Unyielding Shadows

Leah’s POV

The moment I heard his footsteps drawing near, my stomach twisted into knots. Alpha Keal was on his way. The heavy dound of his boots resonated down the hall, growing louder with every step. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to kneel upright, lifting my shaking hands higher despite the stinging ache in my arms.

By the time he stepped into the room, the air became oppressive. I could feel the intensity of his gaze even without looking at him. He remained silent as he walked past me, his presence as commanding as ever.

Moments later, Aria, Liam, and Beta Marcus walked in. Aria stopped abruptly as her eyes landed on me.

“What the hell is this?” she shouted, rushing over to where I knelt. “Leah, why are you kneeling like this, with your hands raised?”

“It’s the Alpha,” I replied softly, my voice cracking a bit.

“What?” Aria turned quickly to her brother, her face twisted in disbelief. “Keal, what is going on? Why would you—”

“Aria,” Keal interrupted coldly, not even bothering to look at her. “mind your business. Sit down and eat your breakfast.”

“Eat breakfast?!” she snapped, her voice rising. “How am I can sit down and eat when someone is in this position? What did she do to deserve this?”

“She disobeyed me,” Keal replied curtly, his tone short and decisive. “And I don’t owe you an explanation. Sit down.”

Marcus cleared his throat, stepping forward hesitantly. “Alpha, if I may—”

“You may not,” Keal interrupted him, his voice sharp as a knife. “This is none of your concern, Marcus. None of you are to interfere. Is that understood?”

Aria let out an annoyed sigh, muttering something under her breath as she reluctantly took a seat. Marcus shared a concerned glance with her but didn't say anything else.

Liam, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed by the tension in the room. He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed casually.

“Bella! Celia!” he barked suddenly, making me to jump.

Bella and Celia rushed into the room, both of them moving stiffly. I noticed how bella winced slightly while carrying the heavy tray of food, and how Celia steps wavered as she tried to balance the plates.

I knew why. They were still pain from the beating they had  endured yesterday. And I also knew they were trying to hide it, their movements cautious and calculated, so that Alpha Keal wouldn’t notice I had treated them.

“Hurry up!” Liam snapped impatiently. “I’m starving over here.”

“Yes, sir,” Bella replied quietly, placing the tray down in front of him.

“Be careful, Bella,” Celia whispered as she reached for the plates. But Liam’s sharp voice cut through the air again.

“Don’t whisper while you’re serving me,” he growled. “You’re here to work, not to gossip. Now move faster.”

I clenched my fists, the strain in my arms forgotten for a moment as anger surged within me. But I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t even lower my hands without risking Keal’s wrath.

“You’re unbelievable,” Aria muttered, looking at Liam. “They’re clearly in pain, and you’re barking orders like they’re your personal slaves.”

“Mind your business, Aria,” Liam said dismissively, not even looking at her.

“Enough,” Alpha Keal’s voice cut through the air like a whip, silencing everyone. He turned to Aria, his expression hard. “I told you to stay out of this.”

Aria stood, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “No, Keal. I’m not staying out of this. You’re punishing someone who’s been helping you. Leah has been treating you—doing what even the Crimson Healers couldn’t. And this is how you are paying her back?”

Keal’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You’re testing my patience, Aria.”

“And you’re showing that you have lust all sence of humanity,” she shot back.

I barely listened to their argument, my attention was entirely on keeping my hands raised. My arms were shaking uncontrollably now, the pain almost unbearable.

“Alpha,” Marcus attempted  again, his tone cautious. “Maybe it would be wise to—”

“Enough!” Keal roared, slamming his hand down on the table. The sound resonated through the room, making me flinch. His eyes, cold and unforgiving, locked onto mine.

“Straighten your hands,” he commanded.

I bit my lip hard, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as I forced my arms higher, ignoring the agonsing pain coursing through my muscles.

The pain in my arms was unbearable, yet I held them up,  biting my cheek to distract myself from the pain. My legs felt stiff from kneeling so long, and I could feel my balance wavering.

Aria's gaze shifted between me and Alpha Keal. She looked furious, her hands clenched into fists on the table. Finally, she slammed them down and stood up abruptly, the sound resonating in the dining hall.

“I can’t sit here and watch this,” Aria said sharply, her voice cutting through the thick silence. “Keal, this is madness! Leah has done nothing but help you—gone above and beyond to treat you—and this is how you repay her?”

Keal didn’t even glance at her at first. He was busy finishing the sip of water in his hand, his movements slow and deliberate, as if her outburst were nothing more than an irritating buzz in the background.

“Aria, sit down,” he said, his tone cold and dismissive.

“No,” Aria shot back, “I won’t. If this is who you are, I don’t think I can stay here anymore. I can’t watch you treat someone who’s only always tried to help you like she’s nothing. You’re better than this, Keal. Or at least, I thought you were.”

Keal’s jaw clenched, his hand gripping the edge of the table. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, his icy gaze locking onto hers.

“You’re leaving?” he asked, his voice deceptively calm. “Over this?”

“Yes,” Aria replied firmly. “I am.” She stepped away from the table, her chair screeching loudly against the floor as she pushed it back.

Keal’s voice echoed through the room. “Stop.”

Aria paused on her track, her back stiff but her chin held high.

He turned his glare on me, his piercing eyes sending a chill down my spine. “Leah, get up,” he said coldly.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I’d heard him correctly. My arms dropped immediately, the relief immediate but short-lived as I struggled to rise from the floor. My legs were like jelly, and it took all my effort to stand.

Keal’s eyes narrowed as he watched me, his expression hard and unreadable. “Do you know why I’m letting you go?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

I shook my head, unsure if I should even respond.

“Because of her,” he said, nodding toward Aria. “She and Liam are my only family. And as much as you don’t deserve it, I wouldn’t want her skipping breakfast because of this nonsense.”

“Keal—” Aria began, but he cut her off with a sharp look.