Chapter 65 Kael

Chapter 65 Kael
Luna’s POV

Kael cuts her short.

“Silence.” His ash-blond hair glimmers in the light as he turns his burning, blue-eyed gaze across the room. “I shall determine who is the one deserving of punishment here.”

His words make everyone fall silent. I lower my gaze, feeling terrible.
Now I truly regret ever coming here to check up on Xena, to figure out a way to help her. I have been foolish.

“Doctor,” Kael addresses him. “Lead Lady Eurielle to rest. Ensure she is well. And Elder Darius, please refrain from making assertions.”

“Are you going to defend her for this too, Kael?” Eurielle’s tears fall like pearls, sliding down her cheeks. “Will you let her treat me this way? I may not be of your pack anymore, but surely our past has to count for something?”

I do not speak, merely keeping my head lowered.
I have no words to say.

“The past is the past,” Kael’s words strike as indifferent. “But regardless, whoever is responsible shall get their due punishment.

Then he calls my name.
“Luna.”

I raise my head, glancing up to meet his eyes.
“Yes, Alpha Kael?” I answer.

“You’ll apologize to Lady Eurielle.”

Frustration rises within me, a mixture of grievances past and present. She is the one who grabbed my arm and nearly sent me falling. Is that my fault?

“No, I will not.” I speak, coldly seething.

Silence envelops the room.
Kael tilts his head as Rhea scoffs loud enough for me to hear.
“What did you say?” He demands, and I see his patience is running out.

I do not know the sort of bravado that makes me meet his gaze unflinchingly, but the words leave my lips like a spell.
“I will not apologize to her. She’s the one that should apologize to me.” I state. “I have endured enough from her and Xena’s entitlement.”

Rhea cannot help herself, she laughs out loud.
“You see, Alpha Kael? This girl is nothing but an ungrateful wretch. Goddess knows someone like you does not deserve to be treated with respect. You dare to insult your own Alpha’s dignity.”

Kael glances her way and she instantly shuts her mouth with an audible click. He looks more than threatening, and she takes two steps back, hiding behind Elder Darius who punches his nose, muttering something under his breath.

His tone sharpens.
“If you will not do as asked, then you will face the consequences of your actions. Guards,” Kael’s tone is cold, similar to the way he was when I had just arrived at the Ironfang Pack, a slave.
A trio of bulky men appear behind Kael, bowing to him.
“Take Luna back to her room. She is not to set foot out of there without my knowledge.”
The guards move swiftly without care. Obedient to their Alpha’s every word.
Calla is about to say something else but I stop her with a look.
My arm is grabbed and the guards walk me out of the pack clinic. As I exit I feel eyes on my back, boring holes into me.
Whispers all around.
The Ironfang Pack members blatantly stare.
“Is that not the top tribute?”
“I wonder what happened.”
“Is Alpha Kael punishing her? What crime has she committed?”
“I hear she bears a curse.”
I ignore the words, nothing but venom they are. I have long grown used to it. It is a shame that they are not tired of it.
My expression remains blank. I dare not assert myself in public nor open myself up to criticism, but I will not back down either.

By the time I return to my bedroom, with the door instantly locked shut behind me, there is a buzzing in my ears from the incessant sound of whispers and murmurs.
I move to sit by the windowsill, aching on the inside. I do not know why but seeing that Kael still treats me like a servant or child in need of scolding makes my heart burn with rage.

The parcel Rowan had given me sits on the desk, and I reach for it, untying the hemp rope bindings. The package is unfurled and I see maps, notes, tokens.
Some gold ingots are hidden within papers, valuable and cherished.
It takes me a while before I understand. He is giving me a lifeline.
A note slips out and I catch it before it falls to the ground.
‘I know no what the rest of the Trials would bring. But consider this a way to ensure your safety, Luna. I await your victory at the end.
\-R.’
The cursive is looped, gently yet formidable with little flourish.
I purse my lips, still seething, still reeling from the situation of being grounded in my bedroom.
I tuck everything into my backpack, hidden, waiting to be used.
The next Trials would occur in a week’s time.

I do not know how long it takes until the door is pushed open, and Kael strides in, eyes blazing.
“You dare to defy me in public,” he says with such bite. I blink, rising to my feet as tears prickle my eyes. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I am innocent. You do not truly care to know that, however. I cannot apologize to THAT woman when I have done NOTHING wrong,” I keep my tone even. It is a battle to not let the emotions overwhelm me, to stem the rush of heat towards my fingers. I ache to smash something against the wall, to show anger.
I have never been given the chance to do so.

Kael smoothly chuckles, his baritone flowing like silk.
“That you might be innocent does not matter, Luna. Reputation matters. You are being watched every corner, every step you take must be measured to the utmost. Do you think about the consequences before you act?”

“Oh,” my voice trembled. “So it’s I who have made a mistake. I thought you would defend me, Kael. I may not be perfect but I have never done anything to be worthy of such contempt. Each time, you disa
ppoint me.”
My vision blurs and I wipe my eyes, my stoic face slowly crumbling.
…