CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69

Kael’s POV.

I strode through the Shadow Claw packhouse, my boots heavy on the stone floor, the air cool, the torches flickering, casting dim shadows on the walls.

My ash-gray shirt clung to my chest, my side throbbing under the bandage, the unhealing wound burning, but my heart was heavier, my mind on the Lunar Festival, Aria’s burden as Luna Celeste, and the elders’ demands.

Brian followed close, his armor clinking, his brown eyes alert, his steps quick, matching mine. We checked on every Gamma, their faces tense, their reports sharp, guards at the gates, patrols in the forest, weapons ready.

The festival’s security had to be perfect, no mistakes, no threats, especially after Elijah’s betrayal, the fire, his death.

My heart raced, my fists clenching, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his protectiveness fierce, urging me to keep Aria safe, to shield Sonia and Liam, to hold my pack together.

"Gate secure?" I asked Gamma Torren, his gray eyes steady, his hands gripping a spear.

He nodded, his voice firm, detailing the shifts, the watchtowers manned.

I moved on, my eyes scanning every corner, my heart pounding, my worry for Aria growing.

Seraphina’s slap, her punishment, burned in my mind, my anger hot.

Celeste’s schemes, her grin, her claim to be Aria’s maid, added to my fear, my gut screaming she was trouble, her hate for Aria clear.

We checked the armory, the walls, the training grounds, the air thick with sweat and steel, my heart heavy, my duty as Alpha pulling me, but my love for Aria louder.

We headed back to my study, the halls quiet, maids bowing, their whispers soft. My wound throbbed, my body tired, but my mind spun, Aria’s safety my focus.

"Did my Luna leave for the shopping?" I asked Brian, my voice rough, my eyes burning into his, my heart racing, needing to know she was okay, her festival tasks weighing on her.

Brian nodded, his face calm, his voice low. "I dropped her off earlier, Alpha," he said, his hands clasped. "But Liam had a stomach ache, so I brought him and Sonia back. Left Luna Celeste and the maid with Gamma Torin."

My heart eased slightly, but my worry lingered, Torin’s face flashing in my mind, his blank stare from patrols, reliable but quiet. I stopped, my boots scuffing, my eyes narrowing.

"The maid you chose," I said, my voice hard, my hands clenching. "Is she good?" My heart pounded, my fear of Celeste’s schemes sharp, her grin from the island, her mockery of Aria, haunting me.

Brian smiled, his eyes bright, his voice light.

"You won’t believe it, Alpha," he said, his hands waving. "Aria begged me so much to go with her sister, Luna Celeste. I couldn’t say no." My heart stopped, my breath catching, my body freezing, Zeus roaring, his alarm loud.

Aria? Sister? My eyes widened, my anger exploding, my hand grabbing Brian’s collar, yanking him close, my voice a growl.

"Who’s Aria?" I asked, my eyes burning, my heart racing, my grip tight. "Are you joking?" My chest heaved, my fear spiking, my mind spinning with Celeste’s lies, her claim to be the maid, her hate for my Luna.

Brian’s face paled, his eyes wide, his voice shaky. "No, Alpha," he said, his hands raised. "The maid, Aria, said she’ll treat Luna Celeste’s with care. After all, they are twin sisters. She begged to help with the shopping, said they’re family, so I let her go." My heart sank, my anger blinding, my grip loosening, my mind screaming.

Celeste was the maid, hiding behind Aria’s name, her true identity a lie, her schemes clear. No, Celeste was playing us, her hate for Aria, her knowledge of Aria’s secret, a blade at my Luna’s throat. My chest tightened, my wound burning, my fear for Aria overwhelming.

"She can’t be trusted," I growled, my voice low, my eyes fierce, letting Brian go, my hands shaking. "She’ll hurt my Luna." My heart pounded, my anger at Celeste, at Brian’s mistake, hot, Zeus roaring, urging me to act, to save her.

I turned, my boots slamming the floor, rushing to Aria’s room, my heart racing, my fear loud. I pushed the door open, the wood creaking, the room empty, the air still, her bag gone.

My heart sank, my breath short, my fear confirmed, she wasn’t back, Celeste with her, danger close.

"Find her!" I growled, turning to Brian, my voice booming, my eyes burning, my fists clenching.

He nodded, his face pale, his steps quick, following me as I stormed to the courtyard, the air crisp, the sun low, the car waiting, its black frame gleaming.

My heart raced, my wound throbbing, my anger and fear mixing, Zeus growling, his strength surging.

We climbed in, Brian at the wheel, my hands gripping the seat, my eyes scanning the road, my mind on Aria, her smile, her warmth, her danger.

The car sped through the forest, the trees blurring, the road bumpy, my heart pounding, my fear growing with every second.

"Where is she?" I asked, my voice rough, my eyes on Brian, my patience gone.

His hands tightened on the wheel, his face tense, his phone buzzing in his pocket.

He answered, his voice low, his eyes wide, his words quick. He turned to me, his face grim, his voice shaky.

"They last saw her vehicle near the riverbank," he said, his eyes meeting mine, his fear clear.

My heart stopped, my breath catching, my fear exploding, memories of Aria’s fear of water, her not knowing how to swim, hitting me hard. The river, fast, cold, deadly.

My chest heaved, my anger at Celeste, at Torin, at myself, blinding, Zeus roaring, his panic loud.

"What are you waiting for?" I shouted, my voice booming, my fists slamming the dashboard, the sound sharp.

"Turn the car! Get me to my Luna now!"

My heart raced, my eyes burning, my fear for Aria overwhelming, my love for her driving me, the riverbank close, her life in danger, Celeste’s sinister plan clear in my mind.