Mated To The Last Aetherwyn

Chapter 10

“Anyway,” Xavier said after a beat, tone lightening, “the guys and I are hitting that new club in the city tonight. Loosen up. Get drunk. Maybe get laid. You in?”

Kaelith didn’t even blink. “No, I'll pass.”

“Come on, man,” Xavier groaned dramatically. “You need a f***ing life. Something beyond this permanently brooding, ice-prince routine.”

Kaelith shot him a look but said nothing.

Xavier rolled his eyes, pushing off the chair with a huff. He made it halfway to the door, then paused.

“You’re a buzzkill, man. One day someone’s going to snap you out of this damn ice-block phase, and I’m going to laugh my ass off when it happens.”

Kaelith finally looked up. The glare he gave could’ve shattered stone and Xavier’s mouth shut instantly. He held his hands up in surrender with a c****d brow and a grin.

“Alright, alright. Message received, Your Royal Celibacy.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

Kaelith was alone once again. Then, slowly, his hand drifted back to the tablet. The image of Isla Aether waited for him—still, unreadable, untouchably composed. His eyes locked on hers.

And deep beneath his skin, his wolf growled again—low, restless, and unmistakably interested.

.....

Later that night, Kaelith sat straight-backed near the head of the table, dressed in nothing fancy but he still looked devilishly handsome, the kind that made most women lose their breath.

Queen Lysandra dabbed her mouth with a napkin, her tone gentle yet poised. “When do you plan to choose a Luna, Kaelith?”

Kaelith didn’t pause in cutting his meat as he ignored the question.

King Kleavan Duskbane glanced up from his meal, expression unreadable.

“Your mother and I have been patient,” he said. “But it’s time. You’re twenty-three. The council expects a Luna at your side when you ascend."

Kaelith said nothing.

“You’re not short of offers,” Kleavan added coolly. “King Victor’s proposal still stands.”

That earned Kaelith’s eyes—sharp, cutting.

“I already denied that proposal,” he said, curt.

At the far end, his younger sister Lira exhaled.

“Well… I don’t like that leech, she’s kind of insufferable but she’s smart and a princess. Everyone knows she’s been groomed to lead since birth."

Kaelith tried to relax as his jaw clenched.

“I’ve made it clear,” he said calmly—steel beneath. “I don’t want a mate.”

His mother’s sigh was quiet but pointed. “Darling,” she said, voice soft yet edged with expectation, “you can’t run from this forever. Every Alpha needs a Luna. You can’t rule alone. You were never meant to.”

“But I will,” he replied coolly, defiance quiet but final.

Lira shrugged. “Maybe you should just suck it up, Kael. Your mate’s never going to come because she doesn’t exist anymore.”

Kaelith froze as his knife stilled mid-cut. His head sanpped at Lira. He didn't say a word but something behind his eyes darkened. The calm shattered for just a breath. A flicker of pain, fury, and something colder than either cut through his expression.

Then—he stood.

The chair scraped loud against the marble floor.

“Excuse me. I’m done here,” he said, voice flat. Hollow.

And then he left, boots echoing down the corridor, silence rushing in behind him like a wave.

Lysandra sighed again, softer this time, her gaze shadowed with worry. Kleavan’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Lira stared at her food, regret already crawling in her chest.

“…I didn’t mean it like that,” she whispered, barely audible.

Kaelith stood half naked, alone in his chamber, staring out at the moonlit sky. He knew that his mate was gone. Still… something in him refused to accept it. A thread buried deep that wouldn’t snap, no matter how tightly he pulled.

And so, he waited.

Even when it hurt. Even when it made no sense—

He waited.

.......

The club was damning.

Not the kind Xavier was used to in the human world — all pulsing lights and watered-down drinks. No, this place had a bite. The walls pulsed with low music, rhythmic and slow, bass rolling like a heartbeat in the dark. He could feel other supernatural presence in the room but he didn't bother. It wasn't anything new.

He was having his fun.

One arm hung heavy over the waist of a girl grinding into him, her movements desperate and sinuous. She was practically rubbing against him like a cat in heat. He chuckled darkly and cupped her ass, letting the rhythm of the music guide him.

But something felt off.

His wolf — usually quiet in moments like these — was agitated. Restless.

What is it now? Xavier muttered in his head, trying to ignore the rising unease. But his wolf was pacing, ears twitching, muscles tight.

The sensation only worsened.

With a grunt, Xavier gently peeled himself off the girl and murmured something half-apologetic before slipping away. He weaved through the crowd toward the bar, needing air.

Then it hit him.

Vanilla and jasmine. Soft and intoxicating, slicing through the haze of perfume, alcohol, and sweat. His body locked up. His heartbeat spiked.

It crashed into him like a tidal wave, and his wolf lunged forward, almost feral. He scanned the bar sharply—and then he saw her.

Sitting alone on one of the high stools, legs crossed, was a brunette, lit by the soft red-gold wash of overhead lights. He could only see her side profile — but even that was enough to undo him. A delicate jawline, smooth skin, the slope of her neck he suddenly ached to touch.

His heart kicked hard in his chest as his wolf growled. Mine.

His feet moved without thinking. He approached slowly, cautiously—each step syncing with the thunder of his pulse. The scent grew stronger, curling around his senses like silk—drinking it in like wine. She was human, that much was clear. But it didn’t matter.

Nothing did.

He stopped beside her, waited a beat, then cleared his throat softly.

With a slow, charming grin, he said, “How come the most beautiful woman in the room is sitting alone?”

She blinked, startled, then turned her face to him—and he was a goner.

Her eyes, wide and guarded, locked onto his. There was caution in her gaze, maybe even annoyance—but not disinterest.

“Maybe I like being alone,” she said, a hint of challenge in her voice.

He chuckled, easing onto the stool beside her. “Fair enough. I’ll take the risk.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t move away.

Xavier ordered drinks for them both. “Something strong,” he said to the bartender.

Renna’s brow lifted. “Careful. The stuff they serve here isn’t your average buzz.”

The bartender — a tall, sleek woman with hair like liquid black glass — slid a drink toward him, eyes glinting. “Try this one,” she purred. “It’ll loosen everything.”

Xavier blinked surprised. A siren? That was new.

But, he wasn’t interested. He had her now.

He turned back to the brunette. “You know quite much about the place.”

Another laugh — sharper this time. “This club… belongs to my boss.”

“Interesting,” Xavier said, eyes narrowing with curiosity. “What’s their name?”

She hesitated, then deflected. “You always ask this many questions?”

“Only when I meet a gorgeous beauty.”

He offered his hand, smiling. “I’m Xavier.”

She took it — reluctantly.

“Renna.”

He leaned in closer, slightly hovering before her. He eyed her lips as she felt an odd need rising in her. Xavier leaned closer as his lips touched hers in a brief, burning kiss.

When he pulled away, he said, voice low, warm near her ear. “Wanna go somewhere quieter?”

Renna hesitated for a moment. “…Okay,” she said, barely above a breath.