Kael’s POV.
The haze of alcohol had settled comfortably over me, dulling the edges of my thoughts. The pounding music of *Scarlet’s* faded into the background as I leaned back in the leather booth, the whiskey in my hand half-forgotten. My plan for Aria was clear in my mind, and the confidence of knowing I was in control made me relax more than I had in days. But tonight wasn’t about Aria, or Mara, or the endless politics that came with being the Alpha’s son. Tonight was about me.
The redhead who had approached me earlier was back, her sharp, fiery eyes locked on mine as she leaned seductively against the edge of the booth. Her lips curled into a playful smile, her confidence evident in the way she moved.
“Changed your mind yet?” she asked, her voice low and smooth, dripping with suggestion.
For a moment, I studied her, my silver-gray eyes trailing over her curves. She was bold, confident, and exactly the kind of distraction I needed tonight. “Maybe I have,” I said, smirking as I set my glass down on the table.
Jace raised an eyebrow from across the booth, his grin widening as he watched the exchange. “Looks like Kael finally decided to loosen up,” he teased, lifting his drink in a mock toast. “Go on, boss. Don’t let us hold you back.”
I ignored him, my attention focused entirely on the redhead. “What’s your name?” I asked, my voice low and smooth.
“Does it matter?” she replied with a sly smile, her fingers brushing lightly against my arm.
I chuckled, standing up and holding out my hand. “Fair enough. Let’s go.”
Without hesitation, she took my hand, her touch light and teasing. I led her through the club, weaving past the crowd as the bass of the music vibrated through the floor. The cool night air hit us as we stepped outside, the neon glow of *Scarlet’s* casting long shadows on the pavement. My black Ferrari was parked nearby, its sleek frame gleaming under the streetlights.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I watched as she settled into the passenger side, her legs crossing gracefully. She looked at me with a smirk, her red hair tumbling over her shoulders like flames. “Nice car,” she said, her tone playful.
I started the engine, the deep growl of the Ferrari filling the silence. “It gets the job done,” I said, smirking as I shifted into gear and pulled out of the lot.
The drive to my villa was short-just ten minutes of winding roads and the roar of the engine cutting through the quiet night. I could feel her gaze on me as I drove, her curiosity evident, but she didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t need to.
The villa was small but private, tucked away in the woods just outside the city. It wasn’t much, but it was mine-a place where I could escape from the pressures of the pack, from my father, from everything. As we pulled up the gravel driveway, the headlights illuminated the stone exterior, and I turned off the engine, stepping out of the car.
She followed me inside, her heels clicking against the wooden floors as I closed the door behind us. The space was dark, the only light coming from the moonlight streaming through the windows.
“Cozy,” she said, her voice laced with amusement as she looked around.
I didn’t respond, stepping closer to her and closing the distance between us. She met my gaze, her lips curling into a knowing smile as she reached up to touch my chest.
“Not much of a talker, are you?” she teased.
“Not tonight,” I said, my voice low as I leaned in, capturing her lips in a hungry kiss.
The rest of the night blurred into a haze of heat and sex, the weight of the world falling away as I lost myself in her. For a few hours, nothing else mattered-no Aria, no Mara, no responsibilities. Just the moment.
—
The Next Morning.
The sunlight streaming through the villa’s windows woke me, the warmth of it brushing against my face. I opened my eyes slowly, the events of the night before coming back in fragments. The redhead was gone, leaving only the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air.
I stretched, yawning as I rolled out of bed and headed for the shower. The hot water hit my skin, washing away the remnants of the night. By the time I stepped out and dressed, my mind was already shifting back to the engagement, to the game I was playing, to Aria.
But as I grabbed my keys and headed for the Ferrari, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Frowning, I pulled it out, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the name on the screen.
Father!!
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yes?”
“Get back to the castle. Now.” His tone was sharp and cold, leaving no room for argument.
The line went dead before I could respond, and a sinking feeling settled in my chest. Something was wrong.
The drive back to the castle was tense, the usual thrill of the Ferrari’s speed doing nothing to calm my nerves. As I pulled into the driveway, I spotted my father standing at the entrance, his arms crossed and his expression dark.
Stepping out of the car, I met his gaze, trying to mask my unease. “What’s this about?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
He didn’t respond immediately, his cold blue eyes narrowing as he studied me. Finally, he reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and holding it up for me to see.
The screen displayed a photo-grainy but clear enough to recognize. It was me, walking out of *Scarlet’s* with the redhead from last night, her hand in mine as we headed for the Ferrari.
My stomach dropped.
“Care to explain this?” my father asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain calm. “It’s nothing,” I said. “Just a distraction. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Nothing?” he snapped, his voice rising. “You’re engaged, Kael. To Aria. Do you have any idea what this could do to the alliance we’ve been working to secure? If her father sees this-”
“He won’t,” I interrupted, my tone firm. “No one will.”
“You’re a fool if you think this won’t get out,” he said, his glare cutting through me. “Whoever took this photo didn’t send it to me by accident. Someone’s watching you, Kael. Someone who wants to see you fail.”
I exhaled sharply, the weight of his words sinking in. Mara. It had to be her.
My father stepped closer, his expression hard. “You’re playing a dangerous game, and it’s going to blow up in your face if you’re not careful. Fix this, Kael. Now. Or I’ll handle it myself.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked back into the castle, leaving me standing there with a storm brewing in my chest.
This wasn’t just a mistake. It was a warning. And whoever was behind it was about to regret crossing me.