AKIRA’s POV.
“Kael, I need to tell you something,” I said, looking him right in the eye.
“Not now, Akira,” he growled, not even looking at me.
I was thrown off guard by how quickly he changed, a few days ago he was on my neck demanding I tell him what I have been up to and now that I am here to tell him, he does not want to hear.
“Hell no, you must hear.” The voice in my head hissed.
“It can’t wait,” I insisted, trying to keep my voice calm.
Kael stopped pacing and turned to face me, his eyes blazing with rage. “What is it?”
“I’ve been investigating the sabotage and the things that suddenly seem to be going south in the pack,” I began, trying to choose my words carefully.
“I don’t have time for this,” Kael snapped, turning away from me. Then he turned to look at me before he shook his head and closed away.
“I think that is your cue to continue talking… his ego is not interested but I think he is.” The voice in my head purred words of encouragement.
“Listen to me, Kael,” I said, grabbing his arm and forcing him to face me. “I think I know who’s behind it. I have been doing some research. You were on my neck a few days ago asking where I was. I am ready to tell you where I was… you see I would sneak away from the pack to do some investigation and I think I am onto something. I have…I think I know who.”
Kael raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Who?”
“I’m not entirely sure yet,” I admitted, suddenly feeling stupid, “but I have some ideas,” I added to save myself my my face from whatever harsh words Kael had at the tip of his tongue for me.
” Ideas?” Kael repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I need facts, Akira. Not ideas. I am an alpha, not some jobless hobo who works with ideas. Just in case you missed it, I can not hold someone down or pin them for this crime with your not-so-needed ideas.”
“I know,” I said, trying to calm him, his anger is justified cause the council refused to give him a breathing space and right now I am only making it worse so I am the perfect person to vent his anger on. “But hear me out. I’ve been talking to some of the pack members, and I think I’ve found a pattern.”
“A pattern?” Kael repeated, his voice rising. “What kind of pattern?”
“A pattern of behavior,” I explained. “Certain pack members have been acting strangely, always seeming to be around when something goes wrong. For all we know, they might not be pack members but spies and allies planted by whoever it was that is doing all this.”
Kael snorted. “That’s not evidence, Akira. That’s just speculation.”
“I know it’s not concrete proof,” I admitted, “but it’s a start. And I think if we investigate further, we might be able to find something more substantial. Something more daring, more concrete. But for now… let us start with this. I mean it’s better than nothing right? Please Kael…listen to me. I just need the go-ahead from you and I will gather my small team and do more research. I will look into these people with weird patterns and then find a way… one way or another…to help you in making this stop. It’s a risk I am willing to take.”
Kael shook his head, his expression dismissive. “I don’t have time for this, Akira. I have more important things to deal with.”
“Like what?” I demanded, feeling a surge of frustration. “Your ego? Your pride?”
Kael’s eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I thought he might hit me. But then, he seemed to regain control of himself.
“Like the Council,” he said and turned to face me. “Like the fact that they’re trying to take away my rightful place as alpha. This whole thing is a big ploy to snatch my throne .”
“That’s not what this is about,” I said, trying to reason with him. “This is about the pack, Kael. Our pack. And what’s best for it? The council needs something to hold on to, something like a promise from you that you will fix everything and how can you fix everything if you are not willing to do this, take the risk Kael… give me the chance to see where this might lead us.”
Kael laughed, a low sound. “You really are naive, aren’t you, Akira? You think the council cares about what’s best for the pack?”
I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I tried to keep my cool. “That’s not true,” I said, trying to sound calm. “The council cares about its members, about the pack, about their well-being and safety.”
Kael snorted again. “You believe that, don’t you? You really think the council is some kind of movie, where everyone works together for the greater good?”
I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. “I do. And I think that’s what we should be striving for.”
Kael shook his head. “You’re a dreamer, Akira. And dreamers get eaten alive in this world.”
I felt my face flush with embarrassment at his words, but I tried not to show it. Instead, I stood my ground, looking him straight in the eye.
“I’d rather be a dreamer than a tyrant,” I said, my voice cold.
Kael’s eyes flashed with anger again, but this time, he didn’t bother to hide it.
“Get out,” he spat, his voice echoing off the walls. “Get out of my sight before I do something I regret.”
I nodded, trying to keep my dignity intact as I turned but stopped for some last words.
“Do not think for a minute that I will give up… I am the Luna of this pack and as long as I am here I will protect my pack.”
But Kael’s next words made me go numb with shock.
“A Luna in public…but a breeder is who you are! Don’t forget…”