(KAELEN'S POV)
I knew who it was that was approaching.
I turned back to Amari. She looked expectant, almost like she knew that I had sensed something.
Does she? If she truly is my mate, then she should be having feelings too…
"Come with me. Let's finish this inside." Her eyes widened slightly before her mask was back on.
"Where?" she asked, glancing past my shoulder. My body was inclined in that direction—as she noticed.
"To somewhere private." I wasn't done speaking when I noticed the disagreement in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I can't leave my younger sister here alone." She nodded towards the bungalow behind her. "I won't feel comfortable."
Even though her eyes squared with mine and her posture was straight, there was a plea in her tone.
"Then let her come along."
"She's asleep already." She didn't blink. "It was a long—journey we had."
Something about our eyes locking made my thoughts hazy.
The fast-approaching footsteps grew louder in my ears. I suppressed a groan, my attention back to Amari.
"Fine," I said quietly.
The relief was too clear not to be seen. Her shoulders dropped, and she let out a short sigh.
"Goodnight," she said softly but sharply.
Then she turned around and, without waiting for my reply, headed back toward the balcony like she wanted to disappear.
I let my eyes wander after her for a few seconds, and then I exited the courtyard too. I was headed in the direction of the pool house, very sure of who would come into view soon.
And I was right.
"Kaelen!" Neoma gasped, she froze mid-stride the moment our eyes met.
Silence.
When I was a few feet away from her, she flung her arms around me, sobbing hard as she gripped my shirt.
"It's alright, Neoma." I patted her back, not sure how to react. It was unlike my sister to be so emotional. "I'm not dead."
She moved back, fiercely wiping her face. "I can see that." She waved her hand over me. Then she punched me in the arm without the cast.
Now that's more Neoma.
"I told you to take me with you. You weren't supposed to go alone!" She was irritated.
"You know I love to work alone."
"You don't have to work alone anymore. You are the Alpha now, Kaelen. Not the King of the Other Side." Neoma's voice was ever stern, but now it allowed for a little bit of softness. She was treading carefully.
Then she frowned and sniffed hard. "I know that scent," she said in a raspy voice.
"What's that?" I asked as we continued walking toward the house.
"I don't know, but I—" Then she froze. I didn't stop.
"Kaelen!" She called, hurrying after me. She stopped in front of me, arms crossed.
"What?"
"Did you just see her?" she asked, frowning. "The Moon Haven villager who claims to be your wife."
That caught my attention.
"You met her."
"Don't tell me she's your wife!" she accused, her voice measured but eyes flashing in rage.
"I can't tell you that."
Her eyes widened like they were going to pop out of their sockets. "Mom mentioned temporary amnesia. So you don't remember, but you're not sure?"
"Exactly." I answered, moved around her, and continued walking.
She followed me. "There's no bloody way you'll marry a villager in a short span of days. A local she-wolf? No way. She is a criminal," she concluded.
"Is this because she lives in the village?"
"Yes. That's solely why," she confirmed. "If perhaps it was a pack princess or another high blood who is stunningly beautiful…"
"She is beautiful," I said before I could stop myself. A flash of those captivating, ethereal eyes played in my mind. "Stunningly beautiful."
We were at the pool house now. Vlad, my personal guard, pushed the French door open, then handed me a large envelope.
"The Beta left this message about six minutes ago."
"Thank you, Vlad."
"You wouldn't do that—not a local girl," Neoma announced as we walked into the living room.
I turned to face her, restraining a sigh. I had so many things to think about; my older sister was making my mind more overwhelmed.
"I would," I answered bluntly, holding her eyes down. "Wouldn't I be a hypocrite to talk down on anyone's home when mine was a sin city for fifteen years?"
Neoma's eyes hardened. "You have always been a high blood. An Alpha heir. Not even the Other Side can change—"
"That doesn't matter," I dismissed. "What matters is not where or how someone lives. It's their soul. Their wolf. Their respect for life."
The room went still. But Neoma is not one to cower.
"Do you remember you were in the middle of being matchmade to a she-wolf of high esteem?"
"Is this why you are here?" More than anything, I needed to be alone.
Neoma looked stunned for a moment, then she cleared her throat and smoothed her hair. "I want to confirm a reply for our pack summit in two days. I know you need to recover, as Doctor Maeve said you—"
"I'll be there," I finished.
"But the poison, your wolf—"
"River Pack needs to know their Alpha is alive."
She hesitated and then gave a firm nod. She turned around to leave.
She walked toward the door, and when I thought she would slip out, she paused. Then turned around.
"As your older sister and Gamma, it's my job to be protective of you, Kaelen." Her eyes softened. "You may have reclaimed the throne, but I know you have enemies. I don't want anyone scheming against you."
Silence.
"I know. Thank you."
She gave me a firm nod and left.
Immediately the door clicked, I walked through a wide archway and clapped softly. The bar came into view. A long dark stretch of hammered copper, bottle-lined and mirror-backed, reflecting the glint of cut glass.
I poured myself a drink and then stood, swirling it in my tumbler.
Flashes of Amari's face replayed in my mind, and my heart raced slightly in response.
I gulped down the drink and then reached for the envelope. I opened it quickly.
There was a pinned note:
Kaelen,
Since you lost your phone in the fucked-up accident, this is me going analog.
So I checked, and your signature is really authentic, and so is the certificate. Your pictures are also uploaded to the confidential site.
So, you really married this stranger. And I'm fucking pissed because not only have you told me a thousand times that marriage is unnecessary, I didn't even get to be your best man.
I'll knock you out twice if she's beautiful.
—Varkaine
I hissed and squeezed the paper. Then I opened the inner envelope and took out the marriage certificate I had given Varkaine, my best friend and Beta, to take for examination.
I stared at the paper, a thousand thoughts bombarding my mind.
"I need you to wake up, Ragnar," I muttered under my breath. "I need to know who she is… because something in me already knows."
I folded the certificate slowly.
Amari Daclaw Blackwood.
My wife.
A woman I couldn't remember.
A stranger who already affected me too much.
Ragnar stirred again.
Hungry.
Interested.
Possessive.
And suddenly—
I understood exactly why dangerous men fall.