Chapter Twenty one
The first thing Hell when I woke was warmth
Kade’s arms were around me, his heartbeat steady and strong against my back. My body ached deliciously, soreness blooming between my thighs, but my soul. it felt weightless. For the first time in what felt like forever, the gnawing emptiness in my chest was quiet. No whispers of not being enough, no shadows of the past
Only peace
Only him:
I turned slowly, careful not to wake him. The moming light filtered through the heavy drapes, casting golden slants across his bare chest. He looked younger in sleep–less Alpha, more man. My man.
A smile curved my lips He chose me My fingers brushed his jaw, memorizing the scratch of his stubble, the cut of his cheekbone. Last night hadn’t just bren sex or instinct. It had been surrender. Bonding. A promise, sealed not just in heat but in heart.
Kade stirred, eyes fluttering open. His gaze found mine immediately, and something flickered there–relief, adoration, hunger. “You’re still here, he said, voice gravelly with sleep
“Where else would be
His arms tightened around me. “I thought maybe it was a dream. That you said yes…..”
laughed softly. I did. I still do,”
His mouth found mine, slow and reverent this time. No heat. Just gratitude. Just… love
We stayed like that, tangled in each other, until a knock at the door shattered the stillness.!! Kade growled. “What?
A voice filtered through. “Alpha, the council is convened. It’s urgent.”
Kade’s sigh was heavy. He kissed my forehead. “Come with me
I blinked To the council meeting?“!
“You’re my mate. My equal. You belong at my side.”
The words made something inside me swell. I dressed quickly, my hand never far from his. When we stepped into the hallway, warriors snapped to attention. Elders offered wary bows. Whispers followed us like a shadow.
But I held my head high. Let them talk
I belonged. We entered the council chamber together, Kade took the Alpha’s seat at the head of the long table. I stood beside him, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder Callister wasn’t there. The absence felt like a gift
Elder Myron cleared his throat. “Alpha. We received word an hour ago. Callister attempted to flee the Keep.“X
My heart leapt
“She was intercepted at the East Gote. Detained.“%
Kade gave a sharp nod. “Good, Let her rot in a cell
Elder Brann looked uneasy. “She demanded a formal hearing.”
“She poisoned my mate,” Kade snapped. “What hearing could justify that?
“That’s the complication Elder Myron said slowly. “The poison–the fever… it was strategic, yes, but not fatal.”
I frowned. “She induced heat. That’s a violation of-
“It isn’t,” Brann interrupted, eyes slipping to mine. Not according to the Council’s old codes.”
Kade stiffened. Those codes are outdated.”
“Still binding” Myron added. “Which leads us to the matter of the mating bond.”
Sdence fell like a quillotine.
My pulse quickened “What about it?
Brann laced his fingers together. “Because the bond occurred while under the influence of Callister’s elixir, it is not recognized as legitimate by council law.”
I stared “You’re saying
Myron nodded, grim. The bond is considered a result of coercion. Not of free will
Kade surged to his feet “That is bullshit! I chose her
“Perhaps you did.” Brann said evenly “But not under normal circumstances”
My throat closed. “Then what happens now?”%
Myron looked me
eye “Callister remains the Head Mate”
The floor tilted No No, no, no kade slammed his fist on the table “She has no claim over me. Over this Pack
“The bond with Selene is incomplete No ritual No mark witnessed. The heat override nullifies the act as consent?
“You saw us return together! You fell it ”
“We felt lust Brann said coldly “Not legitimacy
Tears burned behind my eyes. I turned to Kade, but he was silent now Rage warred with helplessness in his eyes.
11:02 AM & c
Tears burned behind my eyes. I turned to Kade, but he was silent now. Rage warred with helplessness in his eyes.
He couldn’t fight this Not without fracturing the Pack Not yet.
My voice came out smaller than I liked, “What am I then?”
Myron hesitated. “A consort.”
The word landed like a slap.
I swallowed hard. “And my place in this council?
Brann didn’t blink. “You have none.
The doors creaked open. Two guards stepped inside, eyes averted. My heart thudded.
“What is this?” I asked, barely above a whisper.!!
“Escort her from the chamber,” Myron said N
Kade stood “Don’t you dare lay a hand on her
“Alpha,” Brann said calmly, “to challenge this would be to reject the entire council. Do you intend to break your Pack over a moment of heat?
guards approached. I could have fought. Could have
Kade flinched. He didn’t speak.Didn’t move. Didn’t stop them.I stood still as the guar unleashed the fury building inside me. But I didn’t.
Because the pain wasn’t in their hands. It was in Kade’s silence. They took me by the arms. Not roughly, but firmly. Like I was a trespasser in a place I no longer belonged
The council doors shut behind me And I walked the halls of the Keep like a ghost rage and heartbreak warring in my chest
Behind me, power plotted Ahead of me?”
I wasn’t sure. But I knew one thing.
Callister may have won this round. But I would burn her world down before I stayed second to anyone.
