Kian set his cup down slowly and carefully with his eyes still lingering on me, "Now You really don't know why Kael kept you, do you?"
I frowned. "Kept me? Like a property or what? Please speak up"
He chuckled "To him? You were never just another woman."
I scoffed, "Then what? A toy? A replacement?"
He shook his head slowly with his voice dropping lower and quite darker. "He's been looking for something or should I say, someone different. You see for the past y few years life hasn't been the same for that wolf especially since the day he was cursed by the white‑silver wolf."
I blinked. "Cursed? What do you mean cursed"
He leaned forward, elbows on the table and voice deep like he was about to tell a story he enjoyed telling.
"Of course, he never told you the story. Why would he? He wouldn't want his "favorite" knowing" he chuckled making bunny ears with his fingers in the air.
"How did he know?" I pondered looking back at him.
"Now. I'll tell you."
I stayed quiet, but every part of me was listening.
"Long before you, Kael became the most powerful lycan king in centuries. And the most ruthless. He took what ever he wanted. Land. People. Even me… He made sure I could never stand next to him. Forced me into shadows while he sat on a throne meant for both of us."
His eyes hardened as his voice began to sound like that filled with rage.
"But the mistake that changed everything? He forced himself on a rare white‑silver wolf. Not just rare, sacred. Untouchable. She wasn't just a creature of legend. She was a guardian of balance, and he… defiled that."
My fingers tightened around the edge of the table listening to him.
"She cursed him, Aria. She cursed his bloodline. His throne. She swore he'd never find peace, never have a Luna, never produce an heir, never keep his crown without bleeding for it, Every night till he passes on he would loose his strength and with time, the curse would eat away at him. Until he lost his mind, lost his kingdom… and died unless he found a similar white silver wolf who would love him and give him peace, and that wolf must be ready to go through a ritual with him, one which no wolf would want to under go with that ruthless wolf, only then would the curse be reversed."
Kian paused, looking at me who was stunned, I froze like a fish being kept in a freezer.
"He's been trying to break that curse ever since. Chasing every myth, every woman who might give him peace. And you? You were just one of many he used to find peace."
My throat closed up.
"He kept you around longer because something about you dulled the madness. Temporarily. Like a drug. But don't mistake that for love, Aria. Kael doesn't love. He uses wolf."
Finally I could speak after being frozen for minutes "He's… cursed and fully mad? What do you mean madness, Kian?"
He exhaled slowly. "You'll understand soon. But trust me when I say he's not a normal wolf or the type of man you wouldn't want around you, just thank the moon goddess you're son is okay and didn't take any of that. And yes, if you think he can still love you or if you feel any pity for him don't. Trust me you'll regret it, some wolves died in his paws"
I stared at him, with my mind spinning and heart fighting every word he spoke. "Died? Pity? But my sister's his Luna now….what about her? Please tell me everything, the madness everything, I want to know."
His lips curled slightly, like he was pleased to be the one unraveling the truth.
"Well Kael is loosing his mind. He still claim to love you. He claims he needs you. He claims you are the one thing that quiets the curse. That's why he hasn't let go of you. That's why he took you in before, because with you near, the madness doesn't scream so loud. But let me tell you something more dark Aria."
I gripped the edge of the table even harder "what"
Kian leaned in, whispering into my ear. "You see all that? All those things he claims? It's a lie, he just wants you back to please him and reduce his madness just because your sister can't please him the way you do, he just wants to use you, moreover, Seraphina hasn't been able to give him an heir and he knows your with his that's why he also wants you back, but come to think of it do you think he wants you back?" He paused.
"He never for once sort to find you or ask about you, till now he hasn't looked for you but I did, I searched until I did, Kael just wants to use you as usual, it's nothing about love"
"He claims to want you and would burn the kingdom for you but still sent you packing with his son" Kian paused pacing around the room.
I was confused and could feel heart slammed against my ribs. "He loves me? Then why did he marry my sister?"
"Exactly, you're finally seeing the truth," Kian said coldly.
"And your sister? Probably he thought Seraphina was the one. She claims to be a white silver wolf. The right match, the perfect Luna on paper. But she's not she can't even calm him down not to talk of bearing an heir…" He said angrily.
"White silver? I've never heard her speak of such, we're both white wolves, she's a white wolf but not a silver white, or is that why…." I gasped holding my mouth.
Kian moved closer to me "why what? Speak"
"Why she survived that drastic drown" I looked at him as I explained the incident of how we thought she was dead years ago.
Kian stepped back saying it's impossible she's a white silver wolf since she couldn't heal kael's madness.
"Listen she can't be, there are evidence to that and only the council can tell us and right now they're being deceived by Seraphina's stunts" he said.
"Then how was it possible…" i stuttered as Kian crouched holding my hands slowly.
"Aria I need you to help me go against that cruel wolf, and you can also use this opportunity to revenge against your sister and Kael and I can get everything back that used to be mine."
I flinched, standing up quickly with the chair scraping against the floor. "So that's it. You're here to use me, what's then the difference between you and your brother?."
He stood up too, not touching me but close "No. I'm here not here to use you, I can never, I'm here because after I left that day, I couldn't stop thinking about you." He said as his hand brushed mine.
I pulled back quickly, "What? please, it's obvious you want something now, Why are you really here, Kian?"
He smirked looking too long on my lips. "To remind you that Kael shouldn't be the one on your mind. I've been watching you for years, Aria. He only saw you as well….convenient or Cute, maybe. But me?" His voice softened. "I saw you my mate."
I stood there stunnned.
"Aria baby, I need your help to take back my throne. And I want you to be my Luna. The rightful Luna. You deserve more than being Kael's curse-reliever."
I scoffed, "Really, And you think you're the 'more' I deserve?"
His smirk again and shoved his shoulders. "I could be." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"You could simply help me end his reign… and I could free you from him. Forever." He said leaning closer to my face and at the very last second, I turned my head away. "Don't."
Kian chuckled softly, low and very confident. "You'll let me. Eventually." He stepped back, reaching out for his jacket.
"Think about what I said. About what you really are."
He paused at the door, one hand on the knob. Turned to me one last time.
"Stay safe, I'll be back."
And then he was gone. But his words… they didn't leave along with him.
I stood there, motionless, still gripping the edge of the table.