CHAPTER 53: VENT

"Sir, please come in."Prince Kael gave a short nod to the man who stepped forward to greet him, and without so much as glancing at the crowd, he walked straight toward the back of the café, choosing the corner that was relatively more secluded.

The café owner quickly moved aside, his eyes fixed on the powerful alpha who had entered. Even though he could tell the man was not a local, Kael’s presence alone was enough to reveal that he was someone far too powerful to be approached lightly. The air around him carried weight, a pressure that made even seasoned men like the owner hesitate. After all, this place was close to the shadiest things that happened in the underworld.

And he was often visited by rogues and powerful packs alike, which meant he needed to keep a level head. But even so, today was the first time, he dared not approach the alpha, not even to take an order. Instead, he lingered near the side, restless and uneasy, waiting silently for the alpha to summon him, if he wished to be attended to at all.

He could not help but think that if this powerful man had something to do with the news about the Ruins. He shuddered then and continued to stare at the man, awaiting a signal.

Prince Kael leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, shutting out the murmur of voices and the faint clatter of utensils. As someone who was acutely sensitive to emotions and the shifting moods of people around him, he had never enjoyed crowded places.

Already the weight of so many presences pressing in on him was unsettling. His temples throbbed faintly, the beginnings of a headache warning him of how quickly such noise and emotion could become unbearable. But his mischievous brother seemed to have made a point to make his life a living hell.

With his eyes still closed, Kael reached inward, and reached for the connection that connected him to Zen and spoke in a low voice, "I will kill you."

He felt the ripple of amusement come back almost immediately, followed by Zen’s familiar nonchalant tone echoing in his head. "You always say that. But you love me too much to actually do it. So, this threat of yours is useless."

Kael scoffed under his breath, and lowered his tone to make it more threatening. Let Zen know just how irritated he was, "Then I’ll kill this little pet you’ve taken a liking to."

There was a pause on the other side. The silence was enough to let Kael know he had Zen’s attention now. He smiled faintly to himself, pressing the advantage as he added, "What? Who told you to make me babysit the pet?"

Zen’s reply was slower this time and full of reproach, "She belongs to all of us, Kael. Not just to me."

But Kael did not answer to that. His lips curved in a thin smile, though his chest felt heavy with the same old weight he always carried. He had no interest in owning anyone- human or wolf. He knew what Zen wanted but the very thought of it tasted bitter to him.

Still, he let his voice slip back through the bond, laced with quiet mockery. "Hmm... I wonder if she knows that."

Zen’s reply came sharp and certain. "She does, of course. She is the one who called for us."

Kael tilted his head, letting the faintest flicker of a laugh escape. "Then why is it that you chose to leave her behind? Isn’t it because you want her to get closer to me? You see the aversion she has to me"

That struck deeper. Zen’s growl rolled through the bond, "Don’t do that, Kael."

Kael smiled and asked," Otherwise what? Will you kill me? Anyway, don’t worry. For now, your pet is in the bathroom, hurling her guts out."

And then, before Zen could speak more, Kael severed the connection, shutting his brother’s presence out of his mind. Silence settled around him once more. He leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.

He had no desire to drag the conversation further. They all carried their scars, each festering in its own way. And some things were easier left unspoken.

He sighed and tapped the table with his fingers before glancing down at his watch. What was taking her so long? It wasn’t as if she had eaten much in the morning for her to throw up. Had she decided to run away?

Kael’s lips curved at the thought. That would be the best outcome. Let her run away. That way, there would be no need to drag her back, no need to deal with the endless trouble that came with her presence when they returned. For a moment, he wondered if Lance had already told the pack... but then, shook his head.

Emira running away from here was the best outcome. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine it—her gone, vanished into the wind, a problem erased without him lifting a finger. But the thought did not last.

He shook his head, the smile fading as quickly as it had come. If she truly did run, Zen would never allow him a moment of peace with his whining.

His jaw tightened. Better to deal with her here than deal with Zen later.

Slowly, Kael opened his mind, letting his senses spread outward, skimming across the crowded place beyond the walls, sifting through the multiple feelings and voices with ease. Just when he was about to get up and go look for her himself, it struck him.

A sharp, cutting scent that slid through the noise and landed heavy in his chest. Fear, excitement and something more. It came from two different people, but... he already knew one of those people... The little troublemaker Omega.

Kael’s eyes opened, golden irises already glowing faintly in the dim light. His head tilted and a low sound rumbled in his throat. Trouble was stirring outside.

He rose from his seat slowly, almost happy about what was happening outside. If someone was foolish enough to cause trouble here, then it was the perfect time. A perfect excuse.

The corner of his mouth curved upward. He could vent and do some ’good’ by the way.