Chapter 101 A FALL
Kael has not changed his clothes.
The blue and silver garment from the feast still clings to his body, wrinkled now, stained faintly with wine near the sleeve. His hair is uncombed. His eyes are red, not from tears, but from the fact that he has not slept.
He has not bathed.
He has not rested.
He has not stopped moving.
He stands in the war room now, fists braced against the heavy wooden table, maps spread beneath his hands. The candles have burned low and been replaced twice since dawn. His jaw is tight enough to ache.
“They took him,” Kael says, voice low and shaking with contained violence. “Star Moon took my mate.”
His wolf, Ryn, prowls restlessly in his mind: Let me out. Let me tear them apart.
Kael’s breathing is uneven. “I will march there myself if I have to.”
His Beta stands across from him, calm but pale from lack of sleep as well. “Alpha.”
Kael looks up sharply.
“It has not been confirmed that Star Moon has him,” the Beta says carefully. “We found no evidence of any other Star Moon member inside the pack house last night.”
Kael’s eyes flash. “Vance was here.”
“Yes,” the Beta agrees. “And Vance was still feasting hours after Luna disappeared. Vance’s every move was watched very closely throughout his stay, he made no suspicious move.”
Kael’s nails dig into the wood.
“It would be reckless,” the Beta continues, steady and logical. “If you march to Star Moon and begin killing their people without proof, it will be seen as abuse of power. The other Alphas will not support it. Some may even turn against us.”
Silence fills the room.
Kael’s chest rises and falls heavily.
Ryn snarls in his head, again, for the umpteenth time: They took our mate.
“I know,” Kael mutters, mostly to himself.
His Beta softens his tone. “We will find him. But we must do it wisely.”
A guard appears at the doorway and bows. “Alpha. General Dax Luther is waiting outside.”
Kael straightens slowly.
“Let him in,” he says.
“No,” the guard replies. “He requested to meet you outside.”
Kael nods once and walks out, his Beta falling into step behind him.
The morning air is cool, but it does nothing to calm the heat under Kael’s skin.
General Dax Luther stands in the courtyard, armor polished, posture rigid. He is older, his hair streaked with grey, but his presence is solid and commanding. He has served this pack for decades. He has led battles. He has trained soldiers from boys into warriors. He's responsible for training most of the pack house guards, especially ones working closely to the Alpha.
He bows deeply when Kael approaches.
“Alpha.”
Kael nods. “General.”
The general keeps his head lowered. “I heard, from my granddaughter, that your mate was taken last night.”
Kael’s expression hardens slightly, but he says nothing.
The general bows even deeper. “Deeply sorry, Alpha. The security of our pack is my responsibility. I have failed. Please punish me accordingly.”
The words are steady. There is no fear in them. Only the sense of duty.
Kael studies him for a long moment.
“It is a failure on my part too,” Kael says finally. His voice is rough from overuse and lack of rest. “I failed to protect my mate. If you or any of your men deserve punishment, then I deserve death.”
The general looks up sharply, then bows again, even lower.
“May the moon remain with you,” he says, voice thick with emotion, “and continue to bless you for your wisdom and kindness.”
Kael closes his eyes briefly.
“I will start the search for the Luna immediately,” the general continues.
“Star Moon is responsible,” Kael says firmly. “They took my mate. We will begin our search from there. But we keep this quiet.”
The general nods without hesitation. “Understood, Alpha.”
He straightens, salutes with a fist to his chest, and turns to begin issuing orders.
Kael watches him go, then turns back toward the pack house.
His steps are slower now.
He walks through the corridors that feel empty without Adam’s presence. Every corner reminds him of something. A laugh, a soft complaint, a teasing remark. All he sees is his mate's angelic face.
His chest tightens painfully.
Ryn’s voice is low and restless: We will find him.
Kael pushes open the door to his chamber.
Movement catches his eye instantly.
Someone is touching the portrait of Adam that hangs near the bed chamber. That's his mating gift to Adam.
Kael reacts without thinking.
His hand lifts, and his pheromones surge out violently, thick and crushing. The force of it slams into the figure by the wall.
The person is thrown across the room.
They hit the floor hard with a cry. “Alpha!”
The voice registers.
Kael blinks… it's Mira.
Mira lies on the floor, wide-eyed, breath knocked out of her.
The scent of fear rises sharply in the room.
Kael lowers his hand slowly, chest still heaving.
“What are you doing in my chamber?” he demands.
Mira struggles to sit up, wincing. “I—I came to clean,” she says quickly. “And I brought you food. The maids reported that you wouldn’t let anyone enter.”
Kael’s eyes flick to the small tray on the table.
“Leave,” he says coldly. “And never dare touch that portrait again.”
Mira nods quickly, trying to push herself up. Her legs tremble. She fails and drops back down with a soft gasp.
Kael stands still for a second.
Then he exhales sharply and walks over.
He offers his hand.
She hesitates only a moment before taking it. He pulls her up with careful control this time.
She steadies herself, smoothing her dress.
“Thank you, Alpha,” she says softly, a small smile forming despite everything.
Kael does not return it.
“Please,” she adds hesitantly. “Eat something. You haven’t rested. You won’t be able to search properly if you collapse.”
Her voice is almost pleading.
Kael looks past her, toward the bed that has not been slept in.
“I will manage,” he says flatly.
Mira nods slowly.
She steps back toward the door, pausing once more. “We will find the Luna.”
Kael says nothing.
She leaves quietly, closing the door behind her.
Silence fills the chamber.
Kael turns toward the portrait.
Adam’s painted eyes look back at him, soft and alive in a way that hurts.
Kael reaches up, fingers brushing the frame gently.
“I’m coming for you,” he whispers. “Please stay strong for our pup. I'm coming to get you.”
Ryn growls low in agreement.
And Kael remains standing there in the same clothes, in the same room, still unwashed, s
till unrested, holding on to the only thing he has left. He stared at the painting long enough to start shedding tears, feeling deeply ashamed of failing to protect his mate.