Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna
Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Kael’s POV.

I hadn’t slept all night, my eyes heavy, my body aching, the gradually healing wound on my side throbbing under the bandage.

Dawn broke slowly, the sky turning gray, then pink, the packhouse quiet except for the faint chirping of birds outside.

I stood by the room’s window, my hands pressed against the cold glass, staring at the courtyard below, my mind on Aria.

She was my Luna, my mate, but she was pretending to be Celeste, hiding her true name, and I was waiting for her to trust me enough to tell me.

My heart pounded, heavy with worry, her scared eyes from the charity event last night burned in my mind.

She’d rushed off the dance floor, ignored me, and even in our room, she’d pretended to sleep, avoiding me.

My chest tightened, guilt and confusion mixing, my wolf Zeus whining, his protectiveness urging me to find her, to fix this.

The seer’s warning, "Don’t fall deeply in love with her. You’ll be hurting her" still echoed, the visions of Aria screaming, blood-soaked, her wolf dying, haunting me.

Was I the danger again? Or was it Seraphina, with her sly smirk, her quick denial?

I was so lost in thought, my hands clenching, my wound burning, that I didn’t hear Aria wake up, didn’t hear the soft creak of the bed, the splash of water as she bathed.

Her voice snapped me back, soft but distant. "Good morning," she said, her tone brief, her blue dress simple, her silver hair tied back.

I didn’t turn yet, my heart jumping, but before I could speak, she added, "I’m leaving the packhouse for a bit." Her eyes avoided mine, it was clear, her steps quick toward the door, and my fist clenched, my chest aching.

I wanted to grab her, pull her close, ask why she was pulling away, if the seer had told her something, if Seraphina had scared her. But her distance, her silence, stopped me, my throat tight.

"Wait," I said, my voice rough, turning to face her, my hand reaching out.

"Stay. We need to talk." My heart raced, desperation rising, Zeus growling, urging me to keep her here, to understand what was wrong.

But the door clicked shut before I could even finish my statement, her footsteps fading, and I realized she’d already left, the room empty, the air heavy.

My chest sank, sadness washing over me, my fist clenching tighter. I moved to the window, my eyes catching her below, walking across the courtyard with two guards, their armor glinting, her steps quick, purposeful.

My heart ached, my hand pressing against the glass, my breath shaky. Why was she avoiding me? Was it my coldness yesterday, my snapped words? I just couldn’t tell but I wished for it to end.

After a few minutes, the door to the room creaked open, Brian stepping in, his brown eyes steady, his face serious. "Alpha Kael," he said, bowing slightly, his voice calm.

My teeth clenched, "What’s the problem?" I asked with a deep voice.

"The elders are coming in a few hours. A meeting in the throne chamber." His words were simple, but they hit hard, my jaw tightening, my worry for Aria clashing with pack duties.

I nodded, my voice gruff. "Thanks, Beta Brian." I paused, my eyes flicking to him, my heart heavy.

"Any word on my Luna? Why she’s acting like this?" My voice cracked, my hands fiddling with my shirt, my wound burning, the seer’s warning loud in my mind.

I’d asked him to look into Seraphina, to find out why Aria was snubbing me, but his face was blank, no answers.

Brian hesitated, his eyes dropping. "She was with the guards, Alpha. I saw her leave this morning too. But... I don’t know why she’s avoiding you." His voice was honest, his shoulders tense, and my chest tightened, frustration growing.

I needed answers, needed to know if Seraphina was behind this, if the seer’s words had reached her.

"And speaking of which... she..." Brian began but I cut in sharply, knowing where his statement was heading to.

"She’ll be back soon," I said, my voice firm, trying to convince myself as much as him.

"She has to be at the meeting. The elders expect their Luna." My words were steady, but my heart wasn’t, my mind spinning with fear.

What if she didn’t come back? What if something was pulling her away, something I couldn’t see? Zeus whined, his urgency pushing me, but I had no answers, no way to reach her.

Brian nodded, his eyes meeting mine. "I’ll make sure everything’s ready," he said, his voice calm, his bow quick before he left, the door shutting softly.

I turned back to the window, my hands clenching, the courtyard empty now, Aria gone. My heart sank, my breath shaky, my side aching.

Time dragged, the sun climbing higher, the packhouse stirring with maids cleaning, their voices low, preparing for the elders.

