Chapter 4 Alpha's Summon

Morwen.

Sitting away in the stable, among the horses. This is the only place I was most likely to be left alone.

My feet carried me through the palace corridors, but my mind was still trapped in the Running Court.

Leoric's rejection.

The moment I was dragged away with my fate already decided. I could still hear the cracks. I could still see Sir Kaelen’s silver eyes.

And worse

I could still feel his lips against mine.

“Why is this happening to me?” I bawled weakly.

‘You rejected our mate.’

Veyra sniffed.

‘You're mistaken, Veyra. He's no mate of ours— didn't you witness his curse taking over him a while ago.’

‘He saved us.’

‘By terrifying everybody and turning into a monster.’ I snapped, completely pissed. ‘We won't hold this conversation again. Kaelen Thorne is cursed, wolfless, and married to Althea.’

I felt Veyra seething. Trying to spill her fury.

“Don't even think of it,” I warned a little bit aloud. “Ma Althea is the only person that has genuinely treated me nicely. And you choosing her husband as a mate isn't really a nice way to pay her back. Simply unforgivable.”

‘Same way Leoric was genuine’ I heard her snarl, and turned her back at me.

Leoric!

Fresh tears formed at that thought. I looked around, recollecting how many times he went down on me with his sweet words.

Unbelievable how all those were lies.

“Jerk!”

I whispered, knowing that he would be all over Elara now while I'm still here, playing the fool for the Moon Goddess and the heavenly bodies.

‘Oh! yes you are, cause why on earth would a person like Leoric want you’ Veyra raged. ‘You're nothing.’

“We aren't finished” I started as I got off the hay. “He can't use and dispose of me like a mere prostitute. Leoric owes me an explanation.”

‘Quit dreaming’

Veyra dripped with sarcasm. ‘Nobody altered his decision. He did everything with clear intentions.’

“Stop… bittered wolf.”

I cursed out, trying to suppress her voice.

‘No I won't. You will get rejected by him over and over again and mark my words. You will end up working in the kitchen or as an escort your entire life.’

Veyra!

I snagged, wishing deeply I could pull away this psycho from my head.

The old wooden door creaked open and we momentarily froze. Our fight suspended.

I heard heavy footsteps.

Not one. Not two.

Maybe an entire troop.

‘Gammas’ Veyra hissed,

I crawled over to the cart packed with hay and hid behind it, my palm clamped over my mouth. Somehow I knew it was useless, but nevertheless.

They must have come to take me to the dungeon, since Sir Kaelen disrupted the first one.

“The Alpha King wants to see you.”

The lead Gamma cornered me.

I peaked once and surrendered. There was no point trying anything stupid with this much army.

………….

Kaelen

I watched as Althea lit the candles and arranged the room without a word.

She hasn't said a thing since we settled into my old room. Father has ordered that we remain in the Estate until he resolves everything.

I looked at my hand and sighed. What really happened?

The last thing I remembered was Morwen pushing me away. Next was me struggling under the restraints of Drómi.

“Alth—”

I tried to initiate a dialogue

“I will heat bath water for you”

She cut in with a smile and walked to the bathroom.

What have I done?

I exhaled, running a hand down my hair. Unable to wrap my head around everything.

My hand instinctively travelled and covered the Fenrir Fang pendant strapped on my neck. What's happening with me? I've never felt so out of control before.

Without thinking twice, I walked over to the bathroom and cornered Althea before she found another excuse to leave. “Are you avoiding me?”

“No”

She smiled, but I'm no child to realize it was forced. She didn't deserve a thing I did out there.

“Althea. Speak up”

I encouraged, hoping she snaps and somehow gets her mind to clear.

“Nothing” she replied yet again with a subservient smile. “If you would excuse me. I need to change. I'm uncomfortable in this.”

At this pace, I wasn't sure anything was going to come out from her. With a deep creased exhalation, I pulled her to me and unzipped her. Letting the gown drop on the floor.

The only thing left on her was her underwear. I locked eyes and lowered to kiss her but I saw she was scared out of her wits.

Trembling.

“Tell me nothing has changed”

A single teardrop ran down her cheek. I knew it was going to work.

“I can't stand and pretend that you didn't just choose Morwen before everyone.”

“Our marriage doesn't change.”

I throated more to myself than to her.

“You don't have to be scared of Morwen. I don't even have a wolf. Remember?”

“Yes”

“Meaning I can't choose a mate. As for Morwen. I will speak to her and clear everything up.”

She gave me a satisfactory nod, and I exhaled lightly, wiping off the tear running down her cheek. Tears had never looked good on her.

“How about I cheer you up?” I nibbled at the junction between her neck and shoulder. She melted completely like she always did and I swayed her away back to the room.

One look at her on the bed, I paused undressing.

Undoubtedly nothing has changed. She's still my wife and nobody is going to take that place.

“Did something happen?”

Her eyes piqued with a mix of concern and yearning.

“Nothing”

I said, shaking my head.

I pulled off my briefs and dominated her. I didn't know how long it was but soon she was snoring away on my chest, fast asleep.

Exhausted.

I turned my head and stared at her. I know I told her nothing has changed but deep down I can't get off Morwen’s scent in my head. And I felt terrible.

We had agreed to not keep secrets in our relationship, and I'm already doing the opposite.

That scent still feels fresh in my memory even when I tried hard to suppress it by laying Althea. We had our moment but I still felt the urge to have Morwen exactly in this position Althea was.

A soft knock came through.

Another.

Then the third. I can't ignore it.

I eased Althea on the pillow and covered her, throwing my briefs on immediately.

I reached for the door and turned it open. It was Mother Isolde.

She inspected me and narrowed her gaze into the room.

“Althea. How's she?”

“I have her under control”

I threw the door open, enough for her to see that Althea was asleep.

She gave a curt nod, and turned back to me. “Dress and come to the Alpha's court. Your father is waiting.”