Kael's POV
I stormed out of the ballroom with my hands clenched and my chest heaving what annoyance. Everything had turned so fast I could hardly understand it. I had claimed Lyra in front of everyone, I had felt the bond settle between us, and then the priestess had spoken, and I had torn it all apart with my own words.
The music and voices faded behind me as I walked down the corridor and I didn't care that people moved out of my way; I just needed to be alone.
My heart hurt, and my anger burned painfully as I pushed open the door to my chambers and stepped inside with Selene right behind me.
"Kael, wait," she said softly, but I slammed the door before she could step in, with the wood shook under the force.
"I don't want company," I said through the closed door.
For a moment, I stood there, staring at the door as if it could stop all the noise in my head, and then I went to the window and threw it open, letting Moonlight pour over the room. I leaned on the frame and tried to breathe.
The priestess's words still rang in my ears. Calamity will fall on DarkHowl if you keep her.
I thought of the dreams that had woken me for weeks now, with smoke over the valley and wolves fighting and falling with blood on the stones of the courtyard. I had tried to push them away, but they kept coming, and tonight the priestess had spoken of the same doom.
I pressed my hands to my face.
"Moon goddess, why?" I whispered. "Why give her to me and then rip her away?"
Time passed silently and I didn't know how long I stood there until a knock sounded.
"My Alpha," Mason's voice came through the door. "It's me."
I opened the door and let him in. Beta Mason stepped inside and closed it quietly behind him.
"She's gone," he said. "I made sure she was escorted out of the territory. Just as the priestess ordered."
I sat down on the edge of the bed and shook my head.
"It's not right, Mason. None of this is right."
He stayed silent, waiting.
"Why would the moon goddess show me she's my mate and then take her away?" I asked. "Why put her in front of me only to say she's a curse?"
Mason crossed the room and stood near the fireplace.
"The ways of the goddess are not for us to understand," he said gently. "She sees more than we can."
"That doesn't help," I muttered. "I sent her out there like she was nothing. I look like a monster. It's like I lured her here only to hurt her."
I felt tears sting my eyes, and I tried to swallow them back, but they came anyway, so I bowed my head.
"I knew I'd love her," I said quietly. "I didn't want to admit it, but I do. Since the time I saw her on the street, dirty and trying to hide from everyone, I knew she was the one for me."
Mason's eyes softened.
"I don't feel anything for the other girls," I went on. "I've tried. I've looked at every girl the council brought to me, but Nothing, only her."
Beta Mason laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I know, Alpha Kael. I saw the way you looked at her. But you did what you thought would save the pack."
I nodded, though my heart didn't agree.
"Rest a little," Beta Mason said after a pause. "I'll keep the guards on alert tonight."
"Thank you," I said.
He left quietly, and I sat there in the silence, staring at the floor in mystery.
Another knock came later, and I thought Mason had returned, but when I opened the door, Selene stood there.
She wore a thin silk robe that clung tightly to her body, and her hair fell over her shoulders, and her lips curved in a small smile.
"Kael," she said softly. "You shouldn't be alone tonight."
I stepped back.
"Luna Selene, go need to go back to your room."
She slid inside before I could stop her, and the robe shifted, showing too much skin as she came closer.
"You're hurting," she whispered. "You don't need to think about that omega wench anymore. She was trouble from the start."
"Don't call her that," I snapped.
Selene placed a hand on my chest.
"You need comfort," she said. "I can give you that."
She leaned closer with her fingers drawing a faint line on my chest.
"Stop," I said, stepping back.
"Kael," she said softly, "you're an Alpha. You deserve someone strong beside you, not a curse that will ruin your pack."
Her words made anger rise in me.
"Get out," I said.
She blinked, still smiling faintly.
"You don't mean that."
"I do," I said firmly. "Leave my room, Selene."
Her smile faded, and she tossed her hair and turned for the door.
"Fine," she said. "But sooner or later you'll see I'm the right choice."
I didn't sleep much that night, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lyra's face as the guards led her away.
Morning finally came, and I changed into running clothes and left the pack house alone. I needed to clear my head.
I ran until my breath came fast and the ache in my muscles drowned out the ache in my heart, and when I returned to the pack house, the sun was already up and Beta Mason waited by the front steps gravely.
"What now?" I asked, wiping sweat from my brow.
"There's unrest on the council," he said. "They met this morning, and apparently, they're worried about last night. They say an Alpha who claims an omega and then rejects her in front of everyone is a risk."
I frowned.
"A risk?"
"They want you to choose a proper mate soon," Mason said. "If you don't, they might try to impeach you."
My hands curled at my sides.
"A proper mate," I repeated. "What does that even mean to them?"
"They think the best choice is Selene Moon," Mason said slowly. "She has status. She's from the Crestwood Pack. A union would calm them."
I let out a scoff.
"Selene," I said. "Of course it has to be her..!"