Chapter 35 Agree With Her
~Tazira's POV~
The moon hid behind restless clouds as I pulled up outside Kaelan's place. The building stood in the dim glow of the streetlights, silent, almost expectant.
My pulse was racing as I stepped out of the car, every step I took toward the door felt like a betrayal echoing louder and louder in my chest.
The door opened before I even knocked. Kaelan stood there, his expression cold, but his eyes, those sharp, burning eyes... carried the storm of someone who had waited too long.
"Tazira," he said, his voice low, a rough whisper that brushed against my skin like a warning. He stepped aside, gesturing for me to come in.
I walked past him, my heels clicking against the wooden floor. As soon as the door closed behind us, I turned on him.
"Why? Why drag me here tonight? What are you thinking, Kaelan? Do you want to ruin everything we've worked for?"
He stared at me for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh.
"Ruin everything? Tazira, everything is already ruined. You're carrying my child, and yet… you're giving him to Alaric."
I froze. My nails dug into the fabric of my dress. "Come on, we've been over this," I hissed. "This is the plan and how we win, how you become Alpha. But you—"
"I don't care about your plan anymore!" His voice thundered through the room, and I flinched, my chest tightening. "I can't stand it. The thought of him touching you, holding you, raising my pup as if it's his... it's driving me insane!"
I shook my head, pacing the room.
"Do you hear yourself, Kaelan? This is bigger than us. Bigger than your jealousy! You think I like this? Pretending? Every smile I give him, every soft word, every lie... I'm choking on it. But I do it because we need him to fall. And you—"
"Don't you dare," he cut in, stepping closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "Don't you dare tell me to be patient while you play Luna to him. Don't you dare tell me it's for the plan when I can see how he looks at you. Like you're his salvation. Like you were never mine first."
The air between us cracked like dry wood in fire. My chest heaved, my throat dry, but I met his gaze, unflinching.
"You think this is about love?" I spat. "Kaelan, this is survival. Do you want to see Dravenmere crumble under Alaric's rule? Do you want your child to grow up with a weak Alpha who can't even protect his own bloodline? Because I don't."
He took another step forward, his breath hot against my skin now, his voice breaking with anger.
"No, Tazira. What I want is for you to stop pretending that you're his. What I want is for you to remember whose child you're carrying. Whose woman you've been, long before he ever touched you."
My body trembled, not with fear, but with the fire that always came when Kaelan lost control like this. My words slipped out like venom.
"And what? You think storming into my life like this, demanding, threatening, will make me forget the vows I've taken? Make me forget the throne we've been clawing toward for years?"
"Yes!" he snapped, his hands gripping my shoulders before I could step back. His voice dropped, rough and broken. "Because I can't bear it anymore. Watching you walk beside him, smile for him, give him everything that's mine. I won't!"
I shoved him hard, my hands shaking. "You're selfish, reckless and will ruin everything we've built!"
But he didn't move far. He came back, faster than I expected, his lips crashing against mine before I could speak again. I gasped, shoving him away with all the force I could muster. My palm stung from striking his chest.
"Stop it, Kaelan!"
His eyes burned, wild and desperate. "I can't."
And then he was on me again, his mouth claiming mine, fierce and relentless. His hands framed my face, his body pressing closer, as if he could fuse us back into one person by force.
"Kaelan—" I tried, my words muffled against his lips.
My fists pounded against him, but he didn't stop. His hunger swallowed my protests, his kiss deepening, his need wrapping around me like chains.
My body betrayed me, shuddering under his touch, my resistance weakening with every breath. The storm inside me cracked open, all the fear, the lies, the rage, spilling into the fire he lit with every desperate kiss.
My breath hitched, my hands that had pushed him away now tangled in his shirt, pulling him closer. And in that surrender, the world outside vanished.
My lips were burning when I finally tore myself away from him. My chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, and for a moment, silence crackled between us like live wires. I pressed my trembling hands against his chest, creating distance.
"I… I need to go," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "It's late, Kaelan. If Alaric notices I'm gone—"
"No." His voice came sharp, final. His eyes bore into mine. "You're not leaving tonight."
The words jolted through me like ice water. "What?"
"You heard me," he said, stepping closer, his tone rough but certain. "You're passing the night here, with me."
My mind spun, panic clawing at my throat. I pictured Alaric's face if he found me missing till morning, his questions, his suspicion. I shook my head quickly, my palms up in protest.
"Kaelan, please. You don't understand. If I don't return, everything will collapse. He'll start asking questions I can't answer."
He sneered, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Always Alaric. Always protecting him. What about me, Tazira? What about us?"
"This isn't about him," I snapped, though my voice wavered. "It's about the plan! If I stay here, everything we've worked for will be undone. He'll know something is wrong."
Kaelan's jaw clenched, his breath harsh. "I don't care."
And then he moved. My eyes widened as I watched him stride toward the door, his steps echoing against the quiet walls. He reached for the bolt, and with a sharp, deliberate motion, locked it.
The metallic click echoed through the room like a sentence passed.
He turned back to me, his expression unreadable, but his voice heavy with finality. "No more running, Tazira or pretending. There's no way out anymore. You're spending the night with me!"
My heart thudded painfully against my ribs. The walls seemed to close in, and for the first time tonight, I realized... there was truly no escape.
★★★
~Sylion's POV~
The door creaked wider, and Lady Aurora stepped inside with the grace of someone who knew her presence carried weight. The maid bowed low, then quietly excused herself, leaving only the three of us in the room.
Elowen shifted slightly on the couch, her gaze lowering as though she wished to vanish into the cushions. My wolf snarled low inside me, already displeased with Aurora's timing.
Aurora, however, seemed unfazed by the tension. She glided across the room and sat without invitation, directly opposite Elowen. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips, her eyes flickering toward me before sliding to Elowen like a dagger seeking flesh.
"I suppose you wonder why I am here, Alpha Sylion," she began, her tone rich with confidence.
I leaned back, crossing my arms, keeping my voice flat. "I do not wonder, I only ask how long you intend to stay."
Her smile deepened.
"My father sent me because he has heard of your… efforts regarding the Moon Relic. He thought I might be of help to you." She paused deliberately, eyes glinting. "After all, you know my gift. I can see things that remain hidden to others."
Elowen's posture stiffened beside me. I felt it, the ripple of unease she tried to swallow. My hand twitched at my side, aching to reach for hers, but I kept still.
"I don't need help," I said curtly.
Aurora tilted her head, feigning patience. "You think too highly of your strength. The Relic isn't something you can pursue blindly. Visions, Sylion... visions may guide you where brute force cannot."
"I said I don't need you." My words came sharper this time, the weight of command behind them.
But Aurora didn't falter. Instead, her gaze flicked once more toward Elowen, staying like a challenge. "Perhaps it isn't you who needs me."
My wolf bristled. I knew exactly what game she was playing... staking her claim with veiled words, positioning herself like an ally while carving invisible lines around Elowen. My jaw tightened.
Elowen had remained quiet all this while, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her expression calm though her silence screamed louder than words. I thought she would continue to endure it, that she would let Aurora's presence wash past her.
But then she rose.
The sudden scrape of her legs startled both Aurora and me. Elowen's eyes lifted, steady now. "Then agree with her, Sylion."
The air shattered.
I blinked at her, the words striking like an unexpected blade. Aurora's lips parted slightly, surprise flickering across her face. My wolf growled, confused and furious at once.
Elowen stood tall, fragile yet unyielding, her gaze fixed on me...