Chapter 7
1138 Words
Kael
The village burned behind Kael, smoke curling into the sky, thick and black, choking the air.
Kael ignored the heat against his skin, stepping over a body as he moved through the wreck. His wolves were gathering the survivors, some dragging the wounded, others forcing the unhurt to their knees.
The battle had been short. Too short. These fools had camped too close to SilverFang’s border, thinking they were safe. Three of his wolves had gone into the woods and they had been killed right here.
Now, the rogues had paid for it.
Kael pulled his dagger from a fallen man’s chest, cleaning the blood from the blade on his torn shirt. His warriors stood waiting.
“We take the strong,” he said. “Kill the weak.”
One of the prisoners cried out. Kael didn’t look at them. Mercy was not his concern. “Burn everything,” he added as he walked away.
His warriors moved fast. Flames burned higher, swallowing what remained of the small cluster of houses. The scent of charred wood and flesh filled the air.
Marcus fell into step beside him. “They barely fought.”
“They thought we wouldn’t retaliate.” Kael’s jaw tightened. “They thought wrong.”
Marcus stared back angrily behind him, Kael completely understood his anger. “Three of ours dead for nothing.”
“They made it something.” Kael sheathed his dagger. “A lesson.”
Marcus nodded. Kael didn't expect they would have another problem. The heads of the rogue would be lined at the border. No one would dare fight them again. “Heading back?”
“No.” Kael’s face didn’t change. “Selene sent for me.”
Marcus raised a brow but said nothing. Kael didn’t know why she had summoned him, but he doubted it was anything good. The old sorceress had never called him for anything good.
He thought this time might be about his mate. It was almost the time of the year when she reappeared to him.
Selene’s home sat at the edge of SilverFang territory. Smoke came from the chimney, the only sign of heat in the otherwise cold clearing.
Kael approached the door. Before he could knock, it was pulled open.
“I heard what you did at the border.” Selene said.
Kael stepped past her, into the dim room. Herbs hung from the ceiling, their scent filling the space. A fire crackled in the hearth. “They killed my men. I don't abide rogues in my land, but I didn't come here to state my business, you said it was urgent for you to see me.” He leaned against the wooden table.
Selene moved to the fire, stirring a pot of something thick and dark. “It is.”
Kael waves at her. “Then go on, speak.”
She turned, eyes sharp. “Your mate is coming back.”
Kael stilled. The room felt smaller. He has expected it, but hearing it like this brought fear around his neck.
“No,” he said.
Selene’s lips pressed together. “Yes.”
Kael clenched his fists. “I don’t have a mate.”
“You did,” she said. “And the Moon Goddess is not done with you yet.”
His chest burned. He shoved the feeling down. “You’re wrong.”
Selene only watched him. “Prepare for her.”
Kael turned and nearly stumbled out of the house.
By the time he reached the packhouse, his mood was worse. His wolves stepped aside as he hurried through the halls, their heads bowed in greeting. The ache in his body didn’t ease.
Selene was wrong. She had to be. His mate was dead, but she had been reborn. And every year since, he always failed at keeping her alive.
Kael pushed open the dining hall doors, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filling his nose. His warriors sat around the long oak table, their voices dropping when they saw him.
He took his seat at the head, reaching for a glass of wine. Marcus sat beside him, chewing on a piece of meat.
“You look like you swallowed a blade,” Marcus said.
Kael didn’t answer.
Marcus swallowed. “Selene?”
Kael shook his head. “She’s losing her mind.”
Marcus smirked. “I could’ve told you that.”
Kael took a sip of his drink. “She thinks my mate is coming back.”
The smirk vanished. Marcus sat straighter.
“That’s not funny,” he said.
“It wasn’t a joke.”
Marcus set his meat down. “She’s dead, Kael.”
“I know.” Kael’s fingers tightened around his cup.
“Then what does Selene mean?”
Kael’s jaw ticked. “I don’t know.”
Marcus hesitated. “Could she mean another mate?”
Kael’s stomach twisted. The Moon Goddess wouldn’t be that cruel.
“She said ‘coming back,’” he muttered. “Not ‘another.’”
Marcus shook his head. “That’s impossible.”
Kael didn’t argue. He didn’t believe it either.
A knock on the door cut through the conversation. One of his guards entered, a sealed letter in hand.
Kael took it, breaking the wax. His eyes skimmed the words.
Marcus watched him. “Bad news?”
“Caleb.”
Kael didn't need to say more. The Alpha of Ashthorn was always bad news. They had fought once already and come to a tense truce, but Kael had a feeling Caleb would try again.
Marcus tensed. “What does he want?”
Kael’s read the letter to the last line. “He says he has a gift. To honor his part of the truce.”
Marcus scoffed. “A gift? For you? Don't close your eyes.”
Kael’s lips pressed together. “And a celebration.”
Marcus frowned. “What celebration?”
Kael set the letter down. “His marriage.”
Marcus let out a humorless laugh. “You’re joking.”
Kael didn’t answer. Marcus picked up the letter, reading it quickly. “This has to be a trap.”
Kael nodded. “Of course it is.”
Marcus’s eyes came to his. “Are you going?”
Kael leaned back, fingers drumming against the table. All the Alphas would be there. He would have to too. He would not be the lesser man. “I don’t have a choice.”
Marcus rolled his eyes as he picked up his meat again. “Since when do you take orders from Caleb?”
Kael pulled a plate of food toward himself. “Since I’d rather face him on my terms.”
Marcus hesitated. “This feels wrong.”
“It is wrong.” Kael’s gaze darkened. “Which is why I need to see it myself.”
- Writer
