Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Sabrina's POV
I promised Abigail, but I regretted it all night. I lay in bed, tossing and turning. How was I supposed to invite Kael? Would he agree?
More likely, he would coldly refuse.
Or, like last time, strangle me.
I should be afraid of him, but why did the image of the daisy he gave me keep popping up in my mind?
I sighed and rolled over.
Abigail was sleeping soundly beside me, a smile on her little face.
She was really looking forward to it. If Kael refused, how disappointed would she be?
But if I didn't ask, what would she think of me? That Mama breaks her promises?
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
I'll ask tomorrow. The worst that could happen is a "no".
The next morning, I walked Abigail to Kael's cabin.
My steps got slower and slower. My heart beat faster and faster.
I stopped outside the door and took a deep breath.
"Abigail," I crouched down. "You wait here."
"Why?"
"Because... I need to talk to Kael first."
"Okay." Abigail was obedient. She stood outside the door, hugging the baseball.
I stood up. Raised my hand. It hovered in mid-air.
Knock or not? Maybe he wasn't there. Maybe he was sleeping. Maybe I should come back another day.
But Abigail was watching me. I gritted my teeth and knocked.
I waited a few seconds. No answer. Maybe he really wasn't there. Forget it then.
I was about to turn around.
"Come in."
Kael's voice was as low and cold as ever.
My hand rested on the doorknob. Trembling, I pushed the door open and walked in.
The room was dark. Curtains drawn. Only a sliver of light came through the gap.
Kael was leaning in the corner, sitting on the floor.
One leg straight, the other bent. Arm resting on his knee.
He wasn't wearing a shirt. Just black pants.
His upper body was bare. Muscles defined. Chest, abs, arms—all covered in scars, old and new, crisscrossing his skin. His head rested against the wall. Eyes covered by the black cloth, his black hair messy and wild.
My breath hitched. How could he be so...
"Speak," Kael said. "Or leave."
I snapped out of it.
"I... I'm sorry," I stammered.
"I didn't mean to disturb you."
"And?"
"I... Abigail..."
My hands wrung together. The words were on the tip of my tongue but wouldn't come out.
It was too stupid. Asking the cold Rogue King to play baseball?
He'd think I was crazy. I should go. Go now.
I turned around.
"Mama?"
Abigail's voice. No. Wasn't she supposed to wait outside?
I turned my head. Abigail had run in.
"Abigail!" I shouted.
But she had already rushed to Kael.
"Kael!"
She opened her arms and hugged his thigh. Rubbed her little face against his leg.
Abigail looked up at Kael. Her big eyes sparkling.
"Kael," she said in that cute, pitiful voice.
"Can you play baseball with us?"
"Please?"
"Pretty please?"
The atmosphere froze. I looked at Kael.
His expression... was weird. Brow furrowed. Lips pressed tight.
Hands hovering in mid-air. Not knowing where to put them.
Did he want to push Abigail away? But was afraid to touch her, afraid of hurting her? Or... did he just not know how to handle kids?
"Kael?" Abigail said again.
"I promise I'll be good."
"And Mama will be there."
"It'll be fun!"
Kael still didn't move. I saw his Adam's apple bob. Like he was swallowing. Or suppressing something.
"Kael," I started. My voice was low. Soft.
"If you don't want to... it's okay."
"We won't force you."
"But..."
I paused.
"Abigail really likes you, she's been talking about you all week."
"About how cool you were. Jumping up that tree."
"She thinks you're a superhero."
"Please," I said. This time I didn't stutter.
"Just one game. For her."
Kael was silent for a long time. Abigail still hugged his leg, waiting patiently.
Finally, Kael sighed lightly.
"One inning," he said. His voice was flat. But I could tell he was holding something back.
"Just one inning."
Abigail squealed.
"Yay!"
She hugged him tighter.
"Thank you, Kael! You're the best. You're such a good person!"
I quickly walked over.
"Abigail, let go. Come here."
She let go of Kael and ran into my arms. I picked her up.
"Thank you," I said to Kael. "Really, thank you."
Kael didn't answer. He just sat there, leaning his head back against the wall.
Abigail squirmed in my arms.
"Mama," she whispered.
"Kael smells so good."
"Like... like... the forest?"
"I really really like it."
I paused. Scent? I smelled it too.
Faint. Pine. Frost. And...
Suddenly, a howl echoed in my mind. A wolf howl.
Excited. Joyful. Like celebrating something.
