Where Is My Father?
1081 Words
Kael’s POV
“No, not before I take what is rightfully mine.”
Her questions were getting more absurd by the minute. And yet… I was excited. Every second spent with her ticked boxes in my mind that I didn’t even know existed. Her courage—it was something else entirely.
“How about my father? Did you kill him? Because my father would never let you have me. Not while he’s alive.” She said it with such conviction that I stepped back, dragging a chair closer and sitting down. My lovely bride. The feisty cat of a lady.
She was the first lady to have ever raised a hand at me, slapping me on our first night together. While everyone crumbled and shivered in fright, she slapped me. And it stung, funny enough.
Flexing my cheeks, I rubbed my fingers across my cheeks, feeling the sensation all over again.
“Your father, my jewel.”
“Stop calling me that. I am not your jewel.”
“My jewel,” I repeated anyway, just to watch her face turn red, part anger, part something else she wouldn’t admit. Annoying her had become a guilty pleasure; watching her flush teased something feral in me.
“Where is my father?”
“In the hospital, my JEWEL.”
“You almost killed him, you sick man! He was only trying to protect me, and you shot him!” Pulling a pillow from her reach, she tossed it at me. It barely made it to my feet, but it was a nice effort.
Her eyes glistened with tears. My chest tightened. The urge to walk up to her and comfort her clawed at me. Damn it, the mate bond was working faster than I thought. Holding myself from the gnawing feeling, I defended myself on impulse.
“I didn’t hurt him,” I said carefully. “He was shot by your guards. I was the only one with a gun that could actually harm anyone. Your guards were tranquilized, not injured. Whoever shot your father was your pack member, not mine.”
Explaining myself did little good. She didn’t stop crying, and I had to grip the chair to keep from reaching for her. The moment I heard about her father being shot, I made sure the best doctors in the pack treated him. Even my brother Kieran never had that privilege.
“He’s being treated,” I said softly.
“I want to see my father. Let me see him.”
“You’re a free woman, not my prisoner. You can go see your father if you wish.”
Still, she didn’t move. I stood, walked to the door, and opened it to prove my point.
“You can see your father if you want,” I said, “but be back in an hour. As newly wedded couples, we’re expected before the council. Don’t miss it, or I’ll come get you myself.”
She hesitated, fear flashing in her eyes. She had every right to fear me. I wasn’t a good man. But I didn’t want her to look at me like that. So I turned my back and stepped away from the door, giving her space.
The moment I did, she bolted—running through the corridors like I’d just loosened her chain.
My heart ached again.
Step one of my plan: gather the council and deal with Kieran.
As she left, I made my way to the cell where Kieran was kept. I’d ordered the workers to clean him up; he’d be present at the council table, too.
“Leave,” I told the workers and guards stationed there.
Kieran’s eyes were swollen from last night’s fight, and his body was bandaged and clean. A memory so fresh flashed in my mind. It was me in bandages too.
All because of him, I bet he felt my pain as well. How horrible it was to have all the bones in your body broken and the agonizing feeling of putting all the healing on your wolf.
It felt like going through hell and lacking the basic ability to die.
“Hello, brother.”
I sat down near his bed, crossing my legs. His lips trembled like he wanted to speak, but his tongue was too heavy. So I spoke for him.
“Let me guess—you think I’ll pay for this? It’s temporary. And I shouldn’t touch your dear bride? I must say, I came here for you, but she might be one hell of a prize.” He shook vigorously, like I had dug my hands into his sore wound.
“And I bet she would be a delight in bed too.”
I leaned back, relaxed. He clenched his fists, reopening the fresh bandages.
“Anger won’t serve you well, brother,” I said. “You learned that the hard way last night. So let’s make this clear: you won’t win this battle. I’m stronger than you. Smarter than you. I always have been.”
He tried to move, but pain kept him still.
“There’s a meeting at the pack court. The council will legalize our duel for succession. All the chiefs are waiting.” I grabbed his chin, forcing his gaze to mine.
“You might have fooled everyone into believing you were the better brother. But you know the truth, Kieran—I gave you your glory days.”
Releasing him, I rose and left the cell. Painful memories swarmed my head as I walked through the pack’s corridors.
The disdain I’d faced here, the sin they pinned on me, the exile for crimes I didn’t commit. They took my parents’ lives. They took everything, and when I survived, they painted me as the monster.
Walking down the path to the courtroom, I spotted two women—former attendants of my mother. The moment they saw me, they turned, trying to slip away.
“Stop,” I commanded
.
One of them whimpered; the other whispered frantic prayers to the Goddess.
“Come here,” I ordered. They obeyed, heads bowed low.
“You’re the new Luna’s maid, right?” They nodded quickly.
“Good. She’s at the hospital visiting her father. I want you to attend to her there, don’t leave her side.” I checked my watch. “In forty minutes, make sure she’s at the courthouse.”
“Yes, Lord Kael.”
“Make sure my wife is safe.”
- Writer
