Chapter 24 Lira
Lira
I opened my eyes to see Alpha Kael standing at the edge of the garden, his expression darker than I had ever seen it. The Alpha’s power radiated from him in waves, making the recruits, and even Rowan tremble. The air itself seemed to bow in submission, a low hum running through the ground beneath us. I could feel his energy, intense and commanding, pressing against my skin like invisible chains.
The hands on my shoulders immediately released me, and I heard them scramble backward. Rowan’s grip on my hair loosened, though he didn’t let go completely. His breath came out shaky, his arrogance faltering for once.
Relief flooded through me, so intense that it was almost painful. But beneath the relief, I was angry that I needed saving. That I couldn’t protect myself. That despite everything, I was still just a weak omega kneeling in the dirt.
I hated it. Hated needing rescue. Hated that Rowan was right about my worthlessness. My chest burned as humiliation crawled under my skin, each breath catching against the sharp edge of my pride.
“I-I’m punishing her for humiliating the pack and insulting me in front of everyone, Father.” Rowan quickly defended himself. His voice sounded smaller now, the confidence stripped away byAlpha Kael’s presence.
Alpha Kael’s eyes shifted between my face, Rowan’s hand that was still on my hair and back to Rowan. “Did I instruct you to?” His question dismissed the fact that Rowan felt insulted by me, and that clearly pissed him off.
He opened his mouth and closed it back about three times before he realized explaining himself was futile. “No, Father.” He replied. He had left my hair now, but I still had to try to keep my tears at bay.
I stared at him. Well, it was a half stare and half glare because this man who had annoyed me and kept choosing other things over me was infuriatingly mesmerizing. His hair was slicked back and the streaks of looked like strokes of a brush on a painting made by a very skilled painter. His jaw flexed slightly, a sign of restraint, but his eyes, those piercing blue eyes, were pure, controlled rage.
What I hated the most was the green and red light signals I was receiving from him. On one hand, he made me feel special. In those moments, I believed that he cared for me because I felt his words. Just like now.
But on the other, he’s distant and it’s almost like I’m a pawn or an indispensable variable in his life. A convenient presence, one he couldn’t quite get rid of but wouldn’t fully hold onto either.
“Then, I’ll ask you again. Who gave you the right to hurt and humiliate her like this?” The anger in his tone was so obvious. I hated Rowan, but I was a bit scared for him. I didn’t want AlpaKael to do anything rash to his son.
Rowan opened his mouth to answer, but it was written all over his face. He was unsure about what to say, and was probably considering keeping quiet. I felt satisfaction tickle my heart at the sight, but I couldn’t school a cocky expression on my face.
Just then, my mother revealed herself. I hadn’t noticed her behind Alpha Kael. I was relieved that they came at the right time, but then, disappointment washed over me in the next moment.
“But, Kael.” My mother said, her voice soft as she placed her hand on Alpha Kael’s arm. “I don’t think Rowan is wrong for punishing her for her mistakes. She’s been quite a brat lately. You can’t be angry at him for doing the right thing.”
My eyes widened in shock. Did my mother… My own mother. Did she just say that despite seeing the state I currently was? It felt like my heart shattered. Why wouldn’t she just take my side? I didn’t do anything wrong! The world around me blurred for a moment. My throat tightened painfully as I stared at her, silently begging her to see me, to remember I was her daughter, not some rival she had to discipline through someone else’s hand.
Alpha Kael’s expression hardened. I could see the war in his eyes, but I stayed silent. I had no other option because my anger wouldn’t have let me say anything meaningful. This woman was beginning to be different. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she had been abducted and replaced.
He subtly turned to her and placed his hand on hers. Jealousy burned within me, and it irritated me that I had to stay silent and swallow it. My heart screamed. The simple touch between them felt like a dagger twisting slowly in my chest.
“I know you may want to enforce discipline with Lira, but this is extreme. And he cannot go as far as humiliating her and asking the new recruits to lay their hand on her.” Alpha Kael spoke softly, but I could feel the fury burning through his words.
He turned to the recruits that had me pinned down to the ground for Rowan’s torture. They bowed their heads immediately and started trembling. I felt bad for them. I know they didn’t mean to, but in this case, I was too scared to solicit for them. The air around Alpha Kael had grown colder now, the kind of chill that sank into your bones and whispered of danger.
“We’re sorry, Alpha Kael.” They mumbled as he approached them.
“You don’t put your hand on a lady in the pack house, and definitely not one from my family.” His tone was grave, and every bit authoritative. It was so sexy watching him stand up for me like that.
It made me so turned on.
I know. I know. Not the time, but I couldn’t help it. Not when he looked like he was going to cut their heads off for touching me. His protective rage was intoxicating, and my pulse wouldn’t stop racing.
“Yes, Alpha Kael.” They said in unison as they nodded their heads.
“But, I’m not going to pardon you this time, because I don’t play with my family. You are to guard and clean the dungeons for a week.”
A collective groan echoed from all the other recruits. I’m guessing from the looks on their faces that guarding and cleaning the dungeons is something they may not wish on their worst enemy. The thought made me shiver. The dungeons were infamous, cold, damp, crawling with the scent of blood and rust.
It sounded like nasty work anyway.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Alpha Kael continued, his voice carrying across the training ground. “Lira is a part of the Alpha’s family. My family. And no one under any circumstances has the right to bully her or do anything similar to what was done here today. And this doesn’t leave the training ground. Lira is a lady of the Vexley house, and anyone who crosses her, will have me to answer to.”
Alpha Kael scanned the gathering, and then continued. “Do I make myself clear?” He had the seriousness of a commander prepping his soldiers for war, and it made my heart bloom with love for him.
“Yes. Alpha Kael!” They all yelled in unison.
There was something attractive about the satisfaction on his face as he heard their response, and something even more attractive about the way he had defended me. My chest warmed, a strange mixture of pride and longing swirling together until it became unbearable.
I saw my mum smiling too, and that eased the knot in my heart. At least she wasn’t angry that he didn’t listen to her and went ahead to defend me instead.
“I’m so glad that you see my Lira as your own daughter, Kael. It’s lovely to see that you’re embodying the role of a father in her life.” She paused and chuckled softly. “You’re even beginning to do a better job than I am.”
Her words were like daggers in my heart. Alpha Kael was my mate, yet our relationship was being reduced to a father and daughter relationship.
I repeated her words in my head. The irony and guilt made me feel lightheaded. She wasn’t aware that I was her husband’s mate, but what she said still unsettled me. I mean… Daughter??
The word echoed in my mind until it was all I could hear. My stomach churned, my pulse pounding in my ears. Alpha Kael’s expression didn’t change, but I caught the flicker in his eyes, the tiny spark of pain he quickly buried under control. He felt it too. I knew he did.
And that silent understanding between us, buried under layers of secrets and duty, made everything so much worse.