Chapter Five - The Promise
951 Words
Kael's POV
The moon had already risen by the time I returned to my office.
The packhouse was quieter at night.
Most of the warriors had gone to sleep after patrol, while the night guards took their places along the borders. Normally, I would have been reviewing reports or planning tomorrow's training.
Instead...
I couldn't stop thinking about Luna.
I had known her for less than a day.
Yet every time I closed my eyes, I saw the bruises on her wrists.
The way she'd apologized for breathing too loudly.
The way she'd looked genuinely surprised that she was allowed to eat.
My wolf paced restlessly inside me.
She's hurting.
"I know."
She doesn't trust us yet.
"She will."
Only if we prove we're different.
I sighed.
"I intend to."
---
A knock sounded on my office door.
"Come in."
Damon stepped inside carrying two mugs of coffee.
"You look terrible."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He placed one mug in front of me before sitting across the desk.
Neither of us spoke for a while.
Finally, Damon broke the silence.
"You love her already."
I nearly choked on my coffee.
"I've known her for one day."
"And?"
"That's not how love works."
Damon smirked.
"No?"
I leaned back in my chair.
"I feel... protective."
"That's the mate bond."
"I feel angry every time I think about what happened to her."
"Still the mate bond."
"I keep wondering if she's eaten enough."
He grinned.
"Definitely the mate bond."
I rubbed a hand over my face.
"This isn't funny."
"It kind of is."
I shot him a look.
He laughed.
Then his smile faded.
"But seriously, Kael..."
His expression became solemn.
"She's terrified."
"I know."
"If someone drops a spoon in the dining hall, she flinches."
I looked down.
"I noticed."
"You can't fix years of abuse overnight."
"I don't want to fix her."
Damon frowned.
"I just want her to know she was never the one who needed fixing."
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Finally, Damon nodded.
"I think she found the right Alpha."
---
Later that evening, I decided to check on Luna one last time before turning in for the night.
When I reached her room, the lights were still on.
I knocked softly.
No answer.
I opened the door just enough to peek inside.
She was asleep.
Curled into a tiny ball in the center of the bed.
The blankets were wrapped tightly around her, but her face was troubled.
Even in sleep, she looked afraid.
Then she whimpered.
"No..."
Her voice was barely audible.
"I'm sorry..."
She flinched as though someone had struck her.
"Please don't..."
My chest tightened painfully.
A nightmare.
Without thinking, I stepped inside.
"Luna."
She didn't wake.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I'll work harder..."
"I promise..."
"I won't eat..."
The words hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken.
She was dreaming about them.
Still trapped there, even in her sleep.
I sat carefully in the chair beside her bed.
"Luna."
Her breathing became uneven.
"No..."
She cried out softly and suddenly sat upright with a gasp.
For a split second, terror filled her eyes.
Then she saw me.
"I'm sorry!"
She immediately lowered her head.
"I didn't mean to wake anyone!"
"You didn't."
"I had a bad dream."
"I know."
She wiped her face quickly.
"I'll be fine."
"You don't have to pretend."
She looked away.
"I'm used to it."
Those four words broke something inside me.
No one should ever become used to nightmares.
I stood and walked to the fireplace, adding another log to the fire.
The flames grew brighter.
The room became warmer.
When I turned back, she was watching me with quiet confusion.
"You don't have to stay."
"I know."
"But I want to."
Silence settled between us.
Finally, she whispered, "Why?"
I met her gaze.
"Because you're my mate."
She looked startled.
"I don't know what that means."
The honesty in her voice caught me off guard.
She wasn't rejecting the bond.
She truly didn't understand it.
I walked back to the chair.
"It means the Moon Goddess chose us for each other."
She frowned.
"But... why?"
"I don't know."
"I don't deserve an Alpha."
I shook my head firmly.
"Stop saying that."
She looked down.
"It's true."
"No."
My voice was calm, but unwavering.
"The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."
She stared at me for several seconds.
Then, so quietly I almost didn't hear it, she asked,
"...Will you send me away if I disappoint you?"
The question stole the air from my lungs.
I didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I stood, crossed the room, and knelt in front of her bed so we were at eye level.
"Luna."
She slowly looked up.
"I want you to listen carefully."
She nodded.
"You never have to earn your place here."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"You are safe in Blackthorn."
Another tear followed.
"As long as I am Alpha..."
I gently placed my hand over my heart.
"No one will ever hurt you again."
For the first time since we'd met, Luna didn't look away.
She searched my face as if trying to decide whether she could believe me.
Then, with trembling fingers, she lightly grasped the sleeve of my shirt.
Just for a second.
It was the smallest gesture.
But it was also the first time she had reached for someone instead of shrinking away.
My wolf let out a contented rumble.
She's starting to trust us.
I hoped he was right.
Because I had made her a promise.
And I intended to keep it—even if it meant standing against every enemy in the werewolf world.
- Writer
