Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Selena's POV

The moment the announcement ended, I pushed myself through the gathered crowd. People were celebrating the announcement. The crowd were laughing, some talking excitedly about the Alpha King's mate.

I wanted to scream. I felt like crying. They had no idea what I was going through.

No idea that the very thing they were celebrating could destroy me.

I kept moving. My eyes never left Kael.

He was surrounded almost by the celebrated crowd.

The elders, the generals and even the nobles. Everyone wanted to congratulate him. But before I could reach him, he turned and disappeared through a side door.

My heart sank inside me. No, I sounded.

Not this time. I wasn't letting him run away.

I hurried after him. The moment I reached the royal corridor, two guards stepped in front of me.

I stopped, completely confused.

"Move." I barked orders, but neither of them moved. My confusion even turned into irritation.

"I'm the High Priestess."

"We know, Lady Selena."

"Then move." I ordered again.

The two guards exchanged a look. Looking at their faces, something wasn't right. They looked nervous and almost afraid.

"I am sorry, the Alpha King ordered that nobody should disturb him." One of them said, I stared at him and laughed, the laugh that didn't reach my stomach.

"What?"

“What the hell are you saying?”

"Those were his orders, my lady."

That made no sense to me. Kael had never forbidden me from seeing him, not once and not ever. The strange feeling in my chest grew even stronger.

"What happened?" I asked but neither of the guards answered. That was enough to answer enough. Something had happened, something bad that I can't explain.

Before I could speak again, a familiar voice called my name from behind.

"Selena."

I turned. Ryder was walking toward us.

Kael's Beta. Relief washed over me, finally. Someone who could explain this madness.

"Ryder."

I walked straight to him.

"What the fuck is going on here, Ryder?"

His face tweaked. That look alone terrified me. Because, Ryder never looked uncomfortable. Not in his entire life, I knew. But today, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"Please talk to me." He sighed.

"Selena..."

"What really happened?"

His eyes moved away from me, and my stomach dropped. God. Everyone was avoiding my eyes today.

Before was Kael and now Ryder?

"Tell me."

Ryder looked genuinely miserable. Some seconds later, he lowered his voice. "The king wants to see you."

I blinked at him. 

"Then why are the guards stopping me?" I asked.

"Because..." He stopped and shook his head.

"Just come with me." He moved.

That answer only made me more anxious. The guards stepped aside. Ryder led me deeper into the palace. The farther we walked, the quieter everything became.

Eventually we reached Kael's private office and Ryder stopped.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then he pushed the door open.

"Go in, he pointed."

I entered. The door closed behind me.

Kael was standing near the window. His back facing me. For a moment neither of us say something. And then I finally snapped.

"What is wrong with you, Kael?"

He stood and still remained silent. My anger continues to grow.

"You announce your mate to the entire kingdom and then disappear without saying anything?"

"Why now Kael?"

He turned around and raised his head. The moment I saw his face, my anger faded. And I understood that something was wrong, very wrong. He looked exhausted.

He looked like someone who hadn't slept in days.

"What happened, Kael?" I asked again.

"Nothing." He replied.

"Don't lie to me, Kael."

I took a step closer.

"I know you, and I know when something is wrong with you. Can you please talk to me?"

For a horrible second I thought he would. Then his face hardened. The wall between us returned. Cold, distant and unfamiliar.

"You should please leave."

I laughed, my heart now beating fast.

"What?"

"You heard me, Selena."

I stood and stared at him one more time. I was certain I had misunderstood him.

"Kael, you are asking me to leave?"

His eyes closed. Then he spoke again.

This time his voice was colder than I had ever heard it spoken. 

"The woman being introduced tonight..."

My heart started pounding. A terrible feeling started settling in my chest.

"...will not be you."

Everything inside me stopped completely.

"What?"

He looked at me, and for the first time since I met him...

I wished it hadn't. Because there was absolutely no warmth left in this eyes.

"It won't be you, Selena."