Chapter 68
Kael
The ball was drawing closer and every hour that passed seemed to tighten an invisible noose around Blackbourne Castle.
I sat alone in my chamber, another sealed parchment spread open before me. The wax crest had barely cooled before I broke it, only to find yet another formal notice announcing the arrival of another dignitary from one of the neighbouring packs in the Vargwyn region.
I sighed and tossed it onto the growing pile on my desk.
Another Alpha. Another noble family. Another delegation.
By tomorrow evening, the castle would be overflowing with guests but none of it comforted me.
If anything, every new arrival only reminded me how much more difficult it would become to keep Selena hidden from those searching for her.
My eyes drifted over the remaining unopened letters. House Aldermere. House Thornwick. Lord Edric of Greyhaven.
The list seemed endless.
Most of the guests had already reached Blackbourne City. Instead of crowding the castle, they were accepting the hospitality of influential noble families or staying at the finest inns until the ball began.
Normally, that would have pleased me because it meant fewer people wandering the castle before the event.
This year… Nothing felt normal for me. Everything about this ball just doesn’t sit right with me.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. “My Alpha p>
I recognised the young messenger’s voice immediately. “There’s another letter for you p>
I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration before grumpily speaking. “Push it under the door p>
“Yes, Alpha.” He said and almost immediately, a folded parchment slid beneath the wooden door.
I didn’t even bother opening it immediately because there were already many invitations, acknowledgements, requests, formal greetings and they were beginning to blur together.
I leaned back heavily in my chair before glancing toward the wardrobe standing against the opposite wall.
Another problem awaited me. My Clothing! I walked over reluctantly and pulled open the carved oak doors.
Inside hung rows of ceremonial garments. There were heavy black velvet, Dark crimson cloaks, Silver-threaded robes bearing the crest of Blackbourne and Several battle regalias.
Even garments my father had insisted I keep for formal occasions but none appealed to me.
“The last ball would’ve been easier,” I muttered.
The previous time I had hosted one, I had greeted my guests, fulfilled my duties, then disappeared into my study before the dancing even began.
Let the nobles entertain themselves. That had suited me perfectly but this time… There would be no disappearing because too much depended on my presence.
Another knock sounded and before I could answer, the door opened and Beta Bastian stepped inside.
He bowed briefly. “My Alpha p>
“You’ve returned p>
“I have.” He said as he noticed the collection of garments spread across the bed.
His lips twitched. “Choosing your attire p>
“I’d rather face another rogue uprising.” I said with a groan.
“I believe that p>
He walked over to the desk. “I’ve received more reports p>
I turned serious immediately. “What now p>
“The possibility of Alpha William attending p>
The name alone hardened my expression. “Still only a possibility p>
“For now.” Beta Bastian nodded. “If he chooses to honour the councilman’s invitation, he’ll be inside this castle p>
I folded my arms. “If he comes…he must never have the opportunity to search for Selena p>
Beta Bastian remained thoughtful as he asked. “How do you intend to accomplish that p>
“By using the nobles.” I uttered.
He frowned, clearing lost. “The nobles p>
“I’ll have them occupy him. If William enters the hall, I want influential nobles surrounding him constantly… discussing politics, offering gifts, questioning alliances, arguing over land or anything. So long as they never leave him alone p>
Beta Bastian slowly smiled. “A distraction p>
“Exactly! If his attention remains divided…he’ll have little opportunity to observe the servants p>
Beta Bastian nodded thoughtfully. “It might work p>
“It has to.” I added quickly.
He hesitated before speaking again. “Wouldn’t hiding Selena somewhere outside the castle be safer p>
I stared silently at the floor. Weeks ago… I would’ve answered yes without hesitation.
But now, I remembered her words. If she disappeared… Anyone searching would only search harder.
So no, she had been right. Running wasn’t the answer anymore.
Before I could reply, another knock sounded on the door.
Beta Bastian sighed. “I’ll send them away p>
A nervous servant answered from outside before Beta Bastian even reached the door. “My Alpha… It isn’t official correspondence. There’s a letter from… Selena p>
I froze as the servant continued. “She asked that I deliver it directly p>
A folded note slipped beneath the door then Beta Bastian looked at me knowingly. “I’ll pretend I saw nothing p>
I ignored him and picked up the note. The handwriting was unmistakably neat and elegant.
