Elara was about to step foot on the Duran Pack grounds when she bumped into someone.
Not brushed past. Not a near miss
She bumped straight into him
Her shoulder hit his chest solid enough to make her choke.
She stumbled back on instinct and was about to mutter an apology she didn't mean to finish.
"I'm—"
She stopped. She could now see who she had bumped into.
Kael
He stood in front of her
Now they were up close and there was no room to pretend as if the pull they felt earlier was not real.
He looked just as surprised the second he recognized her.
Neither of them spoke a word
Someone watching from behind cleared their throat.
"I didn't know you'd be sent here," Kael said
His eyes scanned over her quickly, not wasting time but careful too. It was as if he were checking for something he didn't want to find.
"You shouldn't be walking alone," he said
"I didn't know I needed an escort just to breathe" Elara answered.
"This is Duran Pack territory."
"And I'm a guest," she said. "Officially"
"That does not make it any easier" Kael uttered
"For who?" she asked. "You
He didn't answer
Then another voice cut in, it was the voice of an older person. "Alpha Kael"
They both turned.
Councilor Bren stood a few steps away from them. He folded his hands at his back moving his gaze from Kael to Elara and then back to Kael.
"You'll escort Lady Elara to the east residence, personally," Bren said
Kael looked up at him. "That should not be necessary."
"It is." Bren replied "She's from the Thalor Pack and until the Moon Oath Ceremony, her presence will be managed."
Kael exhaled slowly through his nose
"Understood"
Bren nodded and walked without another glance.
Silence followed
Kael gestured while they walked. "This way."
They walked side by side, far enough to avoid their bodies touching but close enough for Elara to hear his heart pounding
"Did you ask for me?" she asked after a moment
"No."
"That's not what your council thinks."
"They think many things," Kael said. "And most times, they are wrong."
"Then why am I here?" she pressed further.
He stopped walking.
She had already taken two more steps before she realized and turned back.
"You were sent here because absence would have made it look worse," he said. "You know that."
"So, I'm here as proof that nothing's wrong."
He didn't deny it.
"That's comforting." She said dryly.
Kael looked at her then with so many thoughts in his head. He could not really place yet what the feelings he had meant.
They have now almost walked to where Elara will reside for the short time she will be there.
"Youre not supposed to be here," he said
"Youve said that before."
"And you didn't listen."
"I didn't have a choice."
"You always have a choice."
She laughed.
"That's easy for you to say, when the world waits for your order."
"You think they do?"
She hesitated.
"I don't think you understand what it feels like to stand in front of your whole pack waiting for something that never happens."
Kael went quiet.
They have now reached the residence—a clean and modest building, clearly suitable for guests who don't intend to stay long.
"Here we are," he said. "This is where you'll be."
"That was fast."
"Yes, it was."
"Why did you look away?" she asked all of a sudden.
"What?" he asked.
"In the courtyard. When it happened. You felt it too, and you stepped back."
"That wasn't —"
"Don't try to pretend like it didn't matter," she said
He lowered his voice.
"This isn't the time and place for this conversation."
"When then?" "After the Moon Oath? After you decide what to do with me?"
Kael looked around briefly to be sure no one was looking. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side passage before she could react.
"Are you trying to get us both in trouble?" he hissed
Elara removed her hand from his. "Don't touch me like that"
"I'm trying to keep you alive."
"Tell me the truth."
He stared at her, torn in confusion, jaw clenched hard and she could see it.
"You don't have a wolf." he finally said
"Unknow that"
"And yet," he continued. "The bond still reacts."
That should not be possible."
"So, you mean I'm broken?"
"No," he snapped. "I never said that"
"Then what are you saying?"
He moved closer before he knew it. "I'm saying something is wrong and if the council notices this, they'll decide what to do with you."
"And you, what will you decide?" she asked
He didn't answer
"You should rest."
"You're very good at avoiding things." she laughed
"I'm very good at surviving," he answered.
"That's not the same."
Their eyes locked.
The space between them felt smaller and charged with heavy words neither of them seemed to be saying.
"This pull," Elara said. "It didn't start in the courtyard. It's been there longer."
Kael swallowed. "Stop."
"Why?"
"Because if you finish that statement—"
"I know," she said.
He nodded his head. "No, you don't"
She took a step closer. "Then tell me."
He didn't move away. That was the mistake. He should have.
Whatever restraint he had been holding snapped at that point. He kissed her like it scared him, like he didn't mean to and didn't know how to stop.
It was quick and sharp and full of something that felt too big for that moment.
And then he pulled back.
Fast.
His hands fell to his side like they burned him
"That was a mistake."
Elara looked straight into his eyes, breathing fast. "It didn't look like one."
"It was." he said flatly. "and it shouldn't happen again."
"Because you don't want it to?"
"Because I can't afford it."
Footsteps echoed nearby.
Kael shifted back fully now, the distance deliberate.
"You need to stay inside," he said. "Until tomorrow."
"Tomorrow" she repeated.
"When the council members start asking questions."
"What about you?" she asked.
He looked at her for a long moment.
"When the council members start asking questions, I won't defend you," he said quietly.
Her chest tightened.
"What do you mean"
"It's a warning. He turned and walked away before she could say anything else.
Elara stood there alone, the taste of him still sharp on her lips, the meaning of his words sinking in slowly.
Tomorrow had not even come.
And already she knew it was going to cost her everything.