Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Chapter 113

Kael

Beta Bastian stepped closer. "You’re sending this to Councilman Cedric?"

"Yes. Make sure he receives it personally."

I handed him the parchment. He sealed it with the Blackbourne crest and examined it briefly.

Then he shook his head.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I’m simply beginning to understand why people find it difficult to predict your next move."

"Good."

He gave me a small, disbelieving smile before leaving with the letter.

I had barely returned to my chair when another knock sounded. "Enter."

Kieren walked in, still relying on his stick for support.

His movements had improved, but the injury was clearly not healed. He closed the door behind him and approached my desk.

"How are the warriors?" I asked.

"Better than yesterday, Alpha." He settled the stick against the side of my desk. "They’re no longer whispering about you."

I raised an eyebrow. "That was quick."

"They needed something to occupy their minds. Training seems to have done the trick."

"And the Vaelthorn?"

"Good progress. They’re practising with the spikes in groups, learning where to strike and how to use them without leaving themselves exposed."

I nodded. "Keep them at it. I don’t want anyone entering a confrontation with a vampire without understanding how to use those weapons."

"They’re taking it seriously now. Some of them have even started competing to see who can strike the fastest."

"Let them compete as long as they don’t become careless."

Kieren nodded then his expression shifted. "There’s something else."

I looked at him as he added. "Sera is becoming impatient."

I sighed. "About what?"

"The Scorched Wastes."

Of course Sera had been waiting for an opportunity to investigate the Vaelthorn trees in the region.

She had become increasingly convinced that the information about their location was worth pursuing, and Kieren had been caught between her impatience and my refusal to send anyone there yet.

"When does she think we’ll leave?" he asked.

"Not yet." My answer came curtly.

Kieren studied my face. "She’s going to ask again."

"Then tell her the answer hasn’t changed."

He remained quiet for a moment.

I picked up a document, but before I could return to reading, I spoke again. "Prepare twelve warriors with horses. I want them ready to ride out at dusk."

Kieren looked at me. "Twelve?"

"Yes."

"Where are they going?"

"You’ll know when it’s time."

He didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he studied me with an expression that suggested he had already guessed.

"Is this about Selena?"

I kept my eyes on the document and didn’t give an answer.

Kieren waited for a few seconds, but when I offered nothing, he nodded slowly.

Before he could leave, the door opened again. A guard stepped inside and bowed. "Alpha."

"What is it?"

"It’s about the seer."

My eyes narrowed. "What about him?"

"He’s been shouting through his door all morning. He keeps demanding to speak with you, claiming he’s heard voices."

I stared at the guard. "Voices?"

"Yes, Alpha. He says there are people speaking to him and that he needs to tell you something."

I leaned back.

The man had already demonstrated how unstable he was. I had no intention of allowing his strange claims to distract me from the matters that required my attention.

"Double the guards outside his room."

The guard bowed.

"And make sure no one goes near him. I don’t want anyone entering that room without my permission."

"Understood, Alpha." He left.

Kieren glanced at me. "Do you think he’s actually hearing something?"

"I think he’s a madman who wants attention."

Kieren didn’t argue. He picked up his stick and headed toward the door. "I’ll prepare the warriors."

"Good."

Once he was gone, silence settled over the study.

I remained seated for a moment, staring at the documents scattered across my desk.

There were too many things happening at once, and every one of them seemed to lead back to Selena.

I pushed my chair back and stood. My gaze travelled toward the large painting hanging on the wall.

My father’s portrait.

He had been painted sitting on a throne-like chair, dressed in the traditional garments of an Alpha.

His expression was stern, his shoulders straight and his eyes fixed ahead.

Even after all these years, there was something about the painting that made it feel as though he were watching everything happening inside the room.

I stood before it, studying his face. I wondered what he would have done in my position.

Would he have acted immediately, sending warriors to tear through every suspicious property until Selena was found?

Or would he have waited, calculated the consequences and chosen a way to bring the guilty parties down without putting the entire pack at risk?

I knew what he would have said about allowing emotions to dictate my decisions.

An Alpha couldn’t afford to act recklessly. But Selena wasn’t simply another member of my pack.

She was my mate. And every moment she remained away from me felt like something was being taken from my body.

I lowered my gaze then a sudden, sharp burning sensation spread across my wrists.

I jerked slightly and gripped the edge of my desk. The pain was so unexpected that I had to steady myself before looking down.

I pulled my sleeves up immediately but there was nothing. No wound, no redness and not even a faint mark on my skin.

I rubbed my wrists, confused by the sensation. Then my wolf stirred violently.

It was the mate bond.

I froze as it was beating erratically, moving in time with my own heartbeat but with a strange intensity I had never experienced before.

The connection felt unsettled, almost as though something was pulling at it from the other end.

My breathing changed with different thoughts of Selena.

I pressed my hand against my chest. She was definitely hurt or angry.

Perhaps both.

The feeling was too strong to dismiss, and I knew my wolf wasn’t reacting without reason.

Something was happening to her, and whatever it was, she was experiencing enough distress for it to reach me through the bond.

My jaw tightened as I stared at my wrists.

I had spent the entire morning trying to find a way to bring her home without making the Hawthornes or Kavanaghs suspicious.

But if she was being hurt, I couldn’t continue waiting for the perfect opportunity.

I looked toward the clock. The Council had until dusk to respond.

If they gave me no answer by then, I would have to take matters into my own hands.