Alpha Kael

~Jada

By the time Kael and Grayson arrived, I was beyond fuming.

It was stupid of me to bring Axel along. Here I was, convinced I would be able to get on Axel’s side, so we could have a friendship despite how he feels about me. He helped me get here, to meet my mate. I can understand why he is so spiteful, however, his bitterness has gone too far.

I sat down on a warm rock, trying to enjoy the sun as far from Axel as I could when Grayson and Kael emerged from the bush, Grayson looking beyond pleased within himself. “We found some footsteps up ahead.”

“It’s not definitive but it’s the only clue we have,” Kael says, trying to remain realistic. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to be let down again.

I give him a soft smile, which he returns warmly.

We set off on our walk not long after. Grayson is keen on the track of Kael’s mother, however, it seems everyone else is disheartened. I walk in front of Kael, looking over my shoulder every few minutes to whisper something reassuring, or to give him a smile. It seemed to be working, but if Grayson doesn’t find a bigger clue soon, he might consider turning back.

It seemed as though what I was thinking transpired into reality, as an arrow came whizzing past me, before hitting the tree behind.

With a gasp, I fall to the ground, holding my ear. I wasn’t hit, but damn near close to it. Everyone else had startled, although Grayson was more interested in who shot the arrow, running ahead, disappearing into the bushes.

Was that Kael’s mother?

“Are you okay?” Kael asks, grabbing me by my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. His warmth almost seems to wash away all the worry, my heartbeat evening out again. As I look up at him, seeing the concern in his eyes, it makes me realise he cares more about me and my health than finding his mother.

Over Kael’s shoulder, I see Ace pull the arrow from the tree, pulling a piece of paper off the splintered wood. He hands the letter to Kael. “Well, looks like she was trying to send a message without getting too close. Again.”

Kael quickly rips the letter open, looking down at it. His expression doesn’t change until he puts down the letter, looking confused and somewhat offended.

I grab it to have a look myself.

To my darling Kael,

I’ve always known you were a strong boy. You have proved that before, and I am proud of you. You are a great Alpha, better than ever. And now, you have a mate. The perfect Luna of the Pack, who will do better than I ever did. You will be complete soon, a void in your heart will be filled by her love, I can assure you.

Yet you still pursue me. You are a stubborn boy, I know, however, it is time to put this to an end. For everyone. For me, too. As much as I love you, I cannot come home, and I cannot see you no more.

Please turn around and go home right now. Forget about me forever, and never come home. That, I would appreciate.

Much love, mother.

Putting down the letter, I feel as empty and confused as Kael must feel. He looks at me, eyebrows furrowed, processing what he read on the letter. In that moment, Grayson burst through the brush.

“I don’t know who shot that, but they got away quick, and left no tracks,” Grayson tells us, running his hand through his dark hair, which has a sheen of sweat running along the strands. I doubt it was Kael’s mother who shot that letter, but someone she is working with. She can’t possibly be alone.

Kael hands Grayson the letter, speaking as he reads. “I’m not turning away. Not until I get all the answers I need.”

Grayson sighs deeply once he was done reading, but doesn’t question him.

Solemnly, we keep walking due to Kael’s instructions. We had only walked a few more steps into the bushes, when I noticed something odd. The further we walked, the more I noticed the sweet smell of something so intoxicating, it made my stomach turn, as I tried to decipher what the smell was.

“Do you smell that?” I question up front to where Grayson and Kael walk, talking lowly to each other. The turn around to face me, Kael looking confused, Grayson looking concentrated.

“Most likely the wildflowers,” Grayson comments, as we start to walk again. I frown. No, that can’t be it, it’s so distinctive it’s…

It hits me. Jasmine.

Something clicks in my head, and I come to a skidding halt. Ace bumps into my back, cursing gently under his breath. It catches Kael and Grayson’s attention, as they turn around to see the commotion. There is no way what I’m thinking is a coincidence. It makes perfect sense in my mind.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“It’s Sinful,” I say quickly. Kael frowns, looking at me skeptically, however, I’m sure I am right on that one. “Can’t you smell that? It’s jasmine, and what does Sinful’s scent? Jasmine…”

Grayson blinks a few times, not quite understanding. He doesn’t know Kael is involved with Sinful. “It’s just wildflowers, Jada.”

How do you tell an Alpha he is wrong?

“Sinful is here. I think he might be messing with us, planting these letters in place of Kael’s mother. I think he wants us to turn back,” I explain, unsure if what I am coming up with is true, but I need to share it with them. “Kael, you need to tell us why Sinful is protecting you. He threatened for me to stay away from you.”

Everyone is quiet for a moment, even my mate. He looks stunned, speechless. Grayson shakes his head at me. “Jada, it’s just the wildflowers. There are no immortals out here in a place like this. I promise you.”

“Sinful was trying to help me find my mother,” Kael tells us softly. “Why would he try to turn us in the opposite direction?”

I suddenly feel foolish for my claim, but it still makes sense to me.

“I don’t know, but I can smell him. I know that smell, and it’s not subtle like flowers, it’s intoxicating, and I know you all can smell it,” I comment, looking around. I even notice a metallic taste on my tongue, so bitter I almost cough. “His magic is in the air too. I can taste it.”

Ace steps forward, taking the attention away from me for a moment. “I can smell that too, and taste it. But what if it is this Sinful you speak of? What are we going to do to go against an Immortal.”

“It’s not an Immortal,” Grayson stresses, nudging Kael to confirm. “A powerful Immortal isn’t going to have an interest in something like this.”

He might. With an Alpha at least.

All of a sudden, every inch of my body goes ice cold, to the point I’m practical paralysed. I can’t move, gasping for air as I stare helplessly at my mate, and everyone standing around him. I can feel magic’s tight grip on me, refusing to let go, no matter how much I struggle within my own mind to escape.

“Is everything okay?” Kael questions, moving up to touch my arm gently. He must have felt how cold my skin is, as his hand jerks back violently. I would ask if he was okay right back, but no words can come from my mouth.

In unison, everyone looks behind me, no longer interested in why I might not be able to move all of a sudden, but with whatever lurks behind me.

I don’t even need to think about it. I know who it is.

“It seems right here, we have the brains of the opporeration right here,” Sinful’s elegant voice says from behind me, his hand touching my shoulder. I shiver uncomfortably, watching everyone before mes expression morph into shock and fear. I don’t care about being right, I just want this to end.

Sinful comes to stand in front of me. He hasn’t changed an inch. He still wears that tailored jacket threaded with pure violet to match those imposing eyes. And of course, there is that iconic scent of jasmine.

“What are you doing here?” Kael questions, expression darkening at the sight of the Immortal.

Sinful’s smile stretches.

“I need to speak with you. And since your mate is such a know it all, she can come too,” Sinful says brightly, as if the news would simple delight us. My jaw clenches in anger, but I can’t get my say in.

“What you have to say, you can say in front of them as well,” Kael tells him, motioning to the group.

Sinful shakes his head. “This is a private matter. And unless you don’t want your mate to speak or move again, I suggest doing what I say and coming with me.”