Bella smiled though the expression never reached her eyes. It sat on her lips like a mask, hollow and practiced, sending a chill down Kael's spine. "Beta Kael, I have something to tell you, but you have to promise to make me your pack member first."
Kael's stomach turned. The words slithered between them like a serpent, coiled and waiting to strike. This sounded like manipulation, plain and simple. He had dealt with enough schemers in his time to recognize the stench of it.
"I will have to discuss with your mistress."
"It will be too late," Bella said hastily, her voice rising with urgency. Her eyes darted toward the pack grounds, toward the elevator, toward anywhere but his face.
Kael was about to speak when Damon leaned in close against Kael's ear. "Can you let me handle this?"
Kael agreed. Right now, his mind was a storm he could not navigate. Every thought crashed into the next, leaving him drowning in confusion and pain. He was not in the right mind to make any decisions.
