Chapter 102 OPEN BOOK
Chapter 102 OPEN BOOK
Diego's POV
The training field stretched quiet before me, the clang of weapons gone, only the faint rustle of the wind disturbing the silence. Normally, either the solitude or the thrill of fighting one of my soldiets easily took my mind off the million things that threatened to tear me apart, but I guess today was one of those days that I'd grown immune to those kind of things.
I could swear the training field was my go to arena when I needed a distraction but, right now, i couldn't be more wrong.
“Alpha.” The sound of my name was all it took to pull me back to the present. I raised my head, just to see the unlucky fellow I'd picked from the last group of trainees that were heading out while I was on my way in. While the young lad might see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity, I saw him as an avenue to pour out all of my frustration. “I'm ready when you are.”
I didn't say anything, but I nodded,just so he would know I acknowledged him. I watched him brandish his sword, and I almost laughed. He wouldn't last two seconds in the circle with me, armed or not.
I held the young soldiers gaze one more time, before nodding again. This one was from and curt, and he knew what it meant instantly. It was time.
He rushed at me immediately with his sword raised up, but I dodged his attack in just the blink of an eye. A low grunt slid past his lips as he turned to strike, but my leg caught his feet, causing him to tumble into the dirt face flat.
In a flourish, I pulled the sword from his grip, before pressing the sharp edge against the side of his face.
“Get out of here.” I spat. “And don't ever show your face till you learn how you fight.”
The soldier scrambled to his feet, and while it wasp funny to see him run away like a little cub that had been scarred for life,, I couldn't bring myself to laugh. It wasn't funny. It wasn't funny at all.
Today, my impromptu fights didn't calm me, it clawed at me, and myy wolf paced inside my chest, restless and almost on the brink of madness. The echo of her scent was still lodged deep in my lungs, and I knew for a fact that was the cause of all of this.
Kali.
I’d told myself to avoid her. To stay focused, keep the distance, and pretend that the tension wasn’t gnawing at me from the inside out. But my body betrayed me, my ears strained for the sound of her voice, and my muscles pulled me toward the corridors she walked. Even the smallest whisper of her set my pulse hammering, and my wolf… my wolf wanted her, howling for what I refused to claim, but that wasn't the worst part.
The pack had noticed. I’d caught the whispers, servants murmuring, warriors exchanging looks when she passed. A few braver ones let their eyes linger on her too long, their thoughts far too obvious. Each time, a cold, vicious edge rose in me. Mine, my wolf snarled, and I had to choke it down, bury it under the weight of logic.
She wasn’t mine. She couldn’t be, but she couldn't belong to anyone else either.
It made sense that way, didn't it?
Wrong. My wolf was quick to chime. It's wrong and you know it.
But the memory of her defiance haunted me, the way she stood against me, eyes blazing, her voice steady, all while she refused to cower. That fire, it should have made me furious. It did, but gods help me, it made me want her more.
She was all I could think about and time and time again, the only thought that appeared at the back of my mind was the one where I was fucking her senseless. On the bed, in my chambers, out in the garden, in the bathroom. Every fucking where I had the chance.
Without thinking, I turned toward the gardens. My jaw was locked tight, and I needed air. That’s when I caught Leo’s scent.
Of course.
He leaned against one of the stone arches, arms folded, watching me with the patience of someone who knew I was already cornered.
“Running from her doesn’t make the bond vanish,” he said, his voice low, steady. “It won't make it easier too.”
“There is no bond between us.” The lie burned my tongue, but I couldn't take it back now. I stopped short, irritation sparking. “And I’m not running.”
“That's not what it looks like from where I'm standing.” Leo’s mouth curved, not in humor but in disbelief. “You avoid her eyes like a coward avoids a blade. You think no one notices, but the pack does. She does as well.”
“Well, good for them.” I huffed. “Maybe their observations can help up conquer our neighboring packs. What do you think?”
“Stop being sarcastic.” Leo let out slowly, as he pushed himself off the walls, just so he could inch closer. “It doesn't suit you and I'm saying this because I can read you like an open book.”
“I'm not in the mood.” A growl rumbled before I could stop it. “Watch your words.”
“Or what? You’ll threaten me because I speak truth?” His gaze sharpened. “Diego, if you don’t decide soon, you’ll lose her. Do you even understand what’s at stake? If the council doesn’t see her claimed, they’ll push her out. Rogue life will be her only choice.”
The word rogue hit like a blade to my ribs. My wolf snapped forward, snarling so loud in my chest it almost tore free. The image flashed of Kali alone, exiled, hunted, her fire dimmed by the cold, and believe me when I said it wasn't a pretty one.
“Don’t,” I snapped, voice thick. “Don’t ever put her in the same breath as rogue life.”
“Then stop pretending you don’t care.” Leo stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “Because right now, your silence condemns her more than your enemies ever could.”
My fists clenched, and I hated how right he was. I should have denied it, should have crushed the slip before it escaped, but the truth burned too hot and too fast.
“She matters,” I bit out, the words gravel and fire. “More than you know. More than she knows.”
The moment hung heavy between us, my own confession ringing in my ears. Up until this moment, I didn't know I had it in me to actually say the words out loud, and to Leo no doubt.
The only reason I knew he was serious, was the fact that he wasn't laughing right now. The nonchalant Leo I knew would have burst out into a laugh, if it didn't involve something dire on the line.
Meanwhile, my wolf surged in approval, satisfied I’d finally given voice to what it had been screaming all along.
“Then act like it. Before someone else does.”
Leo’s expression softened, but only for a heartbeat. “Or worse, something bad and Irrevocable happens.”
Before I could respond, movement stirred at the far end of the path. I caught sight of a servant moving in our direction, but what caught me off guard, were the ladies behind her. They were four in number and I didn't miss their silk skirts, jeweled veils, and voices like honey and poison as they drifted closer.
“Alpha.” The maid bowed, making sure to avoid both mine and Leo's gazes. With a bow, she handed me a small letter. “A letter from the council.”
“Oh here we go again.” Leo muttered underneath his breath, and I hated how I could relate to that instantly.
Instead of commenting, I peeled the letter off the servants hands.
“Dear Alpha.” I read out loud, just to mine and Leo's hearing. “These are the ladies we've handpicked for you. We advice that you spend time with them and get to select your preferred choice, remember time is ticking. Signed The council.”
Leo swore under his breath, and I hated how i felt the weight of their presence. Their perfumes were thick, their laughter sharp, and in a nutshell they were the perfect embodiment of everything I hated.
Everything that wasn't Kali.
My wolf bristled, every hair on end, and I could tell he was already sensing the danger. And Kali wasn't even here to defend herself.
Oh great.