Bound by the wrong werewolf

Chapter 6: A Dangerous Pull

Dinner at the Voss estate was unusually quiet.

The long dining table was set with expensive silverware and steaming dishes that smelled incredible, yet I barely touched my food. Every few minutes, my thoughts slipped back to Kael.

No matter how hard I tried to focus on the conversation, I couldn't forget the way he'd looked at me earlier. The way he'd cornered me in the hallway. The heat in his touch still lingered on my skin.

"You've hardly eaten."

Kai's gentle voice pulled me back. He smiled and reached for my hand beneath the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm fine," I lied with a small smile. "Just a little tired."

Across the table, Alpha Magnus Voss, Kai's father, studied me with sharp, unreadable eyes. His presence alone was enough to make everyone sit a little straighter.

"So, Elara," he said, placing his fork down. "How are you settling into your role as Luna?"

I straightened instinctively.

"I'm adjusting well. Everyone has been welcoming."

"I hope so."

His voice remained calm, but every word carried weight.

"The entire pack is watching you. A Luna represents strength. Right now, strength is exactly what we need."

Kai answered before I could.

"She's doing wonderfully, Father. The pack already respects her."

The Alpha gave a slow nod before leaning back in his chair.

"They'll have to."

Silence settled over the room for a heartbeat before he continued.

"Shadowfang scouts have been testing our borders again. Viktor is becoming more aggressive by the day."

Kai's expression immediately turned serious.

"We've increased patrols."

"Good." Magnus folded his hands together. "Because the moment our enemies sense division, they'll strike."

His gaze shifted to me.

"This marriage isn't just about the two of you. It's the foundation of our alliance. There can be no weakness. No cracks."

"I understand," I replied quietly.

But inside, I felt like I was falling apart.

No cracks.

If only he knew.

Every smile I gave Kai felt dishonest. Every gentle touch from my husband only reminded me of someone else.

Someone I shouldn't even be thinking about.

Kael.

The thought of him slipped into my mind without permission.

His smirk.

His rough voice.

The way he'd looked at me as though no one else existed.

My heart betrayed me with every memory.

Then another strange vision flashed across my mind.

For the briefest moment, I saw Kael standing in a bright kitchen, wearing a crooked smile while flipping pancakes. He laughed as he looked over his shoulder at me.

"My queen," he teased.

The image disappeared just as quickly as it came, leaving my chest painfully tight.

I blinked and reached for my glass of water.

What was happening to me?

The conversation shifted back to politics.

Magnus explained how the Voss family had ruled Eclipse Ridge for generations, protecting the surrounding territories while keeping rival packs in check. Kai discussed upcoming alliance meetings and patrol schedules.

I nodded whenever someone looked my way, but my thoughts wandered again.

Back to the hallway.

Back to Kael.

Back to the dangerous feeling I couldn't seem to escape.

By the time dinner ended, I felt exhausted.

Kai slipped his hand into mine as we walked back to our room.

The moment the bedroom door closed behind us, he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I missed you today," he whispered before pressing a kiss against my neck.

I closed my eyes.

He was kind.

Patient.

Everything a husband should be.

So why did something feel missing?

I kissed him back, trying to ignore the guilt building inside me.

But my body refused to cooperate.

Instead of feeling comfort, another memory surfaced.

Different hands.

Rougher.

Warmer.

Kael.

I stiffened without meaning to.

Kai noticed immediately.

"What's wrong?"

I forced a tired smile.

"I think everything from the wedding finally caught up with me."

He searched my face for a moment before nodding.

"You should rest."

"I'm sorry."

"You never have to apologize."

His understanding only made the guilt worse.

We climbed into bed, and he pulled me gently against his chest.

His heartbeat was slow and steady beneath my ear.

Safe.

Reliable.

Everything I'd always believed I wanted.

Yet my wolf refused to settle.

She paced restlessly beneath my skin, drawn toward something wild.

Toward danger.

Toward Kael.

I hated myself for it.

Another quick image flashed through my mind.

Kael again.

Only this time, there was no arrogance in his eyes.

He looked at me with quiet devotion, like I was the only person in his world.

The vision disappeared, but the ache it left behind remained.

I swallowed hard and focused on Kai's breathing until I thought sleep might finally come.

Then my phone vibrated softly on the bedside table.

Carefully, I reached over so I wouldn't wake him.

The screen lit up.

Unknown Number

My stomach tightened before I even opened it.

Kael: I can still taste you.

Meet me in the back garden in ten minutes.

I need to see you.

My pulse pounded in my ears.

I stared at the message, unable to breathe.

Every sensible part of me screamed to delete it.

To block the number.

To stay beside my husband.

But another part of me—the reckless part that only seemed to exist around Kael—wanted to go.

I glanced at Kai.

He was asleep, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me.

Guilt settled heavily in my chest.

Yet even with that guilt, I couldn't pull my eyes away from the message glowing on my screen.

Because deep down...

I already knew I was going.