Chapter 24 Cut her loose
~Kael’s POV~
“This is unfair,” Rudy complained for what felt like the hundredth time that day, his voice vibrating with restless irritation. His presence prickled at the corners of my mind like an itch I could not scratch.
“Allow me to concentrate, Rudy,” I said, draining the last drop of wine from the glass and feeling the warm burn slide down my throat. I set the empty glass aside and headed back to my desk as if the surface of it could offer me the clarity I desperately needed.
“You cannot keep doing this. You cannot keep us away from her forever,” he grumbled, sounding hurt, frustrated, restless, and dangerously close to losing patience.
“I can, and I will,” I insisted. My fingers pressed into my temples as I tried to ease the persistent headache that had settled there, refusing to leave for days. It felt as if something was clawing at the inside of my skull, refusing to give me a moment of peace.
It had been days since I last saw Lyra. Not because she was unreachable, but because I made her unreachable. I ensured she was well fed and taken care of, and I provided all the basic things she needed without fail. Yet I denied myself the sight of her face.
And why? Because I needed to regain control of myself. My thoughts refused to obey me. They were filled with her, saturated with her, overflowing with images and sensations of her. Her face haunted me. Her eyes lingered even when I tried to sleep. Her voice replayed itself without permission. Her body, the shape of it, the warmth of it, the memory of how her skin felt against mine, everything tormented me. The strange pull I felt toward her did not weaken. It grew stronger. It made my body respond to her in ways I could not control, ways I had never experienced with anyone else.
I adamantly believed she had done something to me. But how was that possible when she was nothing more than a basic witch who barely knew how to wield any magic? Still, I forced myself to stay away, clinging to the hope that whatever she had done would eventually fade.
But was staying away helping? Hell no. It was a disaster. I was suffering intensely. Rudy was suffering alongside me, frustrated and pacing in my mind. Was I really to believe she was my mate?
A knock on the door cut through my thoughts like a blade.
“Come in,” I announced, forcing myself to straighten and compose my expression before whoever stood outside entered the room.
Dagan walked in with his usual heavy steps. His expression was serious and businesslike.
“Here is the compilation of the reports from the hunters. They all came in this morning and I have gathered them into one file,” he reported. He stepped forward and placed the file neatly on my desk.
“Thank you,” I said, pulling the file closer as if the pages could distract me from the chaos swirling in my mind.
“Can we talk?” he asked. His tone softened and his eyes shifted, hinting at something more personal.
“About what?” I asked, watching him closely.
He let out a deep sigh. “Listen, Kael. I know these past few days have been difficult for everyone, especially for you. I want to apologize for making things even harder and for failing to support you the way I should have.”
“You finally come to your senses?” I raised a brow at him. The apology surprised me because for a moment he sounded like the old Dagan, the one I trusted, not the one who had been acting like a jealous and irrational spouse.
“We have been together for a long time and we work well as a team,” he continued. “I admit I acted foolishly and allowed my ego to blind me. I make mistakes too, and this was one of those times. Let us put everything behind us. I want to fix what I damaged.”
“Have you found out who gave that order to Gordon?” I asked, deciding that if he truly wished to fix anything, that was where he should begin.
“I have not, but I am still working on it,” he replied. A thoughtful look crossed his face. “It troubles me deeply to know that we have traitors among us. I have a few suspects, but I am still questioning people and observing their actions. I want to avoid accusing anyone wrongly. In my experience, those closest to us are often the ones we should watch the most carefully.”
“You are right,” I said with a nod. “Keep investigating and maintain a low profile. I will conduct my own investigation from this side as well.”
“I will do that, Alpha,” he said, sounding somewhat relieved.
Another knock echoed through the room, and I gave permission for the person outside to enter.
“Good day, Alpha Kael,” Elder Rowan greeted politely as he stepped inside.
“Elder Rowan, welcome. Please have a seat,” I said, gesturing toward the chair opposite me. I had summoned him earlier because I needed counsel, and he was the only person I trusted enough to share certain matters with.
“Good afternoon, Elder Rowan,” Dagan greeted, offering him a respectful nod. His tone was calm, but a glint of mischief lingered in his eyes.
“Good afternoon, Beta Dagan,” Rowan replied.
“Are you still angry about the other day?” Dagan asked him.
“Malice is for the jobless. I have far too many responsibilities to carry any grudges. Your little accusation is not something that troubles me,” Rowan answered, turning to look him directly in the eye.
“I am glad to hear that,” Dagan said with a brief smile before shifting his attention back to me. “It is almost time for lunch, Alpha. Will you not eat something?”
“No. I have no appetite for food,” I replied.
“All right. Please keep me updated on anything you are working on so I can know how best to protect our collective interest.”
“I will,” I said.
“Have a good day, Elder Rowan,” Dagan added with another smile before walking out of the room.
“I do not trust that lad,” Elder Rowan said the moment Dagan was completely out of earshot.
“Why not?” I asked, but before he could answer another knock struck the door. This time it was Brenda who entered.
“Good afternoon, Alpha Kael,” she said with a forced calmness.
“Brenda, is something wrong?” I asked.
“May I know the reason you instructed your guards not to let me into your quarters?” she asked. She tried to hide her anger, but it seeped through her tone and twisted her expression.
“As you already know, I have a prisoner there,” I said. “And you are not the only person restricted from entering my quarters without my express permission. Nobody is allowed inside unless I specifically say so.” I kept my tone measured, unwilling to let something so trivial ruin an already exhausting day.
“I am not just anybody, Kael,” she stated firmly.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“We need to talk. In private. I have a message from my father that is meant for your ears only,” she revealed.
“Can it wait?” I asked.
“Until when?” she demanded.
“Tonight. I have too much to handle right now.”
“And your guards?” she pressed.
“I will instruct them to let you in,” I said.
She turned sharply and left, looking satisfied with the arrangement.
“You truly have no interest in her, do you?” Elder Rowan asked, and I shook my head while rubbing my forehead again.
“If not for all of you, she would not have this delusion,” I muttered.
“Truly, she has the qualities required to become a strong Luna, but if she is not what you want, then do not force it,” Rowan said gently.
“I am not forcing anything,” I replied. “She is the one forcing it.”
“My advice is simple. Cut her loose,” Elder Rowan said. Yet his words made it sound as if I was the one clinging to her.
“I am not holding on to her,” I said firmly.
“Then make it clear, Kael,” Rowan insisted. “Make it very clear that you are not interested in her in the way she expects.”