A stunned silence followed his words. No one dared to move, not even Liana, who was now staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.
Kaelan extended his hand to Mira, his eyes softening as they met hers. “Come, Mira,” he said gently, his voice a sharp contrast to the cold command he had shown moments before.
Instead of moving towards the Alpha and taking his outstretched hand, Mira turned round sand ran to her room. Liana smirked.
Mira’s father, Lord Victor motioned for Alpha Kaelan to follow him into his office. Kaelan hesitated, his jaw tightening as he glanced back at Mira’s closed door. But after a moment, he nodded and followed, though his eyes held a hint of suspicion.
Liana and Gareth trailed behind, eager to join the conversation. As they stepped into the office, her father closed the door firmly, casting a brief, evaluating look at Kaelan.
“We appreciate you taking the time, Alpha,” Mira’s father began, his tone measured, “and we all respect your decision. However, we feel there are matters to discuss… matters concerning Mira.”
Kaelan’s expression remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed slightly. “If this discussion concerns Mira, then she should be here,” he replied, his voice as unyielding as stone. “She’s my mate. If there’s anything I should know, she deserves to know it too.”
Her father exchanged a look with Liana and Gareth, his brows knitting in frustration. “Alpha Kaelan,” he said with forced calmness, “some things are better left in private. Mira is… fragile. We don’t want her burdened by unnecessary truths. Surely you understand?”
“Unnecessary truths?” Kaelan repeated, his tone laced with irritation. He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “I don’t see anything unnecessary about honesty. Mira is stronger than you think.”
Liana scoffed quietly, drawing Kaelan’s attention. “With respect, Alpha, you’ve only just met her,” she said, her tone laced with contempt. “We know her… flaws. Mira has never been one to fit the role of an Alpha’s mate. She’s too… timid. She would crumble under the pressures you face.”
Kaelan’s eyes darkened as he looked at her, but he stayed silent, letting her words hang in the air.
Their father added, “Liana’s right. Mira doesn’t have the… resilience required of a Luna. Surely you see that. An Alpha deserves someone with strength, not someone who would falter at the slightest hint of difficulty.”
Kaelan crossed his arms, his expression stony. “And you believe that Liana would be a better match?”
Liana lifted her chin, her gaze unflinching. “Yes. I was raised with the expectation of becoming your mate. I know the responsibilities that come with it, and I can bear them. Mira… Mira isn’t cut out for this life.”
For a moment, silence filled the room, thick and oppressive. Kaelan’s gaze shifted from Liana to Gareth, who was shifting uncomfortably beside her. Something about Gareth’s demeanor caught his attention. His brow furrowed, and he looked at Liana, noticing her elbow nudging Gareth subtly.
“Why did you do that?” Kaelan asked, his voice low and questioning as he stared at Liana, whose cheeks turned a slight shade of red.
Liana hesitated, then gave Gareth a meaningful look. “Gareth has something to tell you, Alpha,” she said, her tone almost triumphant.
Kaelan’s gaze turned sharply to Gareth, who avoided eye contact, glancing at the floor before clearing his throat. “Alpha, I… I’ve known Mira for a long time,” he began, his voice uncertain but gaining confidence with every word. “And, well… Mira has a history of, uh… pursuing men. She has tried to force herself on me on several occasions.”
Kaelan’s eyes narrowed, a cold edge settling into his gaze. “And why, exactly, would she do that?”
Gareth shifted, his expression a mixture of discomfort and feigned remorse.
Kaelan’s expression grew darker, his jaw tightening as he absorbed Gareth’s words. “You’re saying Mira threw herself at you?” he asked, his voice a deadly calm.
Gareth nodded, glancing briefly at Liana, who looked on with satisfaction. “Yes, Alpha. I didn’t want to mention it, but considering the situation, I thought you deserved to know the truth. Mira… she’s not what you think she is.”
Liana leaned forward, her face solemn but her eyes gleaming. “Alpha Kaelan, you deserve someone who will honor and respect you, not someone with a history of… indiscretions.”
Kaelan’s eyes flicked between Gareth and Liana, his expression unreadable but his tension palpable. His silence filled the room with a heavy anticipation.
Finally, Kaelan spoke, his voice laced with a dangerous calm. “So, Gareth, you’re telling me Mira tried to seduce you?”
Gareth’s eyes flickered with unease, but he held his ground. “Yes. And, Alpha… there’s something else.”
Kaelan raised a brow, his curiosity mixed with a simmering anger. “Go on.”
Gareth took a deep breath, his face contrite. “Last night… last night, I found out she was my mate.”