Accept Or Reject.
1215 Words
Zyraeth shot him a sharp look.
“You’re an Alpha. Listen to my heartbeat, dumbfuck. Do I sound like I’m lying?”
I forced myself to focus. To listen. Nothing. He was telling the truth.
A sharp pain spread across my chest. The absence of my wolf’s howl created an open wound.
“How is that possible?” Nero muttered. “You’re not a Kaelith?”
Zyraeth looked at all of us, unimpressed.
“Did you really think,” he said slowly, “that just because eighteen Alphas surrounded her… she’s fated to all the Kaeliths?”
“What?” Nero and Elandor said at the same time.
“You really know nothing, do you?” He slowly shook his head. "What brought you guys to that conclusion?"
Nero and Elandor exchanged a look.
Zyraeth shrugged. “Listen carefully. The Alpha of the Ashenvale Lineage Clan will kill Soraya. Take it or leave it.”
My legs trembled as I stood up. “What are you saying? The Alpha wants me dead? Why? Couldn’t he just force me to reject them? That would’ve been easier.”
“Think about it,” Zyraeth said, turning to face me fully. “You’re an Omega. Not an Alpha. Not of noble or royal blood. You have nothing that makes you worth sparing.”
His words struck harder than I expected.
“Just because you’re destined for eighteen Alphas doesn’t mean you’re important enough to speak to the Alpha himself. Besides… no one barely knows what he looks like.”
He shrugged again. “So be prepared to die.”
“Hey!” Nero snapped.
“You’re threatening his power,” Zyraeth replied coolly. “And I don’t want to get involved in your messy mate drama. I’m just waiting for Myrel to show up. I’m done with this.”
He turned away.
Elandor stepped forward. “How do you know the eighteen Alphas that night weren’t the Kaeliths?”
Zyraeth glanced back. “Because they all carried the same scent. The Kaeliths are strict about masking themselves to avoid being discovered. But that night? They all smelled identical. Why do you think the Kaeliths will risk their lives to gather at the same spot?” He scoffs. “Quite funny, isn't it?”
“How would you know if everyone wasn't Kaeliths?” Nero demanded.
Zyraeth scoffed. “Because I was there.”
Right. He’s my mate. Of course, he was there. I could barely remember their faces.
“When an Omega encounters her mate,” Zyraeth continued, “her scent clings to him. It makes it easier for her wolf to recognize him. But if it had truly been all the Kaeliths, their combined scents would’ve overwhelmed her completely before she discovered them. And before that happens, they would disappear. They wouldn't appear in front of the crowd like that. Exposing themselves.”
Nero frowned. “Her scent overwhelmed me. I could barely smell my own.”
“Exactly,” Zyraeth said. “Her scent reached your wolf first. That means not all the Kaeliths were present. That was why it was easy. Besides, you weren't on duty as a Kaelith to get conscious of your scent.”
My stomach tightened.
That night, Nero’s scent had been overpowering. I thought it was just his cologne. But his cologne smells exactly like his natural pheromones. If they were not the Kaeliths… then who were the others?
“I think he’s right,” Elandor said carefully.
“But Elthryn and Rhex are Kaeliths,” Nero argued. “That’s possible.”
Zyraeth raised a brow. “Who?”
“They’re Kaeliths,” Elandor explained. “They tried to kill Soraya at school.” His gaze sharpened. “Do you really think the Alpha wants her dead?”
“All I know,” Zyraeth replied, “is that whoever those guys are… they are not Kaeliths.”
“What?” Nero and Elandor reacted together.
“It’s difficult for Kaeliths to appear,” Zyraeth stated, chuckling softly.
Nero stepped closer. “I’ve known Rhex and Elthryn my whole life. I know how dangerous they are.”
Zyraeth moved forward too, stopping right in front of him. “The only confirmed Kaeliths in this room are you and Elandor.”
He tapped Nero's chest lightly. “A Kaelith doesn’t have to stay in the Alpha’s chambers. They can be anywhere. An Alpha. A beta. Even an omega. They don’t need to look powerful or act intimidating. But I guarantee you, those two are not Kaeliths.”
“Then who are they?” Elandor asked quietly.
Zyraeth’s lips curved slightly. “I think you already know, Elandor.”
Elandor stiffened. “Do I… know you?”
“I’m only here to break my bond with Soraya,” Zyraeth said flatly. “Like we discussed. I’m not getting dragged into this mess.”
“How do you know so much about the pack?” Nero pressed.
Zyraeth laughed softly. “Because I belong here. f**k. Unlike you, Soraya grew up sheltered. Protected. She doesn't know how cruel the real world is to Omegas.”
His eyes flicked to me.
“If I were you,” he said casually, “I’d burn the system down and make the world kneel.”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Elandor said sharply, grabbing his shoulder.
Zyraeth looked at him sideways. “Are you trying to—”
He stopped mid-sentence. I followed his gaze. Rhydian stood in the corridor. He walked toward us, wearing the same dark outfit as two days ago. I couldn’t look away. My chest tightened.
How was I supposed to face him now?
He reached us, glanced at everyone, then adjusted his glasses with a quiet sigh.
“Does Myrel have time?” Nero asked.
“I’ve arranged a private plane,” Rhydian replied calmly. “She’ll move to Snow Hill. She’ll meet him in three days.”
He kept his eyes on Nero.
“Until then, suppress the poison from spreading.”
He blinked once. “Questions?”
Zyraeth yawned. “I’m out.”
He walked off.
Rhydian turned as if to leave.
“What about the Alpha?” I asked quickly.
He stopped. Finally, he looked at me.
“What did he say?” I asked softly.
“Nothing,” he responded.
Just nothing?
“Live your life while it lasts,” Rhydian said before turning away.
I grabbed his hand, hoping he would stop. “Rhydian,” I called softly. “I can’t just live my life. Why don’t I just—”
“You can’t reject them either,” he interrupted, pulling his hand from mine. “That is an order.” Without another word, he walked off.
I stared after him in disbelief before turning to the others behind me. “What is that supposed to mean? I can’t reject them or accept them. What is going on?”
“Excuse me,” Elandor muttered as he hurried after Rhydian.
Nero stepped forward and stopped beside me. “He’s playing games with you,” he mumbled. “Which means he’s not protecting you or giving you a free pass. He wants you dead.”
My stomach dropped. “That’s his decision?”
Nero didn’t answer. He simply walked away.
- Writer
