Bella moved silently through the hallways, her footsteps light and cautious. Her heart pounded in her chest as she clutched a small bag against her side. Every creak of the wooden floors made her wince, fearing someone might wake up.
Her mind was a chaotic whirlwind of Zeryth’s warning and the pack’s hostility. She couldn’t stay—not when the threat of her shift loomed closer and closer. If Zeryth was right, staying would put her in danger. But as much as she wanted to run, her stomach twisted with guilt. Leaving the only home she’d ever known wasn’t easy, no matter how cruel the pack had been.
Bella reached the back door, the cold metal of the handle smooth under her palm. She took a deep breath, glancing over her shoulder one last time. The packhouse was still and quiet, bathed in moonlight.
This is it, she told herself. You have to go.
Just as she pushed the door open, a low, commanding voice froze her in place.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
Bella’s breath caught. She turned slowly, her eyes widening as she saw Kael standing a few feet away. He was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. But there was nothing casual about the intensity in his dark eyes.
“Alpha Kael,” Bella whispered, her voice shaking. “I… I didn’t think anyone was awake.”
Alpha Kael pushed off the wall, taking a step closer. The dim light highlighted the sharp planes of his face, his expression unreadable.
“Clearly,” he said, his tone cool. “Because if you did, you wouldn’t be sneaking out like a thief in the night.”
Bella swallowed hard, clutching the strap of her bag tighter. “I wasn’t sneaking,” she lied. “I was just—”
“Don’t,” Alpha Kael interrupted, his voice low and firm. “Don’t insult my intelligence with excuses.”
Bella stiffened, her jaw tightening. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
Alpha Kael raised an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing. “Actually, you do.”
He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming. Bella resisted the urge to back away, refusing to show fear.
“You think you can just leave?” Alpha Kael asked, his voice quieter now but no less intense.
Bella’s heart skipped a beat at the note of something almost… protective in his tone. She frowned, shaking her head. “What do you even want from me? Everyone here made it clear that I don’t belong here.”
Alpha Kael’s expression flickered, a shadow of something unreadable passing over his face. For a moment, Bella thought he might argue, might tell her she was wrong. But instead, he said nothing, his eyes searching hers.
“I am the Alpha of this pack,” he finally said, his voice softer.
Bella exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling to the surface. “And I served your pack my whole life. So, if you don’t mind—”
She moved to step past him, but Kael’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. Bella froze, her skin tingling where he touched her.
“You’re not leaving,” Kael said, his voice quiet but firm.
Bella met his gaze, her heart pounding. His grip wasn’t tight, but it was unyielding. There was something in his eyes—something she couldn’t quite place.
“Why won’t you just let me go?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael hesitated, his brows furrowing. “Because…”
Bella’s breath caught in her throat. “I’m your fated mate and you hated me. So why do you want to keep me?”
Kael didn’t speak for awhile. “It’s none of your business. I make the rules here,” he said instead.
Kael’s jaw clenched, his grip on her wrist tightening slightly. “Everything that happens in this pack is my business. Especially when it involves someone sneaking out in the middle of the night.”
Bella glared at him, anger flaring in her chest. “You don’t own me, Kael. You don’t get to decide what I do or where I go.”
Kael’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, Bella thought she’d gone too far. But instead of lashing out, he surprised her.
“I don’t want to own you,” he said quietly, his voice laced with an emotion she couldn’t quite identify. “I want to protect you!”
Bella’s breath hitched, the sincerity in his tone catching her off guard. She stared at him, unsure of what to say.
Kael released her wrist, stepping back slightly. “Do you really think leaving will solve your problems?”
Bella looked away, her throat tightening. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice barely audible. “But staying won’t either.”
Kael’s expression hardened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair.
“Fine,” he said after a moment. “If you’re so determined to leave, I won’t stop you.”
Bella blinked, surprised by his sudden change in tone.
“But,” Kael added, stepping closer once again, “if you walk out that door, you’re on your own. Don’t expect anyone to come looking for you.”
His words stung more than Bella expected, but she refused to let it show. She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on.
“I never expected anyone to,” she said quietly.