My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 27: Split In Two

Kael

My wolf needed no further permission. I felt him tear free from my consciousness. His shadow peeled away from mine, looming larger against the ground as my wolf manifested. His dark shape rippled across the floor like spilled ink as it poured out of my own shadow and sped off.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. A faint tremor betrayed the effort it took for me to remain calm. The miles and miles of distance between us while this was happening felt like a wound slowly being pulled open.

Eredith paled and her daughter’s hand flew to her mouth in horror.

"What in the Moon’s name—What’s wrong please?" the old Alpha gushed.

"Nothing that concerns your pack."

"You sent your wolf. Is there an emergency at the Capital? Do you need to return? That is serious—"

"My territory is secure," I gritted out through clenched teeth, insistent. "My wolf is handling the situation."

"Lord Kael. If there is a threat—"

I met her eyes, letting enough ice into my gaze to end the questioning. "What happens in the capital stays in the capital. Now, shall we continue discussing your border concerns, or would you prefer to waste more time interrogating me about internal matters?"

The rebuke was clear. Eredith’s mouth tightened, but understanding soon crept into her gaze.

"Of course. My apologies, Lord Kael."

With the quiet wave of her hand, her daughter slipped away silently and we returned to Eredith’s study. Sienna was nowhere to be seen, and I returned to my chair, but the mere act of sitting, of even being here, felt like torture.

My wolf raced across the territory, following the connection back to her. I could feel and see everything he did.

I focused on the map Eredith presented, on the border markings, on anything other than the phantom sensation of pain that still echoed through the mate bond. It was fainter now, and my wolf was almost there. I forced control back into my body as I fought every instinct that screamed at me to follow my wolf’s path.

Someone had hurt her badly enough that I’d felt it across hundreds of miles.

I brought a fist to my mouth as I tried to pay attention. My hand clenched so tightly my nails drew blood from my palms.

He had reached her. But she suddenly felt distant. Perhaps she was unconscious?

Something cracked in the careful control I had maintained.

"Lord Kael!"

I looked up from the map to note Eredith’s worried face.

"Forgive my insistence. I know something is bothering you that you are not willing to share, but please..." She gestured to the side.

Ila stood beside me, holding onto a tray. Despite my smoldering look, she had a chastising glint in her eyes. She came closer and lowered the tray on the edge of the table, taking the jug to spill the cold content into a cup.

"Please, drink." She pushed the cup closer towards me. "It’s soothing."

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Ila—"

"Sir, everyone can sense your anger on these grounds. The others are worried."

Eredith added, "And I fear you may be giving my pack members something to be concerned about."

That was true.

’What am I even doing?’

I accepted the drink. "My sincere apologies."

Eredith’s lips stretched in a relieved smile. "It’s no problem." She glanced up at Ila. "Thank you dear. I fear he may not have been receptive had my daughter just handed that."

Ila nodded and I took a sip of the cold, sweet drink. Almost immediately, my nerves seemed to calm down.

"Thank you, Ila." I returned my attention to the old Alpha. "Please, let’s continue. You have my full attention."

"I would not mind if you had some rest first."

I shook my head. "Please, I insist."

I needed this.

And I had to give my full attention.

The only solace I had now was that she was no longer in any agonizing pain, but I could not forgive myself for what had just happened.

[ - ]

Our discussion had dragged on for another hour. Trade agreements, border protocols, and more security measures. I paid full attention, responded appropriately, signed what needed signing, and made the promises required of a Supreme Alpha maintaining diplomatic relations.

I ignored dinner right after and went straight to the guest room assigned to me, isolating myself.

I had made a promise.

No one would touch her.

And someone did.

In my territory.

And I had been too far away to even stop it.

The helplessness of that realization settled in my gut like poison.

I hissed, leaning against the wall to fully resonate with my wolf and focus.

"What happened?" I demanded.

Images flickered back, fragmented and filtered through my wolf’s perception rather than human understanding. Recognition sent ice through my veins when I discovered who the perpetrator was.

Astrid.

My sister had attacked Violet? Why?

Why would she do that? What was Tow doing?!

I left Violet to be under her surveillance.

’My sister and always visiting whenever she wished.’

I bit down hard. Nothing could have prompted her to attack Violet with such intensity. I would deal with her when I got there.

"Stay with her," I ordered my wolf. "Protect her till she wakes. Before that, I want to have a word with Tow."

My wolf’s response was wordless but clear. Nothing would reach Violet while he stood guard. He’d manifested physically in my territory now, invisible to most but tangible enough to ensure her safety.

"This is why you should have claimed her properly," my wolf hissed shortly after. "This would not have happened if you had made it clear to everyone that she was your mate!"

My frown deepened, but I refused to answer.

I moved to the window, staring out at the hills silhouetted against the darkening sky.

’Damn it!’

I wanted her to get stronger before things like this started happening...

Weeks. I still had weeks left before I returned. If I hadn’t been in such a hurry to leave, this would not have happened. Still, I tried not to beat myself over it. The damage had already been done.

My breathing steadied and a new wave of fury started to consume me.

She could have died.