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CHAPTER 19
~Kael's POV~
As soon as Aiden opened his mouth, I felt the chair crack beneath my grip.
The wood splintered without warning, breaking clean under my fingers. I didn't care as my head snapped in his direction, my body already buzzing with heat.
His words weren't just careless—they were bold and dangerous.
I knew this would happen, which was why I wanted Rhiannon inside and away from their radar—not to be seen, perceived, or anything, just hidden from the rest of the world.
"Oh… look, Alpha Solaris," Alpha Aiden drawled, tilting his head slightly with a smug smile, "our dear Alpha is hiding her from us."
The weight of those words slammed into my chest. My wolf snarled, pacing inside me. "He's poking the wrong beast."
But it wasn't Aiden who made the air shift. It was him.
Alpha Solaris.
He hadn't said much the whole evening, just sat there, watching… waiting. But now he moved slowly and intentionally. The way predators move when they want the world to feel it.
He leaned forward, his silver jacket sliding with him like liquid ice. His cold eyes—one a piercing frost-blue, the other a deep, unnatural violet—shimmered as they caught the light. That smirk that curved his mouth was sharp. Too calm.
"I do not think he meant it," Solaris said, voice smooth, almost lazy. "Because now… I'm curious to see this alpha mate that has made Alpha Kael bonkers."
Bonkers.
I could have ripped the table in half if not for that; it would only make his words seem true. My claws threatened to break through my skin.
Beside me, my brothers inhaled deeply—Lucien, Talon, Darian, Riven. All of them were tense and holding back their growl and anger.
My wolf growled low in my chest. "They will not look at her. They do not deserve even her shadow. She is ours. No one else's."
I couldn't speak. Not without letting something inside me explode.
And just when I was about to stand, Riven leaned forward with that diplomatic smile he's mastered. Too smooth, too casual.
"That…" he said, glancing briefly at me as if asking for permission I wasn't giving. "Can be arranged, Alpha Solaris. Alpha Aiden. We're not hiding her," he added, his expression turning calm but deadly, "she was simply out enjoying the scenery but when she returned, we wanted to make sure she's properly introduced."
I glared at him, but he held his ground.
Aiden shrugged. "Then you should've said so."
Without a beat, Riven nodded toward Soren. "Please, check on our mate and bring her to dine with us."
Soren bowed and left the hall, not before I mind-linked him.
"I would have refused this audience."
"I know Alpha, but you cannot to make them enemies. They are better as allies than enemies. You know what would happen in a war against Alpha Solaris."
"Too much bloodshed," I responded through the link.
"Exactly."
"Apologise to her on my behalf."
"Without being told." Soren lowered his head to me and walked away.
And then… silence.
Fifteen minutes of it.
Fifteen minutes where I had to sit still and pretend I wasn't seconds from shifting. My wolf spoke again.
"Breathe. Don't give them reason to stare harder. We show too much, they'll press in. Wait for her."
So I waited.
And then I heard it.
The sound of soft, deliberate, light but firm footsteps echoing against the marble floor.
The scent struck me first—jasmine and something warmer, like wild honey and rain on stone. My heart skipped. My breath stalled in response as did my wolf.
Then she stepped into view.
Rhiannon.
My mate.
And for a moment, no one breathed. It was as if time stood still to honour her.
She walked in like the room belonged to her. Every step was elegance wrapped in power. That black velvet dress hugged her body like it had been molded onto her.
It pulled in at her waist, flowed over her hips, and spilt down like liquid darkness.
The neckline curved softly, dipping just enough to tease a glimpse of her cleavage—enough to make the imagination run wild, not enough to be vulgar.
She wasn't exposed. She was adorned.
The slit on her left leg revealed smooth skin that made my blood run hotter and reminded me of our near kiss moment earlier on.
Her sequin gloves shimmered with every movement of her hands, catching the candlelight like stars had kissed her arms. And those gold heels…
Every step she took in them echoed in my chest like a drum.
I could feel every gaze in the room latch onto her—every Alpha.
And I hated it.
I stood up before reasoning got to me.
I didn't wait. Didn't ask. I walked straight past the table, past every guest, until I stood in front of her.
"Rhiannon…" I said softly.
Her eyes lifted to meet mine—warm, deep, knowing. She smiled, already getting my message. I gave her that apologetic smile.
Not everyone loved to be paraded around, except for Seraphina. Some people preferred silence and peace.
I took her hand carefully, like touching something sacred. "You're… you're perfect."
I raised her hand to my lips and kissed the back gently, breathing her in like it could calm the storm inside me.
Rhiannon did not say much, but a "thanks," and even so, her voice still sounded melodious.
Then I guided her to the table.
I pulled out the chair for her—she deserved that, and more. She sat with grace, nodding softly in thanks.
I sat beside her and looked around the table, keeping my voice steady. "This is Rhiannon," I said proudly. "My mate. Our mate," I corrected when I felt my brothers each growl lowly in disapproval.
Before I could finish the introductions, Aiden leaned forward like he couldn't help himself.
"Alpha Aiden," he said with a grin. "Southern Packs."
Then he motioned lazily to his right.
"And this is my cousin, Solaris Slade. Alpha of the Northern Packs. Also known by the nickname, the Winter Alpha."
Solaris stood slowly, lips curled in a polite smile.
He looked at Rhiannon—too long, too bold—and gave a shallow bow.
"It is an honour, Lady Rhiannon," he said smoothly. "And may I say… what a vision you are."
I clenched my jaw at the compliment.
He sat down, and my brothers each gave their compliments. "Always breathtaking," Lucien stated.
"I am glad you decided to bless us with your beauty," Riven followed.
Talon and Darian weren't left out, saying sweet words.
But then Alpha Solaris added, in a low, dangerous purr—"What do you say, princess?" Rhiannon blinked when she heard his endearment.
"Care to ditch your Alpha males and elope with me to my lands?"
That was it.
Five auras exploded at once.
Mine. Lucien. Talon. Darian. Riven.
The room shook under it.
Servants collapsed to their knees, gasping from the weight. Plates shattered. Some of the fire torches along the wall blew out entirely.
Even Aiden coughed, his body jerking slightly under the pressure.
But not Solaris.
He rose slowly from his seat, smiling still… and met Rhiannon's eyes like the rest of us did not matter in their burning world.
"You see what you have to deal with?" he said, ignoring all of us again. "Be with me, and I'll make you a queen amongst queens."
That's when it happened.
Five voices, mine included, roared out in perfect unison.
"No!"
The room trembled with it.
My wolf surged forward, pushing against my skin.
"One more word," he growled. "Just one…"