It has been three days since Luna was struck by the arrow.
Her shoulder is still thickly bandaged.
Every movement sends a sharp, stabbing pain deep into her bones.
But what hurts more is the way Kael looks at her.
Not anger, not hatred, only guilt.
Since that night, Kael has barely left the room.
He holds his meetings here.
He eats here.
He sleeps in the chair beside her bed.
“Drink,” Kael says, holding out a cup of the Elder’s bitter brew.
Luna obeys, her face twisting in distaste.
“It is bitter, My Lord.” “Good.
It means it will heal you faster,” Kael replies flatly.
Yet his hand strokes her hair, slow and gentle.
Silence falls, broken only by the wind and the crackle of the hearth.
“You do not need to watch over me constantly,” Luna whispers.
“I am fine.” “BE QUIET,” Kael snaps.
Then he lets out a ragged breath.
“You nearly died because of me.” Luna shakes her head.
“I chose to do it.
And I do not regret it.” Kael stares at her for a long time, his golden eyes dark and stormy.
“Why?
Why did you shield me?
I tortured you.
I hated you.” He repeats the question over and over.
Luna gives him a faint, weak smile.
“Because you are the father of my child.
And because I could not bear for you to be all alone.” The words strike Kael like a blow.
For eighteen years, he has been alone.
Since his mother died.
Since his father was consumed by madness and vengeance.
No one has ever said I will not let you be alone to him.
That night, Kael wakes screaming from a nightmare, bathed in cold sweat.
And Luna’s hand is already holding his.
“Did you have a bad dream?” Luna asks softly, her voice hoarse.
“I did,” Kael admits plainly.
It is the first time he has ever said so.
“Tell me,” Luna says.
Kael is silent for a long while.
“My mother.
She died right before my eyes, and I could do nothing to stop it.
I was only seven years old.” Luna strokes the back of his hand.
“You are grown now.
And you are so very strong.” “I am not,” Kael whispers.
“I am afraid.
Afraid that I will lose you too.” Luna’s breath catches.
“Kael.” Kael stands and walks to the window, his shoulders rigid with tension.
“I do not know what this is,” he says.
“Jealousy?
Rage?
Or fear?
Whenever anyone comes near you, I want to kill them.
Whenever you are hurt, it feels as though my own chest is being torn open.” Luna holds her breath.
“This is not pity,” Kael continues.
“It is not because of the child.
It is you.” He turns back to face her.
His eyes are red, not from his Alpha state, but from fighting back tears.
“I have fallen in love with you, Luna,” Kael says.
His voice is quiet, but clear as day.
“And I hate myself for it.” Luna’s world seems to stand still.
“Kael.” Tears spill over.
“Do not cry,” Kael says, suddenly alarmed.
He sits on the edge of her bed at once.
“I did not mean to make you cry.
I just I had to tell you the truth.
I have kept it buried for too long.” Luna shakes her head.
“I thought you hated me.” “I did hate,” Kael says, his voice raw.
“I hated how gentle you are.
I hated that you remained kind to me even when I was cruel.
I hated that you made me want to be a better man.” He takes her hand carefully, terrified of jarring her wounded shoulder.
“I do not deserve you,” Kael whispers.
“But I am selfish.
And I will never let you go.” Luna cries, not from pain this time, but from overwhelming relief.
“I feel the same, Kael.
I fell in love with you too.
The night you gave me that blanket.” Kael lets out a broken, shaky laugh.
“A blanket?
Truly?” “Yes,” Luna laughs through her tears.
“It was the first time anyone had ever shown me they cared.” Kael bows his head and presses his forehead to hers, warm and lingering.
“I am sorry,” he whispers.
“For every pain I ever caused you.” “I forgive you,” Luna answers softly.
“Only if you promise never to hurt me again.” “I promise,” Kael swears.
“On my life.” That night, Kael sleeps beside her bed again, but this time, he lies beside her, not in the chair.
Not out of desire, but simply because he needs to be close.
His arm wraps gently around her waist, careful to avoid her injured shoulder.
“Sleep,” Kael murmurs against her ear.
“I am right here.” And Luna sleeps, deeply, peacefully, for the first time without nightmares.
By morning, word has spread through the entire pack.
“The Alpha sleeps in the same chamber as that omega.” “He even feeds her himself.” “Has the Alpha lost his mind?” Kael does not care.
Instead, he leads Luna to the main dining hall, and seats her in the Alpha’s chair, right beside his own.
All the Betas and warriors bow low, bewildered.
“As of today,” Kael declares, his voice ringing with absolute authority.
“Luna Arvia is under my protection.
Anyone who harms her, touches her, or speaks ill of her name will answer to me!” Silence falls.
Then every single person kneels.
“As you command, Alpha!” they shout in unison.
Luna looks up at Kael, her eyes glistening.
It is the first time she has ever been treated like a person.
After breakfast, Kael takes her to the gardens.
The snow has begun to melt, and the first brave shoots of spring flowers are pushing through the earth.
“Sit,” Kael says, spreading a blanket and helping her settle carefully.
“Why are you being so kind to me today?” Luna asks softly.
“Because I can,” Kael replies.
He sits behind her and wraps his arms around her.
“And because I want you to know that you are safe here, always.” Luna leans back against him.
“Kael, about our child.” “He will be the strongest there is,” Kael says firmly.
“I will teach him to fight.
But I will also teach him to be good, just like his mother.” Luna smiles, resting her hand gently on her still-flat stomach.
Footsteps approach.
Elder Alden enters, his face grave.
“Alpha,” the Elder says.
“We have found something.
Concerning the death of Queen Alana.” Kael stiffens instantly.
“What is it?” “Mira Arvia was not the one who killed her,” the Elder reveals.
“There is new proof.
She was framed.
The Third Concubine committed the act on the orders of the previous Alpha.” Luna freezes.
Her mother was innocent all along.
Kael says nothing for a long moment.
Then he looks at Luna, deep regret etched in his eyes.
“All this time.” his voice cracks.
“I tortured you because of a lie.” Luna squeezes his hand.
“It is in the past, Kael.
What matters is now.” “No,” Kael says firmly.
“I will make it right.
I will announce the truth to the entire pack.
Your mother’s name will be cleared of all shame.” Luna weeps, tears of gratitude.
“Thank you Kael.” Kael brushes the tears from her cheeks with his thumb.
“Do not call me ‘My Lord’ anymore.
Just say my name.” “Kael,” she whispers.
“Yes,” he replies, and for the first time, he smiles, a genuine, soft smile.
That evening, back in their chambers, Kael kneels before her once more.
“I know it is long overdue,” Kael says.
“But will you be mine?
Not by force.
Not because of the child.
But because I love you.” Luna nods, tears spilling over again.
“Yes.
Yes, I will.” Kael pulls her into his arms, holding her so tightly it is as if he is terrified she might vanish.
“I promise you,” Kael whispers against her hair.
“I will spend every day of my life making you happy.
I will spend every moment making up for all I have done.” Luna rests her head against his chest.
“I believe you, Kael.” Outside, the full moon rises, bright and clear, for the first time in a month.
Their bond is not yet fully complete.
But in their hearts, it has already been forged.
Twelve days remain until the deadline.
But no one is counting anymore.
Because Kael has made his choice.
And his choice is Luna.
Luna was happier than she had ever been.
She prayed that nothing would ever come to disturb this peace, that no new sorrow would ever find them again.