Chapter 29 HIS FATE, HIS CHOICE
Adam sat alone on Kael’s bed, knees pulled to his chest, hugging one of the pillows like it was the only thing keeping him steady. The room smelled like Kael but the scent couldn’t ease the tight knot twisting inside his stomach.
The room felt too big. Too quiet. Too unsafe.
Everything in his life felt unreal now. Fragile. Threatened.
He was supposed to be resting, but how could he? His mind had been spinning ever since the scout arrived wounded, ever since Kael left to meet the Star Moon Alpha. Every second Kael was gone felt like a crack forming in the ground under Adam’s feet.
The door burst open.
Adam flinched so hard he almost fell off the bed… but it was Kael, storming in like a furious whirlwind, shoulders tight, jaw clenched, eyes burning.
He was angry. More than angry. His whole body looked like it was holding back something violent.
But the moment he saw Adam… every sharp edge in him softened.
“Adam,” Kael breathed, crossing the room in three long steps.
Before Adam could even sit up straight, Kael grabbed him and pulled him into a tight embrace; strong arms, warm chest, gentle hands cupping the back of Adam’s neck. Adam’s eyes burned instantly, relief crashing into him so hard he almost cried right there.
Kael buried his nose into Adam’s hair for a moment, inhaling like he needed the scent to ground himself.
“You’re safe,” Kael whispered, voice rough with fear he wasn’t even trying to hide. “I’m here now.”
Adam wanted to melt. He wanted to sink into that warmth and pretend none of the chaos outside existed.
But the fear in him was still alive. Still whispering.
Slowly, he pulled himself out of Kael’s arms.
Kael frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Adam swallowed hard. “You’re only kind because of the bond,” he whispered. “If you had a choice, you wouldn’t—”
Kael’s voice cut through him, sharp and shaking.
“Please don't say that again.” Kael’s chest rose and fell fast. “You are not just my fate. You’re my choice.”
Adam looked away. His throat felt tight, choking. “But the bond thing is kind of… irresistible. You can’t reject it or else you get sick. You could even die.” His voice cracked. “If you wouldn’t get sick… would you still want this?”
“Yes,” Kael said instantly, without even a breath of hesitation.
The answer hit Adam so hard his chest stung.
Kael stepped closer, eyes soft now. “I would choose you,” he said quietly, “again and again.”
Adam’s voice trembled. “But I’m a problem to you. And your pack. You had a peaceful life before me. Everything was normal before me. I bring trouble everywhere I go, it's like I'm cursed with bad luck. Why would anyone want that?”
Kael’s expression broke.
He reached out and gently held Adam’s face, thumbs stroking his cheeks like he was handling something precious.
“You’re not trouble,” Kael whispered. “You’re not a burden. You’re not cursed. Or unlucky. Or whatever awful thing you keep telling yourself.”
He didn’t tell Adam about how the meeting went.
He didn’t tell him about the experiments.
He didn’t tell him about the torture, or the cruelty, or the way he nearly lost his mind hearing what they had done to him as a child.
Kael refused to put more pain on Adam’s shoulders. Not tonight.
So he gave him the only thing he could.
“Adam,” he murmured, leaning in, “you are the sweetest thing that has ever happened to me.”
Adam’s breath hitched.
Kael brushed their foreheads together, voice softer than Adam had ever heard it. “You’re gentle. And brave. And so, so beautiful.” His fingers curled under Adam’s jaw, lifting his face. “And I will always protect you. Mate bond or not.”
Adam’s eyes filled instantly.
No one had ever said things like that to him. No one had ever wanted him for anything more than convenience or obligation. He didn’t know how to handle something so soft. So warm. So real.
He sniffed, embarrassed, looking down. “I really want to believe you,” he whispered, voice wobbling. “I do. But it feels unreal. Having someone care like this… say all these things… It feels like a dream I shouldn’t touch.”
Kael gently lifted his chin again.
“It’s real,” he said firmly. “You’re worthy of it. You always were.”
Then he pulled Adam close, guiding him onto the bed with him. He lay down first, then gently urged Adam to rest on top of him; Adam’s cheek on his chest, Kael’s arms wrapped securely around his back.
Kael threaded his fingers through Adam’s hair, slow and soothing, stroking until Adam’s breathing steadied.
“You’re safe,” Kael whispered again.
Then he tilted his head down and brushed a soft kiss against Adam’s lips… the small kiss was brief, tender, barely there, like a promise.
“You taste so sweet,” Kael murmured.
Adam felt his face warm, but he stayed where he was, head rising and falling with Kael’s breathing. For the first time in days, he felt his heartbeat match someone else’s.
Kael held him tighter, thumb slowly drawing circles on Adam’s spine. “Rest, sweetheart.”
Adam let out a shaky exhale and finally closed his eyes.
For a moment, the world was gentle…
…But outside the quiet room, danger was already growing.
In the shadowed hallway, a figure moved silently, a council member whose expression was tight with fear and calculation.
He glanced around.
No guards.
No witnesses.
His hands shook only a little as he reached into his robe and pulled out a small silver key— the key Kael trusted him with.
He slipped to the back entrance of the pack house.
The air was cold.
He unlocked the door.
The hinges creaked softly.
Then he stepped aside, bowing his head in guilt twisted into resolve.
Several Star Moon warriors slid inside; silent, fast, and especially dressed for killing.
The betrayer didn’t look them in the eye.
He only whispered:
“He’s unguarded but the Alpha is with him.
Go.”
And the door closed behind them.