Chapter 121 BETRAYAL

Chapter 121 BETRAYAL
I’m finally here,” Kael said, stepping forward as his boots touched the unfamiliar ground. He looked around with bright curiosity. “Where do you plan on taking me to?”

Vance walked ahead of him, hands loosely at his sides, moving like he belonged to every inch of the place.

“I’m taking you everywhere,” Vance replied. “I need you to see my pack too, because you brag so much about your peaceful and beautiful pack with all those fancy things you own.”

Kael laughed, the sound light and easy.

“So bringing me here was purely out of jealousy?”

Vance glanced back at him with a small smile.

“You could say that,” he said. “But that’s not entirely the reason.”

Kael didn’t think much of it. He just followed.

The air felt different here, not dangerous, just… unfamiliar.

The path stretched ahead, lined with tall trees and patches of open space. Wolves passed by at a distance, some glancing their way, some not caring at all.

Vance walked ahead like a guide, doing the pointing and talking.

“This is one of our training grounds,” he said at some point, gesturing to an open field. “Not as big as yours, I’m sure.”

Kael looked around.

“It’s decent,” he said honestly. “But yeah, ours is bigger.”

Vance huffed softly.

“You really don’t know how to stop bragging.”

Kael grinned. “You started it.”

They kept walking.

At some point, they passed a long wall and Kael slowed down. His eyes moved over it.

A mural stretched across the surface. Large, detailed, and obviously painted with care.

Vance noticed and stopped too.

He pointed at it.

“I told you your pack is not the only one that has murals of their Alpha leader all over huge walls,” he said.

Kael stepped closer, studying it.

“That’s our king,” Vance continued, pointing. “And his queen.”

Kael’s eyes followed his hand.

“And their ethereally beautiful baby.”

Kael tilted his head slightly.

“Yeah,” he said slowly. “I can see that.”

His gaze lingered on the painting of the child.

Then he looked away.

“Where does this path lead?”

“To the palace,” Vance replied.

Kael blinked. “The palace?” he repeated. “Why are we going there? They allow unofficial entry?”

Vance nodded easily. “Yes,” he said. “They let you into certain areas.” He shrugged. “This pack is not as strict as yours.”

Kael laughed. “That sounds like something my father would hate.”

They kept walking.

The closer they got, the more the environment changed. The path widened, the ground became smoother, the air carried a faint scent of flowers.

Then…

The palace came into view.

Kael slowed down again, his eyes widened slightly.
The structure stood tall and elegant, surrounded by wide fields of blooming flowers in soft colors.

There was a fountain at the center.

Water flowed gently from it.

Kael took a few steps forward, looking around.

“The flower field is beautiful,” he said honestly. Then he glanced at the fountain. “But the fountain is not so beautiful.”

Vance let out a small laugh.

“There’s something more beautiful than everything here,” he said. “Someone.” He added, softly.

Kael glanced at him. “Really?”

He smirked slightly.

“Do you have a crush on a palace staff?”

Vance shook his head. “No.” He looked ahead. “I’m talking about the Prince.”

Kael frowned slightly. “Prince?” he repeated. “You mean the baby in the mural?”

Vance’s lips curved faintly.

“That mural is old,” he said. “He’s no longer a baby.”

Right then, movement caught their attention.

A figure stepped into the flower field. A small, yet so graceful figure.

Wearing a flowy white garment that moved softly with the breeze.

Kael stilled.

Vance’s voice lowered. “There he is.”

But Kael didn’t respond. He didn’t move, nor blink. His eyes locked onto the boy and everything else seemed to fade.

The way the sunlight touched the boy’s hair, the way he moved lightly among the flowers, the softness in his features.

Vance turned to look at Kael, then smirked slightly. “Isn’t he the most beautiful being you’ve ever seen?”

Kael swallowed faintly. “He is beautiful,” he said without thinking. Then he blinked. “Wait— he is a he?”

He looked again.

“He looks like a little Omega girl.”

Vance chuckled. “He’s a boy,” he said. “Born with beauty and power.”

Kael’s brows pulled together slightly. “Powers?”

Vance nodded.

“Yes.”

His tone shifted slightly. “He has healing powers.”

Kael looked back at him.

“Once,” Vance continued, “I got bitten by one of those outcast vampire demons.”

Kael’s eyes widened slightly.

