Chapter 115 WOUND
It was already noon when Kael woke up.
The room was quiet, soft light slipping through the curtains and resting gently over the bed. For a moment, he didn’t move. His eyes stayed on Adam.
Adam was still asleep.
Curled slightly on his side, breathing slowly and evenly, his face relaxed in a way that gladdened Kael's burdened heart. There was no tension in his brows, no trembling in his lips. Just peace.
Kael let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
He shifted closer, carefully and gently.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Adam’s forehead.
“Good morning, baby,” he whispered, even though Adam couldn’t hear him.
His hand moved under the sheets, resting lightly on Adam’s lower abdomen.
He closed his eyes and focused, trying to feel his pup's presence.
And soon… there it was. Faint but there.
Their pup.
Kael’s lips curved into the smallest smile.
“Hey little baby, you’re still there, thank you for being so strong. I love you so much and I'm very eager to meet you soon.” He murmured under his breath.
His thumb brushed softly over the spot.
“Both of you… you stayed. You didn't leave me, I'm the luckiest man alive.”
He stayed there for a few seconds longer, just feeling, grounding himself in that quiet confirmation that something in his life was still intact.
Then slowly, carefully, he pulled away.
He stood up.
The room felt colder the moment he left the bed.
Kael ran a hand through his hair and walked into the bathroom.
The water ran, quick and efficient.
He washed himself like a man with no time to waste. No lingering, no softness, just the bare necessity.
When he stepped out, he was already reaching for fresh clothes. He dressed up clean, proper, and presentable.
But his eyes… his eyes still carried the weight of everything that had happened, he just can't get it even a little bit off his mind.
He walked back into the bedroom.
Adam hadn’t moved.
Kael stepped closer again.
He leaned down and pressed another kiss to Adam’s forehead.
“Rest,” he murmured. “I’ll be back soon.”
He straightened and turned.
As he passed through the sitting area, he paused.
His expression hardened.
He lifted his hand slightly, fingers flexing.
Something invisible shifted in the air, and a barrier formed around the chamber.
No one would be able to enter, no one would be able to cross.
Kael stepped out of the chamber and shut the door behind him, locking it.
The moment he stepped out of his wing, the air changed; cooler and brighter.
The sun sat high in the sky, its warmth brushing against his skin.
Kael took a deep breath.
Then he walked, with straight posture and steady steps.
Toward the court.
The moment he entered, everyone in the room stood up and bowed.
“Alpha.”
Kael didn’t respond immediately.
He walked to his seat and sat down, his posture straight, his presence heavy.
General Dax stepped forward and bowed again.
“Alpha.”
“Speak,” Kael said.
Dax lifted his head slightly. “We are all relieved about your mate’s safe return.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“But,” Dax continued, “we now face a looming battle with the Star Moon pack.”
Kael’s eyes didn’t move, that isn't news, he knows he challenged Darius and declared a battle.
“I was able to capture Sara,” Dax added. “But they also have one of us with them.”
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “One of us?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Dax said. “Rowan did not return with us.”
Silence fell over the room.
“He is now in their captivity,” Dax continued. “They can use him against us.”
Kael leaned back slightly in his chair.
“He’s your Beta,” Dax added. “He has worked closely with you for years. We cannot afford for them to learn what he knows about our pack.”
Kael’s voice came calm and steady. “Even in the face of death, Rowan would not betray me. He will return back home,” Kael added. “I will make sure of it.”
Dax bowed his head. “Yes, Alpha.”
He stepped back.
One of the elders stood up.
“The reason Star Moon dares to provoke us,” the elder began, “is because of how they now perceive our strength.”
Kael didn’t interrupt.
“Our pack holds the purest blood,” the elder continued. “The strongest Alphas. But strength is not only power, it is stability.”
Kael’s gaze remained fixed ahead.
“At your age, your father already had a Luna. An heir. A future secured.”
The words settled heavily in the room.
“Our pack was once the image others envied,” the elder said. “That stability is taking too long to surface under your leadership.”
Still, Kael said nothing.
“We have pleaded with you,” the elder pressed. “Mate a proper Omega. Give the pack an heir. Why do you refuse to hear us?”
Kael finally spoke.
“And you assume I am not mated to a proper Omega who can give me an heir?”
The elder hesitated slightly, then said, “According to the rules, we can demand you step down if you continue to go against what you should stand for.”
The room tensed.
Kael nodded once.
“According to the rules,” he said slowly, “I can cut your tongue for insulting my mate.”
The elder stiffened.
“But I won’t,” Kael added calmly.
He stood up.
“I understand your concern,” he said. “You speak for the pack. And I respect that.”
The tension eased slightly.
“But understand this,” Kael continued, his voice firm. “I also act for the pack’s best interest. And I would love nothing more than to have my own pup.”
Silence followed.
“General Dax,” Kael said, turning slightly. “See me before nightfall.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Mira stood up.
“Alpha,” she said, her voice soft. “I seek your approval to arrange gifts for the guests who honored your invitation.”
“You have it,” Kael replied.
And then he turned.
He walked out…
…Straight back to his chamber.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The barrier dissolved the moment he entered.
And Adam was sitting on the couch.
Kael moved quickly.
He crossed the space and dropped to his knees in front of Adam.
“Mate,” he said urgently. “How are you feeling?”
Adam looked at him.
“What did you do?” he asked.
Kael blinked, confused.
“I couldn’t get past this place,” Adam added.
Kael frowned… then it clicked.
“You couldn’t cross my barrier?”
Adam stared at him. “What barrier?”
Kael’s eyes dropped to Adam’s neck.
The mark.
His jaw tightened.
“It’s his mark,” Kael said quietly. “That’s why you couldn’t cross it. You have a piece of him in you.”
Adam let out a tired sigh.
“I swear,” he said, rubbing his face slightly, “I’m deeply tired of this confusing drama.”
Kael’s expression softened instantly.
“It’s okay, baby,” he said gently. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
Adam looked at him.
“I’ll replace it,” Kael added. “Once it heals enough, I’ll put my mark back where it belongs.”
Adam didn’t respond immediately.
He just stared at Kael; at his face, at his eyes.
Those blue eyes.
Always soft when they looked at him.
Always full of something warm and real.
Or at least… it felt real.
Adam lifted his hand slowly and cupped Kael’s cheek.
Kael leaned into it without hesitation.
“Kael,” Adam said quietly. “Do you love me?”
Kael didn’t even pause.
“Yes,” he said. “Without any doubt. I love you so much. My love for you is deeper than I can express with words.”
Adam held his gaze, still staring into his eyes, wondering how those beautiful blue eyes that always look at him with so much love could ever hold any deception behind it.
“Do you know you shouldn’t lie to someone you love?”
Kael’s brows drew together slightly.
“Yes,” he said. “I don’t lie to you.”
Adam’s fingers remained against his face.
His voice became softer. “What do you know about my real family?”
Kael stilled.
“Where I came from…”
Silence stretched.
“Why did you hide it from me?” Adam asked.
And the room went quiet.