Chapter 73
Elara's POV
Mom started clearing the plates. Her hands moved quickly, stacking dishes with practiced efficiency.
"Elara," she said, not looking up. "Why don't you and Kael go out for a walk? Young people shouldn't stay cooped up inside all day."
I froze with my water glass halfway to my lips.
"You could show him around the neighborhood," Mom continued, carrying plates toward the kitchen. "The park, maybe the shopping district. Kael's still new to the area."
Oh no.
I set down my glass carefully. My brain started screaming.
This was a setup. A complete, obvious setup.
Mom was trying to get me alone with Kael.
I wanted to laugh. Or maybe cry.
Mom, I thought, I'm a broken Omega who can't even shift. Kael's the heir to one of the most powerful packs in the region. What exactly do you think is going to happen here?
But I couldn't say any of that out loud.
I opened my mouth to make an excuse. Any excuse.
"That sounds good," Kael said.
My head snapped toward him.
He was looking at Mom, not me. His expression was calm. Neutral.
"I'd like to see more of the town," he added.
Wait. What?
Why was he agreeing to this?
I stared at him, trying to read his face. Was he just being polite? Or did he actually want to spend more time here?
And if so... why?
My pulse picked up speed. Not in a good way.
Before I could figure out what to say, Ethan's chair scraped against the floor.
He stood up. "I'm coming too."
Mom turned around, surprised. "Ethan? I thought you were going to work on the car this afternoon."
"Plans changed." Ethan's voice was flat. Cold.
He looked at Kael. Just for a second. Then his eyes slid to me.
"I'm her brother," he said. "It's my job to spend time with my sister. And her... friend."
The way he said "friend" made it sound like an insult.
The air got heavier.
Kael didn't react. His face stayed completely blank.
But I saw his jaw tighten. Just a fraction.
Mom clapped her hands together. "Well then! The three of you can go together. That'll be nice and lively."
She smiled like she'd just solved a problem.
I wanted to sink through the floor.
This wasn't a date anymore.
This was a disaster waiting to happen.
---
I went upstairs to change my shoes.
My hands were shaking as I laced up my sneakers.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
Spend the afternoon stuck between Kael and Ethan? While they glared at each other and I pretended everything was fine?
This was going to be torture.
I grabbed my phone and shoved it in my pocket. Took a breath. Headed back downstairs.
Kael and Ethan were waiting by the front door.
They stood on opposite sides of the doorway. Kael on the left. Ethan on the right.
Neither of them was looking at the other.
The silence was so thick I could feel it pressing against my skin.
Mom appeared from the kitchen. She handed me a water bottle.
"Don't stay out too late," she said cheerfully. "Be back before dinner."
"Okay." My voice came out quieter than I meant it to.
I took the bottle. Walked toward the door.
Kael stepped aside to let me pass.
Ethan did the same.
I walked between them and out into the afternoon sunlight.
Behind me, I heard them follow.
Two sets of footsteps. Perfectly synchronized.
God help me.
---
We walked down the street in the most awkward formation I'd ever experienced.
I was in the middle.
Kael on my left. Ethan on my right.
Neither of them said a word.
I kept my eyes forward. Watched the sidewalk pass under my feet.
The silence was suffocating.
I could feel Ethan's presence like a wall. Solid. Protective. Radiating don't-you-dare-touch-her energy.
He didn't trust Kael. That much was obvious.
Even though Mom had no idea who Kael really was, Ethan had figured it out. Or at least suspected.
And he did not like it.
On my other side, Kael walked with his hands in his pockets. Relaxed. Unbothered.
But I knew better.
His shoulders were too straight. His breathing too controlled.
He was aware of Ethan. Very aware.
This was a standoff.
And I was stuck in the middle of it.
We reached the park entrance. The gates were open. Inside, I could see families on the grass. Kids running around. A couple jogging past.
Normal people doing normal things.
Unlike us.
I was about to suggest we just turn around and go home when Ethan stopped walking.
"There's a basketball court over there," he said.
I followed his gaze.
Sure enough, there was a court on the far side of the park. Empty except for a couple of guys shooting hoops at one end.
Ethan looked at Kael. "Want to play a few rounds?"
His tone was casual.
But his eyes weren't.
Kael turned his head slowly. Met Ethan's stare.
Something passed between them. Something I couldn't quite read.
Then Kael's mouth curved. Just slightly.
"You want to compete?" he asked.
"Just messing around," Ethan said.
Liar.
This wasn't about basketball.
This was about territory. About proving something.
I watched them both pull off their jackets and head toward the court.
I stayed where I was. Standing on the path. Holding my water bottle.
Two idiots, I thought.
Two complete idiots.