ALPHA KAEL’s POV.
I paced back and forth in my office, trying to calm my racing mind. Akira had just left, and I couldn’t shake off the guilt that clawed at me with each passing second. She didn’t understand, she never did. She thought I was being stubborn and rude, but she had no idea what was at stake.
Just as I was starting to calm down, Zephyr walked in, his brows furrowed in concern. “Kael, what’s going on? Akira looked like she’d been through a war.”
I stopped pacing and turned to face him. “She doesn’t get it, Zeph. She thinks I’m being rude and nonchalant, she called me a tyrant, but I know Keiran is playing a game. And Akira… she’s too bold, too reckless. She doesn’t know when to back down.”
Zephyr’s expression turned thoughtful. “You’re worried about her safety.”
I nodded. “Yes, I am. Keiran will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Akira… she’s too innocent and sometimes she does not think shit through before she does it. She thinks everyone is as innocent as she is. She is talking about starters? Does she know how many people got Keiran’s fucking back in that goddam council?”
Zephyr leaned against the wall, his eyes never leaving mine. “That’s why you didn’t listen to her, isn’t it? You’re trying to protect her. You are scared of something bad happening to her?”
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. “I know it wasn’t the right thing to do, but I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t risk Keiran finding out what she knows.”
Zephyr pushed off the wall and walked towards me. “Kael, you need to trust Akira. She’s not a fool, and she can take care of herself. Yeah, keiran is crazy and might try to hurt her, but you are here and keiran is not a fool to face you head-on.”
I shook my head. “You don’t understand, Zeph. Keiran… he’s different. He’s ruthless, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants, he might not face me but Akira… he will kill Jet. And Akira… she’s too precious to me in this game. I won’t risk losing her.”
Zephyr’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. “I understand, Kael. But you need to find a way to trust Akira. She’s your mate, your partner. You can’t protect her from everything. The council and everyone got their eyes and hopes on you. If Akira were to lean back, it would only create rumors in the idle minds of haters… I think you should let her do what she is doing… while you protect her from the shadows.”
I knew Zephyr was right, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of fear. Fear of losing Akira, fear of Keiran’s crazy and unpredictable actions. I knew I had to find a way to trust Akira, but it was harder than I thought.
“You will protect her, just like you have been protecting us.” Zephyr encouraged.
I knew he was right, but the fear of losing Akira was overwhelming.
“I know, Zeph,” I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt. “But it’s hard to trust anyone when you’ve been betrayed as many times as I have.”
Zephyr nodded, he understood what I was talking about. “I get it, Kael. But Akira’s not just anyone. She’s your mate, your partner. She’s supposed to be by your side, not against you. If she wants to help, let her.. but give her the backing and support she needs. You are the alpha, your word is law .. . If she had your word, who knows? She might just be able to bring this mystery havoc wrecker to you.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know that, Zeph. But what if she’s not strong enough? What if Keiran finds out what she knows and uses her against me? What if… someone bigger than keiran is the one pulling the strings from the dark?”
Zephyr’s calm look faltered for a moment but he quickly replaced it with a smile. “Akira’s stronger than you think, Kael. And she’s not just some pawn to be used against you. She’s a powerful wolf in her own right.”
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Really?”
Zephyr shrugged. “Maybe she’s waiting for the right moment. Or maybe she’s trying to protect you from getting hurt. She might feel you are under pressure from the pack and council… so this…this is where she needs your yes to help you.”
I snorted. “Protect me? Akira’s always trying to tell me what to do, and how to run the pack. She thinks she knows better than me. She is hot and hardheaded… a very stubborn creature.”
Zephyr chuckled. “That’s because she cares, Kael. She wants what’s best for the pack and for you.”
I shook my head, feeling a mix of emotions. “I don’t know, Zeph. I just feel like I’m losing control, like everything’s slipping away from my grip.”
Zephyr’s expression turned serious. “Kael, you need to trust Akira. You need to trust your mate. Otherwise, you’ll lose her, and the pack will suffer for it.”
For the first time in forever, my heart skipped a beat, not for love… but something that felt like fear. Losing Akira was not an option. I needed her, the pack needed her.
“Okay, Zeph,” I said finally. “I’ll try. I’ll try to trust her, to listen to her.”
Zephyr nodded a small smile on his face. “That’s all anyone can ask for, Kael.”
Just as Zephyr turned to leave, a knock was heard on the door and the palace messenger walked in.
“Greetings Alpha Kael, greetings Beta Zephyr.” The wolf greeted, his head bowed in respect.
“Greetings,” I replied. “What brings you here?”
“I have a message, from an anonymous sender… for the alpha.” The wolf answered and gave me the letter in its hands.
The first thing that caught my eye was the blood stain on the envelope.
“Blood?”