Kael's chair scraped lightly against the floor as he rose, his commanding presence filling the long breakfast table. His deep voice carried over the hum of conversation.
"This," he announced, the weight of authority behind every syllable , "is your Luna."
The room stilled. No one dared move or breathe wrong. It wasn't an introduction, it was claim. Tasha managed a polite smile, her eyes darting once toward the wide double door at the far end of the hall. If she timed it right, maybe she could slip out unnoticed. But when her gaze caught Rena's frown, she knew her thoughts were plain. As soon as Kael's attention was claimed by a cluster of older men, she rose quietly from her seat. Rena's voice hissed behind her, sharp but low.
"Where are you going?"
Tasha tilted her head with a smirk. "I'm allowed to pee, aren't I?"
"You shouldn't-"
"Don't follow me." she warned, slipping away before Rena could protest again. She wandered down the corridor, opening the first door she found. A bathroom. Except the handle refused to turn.
A soft, chilling laugh floated from behind her. She turned, heart kicking once against her ribs. A woman stood framed in the doorway, her smile bright but strange. Her eyes were pure, unsettling white, and gold rings winked on every finger.
"You must be the Alpha's mate,"
Before she could reply, Kael appeared, his presence comforting her despite wanting to get away. His expression shifted when he saw the woman. "Wait in the main hall," he said without looking her way.
The woman inclined her head, gliding away without a word. His gaze fixed on Tasha. "You shouldn't have come in here alone."
"I was looking for the restroom,"
He stepped closer, she instinctively moved back, her mind flashing to his last uncontrolled outburst.
"My wolf wants a hug."
Her brows lifted. "Then, tell it I don't want a hug."
One corner of his mouth curved, dark amusement glinting in his eyes. "But I do."
Before she could retreat further, his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her flushed against the solid solid heat of him. Her pulse skittered.
She wanted push him away but his scent wrapped around her. His lips brushed her once, a test. Her hands came up to press against his chest to shove him back but her body betrayed her by curling into his chest instead. The warmth of him seeped through her, sinking bone-deep. He kissed her again, deeper this time. She tried to turn her head, but his palm slid to the back of her neck, angling her just where he wanted her. The fight in her faltered. Her toes lifted of her own accord, seeking him.
Her breath mingled with his, quick, uneven. She broke for air, only for him to claim her mouth again, stealing whatever was left of her resolve. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was dangerous. The way his wolf made her feel scared her.
His mouth moved against hers with a hunger that made her head spin. His lips coaxed and demanded all at once, as though he had waited lifetimes for this moment. Tasha's breath broke in a soft gasp when his hands slid lower to her hip, pulling her tighter against the hardness of his body. He groaned in his throat, caught her wrist guiding her hand higher, pressing it firmly against the solid plane of his bare skin as he tore the buttons of his shirt open.
She hadn't meant to look. But his chest glittered and it made her throat dry. Her palm lay flat against him, the steady thrum of his heart only made her want to stay there.
"My own..." His voice was strained, deeper than before, like her was barely holding something back. His wolf. His need.
His hands tugged at her dress, slipping the fabric aside just enough to feel the warmth of her shoulder. And then, a knock sounded.
"Alpha." Nico's voice carried from the other side of the door, steady but urgent. "An emergency meeting."
Kael froze, every muscle tense as the wolf in him wanted to tear down the door for daring to interrupt. His forehead pressed against hers, his breath unsteady. For a moment, he didn't move, as though battling himself. Finally, with a sound of frustration, he stepped back, dragging his shirt over his bare chest with sharp, irritated movements.
"Escort her back to our chambers." he ordered when Nico stepped inside, his voice sharp with command.
Tasha, still dazed, smoothed her gown with trembling hands. Her cheeks burned with heat she couldn't hide, though she tried to keep her expression cool.
"You look warm, Luna." Nico said with a smile.
"I'm not."
She turned away quickly, wishing the floor would swallow her whole. Her heart still thundered, her lips still tingled, she wanted more.
Rena was waiting when she returned. Hands folded neatly in front of her, the older woman's eyes were soft and understanding. Without a word, she guided Tasha toward the bath. Rena helped her bath in silence until, as she drew the cloth to Tasha's collarbone, she paused. The woman's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"There are marks here and there..." she said gently, her voice carrying that knowing edge of a woman who had seen more than her fair share of those things. Her fingertips brushed one of the faint bruises, where Kael's mouth had claim her skin. Her cheeks flamed instantly.
"It's nothing."
"Nothing that looks like teeth."
She gasped, covering her chest with her arms. "You're getting it wrong."
"Of course, my lady. The Alpha has always been possessive of what's his."
"It's not-"
She tried to protest, but the heat on her cheeks made it worse. Rena smiled, smoothing her gown over her shoulders. "I'll bring some wine."
When she left, Tasha was alone in the vast room. Her heart unsettled, her thoughts spiraling. She touched her lips slowly remembering Kael's kiss, his strength and the way she has lost herself completely when he's near. A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said softly, expecting Rena again. But it wasn't her.
She had met him before. But unlike the familiar smirk, his smile was softer, more human, almost chaotic.
"Forgive me," he said smoothly, inclining his head. "I didn't mean to startle you. My name is Lucien. Kael's brother."
"I know you." she said, without pause. "You locked me up, once."
She blinked, clutching the silk of her gown closer.
"For that, I apologize. I was hoping to speak with you," he said, his smile warm and coaxing. "Just for a moment to bond with me. Walk with me?"
Against her better judgement, she followed him. The gardens were cool and alive with whispers of wind in the leaves. Lucien walked at an easy pace, hands clasped behind his back, speaking as though he had known her for years.
"You must wonder about Kael." he began. "He wasn't always like this."
She glanced at his cautiously. "Like what?"
"Closed. Controlled. Haunted." His eyes flickered with a shadow of sadness. "When we were children, he was...different. Our parents noticed it. Always stronger than the others, fiercer. But he never found a mate. Not like the rest of us."
Tasha frowned. "What do you mean?"
"They whisper it's a curse," He said simply. "Once years ago, he slaughtered every worker in the penthouse because he lost control. The scent of their fear drove him wild. After that, we would lock him in the top floor of the house to keep him safe."
Her stomach tightened. She remembered the fire in Kael's eyes, the danger in his touch. She had felt that storm under his skin.
"But," Lucien continued. "Since he found you, he hasn't run wild. It is as if your presence soothes him."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He stopped walking. His smile was calm, but his eyes gleamed faintly in the moonlight. "Because you're not going back there."
"What?"
Before she could take another step, a ripple of cold swept through the garden.