Chapter 2
1051 Words
Keal
“KAEL?”
Kael slammed the door shut behind him, his fingers fisted at his sides. He had never felt so angry or humiliated. Surely the Moon goddess was playing a joke on him?
“KAEL!?”
Kael turned on Marcus, slamming his fist into the wall behind him. “Don't scream my name.”
“There should be a council meeting to discuss this. There must be something we can do. Leaving her in the pack house is not the best option.”
Kael laughed, a tight sound that didn't help one bit. It was funny of Marcus to think that he cared. The girl could have died, and he wouldn't have cared.
He had never seen any use for a mate. They made wolves weak. To have a poor girl mated with him had to be the most ironical joke the Moon goddess could have played on him.
“Find every information you can on her.”
Marcus hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. “What will you do with it?”
“That’s not your concern,” Kael snapped. He turned away, pacing the room. “She’s nothing to me. She’ll stay in the packhouse, and that’s final.”
“You can’t leave her there.”
Kael froze mid-step, his eyes narrowing at Marcus. “Did I ask for your opinion?”
“She’s your mate—”
“She’s a mistake!” Kael’s voice thundered, cutting him off. “Do you think I’ll let her weaken me? I’ve built this pack from nothing. I’ve made us strong. No soft-hearted girl will ruin that.”
Marcus stood silent, his jaw tight.
“Do what I said. Find out where she came from, who her family is, everything,” Kael continued, his tone cold. “I don’t want surprises.”
Marcus nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But the pack is already talking.”
“Let them talk,” Kael growled. “She’s nothing more than a nuisance.”
Marcus turned to leave but paused at the door. “If she’s nothing, why keep her alive?”
Kael didn’t answer right away. His fists clenched at his sides as he stared at the wall. Finally, he said, “Because she’s my responsibility. That’s all. No one is to put their hands on her without my permission, understood?”
Marcus left without another word.
The silence that followed was heavy. He paced his office, his fists opening and closing at his sides. He walked to the door and called the guard outside.
“Get me Alina. She has two minutes to get here.” He slammed the door shut behind him.
He walked in and sank into the chair by the window, his hands gripping the armrests. His mind raced, filled with images of Loria—her wide, frightened eyes, her trembling voice, the way she looked so small and fragile.
Of all the strong females warriors in his pack, what had he done to deserve a weak one? A foolish girl?
Weak.
He hated weakness. And he hated the fact that his mate was exactly the thing he had always abhored.
But why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
Kael growled under his breath. He wouldn’t let this girl distract him.
There were bigger problems to handle; his lands were failing, the rivers were drying up, and the pack’s food supply was slowly finishing.
His people would starve if he didn't do something soon.
His mate was the least of his worries.
Or at least, that’s what he told himself.
The door opened and Alina stepped into the room. She had been his mistress for a year now. She was as beautiful and as soulless as the ocean.
Her long hair fell to her waist and she was dressed to seduce. As she always was whenever he called for her.
She shook her head and walked behind him, her hands falling to his shoulder. “I heard. Will you send me packing soon?”
Kael sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Don't ask stupid questions, Alina. Come here and kiss me.”
She came around him, sliding into his lap. His hands folded around her waist and he kissed her wildly. She responded, folding her legs around him and fighting his tongue with hers.
Kael squeezed his hands suddenly, an image of Loria's tear stained face flashing through his mind. She was curled into the floor, her voice trembled when she spoke, her body shook when the guards dragged her forward, and yet...
Kael cursed under his breath. Why couldn’t he get her face out of his head? Her soft, delicate features, the way her brown hair had fallen in messy waves over her shoulders, the slight curve of her lips.
She had been filthy, covered in dirt and sweat, but under it, he could see something beautiful.
It made him sick to think it. “You're distracted.” Alina whispered,biting down on his lip. She sucked at the bite and he laughed.
Kael pushed his hand into Alina's long black hair. “Then kiss me until I can't remember her.”
Beautiful or not, Loria was still worthless. A poor girl with no status, no strength, and nothing to offer him or the pack. The Moon Goddess had chosen wrong, and Kael wasn’t about to play along with this foolish game.
A loud knock came at the door and he shoved Alina aside who was breathing heavily.
He wouldn’t let her distract him. There were bigger problems to handle—his lands were failing, the rivers were drying up, and the pack’s food supply was dwindling.
His mate was the least of his worries.
A loud knock shattered his thoughts.
Kael turned, his sharp eyes glaring at the door. “Come in.”
A young guard walked in, his face pale. “Alpha, there’s been an incident at the packhouse.”
Kael’s jaw tightened. “What kind of incident?”
The guard stopped, his hands shaking. “The girl Loria. She’s gone.”
Kael’s blood ran cold.
“Gone?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. He felt Alina beside him and ignored her.
The guard nodded quickly. “She escaped.”
Kael’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. “Find her. Now.”
- Writer