Even after months of pretending to be a servant, Selena still wrote like the Alpha’s daughter she truly was.
I unfolded the parchment and read what was written inside. ’Meet me in my chamber… The coast is clear and I have something exciting to show you p>
Despite myself… A slight smile appeared on my face.
Beta Bastian noticed immediately. “So?” He suddenly asked.
I folded the note. “So what?” I asked and he kept shut immediately.
I absolutely shouldn’t go but, since she has something exciting to show me, I have to go.
“Beta Bastian, you should carry out my earlier orders p>
He bowed. “Consider them done p>
Moments later, after ensuring the corridor outside remained empty, I quietly left my chamber.
The servants’ wing was unusually silent. Most maids were still occupied with final preparations for tomorrow’s festivities and that made moving unnoticed considerably easier.
I reached Selena’s chamber, the corridor stood deserted exactly as her note had promised but that didn’t stop me from speeding into the chamber and quietly closed the door behind me.
The instant I turned, someone threw both arms around me. “Boo p>
I barely had time to react before Selena laughed brightly. “You should’ve seen your face p>
I looked down at her. “You planned that p>
“Of course.” She stepped back proudly. Only then did I truly notice what she was wearing.
It wasn’t one of the rough servant tunics. Instead… A simple light blue wool gown flowed gracefully around her.
Nothing about it suggested great wealth. No expensive embroidery. No jewels. No luxurious silk and yet… It suited her perfectly.
The colour brightened her eyes. The fitted sleeves highlighted her graceful movements. She looked… Beautiful.
“You’ve been staring p>
“Have I?” I asked with a creased brow.
I couldn’t help myself from speaking out loud. “You look beautiful p>
She twirled playfully. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She grinned mischievously. “I almost feel important wearing it p>
“You always were p>
She walked closer until only a small distance remained between us and u couldn’t have but asked. “Are you planning on attending the ball as a guest p>
She raised an eyebrow before responding cockily. “What if I was p>
I was left dumbfounded.
She suddenly shook her head. “I’m joking.” Her expression softened. “I actually wanted to ask you something else p>
“I’m listening p>
She gently took my hand. “When the ball ends…let’s leave p>
I frowned. “Leave p>
“Just for a little while. The castle will still be busy but we’ll finally have some peace.” She squeezed my hand. “We never get time together p>
I couldn’t argue with that.
“There are always duties.” Her smile became almost shy. “I just want us to spend some time together… away from everyone p>
I considered it before speaking. “It would be risky p>
She nodded. “I know But perhaps risk is exactly what we need to be together p>
I studied her face, there wasn’t recklessness there. There was only hope.
After a long silence, I finally answered. “I may be able to arrange something p>
Her eyes lit up instantly. “Really p>
“Yeah, I’ll arrange for a guesthouse outside the main castle. It’ll be quieter p>
She smiled so brightly it became impossible not to return it. “I’d like that.” She stepped even closer. “There are still so many things I want to know about you p>
I chuckled as I felt really excited at her sultry tone. “Such as p>
“Everything She looked into my eyes. “I want to know the man…not only the Alpha p>
Something inside my chest tightened. I hadn’t realised how much I wanted the same.
She rested her forehead lightly against mine. “We still have a little more time alone here p>
The quietness of the chamber wrapped comfortably around us.
For one brief moment… The worries outside seemed impossibly distant.
Then, a sharp voice crashed into my mind through the mindlink. “Alpha p>
I stiffened instantly before responding. “What is it p>
“Alpha William has arrived at Lord Kavanagh’s manor.” He said and every muscle in my body tightened.
The words echoed through my mind. He was already here sooner than expected.
Selena frowned as she called out. “Kael p>
I hadn’t realised my grip on her hand had tightened.
“What’s wrong?” She asked in a whisper.
I looked into her eyes. “Alpha William has arrived p>
The colour drained from her face. For a heartbeat, fear flickered across her expression before she tried to hide it.
I stepped even more closer and held her hand firmly between both of mine.
She looked up at me while I met her gaze without hesitation.
“I promise you this.” My voice remained steady. “I will die before I let him get to you p>