LOGINANNABETH'S POVThe footsteps didn’t stop at the door. They came straight through it.The door swung open without a knock or warning and Kael came through slowly.His face was gloomy. No sign of rage, just exhaustion. His dark hair was damp at the temples, like he’d run his hands through it too many times. His shirt was half-undone at the collar, and there was a smear of dirt across his knuckles.He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. The sound of the latch clicking making me jump a little.For a long moment he didn’t speak. He just looked at me. Like he was trying to think of what to say to me. I kept my face straight.The silence stretched until it hurt. My heartbeat speeding up by the tension that lingered. I wanted to say something. But I didn’t. Finally, he looked away from me. His jaw locked Then his eyes came back to mine, and when he spoke, his voice was low and firm.“Let’s get one thing clear.”He took a step closer. Then another. Until he was close enough that I
ANNABETH'S POVGasps rippled through the crowd when the words came out of my mouth. Some even muttered my name like it was a curse.Goddess, I didn’t know where all that bravery came from.I kept walking until I was standing in the center where they were, right between Kael and Tommy. I could feel Kael’s gaze burning into the side of my face, but I didn’t look at him. Not yet. I looked at Tommy instead.His eyes were glassy now. “Annabeth, you don't have to do....”“Shut up,” I whispered to him. Then louder, to Kael, “You don’t get to do this. You don't get to torture my friends this way.”Kael’s jaw ticked. “You don’t get to tell me what I don’t get to do in my own fortress.”“I’m not telling you,” I said. “I’m begging you.”That seemed to catch him off guard. His brows pulled together, just slightly.“You think I don’t know what they did?” I went on, my voice rising. “I know. I heard about the guards. I know people died. And I’m not saying Tommy shouldn’t pay for that. But this,” I
ANNABETH’S POVI moved forward, trying to squeeze my way to the front door so I could see clearly. My shoulder knocked into someone, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t breathe right. My chest felt like it was caving in with every step.I held my breath all through, and once my eyes caught sight of the people that were caught, it felt like I was going to have a heart attack.Tommy. No.My breath hitched and tears pooled up in my eyes, hot and fast. He was kneeling on the cold stone with his hands bound behind him, blood smeared on the side of his jaw. His hair was messy, his shirt torn. But his back was straight. He didn’t look broken yet, He looked furious.I turned to look at Kael who already had his eyes on me. He had a distant look in his eyes and I couldn’t really guess what he was thinking at the moment. His face gave nothing away. It was Stone cold. Like he wasn’t the same man who’d brought me breakfast this morning and teased me about faking sleep.He looked away from me and focus
KAEL’S POV~The training hall still smelled like blood and sweat when I left it. I should have felt better after getting it out of my system but I didn’t. Lucien’s words followed me down the cold stone corridors.“Are you even sure she values you as much as you value her, Kael?”I told myself I didn’t care what he thought. But It was evidently getting to me.My feet moved on their own, carrying me back to the east wing. Back To her. I didn’t knock when I reached Annabeth’s door. I caught her, pretending to still be asleep while her pulse moved rapidly.She was very much awake.She lay on the bed, eyes closed, face turned toward the wall. The act was almost convincing. I chuckled under my breath and shut the door quietly behind me. “I'll just go take a quick shower. Feel free to join me instead of trying to take a sneak peek.” I murmured. No answer. I allowed her have her little fake sleep victory.First, I needed to wash this dry blood off my hands and face.The bath
KAEL’S POVI barely got a blink of sleep last night. It was impossible to sleep while she was lying this close to me. Every breath she took, every shift against the sheets, pulled me in. I lay there watching her, memorizing the way her lashes fanned across her cheeks, the way her lips parted slightly when she dreamed. Once the first light came up, I forced myself up, stretching out the tension in my shoulders. I checked in on Annabeth. She was still fast asleep, her face peaceful in a way it rarely was when she was awake. I smiled without meaning to and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Soft. Barely there. I hoped it wouldn’t wake her. I dressed quickly in a simple grey top and sweatpants. I was free of palace duties today and planned on dealing with Lucien.The air outside was sharp with morning cold. I took a deep breath, letting the scent of damp snow clear my head. Then I caught it, Lucien's scent. Just who I was looking for. Sweat, steel, and that infur
KAEL’S POVI hit the woods, running, as soon as the Moon gathering festivities ended. I left my guards at the palace, to make sure everything had properly ended with no problems left unattended.My mind was clouded by the thoughts of Annabeth and the moment I caught scent of her as I got closer to the mansion, I felt relieved. That sweet strawberry and lavender scent that intoxicated me.The air was also mixed with a foreign scent I didn't recognize.Surely some foreign wolves had been in my fortress tonight, as I have the scent of every wolf that worked for me, memorized, and these particular scents were new to me.I moved faster than I should have. Didn’t bother with the door as I jumped, entering the mansion through the windows high up. I needed to see She was safe and okay.I got to her room but she wasn't there. Then I heard her voice, she was speaking with Chad and Victor downstairs.I stood by her door, waiting, as she took two steps at a time up the stairs.She looked surprise
KAEL’S POV~The sky was pale gold when I slipped out of bed. I hadn’t slept. Not really. I’d spent the night watching her, memorizing the way her lashes rested against her cheeks, the way her breathing slowed when she felt safe. She was Mine. And today I had to leave her again to fulfill my d
Kael’s POV~I returned to the mansion before dawn, as I planned.The fortress was quiet, but not peaceful. The air hummed with tension. Chad met me in the courtyard, his face a little grim. “He hasn’t tried anything yet,” Chad said quietly. “But I noticed he’s been watching her like a hawk. Eve
Annabeth’s POVOnce Mrs. Halloway led me back to my room, I locked the door the second it shut. I backed away from it like something was going to burst through any second. I sat on the bed, staring at the door, my knees pulled to my chest. I kept seeing his face. Lucien. He had a slight res
ANNABETH’S POV~ The air went dead silent. One second Mrs. Halloway was pushing me back toward the mansion, and the next, her whole body had gone stiff like she’d seen a ghost. Her hand on my back wasn’t gentle anymore. It was trembling. “Dear, please,” she whispered, her voice tight. “We need







