CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51

Aria’s POV.

I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands twisting the blue blanket, my heart filled with sadness. The room was quiet, the candle’s light flickering, causing soft shadows on the stone walls.

My thoughts were a mess, my chest tight with worry that Alpha Kael would hate me for ignoring him.

I’d avoided his eyes in the throne chamber, stepped back from his touch, left him standing there, his hand hanging in the air.

His voice, soft but firm, "Look at me" still echoed, his sadness cutting me deep. I wanted to tell him everything, to explain why I was pulling away, but Seraphina’s threat held me back, her words sharp: "I want Alpha Kael. Leave, or I’ll make sure you lose everything."

My wolf, Kyra, whined, her sadness matching mine, urging me to be strong, to tell the truth, but I felt trapped, my heart racing, my hands trembling.

Just as I was still lost in deep thoughts, the door burst open, the sound loud, jarring, and Beta Brian rushed in, his face pale, his breath heavy, his brown eyes wide with panic.

My heart jumped, my hands dropping the blanket, my body tensing.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, my voice shaky, my eyes locked on his, fear creeping in. Something bad had happened, I could feel it, Kyra growling low, her instincts sharp.

"It’s Alpha Kael," Brian said, his voice urgent, his hands clenching. "He collapsed. You’re needed, Luna. Now." His words hit like a punch, my heart stopping, my breath catching, fear flooding me.

Kael? Collapsed? My mind spun, my hands shaking, my eyes burning with tears I wouldn’t let fall.

I stood, my blue dress swishing, my legs weak, and followed Brian, my steps quick, my heart racing, Kyra whining, her panic loud.

"Is he okay?" I asked, my voice small, my eyes pleading, but Brian just shook his head, his face tense, leading me through the packhouse.

The halls were dim, the torches flickering, maids stepping aside, their eyes curious, their whispers soft.

My chest ached, my thoughts a blur, Kael, my mate, the man I loved, collapsed? Was he hurt? Dying?

The fear choked me, my hands clenching, my breath short as we hurried to the room where he was kept, the physician’s quarters, its door heavy, its air sharp with the smell of herbs and blood.

Brian pushed it open, the hinges creaking, and I stepped inside, my heart pounding, my eyes wide.

Kael lay on a cot, his face pale, his dark hair messy, his ash gray shirt torn, his chest still, too still.

My heart sank, my breath catching, my hands trembling as I stared at him, fear gripping me tight.

But then I saw her, Seraphina, standing by his side, her red dress bright, her blonde hair glowing, her green eyes glinting with a smirk that made my stomach twist.

My heart raced, uncertainty mixing with my fear, Kyra growling, her anger hot. Why was she here? What did she want?

Her smirk, her presence, felt like a threat, her words echoing "I want Alpha Kael all to myself."

Brian’s voice cut through, sharp and loud. "Get out, Seraphina," he said, his eyes narrowing, his hand pointing to the door.

"You don’t belong here." His tone was firm, his face tense, but Seraphina didn’t move, her smirk growing, her eyes flicking to me, cold and cruel.

"I was here first," she said, her voice smooth, her hands crossing.

"Luna Celeste should leave." Her words were filled with disdain and warnings, her eyes locked on mine, daring me to fight.

My chest tightened, my hands clenching, fear and anger mixing. I wanted to stay, to be with Kael, to make sure he was okay, but her threat, her knowledge, stopped me.

If I fought her, if I caused a scene, she might tell everyone, ruin me.

"I’ll go," I said, my voice small, my eyes dropping, my heart breaking.

I turned, my steps shaky, my hand on the door, ready to leave, to avoid her, to keep my secret safe.

But Brian grabbed my hand, his grip firm, pulling me back, his eyes burning into Seraphina’s.

"No," he said, his voice hard, his face fierce.

"You’re the Luna. You stay. Seraphina, get out. You’re not needed." His words were sharp, his hand steady, and my heart jumped, gratitude and fear mixing, Kyra purring softly, her strength pushing me.

Seraphina’s smirk faded, her eyes narrowing, her fists clenching, but she didn’t move, her stubbornness clear.

Brian stepped closer, his voice low, dangerous. "If the Alpha dies, it’ll be on you," he said, his eyes burning, his words heavy.

My breath caught, my heart stopping, the thought of Kael dying too much, my tears close but not falling.

Seraphina’s face paled, her eyes wide, her fists clenching tighter. She glared at me, her eyes sharp, full of hate, then stood, her dress swishing, her steps quick as she left, the door slamming behind her, the sound echoing.

I turned to Kael, my heart racing, my hands trembling as I moved closer, my eyes on his pale face, his closed eyes, his still chest.

"What happened?" I asked Brian, my voice shaky, my hands hovering over Kael, wanting to touch him but scared, my fear loud.

"Is he going to be okay?" My chest ached, my tears burning, Kyra whining, her sadness heavy.

Brian shook his head, his face tense, his voice low. "I don’t know much," he said, his eyes dropping, his hands clenching.

"I was outside the room. He was trying to heal Elijah, the traitor. Then he collapsed. The physician’s working, but it’s bad." His words hit hard, my heart sinking, my breath short.

Heal Elijah? The guard who’d tried to kill him? Why would Kael risk himself? My mind spun, my sadness growing, my hands shaking as I stared at Kael, his face so pale, his breathing weak.

Brian’s eyes softened, his voice quiet. "I’ll leave you with him," he said, his hand on my shoulder, his touch gentle.

"I’ll check on the physician." He turned, his boots heavy, shutting the door behind him, the room quiet except for Kael’s shallow breaths.

I sank onto a stool beside him, my hands trembling, my heart heavy with fear and sadness. I reached for his hand, my fingers brushing his, his skin cold, and my chest tightened, my tears close but not falling.

Kyra whined, her voice soft, urging me to stay strong, to take care of him.

I grabbed a cloth from the table, dipping it in a bowl of water, my hands shaking as I wiped his forehead, his skin damp, his face still.

"Please be okay," I whispered, my voice breaking, my eyes on his, willing him to wake.

I cleaned his face, my hands gentle, my heart racing, checking his breathing, his pulse, making sure he was still here.

My sadness grew, my worry loud, the thought of losing him too much.

I stayed there, my hands working, my eyes never leaving him, praying he’d open his eyes, that he’d be okay, that I hadn’t pushed him away for nothing.