THE MOON GOT IT WRONG

MAKE IT PERMANENT

Kael’s POV

“This is completely unacceptable. I did not raise you to be impulsive and violent without cause! What the hell go into you!? In the school cafeteria?? Really Kael??”

My father scolds me, pacing up and down in his study. Seren was immediately sent home after what happened in school. Apparently, she almost passed out which surprised me because I didn’t even realize I threw her that hard. But she didn’t hit the wall. That Kevin guy got in the way and she slammed into him instead.

I won’t admit this to anyone but I’m glad she didn’t slam into the wall. I was tensed and my emotions were all over the place. She could have really gotten hurt I Kevin hadn’t gotten in the way. Seren’s mother was frantic when she got the news about what happened in school. She’s been with Seren ever since, not wanting to leave her side even for a second.

“Just because you are alpha doesn’t mean you can abuse that authority! I taught you better than that! You don’t dominate your pack into obedience! You lead them!”

“You weren’t even there! She hit Ayla! My mate. There are already rumors going around about me not giving a f**k about my own mate which you specifically said is not a good image for people to have about Ayla and I. I needed to do something. I had to defend her one way or the other.”

“By resorting to violence!?? We could have found another way to punish Seren. ANYTHING but throwing her across the cafeteria for the entire student body to see!”

My father’s words annoy me more than I already am. There’s already a lot going through my mind. I felt Ayla’s pain the moment Seren hit her. That’s one of the ways the mate bond works. I can sense when my mate is in danger. I felt rage and anger and this feral instinct driven by the bond to go to her, to protect her. When I realized it was Seren who did the damage, I was conflicted.

I had just apologized to her this morning with a new phone. I wasn’t trying to be her friend but I was just going to ignore her and not interact with her anymore. Apparently, the universe had other plans because no matter how hard I try to stay away from her, she just keeps showing up.

I didn’t want to hurt her but I also have an image to protect. I can’t have people saying Ayla got hit and me, the alpha, her mate of all people didn’t do anything about it.

“Do you even really care about what happened or are you just worried about what people will say?” I snap at my dad and his anger flares.

“What kind of question is that, Kael?” He demands sternly. “You and Seren are supposed to be getting along, and my info says Ayla started the fight and Seren just wanted to defend her friend. And you know Seren is new to embracing her werewolf side after living among humans for most of her life. She doesn’t completely understand her own strength. You were supposed to analyze the situation and understand what happened before reacting! You were impulsive!”

I ignore his comments and corrections. “Well since you know everything that happened then you also know what Seren’s friend was saying about Ayla and I. You expected me to just let it go and let everyone believe I don’t give a s**t about my mate!?”

“Did she lie!?” My father raises his voice which he rarely ever does.

He lets out a sigh, composing himself and returning to a calm demeanor. “Come on Kael. Anyone who sees the way you interact with Ayla would know you’re not in love with her. The mate bond is just the first step into building a connection with someone but everyone knows it’s not enough. You’re not trying to build something with Ayla. You don’t love her. I see it.”

I sigh. I don’t even have the energy to deny it anymore. I can at least be honest with my father about it.

“Well, I don’t really need to love her, do I? I just need to mark her, marry her, rule the pack with her and produce heirs. I already feel the bond with her so I guess that’s enough. She’s the beta’s daughter and I’m the alpha so our children will be strong because of our bloodlines. It’s my duty.”

My father’s expression doesn’t shift, but something cold settles between us. He knows he can’t argue with what I just said. I’ve considered breaking the mate bond with Ayla, but that’ll cause a scandal that will not be good for the pack. So for the rest of my life I’ll have to endure with someone I’m not in love with, hoping the mate bond will be enough to keep Ayla and I together.

There’s a long silence.

Then his voice hardens again. “You’re going to apologize. To Seren. In person.”

I stiffen. “Dad, come on—”

“I don’t care if you want to do it or not. You are Alpha. She’s a teenage girl who doesn’t fully understand what she is. She made a mistake. You made a choice. And you will make it right.”

I exhale slowly, frustration curling in my chest, then I let out a groan and walk out of the study.

Seren’s room is quiet when I enter. The curtains are drawn halfway, casting a dim, golden haze across the space. Her mother is seated at the edge of the bed, gently running her fingers through Seren’s hair. Her eyes lift when she sees me, and they harden.

I clear my throat.

“I need a moment alone with her,” I say, my voice low and apologetic.

She doesn’t move.

“She’ll be fine,” I add, jaw ticking. “Please.”

Her mother hesitates, brushes a hand over Seren’s cheek, and finally stands. “If she so much as flinches, Kael, I’ll rip your throat out myself. Alpha or not.”

I nod once. Fair.

She slips past me, the door clicking shut behind her. I turn back to Seren, only to find her very much awake and glaring at me like she could set me on fire with just her thoughts.

I sigh. “Seren—”

“What, Kael?” she snaps, pushing herself to sit upright even though it clearly costs her. I realize she’s not only so tired from the way I pushed her, but also from the fact that she used up a lot of energy pushing away Ayla. Energy she didn’t know she had. “Come to finish the job? Or maybe throw me through an actual wall this time?”

I rub the back of my neck. “I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I lost control—”

“No s**t,” she cuts in, sharp. “You nearly shattered my spine.”

Her words sting, more than I expected. I take a step forward. “It wasn’t about you. It was instinct. Ayla’s pain triggered—”

“Oh, so it’s okay,” she says bitterly. “Because your mate was in pain. I forgot that your stupid mate bond excuses assault now.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

She laughs—cold and humorless. “You’re unbelievable. You walk around like your title makes you untouchable, but all I see is a scared little boy hiding behind dominance because he’s too afraid to admit he doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing.”

I bristle. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“No,” she agrees. “But I know enough. I know that you care more about your damn image than people’s lives. I was defending Karlee. Your precious mate was tearing into her like a rabid dog and I stepped in. And you threw me in front of everyone like I was garbage. You didn’t even try to understand what happened. I didn’t mean to hurt your stupid mate like that!”

Guilt rises in my throat like bile. I hate that she’s right.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” I say, forcing the words out. “I’m not here to argue. My father—”

“Sent you, I know,” she snaps. “God forbid you apologize on your own.”

I clench my jaw. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Seren.”

“But you did.” Her voice breaks slightly. “You embarrassed me in front of the whole school! Everyone is already talking s**t about my mom and I and now your little display of power against me will only make it worse!”

I stare at her, unsure what to say. She looks fragile but furious, broken but burning. And I hate how much of it is my fault. I hate how much she affects me. I don’t know how to comfort her.

“I’ll leave you alone,” I say finally, turning toward the door.

“Good,” she says, voice sharp behind me. “Do us both a favor and make it permanent.”

That one cuts deep.

I pause in the doorway, but I don’t look back. I can’t.

“I hope your strength comes back soon.” I mutter, and then I’m gone.