CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63

Kael’s POV.

I stood by the window in the cabin on the Eastern Island, my heart pounding, my fists clenching, the air sharp through the open shutters.

Brian’s words hit me hard, "The elders heard about Elijah’s situation. They’re demanding your presence." My jaw tightened, my side throbbing under the bandage, but my anger was hotter, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his rage sharp.

The elders knew about Elijah’s death, his betrayal, the fire he set in my packhouse, and now they wanted me to face them, to answer for it.

My chest heaved, my eyes burning, my mind spinning with Sonia’s tears, Liam’s laughter, their safety in my hands.

I wanted to refuse, to stay here, to protect them from the pack’s judgment, but a small voice broke my thoughts.

"Big brother?" Liam said, his voice soft, his brown eyes big, his curls messy as he walked to me, his small hand tugging my pants.

My heart sank, my anger softening, his fear clear, his innocence cutting me deep. "Are we safe?" he asked, his voice shaky, his eyes searching mine, his trust in me heavy.

I crouched, my knees creaking, my hand ruffling his hair, forcing a smile, my voice gentle.

"Everything’s fine, Liam," I said, my eyes meeting his, my heart racing, Zeus whining, his love for this boy strong.

"You’re safe with me. Your big brother will always protect you." His smile returned, faint but real, his hand squeezing mine, and my chest ached, my guilt for Elijah’s death, for bringing them here, overwhelming.

I stood, my heart heavy, my eyes flicking to Brian, Aria, and Sonia, their faces tense, waiting. I had no choice.

Liam’s fear, Sonia’s grief, pushed me to act, to face the elders, to protect them.

"Pack up," I said, my voice hard, my eyes on Brian. "We’re going back." My heart pounded, my anger returning, my wound burning, but my duty as Alpha was clear.

Aria’s eyes widened, her face pale, Sonia’s hands tightening on Liam, their worry loud. We moved fast, grabbing bags, the cabin emptying, the car waiting, the sun high, the waves crashing as we left the island, the road bumpy, my silence heavy, my mind on the elders, their judgment, their power.

The drive to the Shadow Claw packhouse was long, the forest thick, the air cool, my fists clenching in the front seat, Brian driving, Aria, Sonia, and Liam quiet in the back.

My heart raced, my anger mixing with fear, Zeus growling, his strength urging me to fight. We arrived, the stone walls tall, guards bowing, maids whispering, the air tense.

I got out, my boots heavy, my face hard, turning to Aria. "Go to your room," I said, my voice sharp, my eyes meeting hers, her worry clear but my focus on the elders.

She nodded, her steps slow, Sonia and Liam following her, their faces pale. Brian stayed with me, his face grim, his steps matching mine as we headed to the throne chamber, the doors heavy, the air thick with tension.

The chamber was dim, torches flickering, the stone floor cold, the elders seated in a half-circle, their gray robes stiff, their faces stern, their eyes judging.

I stood before my throne, my armor glinting, my heart pounding, Brian beside me, his hands clasped, his loyalty steady. The greeting was short, their voices formal, their eyes sharp.

Elder Marcus, his beard white, his voice deep, spoke first. "Alpha Kael, tell us about Elijah," he said, his eyes narrowing, his hands folded.

My chest tightened, my jaw clenching, my mind racing. I wanted to protect Sonia, to hide Elijah’s betrayal, but I couldn’t lie, not fully.

"He was a guard," I said, my voice steady, my eyes meeting his.

"He served the pack, had a wife, Sonia, and a son, Liam." My words were careful, my heart heavy, avoiding the fire, the betrayal, hoping to shield them.

But Elder Ruth, her hair gray, her eyes fierce, leaned forward, her voice sharp.

"We know the truth, Alpha," she said, her words cutting, her hands slamming the table.

"Elijah was a traitor. He set the fire in the guest house, tried to kill you. He was a Fang pack spy." My heart stopped, my breath catching, shock hitting hard. They knew.

My fists clenched, my face cold, my silence loud, Zeus growling, his anger rising. I couldn’t deny it, my eyes dropping, my guilt for failing Elijah, for letting him die, burning.

Elder Marcus stood, his voice booming, his eyes hard. "The woman, Sonia, must pay for her husband’s sins," he said, his hand pointing.

"She must be killed. The boy, Liam, will be a slave. They could betray us, like Elijah did." His words were ice, his judgment final, and my anger exploded, my heart racing, my wound throbbing, Zeus roaring, his rage blinding.

"No!" I growled, my voice booming, my fists slamming the throne, the sound echoing.

"Sonia and Liam are innocent! They’re our pack members now!" My eyes burned, my chest heaving, my anger hot, my protectiveness fierce.

The elders gasped, their faces shocked, their whispers loud, but Elder Ruth and Elder Thomas stood, their voices sharp, arguing, demanding Sonia’s death, Liam’s enslavement, their words cruel, their eyes cold.

"They’re a danger!" Ruth shouted, her finger jabbing, her face red.

"Kill her now!" Thomas nodded, his voice loud, his eyes fierce, pushing for blood, for punishment.

My heart pounded, my anger unstoppable, my duty as Alpha clear. I stepped forward, my armor clinking, my voice low, my eyes fierce.

"Sonia is a Shadow Claw pack member," I said, my words final, my authority absolute, ignoring their gasps, their protests.

"Liam, too. They stay under my protection." My heart raced, my fists shaking, my wound burning, Zeus roaring, his strength backing me.

The elders froze, their eyes wide, their silence heavy, but Ruth and Thomas kept arguing, their voices shrill, their disrespect clear, demanding I obey, calling me reckless.

"Enough!" I roared, my voice shaking the chamber, my eyes burning into theirs. "You two are suspended!" I pointed at Ruth and Thomas, my hand steady, my anger hot.

"Never step foot in this packhouse again. You disrespected your Alpha." My words were sharp, my heart pounding, their faces pale, their gasps loud, the other elders silent, their eyes dropping.

Ruth’s eyes burned, Thomas’s hands trembling, but they stood, their robes swishing, leaving the chamber, the doors slamming, the air heavy, my chest heaving, my anger still burning.