Akira’s POV.
I stood outside Kael’s office, my heart racing with anxiety and excitement. I had rehearsed my proposal a thousand times. I spent the last week going through the pack’s archive hoping to find something I can use in convincing Kael to see things from my point of view and work with me.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“Akira,” Kael said, his voice low and unusually gentle. “Come in.”
I entered the office, my eyes meeting with Kael’s. He sat behind his desk, his long jet-black hair covering half of his face, his pink lips looked tantalizing and I desperately yearned to kiss him till all he can say is my name.
But for now, I came here to ally.
“So, Akira,” he said, as he used a rubber band to tie his hair up. “I hear you have a proposal for me.”
I nodded, my voice steady despite the heat spreading across my body. “Yes, Kael. I want to help you defeat Keiran.”
Kael raised an eyebrow. “And what do you want in return?”
I took a deep breath. “Freedom, respect as a wolf, not an omega or a breeder. And a role in pack politics.”
Kael leaned back in his chair, a smile spreading across his face. “You sure do know how to strike a hard bargain, Akira. But I’m interested. Tell me more.”
I spun a tale of my plan, explaining how I could use my skills and newly found knowledge to help the pack and defeat Keiran. Kael listened closely, his eyes never leaving mine.
When I finished, he leaned forward. “I like your determination and grit, Akira. But I have a counter-proposal.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”
Kael stood up from his chair and stood right in front of me. “Become my mate and Luna. Give me an heir within a year. And then you will get the respect and recognition you desperately yearn for.”
My jaw dropped. “What? No, I can’t-”
Kael held up a hand. “Hear me out, Akira. As my mate and Luna, you’ll have a role in pack politics. And I’ll give you the freedom you desire. It’s easy and more rewarding than being a breeder, yeah?”
I hesitated, my mind racing. It was a tempting offer, but at what cost?
“I need time to think about it,” I said finally.
Kael nodded. “Very well. But don’t take too long, Akira. Time waits for no one.”
“Okay,” I mumbled in a low voice that was barely above a whisper.
Kael leaned forward, his eyes fixed on mine. “I’ll give you 24 hours to decide, Akira. If you accept my proposal, we’ll announce it to the pack at the next gathering. If you refuse… well, let’s just say I have other plans for you.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the weight of his words. I had 24 hours to decide my fate. I thought about my options, weighing the pros and cons of each. If I accepted Kael’s proposal, I would become his mate, and Luna, and I would have a role in pack politics. But I would also be tied to him forever, and I would have to give up my freedom on some certain things.
On the other hand, if I refused Kael’s proposal, I would be rejecting his offer and potentially facing his wrath. But I would also be keeping my freedom, and I would be able to make my own choices. What was the use of freedom if my life would be made hell?
I looked into Kael’s eyes, trying to read his thoughts. He seemed confident as if he knew that I would accept his proposal.
“Akira,” Kael said, his voice low and gentle. “I know that this is a difficult decision for you. But I promise you, I will make it worth your while. I will give you everything you desire, and more.”
I took a deep breath, trying to make up my mind. I thought about my life, about what I wanted and what I needed. And then, I made my decision. I had to make my decision there on the spot…anything can happen in the next twenty-four hours and I would be a fool to pass this offer, even though it was fake. It would be between the two of us. But first, I have to play hard to get.
“Kael,” I said, my voice firm and steady. “I need more time to think about it. I can’t decide in just 24 hours.”
Kael’s face contorted with rage, and the temperature in the room turned freezing. “Akira, I thought you were different,” he said. “I thought you were brave and strong. But I see now that you’re just like all the others, afraid to take a chance.”
I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I kept my cool. “Kael, I am brave and strong,” I said. “And I will make my decision when I’m ready, not when you tell me to.”
Kael’s eyes narrowed but he calmly walked back to his chair and took his seat. “Very well, Akira,” he said. “I’ll give you more time. But know this, I will not wait forever. And if you refuse my proposal, there will be consequences.”
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I had bought myself some time, and now I just had to figure out what to do with it.
I left Kael’s office, my mind racing with thoughts and doubts. I knew that I had to make a decision, but I was torn. And I knew that whatever choice I made, would change my life forever.
I tossed and turned on my bed, my heart racing with excitement. But if I rushed back now, Kael would feel he had me too easy.
I took a deep breath, jumped out of bed, and made my decision. I would accept Kael’s proposal and become his contracted mate and Luna. I rushed back to his chambers, my heart racing with excitement.
But as I approached the door, I overheard Kael and his beta, zephyr , talking. “The council is breathing down my neck, zephyr ,” Kael said. “They want me to produce an heir, and fast. I can’t keep stalling them.”
“I understand, Kael,” zephyr replied. “But you can’t force Akira into this. She has to make her own decision. Did you tell her it’s all fake? Have you shown her the contract?”
“I know,” Kael said. “But I can’t afford to wait. The council is getting impatient, and I need to secure my position as king… keiran has his supporters in there and if they decide to use this… then they have the upper hand.”
I suddenly had second thoughts as I listened to their conversation. Was I ready to deal with the pressure from the council again? I had thought that becoming Kael’s mate and Luna would give me more freedom, but now I was starting to realize that it might just mean more stress and responsibility.
I hesitated outside the door, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to go through with it, to accept Kael’s proposal and become his mate. But another part of me was scared of the consequences, of being tied to Kael and the pack forever.
As I stood there, zephyr came out of the office and saw me. “Akira,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “What are you doing here?”
I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. I came to talk to King Kael and accept Kael’s proposal,” I said, trying to sound confident.
zephyr ‘s eyes widened in surprise but were quickly replaced by his signature irritated look. “Are you sure?” he asked. “You know what that means, don’t you?”
I nodded, trying to hide my fear. “Yes, I’m sure.”
But as I entered the office and saw Kael’s irritated face, I felt my doubts claw at me. Was I ready for this?