CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
“Kaelin, do you realize the consequences of ignoring my calls?”

The furious voice nearly made her flinch, but Kaelin forced herself to remain calm. She pressed the phone tighter against her ear, drawing a slow breath before answering.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “The moment wasn’t right.”

“Is it right now?” the voice snapped.

Her eyes flicked around the Nightbloom Trail, making sure no one was within earshot. Only the whisper of the mountain breeze brushed against her skin. She finally exhaled, lowering her guard just enough to respond.

“No. I had to slip away from Ironfang Yard just to answer. It would be best if you don’t call me for a while, Alpha Varick.”

“But you’ve given me nothing,” he barked.

“There’s nothing happening,” Kaelin lied smoothly.

“I heard Seraphine has taken your place,” Varick pressed, his tone sharp as blades.

The memory of Alpha Thorne’s devastated eyes cut through her composure, stabbing guilt into her chest. He had trusted her, even when she hadn’t deserved it. Another tragedy for him was unthinkable.

“It was my mistake,” she admitted quietly. “I silenced Orrin before he could expose you. That only stirred Alpha Thorne’s suspicion.”

“I hope you’re not feeding me falsehoods, Kaelin. Because if I discover you are—” his voice dropped into a venomous hiss—“you know what I’ll do.”

A tremor coursed through her. Fate had played a cruel hand the night she discovered her bond with Troy, Varick’s Beta. From the instant their bond was revealed, Alpha Varick had sunk his claws into her life. Either Kaelin obeyed, or Troy would be slaughtered.

Varick held Troy’s life hostage, and hers along with it. Any hope of freedom was a dangerous illusion. Even if they tried to run, Varick’s vengeance would find them.

And yet, her heart betrayed her. Against all reason, she had grown to care for Alpha Thorne. She had dreamed he might one day return those feelings, that he might see her not as Varick’s pawn but as something more. If he had, perhaps she could have severed her bond with Troy and freed them both. But Thorne was bound by principles too rigid to bend.

“I’m not foolish enough to lie to you,” Kaelin said firmly, trying to reclaim ground.

“Then enlighten me. What do you know of Seraphine, Luna Celeste, and Alpha Thorne?”

Her throat tightened. She knew little of whatever fragile thread might exist between Thorne and Seraphine, but she was certain of one thing—Thorne’s heart was untouched by Luna Celeste. Still, envy clawed at her. She couldn’t stand the thought of Celeste winning what she herself never could.

“There’s nothing between them,” Kaelin muttered bitterly.

“Then where is Luna Celeste?” Varick demanded.

Her face darkened at the reminder of her failure. She had meant to take Celeste’s life, but the woman had been moved before Kaelin could strike.

“She was taken from the Wolfsbane Packhouse after Orrin’s death. I never saw her again. Even my spies lost track of her once Thorne’s Shadow Elite moved her. If you ask me, she should be your next target.”

Kaelin hadn’t realized at the time how tightly Thorne’s guards had hidden Celeste. Her spies had eyes everywhere—except on the Shadow Elite.

“No,” Varick sneered. “You don’t understand. Thorne treated Calla like she was sacred, even after only a few hours together. If his heart belonged to Celeste, he wouldn’t have hidden her away. What I need is clarity about Seraphine.”

Kaelin stiffened. Seraphine wasn’t her favorite, but the woman wasn’t nearly as dangerous as Celeste. Celeste’s very name carried through every pack like a hymn. Even Varick himself seemed intrigued by her.

“I’ll push my informants inside Wolfsbane to dig deeper,” Kaelin offered carefully.

“The one embedded in the packhouse is useless,” Varick spat. “She only tells me about the endless arguments over how Thorne treats Celeste. You know I can’t stand to see him content. I’ll tear down every shred of his joy.”

Panic flared through Kaelin. If Thorne ever uncovered Varick’s schemes, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike him down—and her with him.

“You’ve already taken so much from him,” she blurted. “Why not just kill him and be done with it?”

“If I could,” Varick’s voice darkened, “I would have long ago. But no… he has everything I’ve ever wanted. That’s why I’ll never let him be happy. Not after—”

His words cut off abruptly.

“Not after what?” Kaelin pressed, curiosity sparking.

Silence.

“You’re still in love with him, aren’t you?” he countered suddenly, turning the blade back on her.

Her face fell, even though he couldn’t see it.

“But he doesn’t feel the same,” she admitted softly.

“Of course not. He never will. And the sooner you accept that, the safer your precious mate will be. You disgrace yourself, Kaelin. To fall for another man when you already have a bond? Perhaps your wolf is sick. Maybe Dr. Halden should examine you.”

His cruel words burned. Shame pressed down on her chest. She couldn’t win Thorne’s heart, couldn’t reject Troy without dooming him, couldn’t find a way out of Varick’s web. Every path ended in chains.

“I’ve already done everything you’ve asked,” she said through clenched teeth. “What more do you want from me?”

Varick’s laughter slithered down the line. “Seraphine is next.”

Her lips parted in protest, but the line went dead.

Kaelin’s hand shook as she lowered the phone. A shadow fell over her.

She turned—and froze.

Alpha Kalen stood behind her, eyes glowing crimson. “Who were you speaking with? Are you spying on Shadowglen Pack?”

Her heart pounded like a war drum. “It’s not what you think,” she whispered.

“Then start talking.” His voice was unyielding, heavy with Alpha authority.

But she couldn’t. If she confessed, Troy would pay the price. And unlike Thorne, Alpha Kalen wasn’t bound by mercy. She knew exactly how to disarm him.

Kaelin’s tone softened, her stance shifting. She closed the space between them, letting her hand trace across his chest. “Why waste time on questions? We could spend the night together instead. I’d rather give myself to you than face Varick’s wrath.”

For a heartbeat, she believed it might work.

But Kalen’s hand shot up, catching her wrist in an iron grip.

“It’s too late for that,” he growled. “I care for my pack, and I await my true mate. Betrayal will not be sheltered here. Give me answers, or you’ll join Varick in Ravenmark Pack.”

With that, he released her and turned away, leaving Kaelin stunned.

He wasn’t like the others. He would not be swayed by desire.

When training ended, Alpha Kalen strode to his office, his face set like stone. He sat at his ironbark desk, pulled out his communicator, and dialed the one man who needed to know—