“And he healed me. He saved me from dying.”

Kael looked back at the boy again. There was something about him. Something… different.

“Wow,” Kael said softly. “He can free someone from a vampire demon’s bite?” He tilted his head slightly. “What kind of wolf is he?”

Vance’s gaze didn’t leave the boy. “The kind you could kill to be beside,” he said quietly.

Kael blinked.

“I want to mate him someday,” Vance added. There was no hesitation in his voice. “I know it’s a wild dream.” He let out a soft breath. “He’s way out of my reach.”

Kael glanced at him.

“But I’ve figured out a way to get closer to him.”

Kael frowned slightly. “He’s not a girl,” he said. “He’s not an Omega.”

Vance shrugged. “I don’t care what he is,” he said simply. “I want to spend my life with him.”

Kael looked at him for a moment.

Then asked,

“So what’s the way you’ve figured to get close to him?”

Vance’s lips curved slightly. “I can’t tell you.”

Kael rolled his eyes. “Tell me,” he said. “I could help.”

Vance glanced at him. A strange look flickered in his eyes. “You’ve helped,” he said.

Kael blinked. “What?”

“You followed me here.”

Kael frowned. “How does that help?”

Vance didn’t answer directly. Instead, he turned. “Let’s go to the workers’ quarter,” he said. “I have a friend there.”

Kael raised a brow. “I thought I was your only friend.”

Vance smirked slightly. “I am your only friend,” he said.

Then added,

“But you are not my only friend.”

Kael placed a hand dramatically over his chest. “Ouch.”

They walked again.

The palace faded behind them as they moved toward a quieter area.

The workers’ quarter.

The buildings here were simpler, less polished.

There's no one around Kael and Vance's age there. 

Kael looked around curiously. Then leaned slightly toward Vance.

“You have older friends?” he whispered.

Vance didn’t answer. Instead, four men stepped out from one of the buildings.

Their presence felt different, and the way they looked at Kael made Kael’s smile fade slightly.

Vance stepped forward, greeting them like nothing was wrong.

Then he gestured.

“This is him.”

Kael frowned. “What—”

One of the men moved fast.

A cloth was pressed over Kael’s face before Kael could catch on what's going on.

Kael jerked back instantly. His body reacted on instinct, but the grip on him tightened.

“That won’t knock him out,” Vance said sharply. “I told you he’s a true blood Alpha.”

His voice had changed into this colder thing Kael didn't recognize.

“Hit him or just gag him and take him away,” he added. “Don’t put me in trouble.”

Kael’s eyes widened.

He struggled hard, breaking free from one grip.

Then another.

He shoved one man away and stumbled forward.

“Vance—” His voice held disbelief.

He took a step toward him.

Vance immediately shouted, “Don’t come closer!”

Kael froze. His chest rose and fell quickly. Confusion, shock, pain. He doesn't know what to make of what's going on.

Vance looked at the men. “Hold him,” he snapped. “What are you doing?”

Hands grabbed Kael again, this time tighter, and stronger.

Kael fought. But there were too many.

As they dragged him back, Vance spoke again, calm and cold in a way Kael could've sworn wasn't Vance's voice.

“You did help me,” he said.

Kael stopped struggling for a second. His eyes locked on him.

“To get closer to the only thing I’ve ever wanted so badly.”

Kael’s breath hitched.

“You have it all,” Vance continued. “I have nothing.” His gaze hardened. “But I really want this one thing.”

A pause.

“And I don’t care if I have to hand you over to your father’s enemy…”

His voice dropped.

“…to get even a little closer to what I want.”

Kael stared at him, like he didn’t recognize him anymore.

Then the men dragged him away.

And the world he knew shattered. His trust was just trampled on.

Meanwhile… In Starcrest pack.

Kael’s father sat calmly in the hall, watching his mate work delicate embroidery.

The quiet was peaceful… until fast footsteps approached.

A Beta entered.

He bowed deeply.

“Alpha.”

Kael’s father looked up. “What is it?”

“Kael crossed our border into Star Moon,” the Beta said. “And he’s not yet back. Should I send soldiers after him?”

“Right away.” The Alpha stood, his presence shifted instantly. “Send men to bring my son home.”

His voice hardened.

“And if anything happens to my son…”

His eyes darkened.

“I’ll put Star Moon through serious crisis.”