Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Chapter 136

ARIA

I made my way back to the pack house slowly, my mind still churning with everything I’d witnessed at the waterfall. The easy laughter between Kael and Ivory played on repeat in my head, along with his confession that he’d always choose to help her, always prioritize their connection, regardless of how it affected his relationship with me.

*You’ll always be second place p>

Damon’s words felt less like poison and more like prophecy now. Less like manipulation and more like uncomfortable truth I’d been trying to deny.

The pack house corridors were quieter now, late afternoon settling into early evening. Most pack members were either finishing their daily duties or preparing for the evening meal. I moved through the familiar passages on autopilot, not really seeing where I was going, just letting my feet carry me toward my chambers.

As I turned the corner into the residential wing, I heard voices. Kael’s voice, actually, speaking to someone just outside our chamber door.

“Is she around now?” he was asking, and the hope in his voice made something in my chest ache. “I’ve been trying to catch her all day p>

“I’m sorry, Alpha Kael,” Celine replied, and I recognized her apologetic tone. “Luna Aria went out earlier and I haven’t seen her return yet. I can let you know as soon as she comes back, if you’d like p>

I saw Kael’s shoulders slump slightly, dejection clear in his posture even from behind. He was holding something-flowers, from the look of it, another bouquet he’d probably picked himself from the gardens.

“No, that’s alright,” Kael said, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I’ll just… I’ll try again later p>

He started to turn away, and something in me broke at the sight. Whatever complicated feelings I had about what I’d witnessed at the waterfall, whatever doubts Damon had planted and Kael’s own words had confirmed—he was trying. He was here, attempting to connect with me, attempting to rebuild what had been damaged.

“I’m here,” I said, my voice coming out quieter than I’d intended. “I’m around now p>

Both Kael and Celine turned to look at me. Celine’s expression was surprised but pleased. Kael’s face lit up with such genuine relief and happiness that it made my throat tight.

“Aria,” he said, and then seemed to remember the bouquet in his hands. He quickly moved it behind his back, as if trying to hide it, which would have been endearing if I hadn’t just watched him be effortlessly comfortable with another woman.

“I’ll just…” Celine gestured vaguely toward the interior of our chambers, clearly understanding that she should make herself scarce. “Let me know if you need anything, Luna Aria p>

She slipped past me and disappeared into the chambers, leaving Kael and me alone in the corridor. The

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Chapter 136

silence stretched awkwardly as we just looked at each other.

D

+5 Pearls

“Hi,” Kael finally said, and then winced as if realizing how inadequate that greeting was. “I mean… I’ve been trying to see you. To talk to you. I’ve been leaving notes and-” He gestured with the hand still holding the hidden flowers, then seemed to remember they were supposed to be concealed and awkwardly shifted them behind his back again.

Despite everything, despite the pain and doubt and confusion, I felt my lips twitch with the ghost of a smile. Because he looked ridiculous standing there trying to hide a massive bouquet behind his back like a teenage boy on his first date.

“I can see the flowers, Kael,” I said gently. “You don’t have to hide them p>

He looked down as if surprised to find his arms weren’t long enough to actually conceal the bouquet from someone standing in front of him. Then he laughed-a short, self-deprecating sound-and brought the flowers forward.

“I picked these myself,” he said, offering them to me. “From the gardens. I remembered you mentioned once that you liked the purple wildflowers that grow near the eastern border, so I…” He trailed off, suddenly uncertain. “I wanted to bring you something. Something personal rather than just another generic bouquet p>

I took the flowers, examining them more closely. He was right-these were the exact purple wildflowers I’d admired weeks ago during one of my early walks around the territory. I’d mentioned them in passing, barely a comment, and he’d remembered.

“They’re beautiful,” I said, and meant it. “Thank you p>

Kael’s expression brightened at my acceptance. Then his face grew more serious, the hope dimming slightly as he seemed to gather himself for what he needed to say.

“Aria, I… I wanted to apologize,” he began, the words coming out slightly stammered, as if he’d practiced this speech but was having trouble executing it. “For what happened. With the execution. With everything. As your mate, I failed you. I should have-I should have done things differently. Should have protected you better. Should have found a way to believe in you even when the evidence looked damning p>

“Kael-” I started, but he continued, his words picking up speed as if he needed to get them all out before he lost his nerve.

“I know that’s not enough. I know saying sorry doesn’t erase the memory of standing on those gallows with a noose around your neck. But I need you to know that I am sorry. Desperately sorry. And I want to make it up to you. However I can. Whatever you need from me to start rebuilding what was broken p>

He looked at me with such raw vulnerability that it made my chest ache. This was Kael-my mate, trying to bridge the gap between us, trying to fix what had nearly destroyed our bond.

And I thought about what I’d witnessed at the waterfall. About him and Ivory laughing together, about his confession that he’d always help her, always prioritize their connection. About the easy affection between them that I’d never managed to achieve with him.

I should tell him. Should confront him about what I’d seen and heard. Should demand answers about his relationship with Ivory and where I actually stood in his priorities.

But looking at his face, seeing the hope and fear and desperate need for forgiveness mixed together-1 couldn’t do it. Couldn’t add more pain to what he was already carrying. Couldn’t start a fight about Ivory

Chapter 136

when he was trying

so hard to reconnect with me.

+5 Pearis

20

Mated To My Mate’s Worst Enemy

ΣΟ

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