Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Chapter 47

"Kai’s at the pavilion."

Marcellan’s slurred voice reached me in the library. My scarf billowed behind me, clutched between my fingers as I strode out, before I molested him with a peck of a kiss.

Marcellan acted as though he was irritated and I pretended not to notice the blush spreading across his face.

"You’re a joy," I whispered as I sped down the hallway, my boots clicking against the floor behind me.

The night unraveled before my sight, twinkling with clusters of stars spread across the sky, though slightly shadowed by drifting clouds.

Perhaps a downpour was to be expected.

The moment the pavilion entered my sight, my pace quickened. From a distance, I saw Kai speaking with some of his generals. Their attention caught mine, and Kai’s demeanor tensed as he turned and locked eyes with me.

His smile widened immediately, and he dismissed his men without hesitation. He spread his arms, the message utterly clear, and I ran into them.

His warm embrace drowned me in safety and comfort, my eyes closing as I inhaled his scent deeply. Blended with the strain of recent events, he smelled like home and every comforting thing capable of putting an effortless smile on my face.

"This place felt so cold without you," I admitted. I couldn’t count the number of times I wished Kai had taken me along. It was my first time staying this long within the SilverFang castle, and it had felt like a prison.

"I’m sorry, sweet peach. Some matters needed to be handled. With Father’s ambition to leave the throne, too much has been placed upon me to manage." He explained while I threaded my fingers through his hair, my palm cupping his face gently.

Kai stole my breath in a hungry kiss, my eyes shutting while my worries drifted away with the subtle wind. His hands remained firm against my back, anchoring me in place as though he feared I might disappear again.

We moved toward the curb beneath the pavilion, overlooking a fountain where the water, caught beneath the moonbeams, glinted with reflections resembling tiny stars trapped in motion.

I sat beside Kai, my legs draped across his thighs while he absentmindedly played with my toes.

"If this isn’t a bad time to ask, sweet peach... why did you do it?"

He didn’t need to elaborate further. The question was already crystal clear, and I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I needed to stop the war and understand myself."

"That’s all?"

"I’ve seen how possessive you are when it comes to loving me, Kai. I knew you wouldn’t support my reasoning, and at the time, I was already at the brink. I needed to understand this power, this..."

I sighed and stared out into the endless stretch of night for a moment. A maid arrived with a bottle of blackberry wine, and Kai didn’t pressure me any further, allowing me time to gather my thoughts before I continued.

"I did a simple analysis. MoonBlade was just as misunderstood as SilverFang was, as anyone could be, and in the face of war, the amount of bloodshed would have been catastrophic."

"That still doesn’t entirely make sense," Kai finally cut in, keeping his eyes fixed on me as he sipped from a goblet before idly twirling its stem between his fingers.

"MoonBlade preserved the history of Wolf Mages, and within it existed the bloodline I carry, Aetherblood. I didn’t know much about it until now, and you never paid much attention to it either. Though I want to remain with you all the time, Kai, we still have reality to face. For that reason, I wanted to understand MoonBlade more. To keep them close meant understanding the truth behind my parents’ deaths." I explained as carefully as I could, hoping he would begin to understand my perspective.

The delight on my face became impossible to hide when he responded, "Hence why you formed a bit of an alliance with them."

My lips tugged upward instantly. "Exactly. I made them see Nathan for who he truly is and became the hero in the process. Alpha Frederick is a man who follows law and honor. He must know he owes me now, especially for whatever influence I may need from MoonBlade in the future."

"You’re quite the strategist, you know. Perhaps I should make you my official adviser."

"Oh, please. My ass King."

"Goodness, I hate that title."

"Same as sweet peach. You’re not the only one allowed to sexualize me constantly," I countered, and both of us burst into laughter.

When the laughter finally faded and the silence of the night settled around us once more, Kai questioned quietly, "So... what now?"

"I need to train my powers. I’ve learned they’re like muscles. That’s the only way I’ll truly understand how to utilize my existence."

Kai snorted softly. "Oh, I heard about your confrontation with Clawface."

I rolled my eyes, though the embarrassment on my face remained obvious. I imagined the horror on Clawface’s face when I challenged him and how he’d probably reported the entire incident to Kai, knowing Kai would’ve mocked him relentlessly for it.

As the night stretched onward, I took Kai’s hand and placed it against my chest. His attention shifted fully onto me.

"I promise I’ll remain by your side from now on. I may still be an infant in all of this, but I’ve come to understand that I’m meant to support you, stand beside you, and elevate you. Your reign will become the greatest SilverFang has ever seen, and you’ll unite not only this Pack, but others as well." I affirmed, causing Kai’s expression to soften, his eyes glinting faintly with emotion.

He suddenly pulled me into his frame, my arms trapped awkwardly against his chest.

"You’re squeezing me," I wheezed out with a faint laugh.

"I have a surprise for you, Alex," Kai said as he stood. His hair caught the scattered rays slipping through the glass beaded roof overhead.

"While you were away, the Court challenged me, and I chose you above all else. I believed you’d come back for me." His words unraveled overwhelming emotions inside me, butterflies erupting violently within my chest. "Today, I went before the Court to solidify your place beside me."

My brows furrowed as realization slowly dawned on me.

"Kai... what did you do?"

"Will you be my Luna, sweet peach?" His voice trembled with a fear I recognized immediately, the confidence he usually carried fracturing beneath the heaviness of his tone.

I rose to my feet, clutching my chest as my heart plummeted wildly and my thoughts scattered apart.

"We’re to be coronated?"

Kai nodded, his smile widening even further. "I am to rule SilverFang as its Alpha King. Will you become my Luna and balance my reign beside me?"

Are you kidding me...?

My entire being unleashed an earth shattering shriek internally.

Kai didn’t even need to ask.

He already knew my answer.