Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna
Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Kael’s POV.

I stood on the dance floor, my heart pounding as I watched Aria slip away, her blue dress swishing, her silver hair catching the chandelier’s light.

The charity event buzzed around me, the hall filled with pack members laughing, eating, the air filled with the smell of flowers and roasted meat.

But my focus was on her, my Luna, my mate, rushing to the side door, her steps quick, her face tight with something, fear, maybe, or pain.

My wolf, Zeus, growled low, his worry sharp, urging me to follow her. I’d been cold to her that morning, snapped at her, "Go to the room. Don’t cause a scene" and the guilt sat heavy in my chest, her hurt eyes haunting me.

My side throbbed, the bandaged wound still raw, not healing, and the seer’s warning, "Don’t fall deeply in love with her. You’ll be hurting her" echoed in my mind.

I took a step, ready to chase her, to fix whatever was wrong, when Seraphina appeared, her red dress bright, her green eyes glinting, her smile sly.

"Alpha, dance with me," she said, her voice loud, her hand on my arm, her touch bold.

The crowd clapped, their eyes on us, expecting the Alpha to honor the event’s traditions. My jaw tightened, my eyes narrowing, suspicion burning.

Seraphina was always trouble, her malice sharp, and Aria’s sudden exit felt wrong, like Seraphina had something to do with it.

I couldn’t refuse, not with the pack watching, their whispers ready to spread. I nodded, my hand stiff on her waist, my steps mechanical as the music played, a slow waltz filling the hall.

"What did you do to my Luna?" I asked, my voice low, sharp, my eyes locked on hers, searching for a lie.

My heart raced, Zeus growling louder, his protectiveness surging. Aria had been off, her smile forced, her eyes scared, and Seraphina’s timing, right after Aria left, felt planned.

Seraphina paused, her smile faltering, her eyes flickering. "Nothing," she said, her voice smooth, too smooth.

"I didn’t do anything, Kael." Her denial was quick, her hand tightening on my shoulder, her smile returning, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

I didn’t believe her, my gut twisting, my chest tight with worry.

The music ended, the crowd clapping, and I pulled away, my voice low, hard. "You better not be lying," I said, my eyes burning into hers.

"If you hurt her, if you’re involved, I’ll send you out of the pack. No mercy." My words were a growl, Zeus close, his anger hot.

Seraphina scoffed, her laugh sharp, her eyes glinting with defiance, but she said nothing, just stepped back, her smile cold.

I turned to leave, my boots heavy, my heart set on finding Aria, when Brian pushed through the crowd, his brown eyes serious, his face tense.

"Alpha, someone needs to see you in the throne chamber," he said, his voice low, urgent, his hand on my arm. "It’s important."

I shook my head, my jaw tight, my hands clenching. "I need to find my Luna," I said, my voice rough, my eyes scanning the hall for her blue dress, her silver hair.

My side ached, the wound burning, my worry for her stronger than the pain. "She’s upset, Brian. Something’s wrong."

He nodded, his eyes steady. "I’ll find her, Alpha. I’ll check the halls, her room, everywhere. I’ll let you know where she is. But you need to go to the throne chamber now." His voice was firm, his loyalty clear, and I trusted him, but my heart twisted, torn between my duty and Aria.

Zeus whined, his urgency pushing me to run to her, but the pack’s needs, the elders’ summons, pulled me back.

"Fine," I said, my voice gruff, my chest tight.

"Find her, Brian. Don’t stop until you do." He nodded, his steps quick as he left, and I turned, my boots heavy, heading for the throne chamber, my heart racing with worry.

The hall’s noise faded, the packhouse corridors quiet, the stone walls cold, the torches flickering.

My wound throbbed, blood seeping through the bandage, my body weak, but I pushed through, my mind on Aria, her scared eyes, her quick exit.

Was it Seraphina? Celeste? Or the visions haunting me, her screaming, blood-soaked, her wolf dying?

My hands shook, fear and guilt mixing, Zeus growling, urging me to protect her.

I reached the throne chamber, the tall doors carved with wolves, the room dim, lit by candles, the air filled with the smell of wax and old wood.

My aunt Clara stood there, her dark hair pulled back, her eyes sharp, with Lila, her daughter, beside her, her green dress simple, her face nervous.

Three elders stood behind them, their gray robes stiff, their faces stern. My jaw tightened, my heart sinking.

I’d left Aria for this, abandoned her when she needed me, and the sight of Clara, always scheming, always pushing, made my blood boil.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice hard, my hands clenching, my eyes flicking between them. "This better be worth it."

Clara stepped forward, her smile tight, her voice calm but firm. "Kael, we need to talk about Lila," she said, her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, her eyes meeting mine.

"I want her to join the Gamma Training Academy. She’s ready to become a warrior for the pack, to serve you."

Lila’s eyes dropped, her hands twisting, her face pale, but Clara’s grip was firm, her smile unwavering.

The elders nodded, their eyes on me, expecting agreement. My chest tightened, anger flaring, my wound burning hotter.

Lila was kind, not like Clara or Seraphina, but the academy was brutal, its training harsh, and I didn’t trust Clara’s motives.

She always wanted power, influence, and pushing Lila into the academy felt like another move to control the pack.

My heart was still with Aria, my worry for her was loud, and this meeting felt like a waste of my time, pulling me from her when she was hurting.

"No," I said, my voice sharp, my eyes hard.

"Lila’s not ready. The academy’s too dangerous, and I don’t trust your reasons, Clara." My words were blunt, my anger clear, Zeus growling, his protectiveness for the pack, for Aria, driving me.

Clara’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing, her hands clenching, but I didn’t care.

I needed to find Aria, to make sure she was safe, to fix whatever was happening between us. Even if it meant telling her my visions and the seer’s words.