Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Chapter 92

Chapter 92

KAI’s POV

I was the only one who remained after Alex’s outburst, as breakfast faded into nothing more than a cynical affair.

He was truly a light in any space, and my decision had flickered out that light, blurring it beneath what I believed was protection.

My thoughts spiraled, and I zoned out for the longest time. The sun had climbed high above the clouds, its gleaming nature resiliently brightening the sky, when I finally left the spot.

For the next thirty minutes or so, I spent most of my time taking a stroll. My wolf helped maintain my metabolism, and so the heat wasn’t much trouble.

As I passed by, more maids and guards bowed their heads in respect to my title, and it gave me much to think about.

Precisely why I needed Alex protected.

The Michaelson line was much too important. The world was tainted. People were dying, and someone had to help protect and safeguard it until the world was cleansed of danger and evil again.

And now that Alex carried the next heirs, he held more than just the position of Luna. He carried the future of the Pack.

The thought of our heirs left me chuckling to myself. I had forgotten I was outdoors and quickly masked the smile curling at my lips.

When he told me the doctor’s news last night, just before we fell asleep, that we were having twins...

That was a good moment.

My steps eventually led me back to my chambers. Apparently, when one was an Alpha King, there wasn’t much to stroll toward. Even a sprawling city such as SilverFang Pack, built across an insane amount of acres, with fortresses, castles, and towns within it, still somehow felt small.

Especially considering I’d grown up here and spent most of my life within its borders.

The scent of cinnamon, earth, and the fruity spice of cedarwood caught my attention. I didn’t even have to turn toward the culprit before I knew who it was.

"You’re not nearly as hideous as Clawface, you know."

I settled onto a footstool beside a sandalwood table near the windowsill that connected my study to the open balcony.

In my hand was a bottle of alcohol. I picked up a glass with my free hand and poured myself a drink.

Marcellan’s footsteps drew closer, and I opted to pour him one as well.

"Ugh, that bastard is the true definition of a shadow," he groaned as he accepted the drink.

The alcohol burned my throat, but the sensation soon melted into nothing more than a numbing spice. I gulped down more. It was much needed.

"Why do I feel like the reason you’re drinking alcohol is in your matrimonial bedroom, but you’re just too scared to go there?"

"I’m not scared of Alex. I’m married to him."

My defence came out straightforward, as though I hadn’t even thought before speaking.

Marcellan watched me carefully while I sank deeper into the stool. Its wheeled base aided my thoughts as I spun from left to right and back again.

"I didn’t even mention him."

"I know what you’re trying to imply. You left to talk to him."

"Well, I expected you to think that, considering it’s your job and he’s your baby boo."

The intonation Marcellan used sounded far more woke than I’d ever known him to be. I’d have laughed if I were in a better mood. Even then, a sheepish smile tugged at my lips.

"He is."

"Is it really necessary for him to leave here?"

"I’m protecting him."

"He doesn’t see it that way."

Marcellan and Alex seemed much alike in not understanding my reasoning. Clawface was my only listener.

My rebuttal sharpened.

"He doesn’t have to. My job is to protect him, and that’s exactly what I’m doing."

I picked up the bottle and gulped down the remaining contents. Against the familiar burn travelling from my throat to my chest, I listened to Marcellan.

"You sound like your father."

That earned my attention.

"And exactly how am I acting like my father?"

Speaking of the former Alpha King, he seemed to be enjoying his vacation greatly. He hadn’t called home, nor had he decided to make my life miserable.

Who knew? Perhaps he finally thought I was doing a good job. Or perhaps he simply no longer cared what became of the Pack he once ruled.

Being old, I preferred to think the latter.

"When you became his only son, he wasn’t merely harsh because of your sins."

Marcellan dragged the next footstool closer, kicking the third aside so he could sit directly across from me.

"I’ve seen firsthand how your father made decisions. He never truly hated you, nor did he curse you. You convinced yourself you’d sinned, and that strained our relationship and became my reason for leaving the Pack in the first place."

He paused. "I’ve never said this before, but putting me in the middle between SilverFang and MoonBlade was constantly dangerous. Lethal at its best."

"You’re doing a similar thing to Alex," he finished.

"I’m protecting him. Not endangering his life."

Marcellan rolled his eyes. I imagined the urge to smack his own forehead, but he continued.

"Sending him away from you to protect him," he made quotation marks with two fingers, "will only drive him to make plans of his own. You two won’t think alike, and your enemies will use that against you."

"When you think you’re protecting him, love can become something that hides behind fear. Just as your father feared losing you and kept me chained to your side because you were his only remaining heir, you think you’re protecting Alex too. But you’re only taking away his freedom because you’re afraid of him getting hurt, or of something happening to the heirs he carries."

I stayed silent.

Seconds slipped into minutes as I stared out the windowsill. Nothing truly caught my attention. My thoughts had wandered too far.

The sound of Marcellan setting his glass on the sandalwood table brought me back.

"I fail to understand your reasoning. You’re wrong. I’m not scared, and this isn’t coming from fear. Even if it were, I’m still protecting him. That’s what matters."

My ears picked up another Alpha scent, and I snapped my fingers.

From the shadows, Clawface appeared. His steps were so quiet that even Marcellan hadn’t noticed until he was close.

"I appreciate your concern, Marcellan," I continued. "I’ll have Alex transported to the House of Michaelson tomorrow. Nothing changes that. He’ll be safe there."

Not Nathan. Not Leo. Only those who truly knew me would think to look toward the House of Michaelson.

It was my safe place.

And as for Marcellan, it was obvious Alex had sent him to change my mind.

"Clawface, have the Luna’s things packed tonight and make sure he stays with you at all times."

The soldier nodded. He had been awfully quiet lately, especially after our confrontation with Nathan.

Marcellan’s apprehension was plain. "I should be there with Alex. He needs emotional support."

"He needs a bodyguard, not a gossip partner."

"Why are you being so strict?" Marcellan demanded, pointing a finger at me. "And don’t you fucking tell me you’re protecting him. What the fuck are you scared of? Is it even Nathan?"

I remained silent before standing.

"I’m done here. There’s nothing more to discuss. I appreciate your input, Marcellan."

"Oh, fuck you. I’m not Alex. You don’t get to order me around."

"I’m your king."

"Well, fuck you, Alpha Kai."

He made his displeasure abundantly clear by raising both middle fingers at me.

I turned back once. My eyes glowed faintly as the blue gave way to a dark crimson.

"You trained Alex to use his powers, and he lost himself to them. The way I see it, if you were anyone but my oldest friend, I’d have you thrown into the deepest dungeon I own and tortured with lava searing your skin."

"So, you’re blaming me."

"I’m calling you out for your mistake. Two different things." Marcellan scoffed and glanced away.

"Such a paranoid little Kai. I guess the spirit runs in the Michaelson blood after all."

He stormed out of the room.

Clawface looked at me once. I didn’t know why I’d expected to find something in his eyes, but they remained empty. He simply bowed and left as well.

I remained alone in the room, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.