UNLOCKING TRUST

UNLOCKING TRUST
Celine’s pov

I rushed my bath after hearing Freya's voice. I no longer felt the warmth of the water as anxiety crawled beneath my skin.

I needed to step out quickly, what if Freya says what she saw on my phone? I can’t even defend myself.

Her words echoed in my head.

“I’m sorry, Alpha, but I couldn’t find Shabby.”

She’s definitely lying. This is her ploy to serve the meal that might have been poisoned and then tell Kael what she saw. I won’t let her.

I wrapped a towel around myself, slipped into my pajamas, and stepped out of the bathroom.

Kael stood by the window, his back to me, while Freya was beside him, her head bowed respectfully.

What’s going on? I hope it isn’t what I’m thinking. Has she told Kael already?

“Kael?” I called softly, but he remained silent.

She must have told him.

“What’s wrong, Freya?” I asked, pretending to be surprised.

“Alpha, I told you. I saw the message myself. She’s the one who sent those men,” Freya said, addressing Kael instead of me.

My breath caught. She told him and she dared to say it right before me? I needed to stick to the plan and keep acting surprised.

“What?” My voice broke as I turned sharply to her. “Freya, how could you…”

“Don’t,” Kael interrupted, finally turning to face me. His expression had hardened.

“Is that true, Celine?” he asked.

My throat felt dry. How could I explain?

“Of course not! You think I’d betray you? Kael, I would never…”

“Then unlock your phone, let me check your chats myself,” he cut in, placing my phone in front of me.

A shiver ran down my spine. I was an idiot. How could I have left the phone here while I went to bathe? I should have taken it along.

“W…what?” I asked, my voice shaking.

That was the last thing I’d ever do. How could I unlock my phone for him? If I did, he’d find out my mission in his pack and that I’d deceived him. I would be killed on the spot, he would do that himself.

“Your phone,” he repeated, his tone firm, his eyes locked on mine.

“If you’ve got nothing to hide, unlock it.”

My hands trembled. I took the phone from him as he stared, his eyes burning with fury. I couldn’t do it. Instead, I gripped the device tighter, my mind racing.

“I don’t like this, Kael,” I said quietly. “You’re letting her…”

“I’m letting the truth come out,” he cut me off again, his voice deeper now.

“I don’t believe her, Celine. But I need to believe you.”

“Then trust me. You said you didn’t believe her,” I pleaded.

“I want to,” he admitted, stepping closer.

“But you’re trembling, avoiding my eyes, clutching your phone like it’s a secret.”

I forced a laugh to ease the tension, but it came out weak.

“I’m trembling because the person I trust is doubting me,” I answered.

“Alpha, she’s hiding something. Check it and you’ll see, I saw it myself,” Freya said softly.

“Shut up, Freya!” I snapped, glaring at her. “You have no right…”

“Enough!” Kael’s voice thundered across the room.

He looked at me again.

“Celine, give me the phone,” he said, his tone calm this time.

I hesitated. My heart slammed against my ribs.

“Kael, please… not tonight. I can explain everything, but not like this.”

“Then when? After the damage is done? After the pack turns against you?” he asked, his jaw tightening.

I swallowed hard, every nerve screaming at me to run, to hide, to destroy all my messages with Damien. But I couldn’t not now, not with Freya standing there like a silent executioner, feeding his doubts with her stillness.

What exactly does she stand to gain? If I don’t show him the message, he could banish me from the pack. Well, he should banish me rather than execute me. Whatever he chooses, I still won’t unlock my phone.

I took two steps backward

“No. I’m sorry, I can’t,” I answered.

His eyes widened, filled with disbelief and fury.

“You’re refusing me?” He asked, his voice laced with rage.

“I’m protecting myself, because right now, Kael, you’re not asking as my mate, you’re asking as my Alpha,” I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay firm.

Kael remained silent as he stared at me, while Freya lowered her gaze.

Kael’s hands clenched at his sides.
“You’re right,” he began. “Tonight, I’m your Alpha. And as Alpha, I’ll find the truth… with or without your consent.” His voice was deeper now.

My heart sank. What did he mean by that? Did he want to force me to unlock my phone?

“Should I call the guards, Alpha?” Freya asked, bowing slightly, hiding the ghost of a smirk.

I stared at her in shock. This woman never liked me. How could she say such a thing? Guards, on me? If I make it out of this, I’ll make sure she pays. And I know Kael would like the idea of using his guards, he’s done it before.

I met Kael’s gaze, waiting for him to say the word so Freya could call the guards.

“No. Leave us,” Kael said firmly.

I was surprised. I looked back at Freya as she hesitated, then nodded and walked out.

Kael turned back to me.

“Celine, don’t make me doubt you,” he said quietly.

But the truth was, he already did.

And I had no idea how to save myself from this before it escalates. How do I fix this?

“I’m sorry, Kael. I know you’re angry, but I need you to trust me. There’s no such message on my phone. She misunderstood, it wasn’t for me,” I said.

“Celine, I truly believe you,” he said slowly, “but I also need you to prove that… by unlocking your phone.”

Should I unlock it for him?

No. I can’t. He won’t take it lightly once he sees the truth.

“Okay?” he said calmly, stretching out his hand towards me.