Claiming the Last Alpha She-Wolf
Chapter 27: Who the Fuck Kissed You?

Chapter 27: Who the Fuck Kissed You?

****************

Chapter 27

~Rhiannon’s POV~

I opened the door gently, as though that little gesture would make the guards stationed outside less alert.

The hall outside was calm and quiet until the two guards stationed there stiffened and immediately stepped in front of me.

"Where are you going, Lady Rhiannon?" one asked with a stern but cautious voice.

"I’m taking a walk," I said, keeping my tone light. "Or do I need permission to breathe now?"

"We were given orders," the taller one said. "You’re not to leave the quarters unless summoned."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me that the soon-to-be Luna of this pack... of your Alphas, can’t take a stroll without being interrogated?"

They didn’t answer but remained rigid where they stood.

Fine. It was time to try a different approach.

I stepped closer, lifting my chin. "Listen well. If either of you tries to block my way again, I will make it my mission to ensure you’re both removed from your posts the moment I become Luna. You’ll be lucky if all you’re doing is guarding the pig sty."

The younger one faltered. The older and bolder one tilted his head. "Until then, you are not my Luna. And we cannot go against Alpha Kael’s direct orders. For now, you are just a slave bought for their pleasure."

I glared daggers at him. He had a point but I wasn’t ready to let this nincompoop think he could get away with it, just yet.

I may not have any power now, but I will sooner or later.

Masking my anger, I tried again. "Then you can accompany me for all I care. I’m not running."

When I tried to pass again, the older one moved to block me, his hand shooting out to stop me, and it landed squarely on my chest, particularly my breast.

"The answer is no."

My body recoiled instantly; my heart jumped. The contact was accidental, but it was also invasive and deeply unwelcome.

But I barely had enough time to think of my next action when a sudden deep, instinctual growl reverberated in the corridor.

It rolled down the corridor like a storm front, freezing everyone where they stood.

The guards paled.

Kael stepped into view, the shadows curling around his frame like armour, rage etched into every sharp line of his face. His eyes locked on the offending guard’s hand, then on me.

"I should have your hand cut off for touching my mate," he growled.

The guard dropped to his knees immediately, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the floor.

"It was a mistake, Alpha Kael, I didn’t mean..."

"Silence!" Kael’s voice snapped through the air like a whip. "First, you undermined my mate, then you laid your hand on her and you call it a mistake?"

The guard trembled. "Alpha, I was only trying to..."

"Report to Beta Soren. You are dismissed."

The man swallowed hard before rising shakingly to his feet, and left without another word.

Kael turned his gaze on the second guard. "You guard her. You protect her. But you will respect her. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Alpha," the second guard said quickly, avoiding both our eyes.

As the tension ebbed, Kael looked at me, stepping closer. "Are you alright?"

I nodded once, the weight of his gaze sending unfamiliar ripples through my chest. "I was just going back in..."

He caught my wrist gently before I could turn. "You want to stroll?"

His voice was softer now, not commanding, but curious, and it caught me off guard.

"...Yes," I murmured.

"Okay, let’s stroll."

I did not know what had come over him. Was it the fear of losing me to Alpha Solaris that made him change his behaviour, or the joy of probably being able to marry me that made him this way?

I could not tell, but chose not to stress my brain further.

We walked quietly for a while, moving through the twisting hallways until we stepped into the estate’s back gardens.

The sky had turned a deep blue, and warm golden lights glowed softly over the neatly trimmed hedges.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of moonflowers, and for the first time in a long while, the night felt calming instead of overwhelming.

Kael didn’t say much at first; he didn’t need to. When he finally spoke, it was only, "Your fitting is tomorrow. Don’t forget."

I gave a noncommittal hum, not entirely ready to face the reality of what that meant.

He looked at me as we stood under the shaded archway covered in roses. Kael suddenly stopped, and I could feel the closeness between us.

His fingers brushed my cheek, pushing a curl behind my ear. "You look more at ease out here," he murmured.

"Out here, no one’s trying to test or cage me."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips, but his eyes darkened, locked onto mine. "You really don’t see it, do you?"

"See what?"

He didn’t answer; his hand lingered near my jaw, thumb brushing softly beneath my chin.

Then he leaned in, closer and closer.

I held my breath, feeling the moment build between us as Kael’s gaze froze me.

Immediately, my mind was tossed back to that charged atmosphere we had before I met Alpha Solaris.

That day, he had restrained himself beyond words and now...

Now, after getting kissed earlier this evening, I did not know what to expect.

Would his restraint fail this time, or would he remain the stoic Kael?

But just as our lips were about to touch, he suddenly stopped. His eyebrows knitted together in confusion as his eyes darted to my lips. "Who the fuck kissed you?"

I blinked. "What?"

Kael’s tone dropped to a low, dangerous level. "Someone’s scent is on your lips."

I wanted to lie, but how could I?

And my moment of hesitation was all the answer he needed.

"Lucien," he said tightly, as if the word burned.

"Kael..."

He was already pulling away, a cold anger radiating from him like a storm building up in a calm, yet intense way.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, fists clenched at his sides. I watched him disappear down the garden path, heart thudding.

A thought started to form in my mind, and it wasn’t a good one. It felt risky, but clever.

Maybe I could win this battle, but not by fighting them head-on or trying to escape.

What if I turned them against each other? I could use their jealousy, their need for control, and their egos to my advantage. I could manipulate their relationships from within, causing them to clash.

Once the cracks in their bond were deep enough, I could slip away unnoticed. I’d finally be free of all of them, and... no one would stop me.