Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna-Chapter 26

Aria’s POV.

I woke up with a strange feeling, like someone had been running their fingers through my hair all night, soft and gentle.

My heart fluttered, hoping it was Kael, his touch lingering even in my sleep. But when I opened my eyes, the bed was empty, the sheets cold beside me.

My chest tightened, a mix of disappointment and confusion washing over me. Was it just a dream? Did I imagine his hand, his warmth?

The room was quiet, the morning light slipping through the curtains of the Shadow Claw packhouse, causing soft shadows on the stone walls.

My head ached, memories of the fire, Celeste’s threat, and Kael’s stern voice in the guest room swirling in my mind. I was still pretending to be Celeste, my twin, hiding my true name, Aria, and the weight of that lie pressed heavy on my shoulders.

I pushed the thoughts away, trying to shake off the odd feeling, and swung my legs out of bed, my silver gown from the Fang Pack crumpled and dusty.

My bare feet hit the cold floor, and I stood, my legs shaky, my heart still racing from the dream—or whatever it was.

Just as I reached for a clean dress, a knock came at the door, sharp and quick. My stomach twisted, Kyra, my inner wolf, stirring, her senses sharp.

"Come in," I called, my voice soft but tense, my hands clenching at my sides.

The door creaked open, and a maid stepped in, her head bowed, her hands trembling as she held a tray with a steaming cup of herbal tea. "Luna," she said, her voice shaky, barely above a whisper.

She bowed again, her dark hair falling over her face, her eyes avoiding mine. The tray rattled slightly, the cup wobbling, and my gut churned, suspicion creeping in. Something felt off.

"What’s this?" I asked, my voice sharp, my eyes narrowing.

"I didn’t order tea this morning." My heart pounded, Kyra growling low, her hackles up.

The maid flinched, her hands shaking harder, the tray rattling louder.

"Alpha Kael asked me to bring it," she muttered, her voice trembling, her eyes still on the floor.

"For you, Luna." Her words were quick, like she was scared, and my chest tightened, confusion mixing with doubt.

Kael? He wasn’t here when I woke up, his side of the bed empty. Why would he send tea? My mind raced, the fire at the Fang Pack flashing in my head—the locked door, the smoke, Kael’s bleeding arm.

Celeste’s voice echoed, her threat to make Kael hate me, to ruin everything. Was this another trick? Was the maid lying? I stared at her, her trembling hands, her pale face, and my suspicion grew, but I pushed it down.

If Kael sent the tea, I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, didn’t want him to think I doubted him.

He’d been kind, protective, even after Celeste’s scene yesterday, and I couldn’t risk pushing him away, not when I was still hiding who I was.

"Bring it closer," I said, my voice softer but firm, forcing a small smile.

The maid nodded, her steps slow, her eyes flicking up to mine for a second before dropping again.

She set the tray on the nightstand, the cup steaming, the smell sharp, herbal, but strange. I picked it up, my hands steady despite the unease in my gut, and stared into the dark liquid.

It looked wrong, murky, with tiny flecks floating in it, not like any tea I’d seen before. My heart raced, Kyra growling louder, urging me to stop, to throw it out.

"What’s in this?" I asked, my voice sharp, my eyes locking on the maid.

She flinched again, her hands twisting together, her face paler.

"Just... herbs, Luna," she said, her voice barely a whisper, her eyes darting to the door.

"Chamomile, mint... for your health." Her words sounded rehearsed, her trembling worse, and my suspicion flared, hot and sharp.

Kyra’s growl echoed in my mind, her warning clear: Danger. Don’t trust her.

But it was Kael’s order, wasn’t it? I couldn’t believe he’d hurt me, not after he saved me from the fire, not after he stood up to Celeste.

I lifted the cup, my hands shaking now, the tea’s strange smell stinging my nose. I was about to take a sip, my heart pounding, when the door swung open, the sound loud in the quiet room.

I froze, my breath catching, and turned to see Kael standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway, his black shirt tight across his chest, his onyx eyes sharp.

My heart skipped, relief flooding me, but Kyra’s voice cut through, urgent and clear. "Show him sincerity," she said, her growl softening. "He needs to fall for us, Aria. Be real with him." freёweɓnovel_com

I set the cup back on the nightstand, my hands trembling, and stood, my legs wobbly. I walked to Kael, my heart racing, and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face to his chest.

His warmth, his scent, wood and earth, calmed me, even as my fear lingered. "Thank you," I said, my voice soft, forcing a smile.

"For the tea. That was sweet of you." My words were genuine, my heart fluttering, hoping to close the gap between us, to make him care, even if he thought I was Celeste.

His body stiffened, his arms not returning the hug. "What tea?" he asked, his voice cold, stern, his brows furrowing.

My heart stopped, my breath hitching. I pulled back, my eyes wide, meeting his hard stare.

I pointed to the nightstand, my voice shaky. "The tea... the maid said you asked her to bring it." My words felt heavy, my stomach twisting as I glanced at the maid, her head bowed, her hands clenched tight.

Kael’s eyes narrowed, his fist visibly clenching, his jaw tight. He stepped past me, his boots heavy on the floor, and grabbed the cup from the nightstand.

He twirled it in his hand, his eyes scanning the liquid, his face darkening. "Have you tasted this yet?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous, his eyes locking on mine.

I shook my head, my heart pounding, fear clawing at my chest. "I... I haven’t," I said, my voice small.

"Is something wrong, Alpha Kael?" My hands trembled, Kyra growling again, her warning louder now.

The maid’s odd behaviour, the strange tea, Kael’s reaction, it all screamed danger.

"I’ll take my leave now." The maid bowed her head lower, her steps quick as she moved toward the door, like she was trying to escape.

But just then, Kael’s voice broke, sharp and loud. "Stop right there!"

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