Chapter 2 001

▪️ Kaelis' Pov▪️

"Tonight has to be perfect," I murmured, adjusting the last silver cup on the table.

"Yes, milady," my omega replied with a bright smile, her hands busy smoothing the table cloth we had spent hours fussing over.

The room glowed with candlelight, and the scent of roasted steak and spiced wine filled the air. Every detail had been chosen carefully- his favourite meal, his favourite wine, even the crimson flowers arranged at the centre of the table.

Five years of marriage deserved nothing less.

My chest swelled with anticipation, a rare fluttering warmth. I could already imagine the look on Valrik's face when he walked in: the surprise, the pride, maybe even that boyish smile he tried so hard to hide from others but always gave to me.

It had not been easy, being his Luna. I had stood at his side through whispers, doubts, the endless judgement of the council, but together, we had silenced them. Together, we had made the Ashfang Pack stronger than it had been in years.

I touched the edge of the wine glass, steadying the tremor in my fingers.

He was my anchor and my choice.

And tonight, I wanted to remind him of that.

"Do you think he'll like it?" I asked softly, almost like a girl again.

The omega's smile widened. "Milady, it would be a mistake if he doesn't besides you two are practically a role model to all of us who are yet to have a mate."

Mate?

Was I lucky to have chosen the best man of the pack?

He was my Lieutenant and we had fought beside each other for years on end but that night when he saved me from almost being mauled by rogues was what cemented our bond.

The first time I had noticed him-- I didn't just see the mask people saw when they looked at him rather I saw beneath the warrior and armour. I saw a man and damn.... He was breath taking.

I had been cornered and for a moment I had needed my bodyguard but he was fighting to save his life. Just as all hope was lost and then Valrik leapt beside me without hesitation.

"Keep your head down, Milady!" He shouted as he deflected a blow that could have ended me.

I had shouted at him. "I can handle myself!"

"You didn't look like you could earlier besides it is my job to make sure you are okay and alive," he said, flashing a grin that made my chest warm despite the chill of the night.

Later, by the fire while we bandaged the wounded and shared rations, he had leaned close as his hand brushed mine when he passed a flask.

"You could go head to head with the male alphas, do you fear anything at all?" He murmured as I was taken aback by his abrupt words.

"What do you mean?"

"You fight like you are invincible," he added and I could see the genuine curiousity in his eyes.

"I have had good teachers and protectors," I replied, my eyes flickering to my bodyguard who was a few steps away from me and I brought my gaze back to Valrik, teasing.

"Your bodyguard couldn't help me today," he teased.

"Minor mishaps," I replied.

He took in a deep breath and leaned closer that he was before. "What can I do to steal you from him, just for tonight?" He whispered in my ears, his hot breath on my skin sent shivers down my spine.

That night, under the blanket of the stars, we had talked for hours about everything from the burdens of leadership and quiet things we had never shared with anyone else.

I had never felt more alive than I had ever done since my father had died and it brought me great ease.

Months had passed and our bond had grown into something I couldn't describe. He had become my confidant, my shield and the only person whose opinion could make me falter and melt at the same time.

Even now, years later the memory still filled me with warmth and showed me that he was my anchor-- and all the more reason why after all this time, I wanted to show him just how much he meant to me.

A soft laugh escaped me as I brushed my hair from my hair from my face, this was perfect.

The omega excused herself quietly, leaving me alone with the table, the wine, and my expectations.

I found myself staring at the door with the eagerness of a young bride again.

Minutes slipped into hours.

The candles had burned lower, their wax dripping steadily, mocking my patience. I kept smoothing the tablecloth, readjusting the flowers, sipping the wine just to quiet the unease in my chest.

He might have been delayed.

A meeting or patrol.

Something important.

A soft rap at the door, almost hesitant. I straightened, hope sparking- finally.

"The door's opened," I beckoned.

As the door creaked opened-- It wasn't Valrik rather it was a servant who stood there, her eyes darting nervously, holding out a folded letter.

"This was left for you, my lady."

I took the letter, my fingers trembling. The seal was unfamiliar and this made my pulse to quickened, and a strange cold dread threading through me.

