Chapter 14
788 Words
Kairo 's pov
The war council chamber was thick with incense and the heavy silence of expectation. My warriors and elders sat stiffly around the crescent table, faces carved with experience, waiting for a command. For a decision. For me.
I stared at the fire licking the edge of the stone hearth, as if it would speak for me. But it was time. Time to silence the whispers that had been haunting the halls. Time to shut down the feelings I should never have entertained.
"I will proceed with the engagement to Liana," I said, voice flat but resolute.
There was a beat of stunned quiet. Then murmurs of approval. A few exchanged satisfied looks. Magnus nodded, of course. He’d pushed for this all along. He wasn’t wrong—it was the safest path, politically smart, a union that promised stability and strength.
Liana sat with a smile too perfect. I saw the way her eyes gleamed, already imagining herself as queen. I forced a nod in her direction.
But inside, I was cold.
Colder than I’d ever been.
Because while the council cheered and plans began to form, all I could think about was the woman I had left behind.
Selene.
Her name echoed in my head like a prayer I had no right to say. Her scent, her voice, her fire—they haunted me. And for a few foolish nights, I let myself believe I could keep her.
But my father’s blood still stained the ground. My mother’s cries still echoed in memory.
I couldn’t fall for the daughter of my enemies. I couldn’t fall, period.
This engagement was the right thing. The only thing.
So why did it feel like I was betraying myself?
"I am honored, Alpha," Liana said, rising to her feet.
I looked at her, but I didn’t really see her.
And as the council rose in celebration, I stood alone in the hollow shell of the decision I’d made.
---
Selene's POV
There was a kind of pain that didn’t scream. It whispered, soft and cruel.
I was in the kitchen when I heard it.
Two maids passing through, gossiping as they stirred stew and cleaned silver.
"Did you hear? The Alpha finally made it official. He’s marrying Liana."
"Really? About time. She’s been acting like Luna for years."
I dropped the wooden bowl I was washing. It hit the floor and cracked.
My hands trembled as I picked it up.
"You alright, Selene?" another servant asked.
I forced a nod, mumbled something, and walked out into the courtyard. The late sun painted the sky gold, but all I saw was red.
So that was it.
He chose her.
He made love to me, looked into my eyes like I was something fragile and wild and worth holding onto—and then disappeared.
And now I knew why.
My knees weakened beneath me, so I sat in the grass, hugging my arms. I hated that it hurt. I hated that I cared.
I shouldn’t care.
I was a slave. A prisoner. A pawn in someone else’s war. Not a woman meant for love.
But he made me forget that.
Just for a moment.
And now I remembered.
The ache swelled in my chest until it burned.
"Selene," Olna’s voice came from behind. She sat beside me, eyes kind but tired.
"You heard?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
She nodded. "It’s all over the palace."
"It doesn’t matter."
"Then why are you crying?"
I wiped my cheek, startled by the tears I didn’t realize were falling. "Because I’m stupid. I thought... I thought maybe I wasn’t just a body to him."
Olna took my hand. "You weren’t. That’s why he’s running."
"Running? He’s getting engaged."
"Exactly. Because feeling something for you terrifies him."
I laughed bitterly. "Well, he’s safe now. I won’t make that mistake again."
---
Kairo's POV
That night, I stood on the balcony outside my quarters, overlooking the training fields. Warriors sparred below, their grunts and laughter sharp against the stone walls.
I should’ve felt proud. Strong. Like I had done what was expected of me.
But I felt hollow.
I hadn’t seen Selene in days, not properly. Every time I passed the servants' wing, my steps slowed. My eyes searched.
I missed her.
Her voice.
The way she challenged me.
The softness in her gaze when she thought I wasn’t looking.
But missing her didn’t change the truth.
I had chosen my kingdom.
I had chosen my revenge.
And if keeping Selene close meant losing myself, I had no choice but to push her away.
Even if it tore me apart.
Even if it meant seeing her eyes turn cold the next time she looked at me.
- Writer