My eyes widened in shock. This was...
But I was Wolfless. I had no wolf. How could I hear—
It was Kael's wolf spirit!
I looked at him. His face changed. Darkened. Stiffened even more. More awkward.
His hands clenched into fists.
"Get out," he said. His voice was tight. "Now."
"Sorry," I said quickly, carrying Abigail out.
"We'll see you tomorrow. At the field. Two o'clock."
I closed the door and leaned back against it. My heart was pounding.
That wolf howl... was his wolf responding to Abigail? Or... responding to me?
I shook my head. Too strange. But maybe... maybe it wasn't a bad thing?
The next afternoon. At the field.
The kids were already there.
Lucas. And five other kids.
Sarah's other son Tommy. Jen's daughter Emma.
And three rescued kids. Seven kids in all.
And a few parents. Sarah. Jen. Marcus. Lily.
And two fathers. John, a tall man with red hair. And Carl, who was thinner and wore glasses.
"Okay!" Lucas shouted. "Let's start!"
The kids started playing. Abigail was on the sidelines. Picking up balls. Handing them out. Cheering everyone on.
When it was a kid's turn to bat, their parent would go on the field to catch for them or help them pitch.
When it was Abigail's turn, I went up. Picked up the bat.
Lily pitched. I swung. Hit it. The ball flew out. Lucas caught it.
"Out!" he shouted.
Abigail jumped up beside me. "Mama hit it!"
The first half ended quickly. Abigail sat on my lap, looking around constantly.
"Kael isn't here yet," she said, sounding down.
"Maybe he's busy, baby."
"But he promised."
"I know." I patted her head. "Maybe he has something important to do."
"But he promised," Abigail said again. Her voice even smaller this time. Her eyes red.
My heart squeezed. Damn Kael.
If he didn't plan to come, why promise?
"It's okay, baby," I said. "He'll come next time."
Abigail nodded. But she was still very disappointed.
"Okay!" Lucas stood up. "Second half! Let's go!"
The kids started running again. I stood up too.
Suddenly, someone screamed. "Look!"
Everyone turned. To the camp entrance.
A person was walking over. A tall figure. Dressed all in black. Eyes covered by a black cloth. Kael.
He came.
Abigail screamed. "Kael!"
She rushed over and hugged his thigh.
"You came! You kept your promise!"
Kael stood there. Hands hovering in mid-air again. Not knowing where to put them.
"Mama!" Abigail turned to shout at me. "Kael is here! We can play together now!"
I walked over. Looked at Kael.
"Thanks for coming," I said.
Kael didn't answer. Just nodded.
I looked at the others. Everyone was stunned. Mouths slightly open. Eyes wide.
"Kael is here?" Sarah whispered.
"He never joins anything," Jen murmured.
Lily walked over and nudged my arm. "Sabrina." She lowered her voice. "You got Kael to come?"
"How did you do that?"
My face started to burn. "Abigail asked him."
"Uh huh." Lily's tone was meaningful. "Sure."
Sarah leaned in too. "He never participates in these events."
"Never."
"But he came for you."
"Not for me," I said quickly. "For Abigail."
"Right." Sarah smiled. "For Abigail."
But her eyes clearly said she didn't believe me.
Marcus grinned. "This is a big event for the camp. Kael joining a social activity. Tomorrow the whole camp will know, and that Sabrina invited him."
"Shut up," I whispered. Face turning even redder.
"Don't talk nonsense," I said. But my voice wasn't convincing.
The kids gathered around too.
Kael stood there, surrounded by a group of people.
His expression was stiff. Uncomfortable. I could tell he wanted to flee.
"Okay!" I said loudly, trying to rescue him. And trying to shift the attention.
"Parents on the field! Kids take a break!"
"Let's go!"
Everyone started moving. But as Sarah passed me, she whispered, "He came for you, you know."
Lily leaned in too: "Everyone can see it."
I pretended not to hear and walked quickly to the field. But I could feel everyone's eyes moving back and forth between me and Kael.
We took our positions. I stood at third base. Kael stood at home plate.
He picked up the bat. Tested the weight. Then got into his stance.
Before pitching, Marcus shouted to me: "Sabrina! Careful catching!"
Then to Kael: "Don't hit too hard, Kael. Take care of our Sabrina."
A few chuckles came from around us.
I glared at Marcus. He grinned.
The ball flew. Kael swung. Crack.
The ball was hit. Straight toward me. Flying right at me.