I paced the roon, my boots heavy on the rug, my mind a mess. Aria should’ve been back by now, her absence becoming extreme, her avoidance sharper.

My wound throbbed, my body weak, the slowly healing cut a mystery, adding to my fear. Was it tied to her, to the visions, to the seer’s warning?

Hours passed, my worry growing, my hands fiddling, my eyes flicking to the door, hoping she’d walk in.

The elders would be here soon, and the Luna’s absence would be a disgrace, a sign of weakness.

My chest tightened, my jaw clenching, Zeus growling, his protectiveness fierce. I needed her here, needed her safe, needed to know why she was shutting me out.

Soon, the door opened again, Brian stepping in, his face tense, his eyes wide. "Alpha Kael, the elders are almost here," he said, his voice urgent. "Your Luna... she’s not back. It’ll look bad, disrespectful."

My fist clenched, my heart sinking, anger and sadness crashing together. "She’ll be here," I said, my voice hard, but my words felt empty, my worry loud.

I turned to the window, my eyes scanning the courtyard, hoping to see her, but it was empty, the guards gone, the air still.

My chest ached, my breath short, my mind spinning. Where was she? Why was she avoiding me?

Brian stepped closer, his hand tapping my shoulder, his voice soft but firm. "Alpha Kael, what did the seer say about your dreams?" he asked, his eyes searching mine, his tone careful.

"Was it like... before?" His words hit hard, my heart stopping, my eyes snapping to his, my body tensing.

’Before’ The word dragged up memories I’d buried— the bride’s I lost, my parents’ death, my beloved loss, the visions that came too late, warning me of danger I couldn’t stop.

My chest tightened, anger and fear crashing together, my wolf Zeus growling loud, his protectiveness fierce.

Aria was gone, avoiding me, and Brian’s question felt like a blade, hinting at the seer’s warning.

My side throbbed, the wound burning under the bandage, my body weak, my mind a mess. Brian’s question has brought back more than I wanted to think about.

"Don’t talk about that!" I yelled, my voice booming, my fists clenching, my eyes burning into Brian’s.

My anger spilled over, Zeus pushing me, his rage hot. "You don’t know what’s going on!" My heart raced, my breath short, the study’s dim light flickering, the air heavy with my fury.

Brian’s eyes widened, his hands raising, but he didn’t back down. "You should be happy she’s avoiding you!" he mentioned, his voice sharp, his face tense.

"At least you won’t hurt her!" His words hit like a punch, the seer’s warning echoing, my guilt surging.

My vision blurred, my control snapping, Zeus roaring. Without thinking, I swung, my fist slamming into Brian’s face, the punch loud, his head jerking back, blood trickling from his lip.

I froze, my hand shaking, my breath heavy, regret hitting me hard. "Get out," I growled, my voice low, my eyes dropping, shame mixing with my anger.

"Now, Brian." My chest heaved, my wound burning, my heart aching.

Brian wiped his lip, his eyes hurt but steady, and left, the door shutting with a soft click.

I sank onto the couch, the leather creaking, my hands gripping my head, my breath shaky. I tried to calm down, my heart pounding, Zeus whining, his anger fading to worry.

My mind spun, Aria’s absence, her fake sleep, her quick exit this morning. Was she scared of me?

My side ached, my fingers trembling, tying me to her danger. I took deep breaths, my eyes closing, forcing my anger down, my heart slowing after a few seconds.

A knock came, sharp and loud, my eyes snapping open, my jaw clenching. "I told you not to come back, Brian!" I growled, my voice rough, my hands fisting, ready to yell again.

But the door opened, and a guard stood there, his armor glinting, his face tense.

"Alpha," he said, bowing quick, his voice low.

"The elders are here. In the throne chamber." His words hit hard, my heart sinking, my eyes flicking to the window.

The courtyard was empty, the sun high, no sign of Aria. My chest tightened, her absence a disgrace, the elders expecting their Luna.

My jaw clenched, my hands shaking, worry and anger mixing, Zeus growling, urging me to find her.

"Find my Luna," I ordered, my voice hard, my eyes burning into the guard’s.

"Now. Immediately!" My heart raced, my fist clenching, fear gripping me tight as I stared out the window, Aria still gone, her whereabouts were still unknown.

All I could wish for was to see her.