Chapter 34 Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Chapter 34
Sabrina’s POV
Our lips met, and then all hell broke loose.
Kael’s kiss turned feral. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer and tighter until I could barely breathe. My hands tangled in his hair. He let out a low growl, kissing me deeper, harder.
We lost our balance and tumbled to the ground. The grass was damp with dew, soaking into my back, but I didn't give a damn. All I cared about was him. His lips, his hands, his everything.
The stars spun above us as the lake whispered nearby. It felt just like ten years ago, the first time I found him by the water. Back then, he was covered in blood, clinging to life. Now, he was pinned on top of me—alive, burning hot, and real.
His kisses trailed down to my jaw, then my neck. I arched my back, gasping. When his teeth lightly grazed my collarbone, a shiver wrecked my entire body.
"Kael..." I breathed. His hands were everywhere. From my shoulders to my waist, then down my thighs. Even through my clothes, his heat was enough to make my head swim.
I could feel him—the change in his body. He was rock hard, pressing against my lower stomach. His hand fumbled with the hem of my shirt, lifting it. The cold air hit my skin, sending a jolt through me.
I couldn't catch my breath; my mind was a total blur. His weight was heavy on me. His fingers made quick work of my button and slid the zipper down. Then, his hand slipped inside.
Suddenly, a wave of clarity hit me. "Wait," I said, my voice barely audible.
He didn't stop. His fingers hooked into the edge of my underwear, ready to pull them down.
"Kael," I said, a little louder this time. "Wait." He still didn't stop. He probably thought I was just playing hard to get. His kisses got more intense, his touch more demanding.
"Stop!" I shouted, shoving him back with everything I had.
Kael froze. His hand stayed mid-air for a second before he slowly pulled away.
I sat up, fumbling to fix my clothes. My hands were shaking like crazy.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'm sorry. I... I can't."
Kael didn't say a word. He sat up, his back to me, his shoulders heaving. Then he stood, grabbed his clothes, threw them on, and walked toward the Jeep.
My heart sank. He was pissed. Of course he was. What guy wouldn't be?
I followed him and climbed into the passenger seat. He had both hands on the wheel, staring straight ahead, perfectly still.
"Kael," I started, my voice full of regret. "I'm so sorry. Really. It’s just... it’s too fast. I... I need time."
He still didn't speak.
"I used to love someone with everything I had," I continued. "Derek. I gave him my whole life. I trusted him. I thought we were forever." My voice started to crack. "But he betrayed me. With my own sister. He humiliated me in front of everyone and threw me out."
"I took Abigail and lived in that crappy apartment, alone. Every single day I was terrified he’d find us and take her away." I wiped my eyes. "I swore I’d never let anyone into my life that fast again. I wouldn't trust anyone that easily."
"But you..." I looked at his profile. "You’re different. You make me feel safe. You make me want to believe. But I’m just not ready yet. Not right now. Not this fast." I looked down at my lap. "I'm sorry. I got swept up in it and forgot to tell you."
Kael’s hand moved. He reached over and gently patted my hand. "It's okay," he said, his voice calm. No anger, no blame.
"We’ve both been burned," he said. "I know how it feels. To have your heart broken. To be afraid to trust." He paused. "It did happen fast. We can... take it slower." He trailed off.
He turned his head, his blind eyes facing me. "I went through something similar," he said, his voice turning heavy. "I trusted my brother, Dorian. We grew up together, trained together. I thought he’d always have my back."
"But he betrayed me," Kael said, his voice turning cold as ice. "For the Alpha seat. He framed me, blinded me, and had me exiled."
I saw his canines flash in the moonlight. It was pure, unadulterated hatred.
"He took everything. My home, my name, my future."
"So I made a vow," he continued. "Until I have my revenge, I won't let anything distract me. I won't let my feelings get in the way of my mission."
He clenched his fist. "Dorian has to pay."
I took his hand. "We’ll make a plan," I said. "This mission will hit Derek and break his alliance with Dorian. Then we take Dorian down."
"When your revenge is done—when it's all over—we can come back to this lake. We can finish what we started tonight."
Kael’s body jolted. He turned to me and cupped my face with both hands. "I look forward to that day."
His voice was heavy with an emotion I couldn't quite place. Then he kissed me. This time, it was soft and restrained. Like a goodbye. He let me go.
"It's late," he said. "We should head back."
"You should drive," he added. I nodded, hopped into the driver’s seat, and drove back to camp.
We didn't talk the whole way back. I kept glancing at him. He was leaning back, head turned toward the window, expressionless. I wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
Back at the underground garage, we parked and got out. Kael turned to walk away immediately. "Kael," I called out. He stopped but didn't turn around. "Goodnight," I said.
"Goodnight," he replied. Then he vanished into the dark.
I stood there, watching the spot where he disappeared. My heart felt hollow.
I walked back to my cabin, looking back over my shoulder with every step. But he didn't look back once.
When I got inside, Abigail was still sleeping. I took off my jacket and lay down next to her, but sleep wouldn't come. I stared at the ceiling, my head full of Kael. His kiss, his touch, his eyes... and the way he looked when he walked away. Eventually, I drifted off.
The next morning, the alarm went off. I dragged myself out of bed with a headache from the lack of sleep. I splashed some water on my face, geared up, kissed Abigail, and tucked the doll into my vest.
The convoy was already waiting at the rendezvous point.
I saw Kael standing by the lead vehicle, talking to Marcus. His face was a mask of cold professionalism, just like always. It was like last night never happened. I watched him, hoping he’d turn my way, give me a look, a sign... anything.
But he didn't. He finished talking to Marcus and climbed into the car.
I bit my lip and walked to the second vehicle. Mira was driving. I sat in the back, the door slammed shut, and the engine roared to life. We were moving.
I leaned against the window and pretended to sleep, but all I could do was think. Think about last night. Think about Kael. Think about what he said: “I won't let anything distract me.” So, was last night just... what? An impulse?
We drove for hours. The sun rose and set. When I finally opened my eyes and looked out the window, my heart squeezed tight.
The scenery was familiar. Too familiar.
Stillwater Pack territory.
Those trees. That road. That sign. I knew them all.
This was my old home. The place I ran from. Derek’s land.
The convoy slowed to a crawl. Kael’s voice barked over the radio.
"Everyone out!"