My hands shook as I broke the seal and the words on the page bled into my chest like poison.

I should have burnt the letter or at least I should have laughed it off.

Instead, I found myself moving.

Through the dark corridors, past the echo of my own footsteps, climbing higher and higher until the air grew cold against my skin.

The door to a chamber stood slightly ajar, light spilling through the crack. A sound slipped out- a hushed laugh, followed by a low murmur that twisted in my gut.

I pressed my hand against the wall, forcing myself to breathe as my fingers curled into a fist, and with a shove, I pushed the door wide open.

The sight that greeted me burned itself into my soul.

Valrik!

My husband!

He stood at the end of Elara's bed, his shirt hanging open, the strings loose like he hadn't bothered to tie them. His chest rose and fell and his lips...lips that used to be mine were red and swollen from her kisses.

He didn't look ashamed.

Not even guilty.

He looked at ease, as if this was exactly where he was meant to be.

Elara lay back against the pillows, her gown had slipped low, showing the smooth line of her shoulder, and she didn't even try to fix it. Instead, she tilted her head and stared at me with a slow, lazy smile.

It wasn't soft or kind.

It was sharp, like a wolf baring its teeth. Her eyes glowed with pride and with triumph.

I let out a breath, I didn't know I was holding. "Valrik?" His name mouthed out, my voice barely a whisper.

"Well, thank the goddess," she brushed her hair from her face with mocking irritation. "It took you long enough to come. Do you know how exhausting it's been, hiding this from you? Honestly, Kaelis, I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever notice."

My chest constricted as though her words had wrapped chains around my ribs. My eyes darted to Valrik, begging him silently to deny it, to shove her aside, to say this was some vile trick.

But he only smirked.

I staggered back. "No..." My voice broke. "No... you told me you rejected her bond. You swore-"

Valrik's gaze slid lazily over me, sharp with contempt. "I lied."

The words slammed into my chest like a sledgehammer and I felt it hard to breath.

"You-" my voice cracked as tears ran hot down my face, "you swore to me, Valrik! Every night in my bed, every time you looked at me and called me yours! Were those lies too? Was it all just some cruel game to you?"

Valrik's smile widened, cruel and pitiless. "Finally, she asks the right question." He let out a mocking chuckle. "I never broke the bond, Kaelis. Why would I? You never once gave me an heir, Kaelis. And without an heir, you're useless to me."

Rage broke through my grief. "Don't you dare twist this, Valrik! You would be nothing without me. It was my counsel, my strategies that won us the council's respect. I strengthened the pack while you swung your sword like a brute. I carved your path to Alpha!"

For a moment, I thought the truth might sting him-- that somewhere inside, he might flinch.

But Valrik only laughed.

A cruel, echoing laugh that swallowed me whole. "And what of it? Does a hammer thank the hand that wields it? You were a tool, Kaelis. A convenient Luna desperate to be loved. You built the throne- and now I sit on it. Alone."

Ellara's laughter chimed, sharp and cruel.

His words sliced deeper than any blade, leaving me raw and trembling as my chest heaved as if my very lungs rejected the truth he had just spat into my face.

Something in me snapped. I lunged at him, my nails lengthening into claws, my wolf spilling into my rage. I struck him across the chest, fury tearing through my grief.

He caught my wrist mid-swing, twisting until pain shot up my arm. His other hand gripped my throat and slammed me back against the cold stone wall. My vision flashed white as the air was crushed from me.

Elara's laughter rang behind him, sharp and mocking. "Don't be too harsh, Valrik. She did try her best."

"Her best," he snarled, tightening his grip until my feet barely touched the floor, "was never enough."

Behind him, Elara laughed softly and victorious. "Now Kaelis, be a good little dog and step aside. Your part in this story is over." Her hands cradling her stomach.

My chest caved inward, a sob strangled in my throat. "If you do this," I choked, my voice hoarse, "you'll regret it. The Goddess sees. She will-"

He leaned close, his breath hot and merciless against my ear. "This is actually good because you don't care about the goddess and she doesn't care about you, Kaelis and neither do I."

With one hard push, he threw me out of the tower window, straight into the dark night.