Chapter 3: Kael’s Regret
339 Words
The Moonstone Hall was silent.
Alpha Kael Draven stood alone beneath the high arch of the ceremonial altar where only hours ago, he had rejected his true mate.
He hadn’t slept.
Not since Ayla had fled.
Not since her scent—the sweet mix of wild rose and fire—had vanished from his territory like smoke after a storm.
A fated bond doesn’t just disappear.
Not unless…
Kael slammed his fist into the stone pillar beside him. The ancient rock cracked.
“What the hell is wrong with me…”
He hadn’t wanted to do it. Every part of him screamed to pull her close, to claim her, to protect her. But he couldn’t.
Not when the Council was watching.
Not when Ayla’s bloodline could ignite a war.
She doesn’t even know who she is.
His Beta, Rylan, stepped into the hall, hesitant. “We’ve searched the forest. No sign of her. But…”
Kael turned sharply. “But what?”
“She fought off three rogues near the river. Alone. No wounds. They’re terrified. Said she… burned one of them.”
Kael’s breath caught.
No wolf had elemental gifts in his pack. None should have power like that—unless…
Unless she was awakening.
The prophecy whispered through his mind like a curse:
> When the moon burns and the Luna rises,
The Alpha will fall or reign by fire.
Kael turned away, jaw clenched. “She’s not safe out there. Not from rogues. Not from them.”
“You think they’re watching her now?” Rylan asked.
“I know they are,” Kael growled. “And if they get to her before we do—”
“She’ll die?” Rylan finished.
Kael didn’t answer.
He had rejected her… to protect her.
But now she was out there, alone, her power rising, her enemies circling.
And Kael realized with a chill that scared him more than any rival Alpha:
He might have pushed his fated mate into a war she wasn’t ready to fight.
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- Writer
