed the door shut behind me, pacing back and forth as I tried to calm my racing thoughts.
My wolf was restless, too, sensing my turmoil and responding with its own agitation. I could feel its presence stirring beneath my skin, urging me to reclaim my dominance and assert my power.
But over whom? Elena? She was already cowering in fear of me. Or was it myself that I needed to dominate? My own emotions, my own guilt and shame?
I stopped pacing and stood still, taking a deep breath as I tried to calm the storm raging within me.
I knew I had to make things right with Elena. But how?
A firm knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and my grandfather stepped inside.
Alpha Magnus Valtor was a man of presence—tall, broad-shouldered, and aged like iron, hardened but unbreakable. His sharp silver eyes bore into me as he walked toward the desk.
"I could hear you pacing from the hall," he said, settling into the chair across from me. "A troubled mind is dangerous for an Alpha, Kairis."
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. "I made a mistake."
My grabdfather leaned forward, his fingers lacing together. "And what mistake would that be?"
I hesitated, my throat tightening. "Elena. I—" I clenched my fists. "I hurt her. She was crying, and I... I let my anger take control."
Magnus studied me for a long moment before sighing. "Grief can turn even the strongest men into monsters. But it is a poor excuse for cruelty."
I swallowed hard. "I know. I need to fix it. I need to apologize."
My grandfather nodded approvingly. "Then do it. Words carry weight, Kairis, but actions will define how she sees you. If you want her to trust you, you must prove yourself worthy of it."
His words settled in my chest like a heavy stone. I nodded, determination hardening my resolve. "I will."
Magnus stood, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Good. Do not let your pride ruin what the Goddess has given you."
With that, he left, and I inhaled deeply, preparing myself. I had to find Elena.
As I walked through the courtyard, my eyes scanned for her. When I finally spotted her, relief surged through me until I saw who she was with.
Victor.
My younger brother stood close to her, his body angled toward hers, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. This bastard!
He reached out, tucking a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear, and something in me snapped.
Rage erupted in my chest, hot and uncontrollable. My vision blurred with fury, and before I could think, I was striding toward them.
"Elena!" My voice boomed across the courtyard, causing both of them to turn.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but Victor’s smirk only deepened. "Brother," he drawled. "What a warm welcome. I was just keeping our lovely Luna company."
I barely heard him. I should have noticed the abnormality of his presence and called the guards on him. Instead, my gaze was locked on Elena, her flushed cheeks, her slightly parted lips, the way she still stood so close to him.
"Is this what you do now?" I spat, my voice a low growl. "Throw yourself at my enemy the moment my back is turned?"
Her expression crumbled into hurt, but I was too far gone to stop.
"Answer me!" I snarled, stepping closer. "Or are you just living up to the title of w***e that your mother left you?"
A sharp gasp left her lips, and silence settled over the courtyard.
Victor stiffened beside her, his smirk spreading wider. “Interesting. A very interesting welcome."
I could care less about Victor.
Not when Elena’s eyes filled with unshed tears, her lower lip trembling.
Not when I realized, too late, that I had just done something unforgivable.
Elena didn't speak. She didn't fight back.
She only looked at me, snd then she turned.
Without a single word, she stepped away from both of us, her posture stiff with restrained emotion.
I clenched my jaw as I watched her retreat, disappearing through the castle doors.
“You stupid mofo!” My wolf howled inside me, furious at my cruelty.
What had I done?
The urge to chase after her gripped me, but another presence, the one I should have been dealing with in the first place, reminded me why my rage had ignited in the first place.
Victor.
I turned to face him, my fists already tightening at my sides. He was watching Elena go, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
"You dare touch her?" My voice was dangerously low.
Victor tilted his head, his expression unbothered. "I dare breathe, brother. I dare walk these halls again, after ten long years." He spread his arms wide as if to embrace the castle itself. "And it feels good to be home."
I took a threatening step forward, and to my irritation, he didn’t flinch.
"You don't belong here," I hissed. "I should have had you thrown into the dungeons the moment you stepped foot inside my territory."
Victor let out a mock sigh, his fingers trailing over the buttons of his coat. "Always so dramatic, Kairis. You never did like sharing." His gaze flickered toward the doors Elena had vanished through. "Not your throne, not your power, not even your mate."
A growl ripped through me, and I surged forward, grabbing him by the collar. "She is not yours to toy with!"
Victor only chuckled, infuriatingly calm. "Neither was your former Luna, yet here we are."
A dark, insidious rage shot through me, and I slammed him against the nearest pillar. The marble cracked from the impact, but Victor only grunted, his smirk never fading.
"I should kill you for that," I snarled, my claws threatening to emerge.
Victor's eyes darkened, and for the first time, I saw something more than amusement in his gaze.
"You should," he murmured. "But you won't. Not yet."
My grip on his collar tightened. "And why is that?"
Victor leaned in slightly, his smirk sharpening. "Because
deep down, you know what I know, this is just the beginning. I’m back, Kairis, and I’m exactly where I belong."
- Writer
