CHAPTER2
1006 Words
CHAPTER TWO
The title of High Alpha came with many things.
Power.
Respect.
Authority.
But what no one ever spoke about...
Was the responsibility.
Before the sun had fully risen above Riverfront Pack, Kael was already seated in the council chamber.
Maps of neighboring territories were spread across the large wooden table as council members argued over military reports that continued piling up before him.
"The rogues attacked another border village during the night."
"We've also received reports that Shadow Ridge Pack has started increasing their warriors."
"We should strengthen the eastern borders before they make the first move."
Kael listened quietly as everyone spoke over one another.
His eyes remained fixed on the map before him.
Every decision he made determined whether hundreds of wolves lived or died.
Being High Alpha was never as glorious as everyone imagined.
By the time the meeting finally came to an end, he felt more exhausted than when it had begun.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose before standing up.
"I'll review the remaining reports later."
The council members bowed respectfully as he walked out of the chamber.
The moment the doors closed behind him...
Silence.
Exactly what he needed.
Kael made his way back to the Alpha House.
Servants greeted him as he walked past.
He acknowledged them with a small nod before stepping inside.
His Luna was already seated in the dining room.
She glanced at him briefly.
"You're late."
"I had a council meeting."
"You always have a council meeting."
Kael didn't respond.
There was no point.
Their marriage had become nothing more than routine.
No affection.
No warmth.
Just two people fulfilling a duty they could never escape.
He quietly poured himself a cup of coffee before excusing himself and heading towards his office.
The room looked exactly the way he liked it.
Neat.
Organized.
Simple.
His eyes landed on an old wooden training sword resting against the wall.
A faint smile appeared before disappearing just as quickly.
He remembered the day Elara refused to hold a real sword because she was afraid of hurting someone.
"You'll never become a warrior at this rate," he had teased.
She had glared at him before hitting him with the wooden sword instead.
Back then...
Life had been so much simpler.
A knock on the door pulled him back to reality.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Damien walked in carrying a sealed letter.
Unlike everyone else in the pack, Damien never stood on formalities.
He walked straight towards the desk before dropping the letter in front of Kael.
"The Royal Palace finally replied."
Kael broke the royal seal without giving it much thought.
His eyes scanned the page.
Then...
He froze.
Commander Elara has accepted the royal assignment and will arrive at Riverfront Pack tomorrow morning to begin training the new recruits.
His grip around the letter tightened.
Damien noticed the change in his expression immediately.
"What is it?"
Kael slowly lowered the paper.
"She's coming back."
Damien didn't need to ask who.
He already knew.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Then Damien sighed.
"So... fate finally caught up with you."
Kael let out a bitter laugh.
"I never thought I'd see her again."
"You also never thought you'd reject her."
Kael looked away.
"I know."
Damien folded his arms across his chest.
"You were manipulated, Kael."
"The council filled your head with fear."
"They convinced you that a rogue mate would weaken your reputation."
"They made you believe love would cost you the throne."
Kael shook his head.
"I still made the choice."
"No one forced those words out of my mouth."
"I rejected her."
"I watched her walk away."
"And I've regretted it every single day since."
Silence settled between them.
Damien finally spoke.
"Don't get your hopes up."
"This assignment is probably nothing more than duty to her."
"She's coming because the Royals ordered her to."
"Nothing more."
Kael immediately disagreed.
"No."
"I refuse to believe that's all this is."
Damien raised an eyebrow.
"Kael..."
"For ten years," Kael interrupted.
"I've sat on this throne."
"I became everything they wanted me to become."
"The High Alpha."
"The leader."
"The symbol."
He laughed bitterly.
"And I've never been more miserable."
He glanced towards the dining room outside his office.
"I come home every day to a marriage that died before it even began."
"I spend my days solving everyone else's problems while pretending mine don't exist."
He looked back at Damien.
"Do you know what hurts the most?"
Damien remained silent.
"I used to imagine this life with Elara."
"I imagined coming home to her."
"I imagined watching our children run through this pack."
"I imagined growing old beside the woman I loved."
His voice grew quieter.
"I traded all of that for a crown."
"And every single day..."
"I regret it."
Damien listened without interrupting.
After a long silence, Kael spoke again.
"This time..."
"I'm getting her back."
"No matter what it costs me."
"No matter who stands in my way."
"I'm not making the same mistake twice."
Damien stared at his best friend for several seconds before letting out a quiet breath.
"I still think you're about to walk into the hardest battle of your life."
Kael managed a small smile.
"It wouldn't be the first."
Damien smiled back.
"Maybe not."
He placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"But you're my brother."
"I'll support whatever decision you make."
"And no matter what happens..."
"I'll always have your back."
Kael looked at him with gratitude.
"Thank you."
Damien nodded once before turning towards the door.
"Oh..."
"One more thing."
Kael looked up.
"You might want to prepare yourself."
"Commander Elara isn't the same woman you rejected ten years ago."
After Damien left, Kael walked towards the window overlooking the training grounds.
Tomorrow...
For the first time in ten years...
He would see the woman he never stopped loving.
Whether she looked at him with hatred...
Or with nothing at all...
He knew one thing.
He wasn't letting her walk away again.
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