Chapter 70 The Hounds
Chapter 70 The Hounds
Luna’s POV
Alpha Kael’s arrival is unwittingly a break from the tension from Bain’s actions.
A knot in my heart loosens, and I lower my head, meeting his gaze. My cheeks warm and I fight to keep my composure before him.
Gale takes the initiative to bow, her attitude unruffled. The ability to never be fazed seems to be a characteristic of most assassins.
“Alpha Kael, it is an honor to meet you.”
I blink twice, amazed at her ability to surprise me over and over again.
To her credit, her expression remains placid, and her words carry little hints of sarcasm.
Kael’s eyes rove over Gale’s face, not an expression on his face.
He focuses back on me, and steps forward, blocking Bain gracefully.
“Your League should take care to know your place in another's territory,” Kael’s words are spoken lightly but the warning in his tone is clear.
Bain tilts his head, his face still in the same placid, amusing expression.
“Very well, Alpha Kael of the Ironfang Pack.” His tone shifts from its usual amusement. It becomes a one on one face-off. I sense a chill in the air, frozen briefly. It feels akin to two predators regarding each other.
The moment breaks. Bain looks away and gestures to Gale, who nods. The pair leaves, making their way past the dance floor and smaller tables and reach the high table.
Kael exhales, muttering something under his breath that I do not consider, before he turns back to me.
In an instant something softens within him.
“You look beautiful, his words are plainly spoken yet jolting. My face warms even more, and I clasp my hands together.
“T-Thank you,” I responded softly. “You look good as well, Alpha Kael.”
And he truly does. His outer robe lapels are lined with a dark gold that matches his hair, which glows under the lighting, forming a halo around his head. He is elegant yet bears a cold visage, one that only breaks in certain circumstances.. Like this one.
I can hardly recall how cruel he was in the first days of my stay here in the Ironfang pack.
He chuckles, his baritone deep and smooth.
“Dance with me,” he reaches his hand out to me. An offer of pleasantness that I welcome.
My lips part. I feel eyes blazing on me from the corner. My eyes flicker and I catch Rowan’s dark gaze. He is furious enough that I am about to refuse Kael’s request in as graceful a manner as I can.
But then I spot Rhea walking over in his direction. She is dressed in a purple gown with ruffles, which glitters with each step under the myriad of lights.
That split second as Rhea sits next to Rowan and smiles at him triggers a hot, uncomfortable feeling curling up in the pit of my stomach.
What plans does Rhea have for Rowan? Do they know each other?
I cannot help it; the feeling of bile, bitter and nauseating, coursing through my gut thoroughly reduces me to a mere green-eyed being.
The bitterness causes me to instantly remove my gaze from his direction, and place my hand into Kael’s.
“Okay,” I responded, letting the Alpha of the ironfang Pack lead me to the center of the dance floor.
I am aware when eyes wander over to us. The feeling is akin to a dozen tiny needles pricking my skin.
A dull ache stirs in my chest, but I attempt to shake the feeling off.
Rowan’s gaze remains on me, and I dutifully ignore them.
Kael is adept at plenty of things, and dancing turns out to be one of them.
With his guidance, we glide across the dance floor among other guests, enjoying the marvelous rhythm of the music. There is little to fuss about, and for a time, my mind is calmed.
All I do is listen to the sounds of my heartbeats, slow and rhythmic.
The dull ache slowly fades away, like it never occurred.
I only raise my eyes to meet Kael’s when he breaks the comfortable silence.
“What plagues your thoughts?” He sounds amused. My brow twitches.
Then I recall the matter I have vowed to ask Kael.
“Um, Kael,” I speak up softly, and thank the Goddess, for I do not need to be loud for our conversation to continue. “I hear Eurielle is under house arrest.”
Upon mentioning her, his eyes darken, and then he asks, “Does it bother you?”
I shake my head slowly, but then, I nod.
“I am not aware of much, but I know you two share a past.” I venture. He nods, though his countenance grows ever darker. “I… I simply don't wish to cause trouble between you two.”
“It is not for you to concern yourself with, Luna. And as for my past,” he pauses. “It is not worth overlooking her actions against you.”
A warmth spread through my body when hearing those words.
Then Kael continues, “More than her actions against you. It is prudent to remove her from the pack by any means necessary.”
I wonder what he means but he does not explain further than that.
Right as the music swells and reaches its end, a commotion emerges from the doors, causing everyone to turn towards the entrance to the banquet hall.
The door is opened, and three disheveled guards run into the hall, triggering gasps of shock from some guests.
Kael stiffens and drops my hand, striding towards the guards.
The scent of coppery blood is fresh, and I cover my nose, while the Wolf rumbles within.
‘This is interesting. What delights do this night still hold?’
“Speak,” Alpha Kael is in his element, ordering.
The guard splutters before words tumble out, “Attack, Alpha. There has been an attack!”
A bronze clip topples from the guard’s hand to the floor, loudly clinking. Many step forward but those that perceive the symbol on the bronze clip gasp, and several shriek.
“The Hounds!” a guest raises his voice. “They have returned!”
…