Chapter 67
THIRD PERSON POV
(Before Darius’s Attack)
Cael had helped in revealing Marceline’s wicked deed. Following his slaying of Zareth, he gathered all the notes from Silas’s chamber and concealed them in his own, which included the pair of notes Marceline had dispatched to him. He managed to pilfer some from her rooms right before carrying out his scheme to eliminate Zareth and the Rogue.
He proceeded to deceive Marceline by claiming Zareth had abruptly disappeared. Marceline didn’t think Cael would turn against her, particularly given that Clara’s safety was at stake. She believed Zareth had fled or something more dire had occurred. She proceeded to compose a note, directing Cael to convey it to Darius. However, he retained it instead, incorporating it into the collection of proof he was amassing to topple her.
Once Alpha Ronan learned that the rogue had been slain, Cael intended to disclose the facts to him and explain his reason for killing the rogue: he required a pretext to create a concealment that someone was orchestrating all events and needed to eliminate the rogue to hide the mystery. That was the sole motive for killing the rogue. He aimed to assign the fault to Marceline and Zareth, and he needed to slay Zareth to protect Clara and diminish Marceline.
Once Ronan uncovered the facts, right as Cael was preparing to unveil the truth to Ronan. Marceline entered Ronan’s study. Their gazes connected and Cael gulped deeply..yet again he had missed the chance, but he realized that soon he would inform Ronan and endure any penalty he must confront. Although Clara and Elara had departed the palace already, he understood Marceline would persist relentlessly and would pursue them both to the bitter end.
(After the Attack/Before Marceline’s judgment)
“Alpha.” Cael declared as he stepped into Ronan’s study.
“Cael, you mentioned you have something to share with me. What is it?” Ronan questioned restlessly. His thoughts focused on what Darius had uttered before. Connected to Marceline, without question, he realized Marceline was responsible for all. But for what purpose and in what way? Just as he was contemplating it. Cael neared and stated he was going to disclose everything.
Ronan already grasped a portion, but he required the full details to render a verdict. Marceline had been confined in her rooms. She was forbidden to exit or accept any guests.
Ronan had wished that Cael wasn’t involved since he was his most reliable sentry.
Regrettably, matters didn’t unfold as Ronan had envisioned them. His thoughts were obscured as Cael disclosed all to him. He couldn’t fathom that directly beneath his awareness, Marceline had committed all these acts, including coercing his sentries to oppose him and introduce a informant from Darius’s pack.
He was profoundly let down by Cael. “I can’t fathom you were aware of all this and didn’t inform me. Regardless, Cael, you still deceived me!” Ronan shouted. They were in his study now, by themselves.. Not even Ronan’s beta was there.
Cael dropped to his knees, his remorse clear. “I’m sorry Alpha, but I was compelled to..to rescue Clara.”
Ronan pivoted to confront him, his fury clear. “You would endanger an entire pack to rescue a female?!” Ronan bellowed.
“I did what was necessary!” Cael justified. “I ensured not to harm the blameless ones. I solely slew those who deserved it. Plus, I love her Alpha.”
Ronan exhaled and turned his rear to Cael. “You still deceived me, Cael.”
“I know,” Cael lowered his head in disgrace.“But the individual I cherish is secure. I don’t concern myself with my own fate. Alpha, you grasp how that feels, don’t you?”
Ronan was astonished by Cael’s statements. Cael was someone he knew to never display feelings, and for the first time Cael addressed him casually. He drew in a deep breath, placing his hands on his desk. “I know..and that’s precisely why you remain breathing.”
(Present: After Marceline’s judgment)
As the final pack members departed, solely Cael and the sentries who protected the throne room lingered. Ronan dragged a hand across his features, the burden of what had happened weighed down on him.
“Cael,” he summoned, his tone fatigued but firm.
Cael inhaled unsteadily, neared Ronan and kneeled before him, his stare locked on the ground. “I presume you grasp the entire facts now, Alpha,” he stated gently. “Why didn’t you condemn me as well?”
Ronan’s core ached. Cael, his most reliable advisor after Theron, had been found to have collaborated with Marceline soon after Silas’s demise. Ronan, amid his sorrow and doubt, had opted to probe Cael more deeply instead of penalize him right away. A persistent intuition had informed him something was off, but he didn’t desire to hasten to a conclusion.
“I do,” Ronan stated in a voice laden with letdown. “But eventually, you’ll disclose everything. But for the moment…” He motioned to the sentries who had quietly arrived in the space. “You’ll be detained and confined for conspiring against the group.”
Cael lowered his head. “I comprehend.”
The sentries escorted Cael off. Ronan slumped into his seat, the load of all bore down on him. And now, all he could ponder was Elara. For the initial time, he had grasped a portion of the cause behind her terror and her aloofness. He hadn’t yet pardoned her for deceiving, but he now yearned to learn the facts and embrace it regardless of the pain.
He was deprived of his role and confined in the dungeon, the other sentries scowled at this, but restrained their views internally. Some comprehended Cael, while some didn’t. But Cael couldn’t concern himself less. He realized he performed the correct action, but in the incorrect manner.
While in the dungeon, Cael reflected on all that had transpired lately. He pondered internally..why did I even undertake this? Why did I hazard my existence merely to rescue those individuals.
Love. Pain. Regret. Feelings he had never encountered and valued the reality that he didn’t. He viewed it as a vulnerability, a means for someone to infiltrate another and injure them.
At a tender age he observed his family devastated because his father was menaced with their existence. Since then he vowed to never possess emotions and distanced himself from his family to mature aloof and frigid. He didn’t require any diversion, any companion, any kin. He solely needed to be devoted and serve his Alpha and safeguard the populace. He never desired any intimacy. But Silas entered his existence as a junior sibling, while Clara… He couldn’t describe how she entered because he lacked awareness. She caught him off guard and captured his core. Yet, he restrained it, not desiring to yield.
But now he had accepted it and recognized his emotions. As he remained there in his dungeon. Cael reached a resolution. If he was to endure this, he would convey to Clara how he felt. He would near her and request a bond, but for now, he needed to atone for his offenses.
He was prepared to confront redemption.