A Luna for Alpha Kieran-Chapter 26: Invitation

Kieran held her gaze. Like he was trying to tell her something but could not quite explain. Like he wanted her to understand but did not want to expand.

Autumn ,however, stood frozen in the empty gymnasium hall, Kieran’s words were still ringing in her skull.

What the hell did he mean by hesitate? Hesitate to do what? Why couldn’t he just... talk... like normal people.

She even thought of...

Before she could unravel it further, a Blackmoon warrior burst in, breathless.

"Alpha! Velor is here...he is at the guest hall and demands your audience."

" That bastard dares show up in my land?!!" Kieran’s aura instantly turned to ice. Autumn could feel the air itself recoil from him. There were icy flares all over this body!

"His death brings him here," he growled, already striding towards the door without so much as a glance at Autumn any more... Like she wasn’t even there moments ago. Like that softness in his eyes that Autumn had seen... Only moments ago... Was nothing but illusions... Fragments of her imagination? Nonsense!

But his frame was so rigid, so terrifying in its resolve that Autumn instinctively took a step back.

She tried to follow, unsure what she was walking into. "Kieran..."

But he spun around so fast, his eyes flaring.

"Don’t you dare follow me!" he snarled.

Autumn froze mid step, breath caught in her throat. His voice was not just angry...it was lethal.

She should have definitely not followed in this situation.She knew she should not. But the shift in him, drew her...her curiosity like a moth to flame. It was Autumn after all. She always did things she was not supposed to. That was how she was built.

She crept after him, sticking to the shadows of the corridor leading to the guest hall.

And for some reason, he did not seem to notice. Lucky Autumn! Or may be he actually did not mind her following him.

She smiled like an idiot that she was.

***

The scene inside the guest hall was an absolute provocation in motion.

Alpha Velor lounged in Kieran’s high backed chair like a king, his boots propped on the carved oak table. His men stood rigid behind him, hands resting on their weapons. No bow. No acknowledgment whatsoever.

Kieran stormed in, his wolves flanking him like shadows given teeth. Ready to snap and tear flesh!

Velor did not rise. Did not even blink. Instead, he swirled a glass of wine...Kieran’s wine from his glass...and smirked.

The air turned to knives.

"Ah. The prodigal Alpha returns. And here I thought you would still be on your knees from that witch’s little seduction."

Kieran’s voice was lethally calm. "Get your fucking boots off my table before I nail them to your skull, Bloodfang! "

Velor smirked but slowly lowered his feet, standing with exaggerated laziness. "So sensitive. I just came to check on my oldest... friend."

Kieran let out a cold laugh. "The only thing you are to me is a corpse who has not stopped breathing yet."

Velor’s grin sharpened. He stepped closer, invading Kieran’s space. "Still bitter about that little skirmish at the border? My men were just playing. Though, I admit, it was funny watching your wolves limp ."

Kieran did not move, but the temperature in the room dropped even more.

"You still have not learned your lessons!Still dribbling in dark magic and proud? Then again, your father was the same...cowardly, right up until the moment my teeth tore out his throat."

Velor’s eye twitched.His jaw clenched! The first crack in his nonchalant facade! "Careful, Blackmoon. My father’s death was a mercy compared to what I plan to do to you."

Kieran growled with a smirk."Try it." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I would love an excuse to paint these walls with your blood."

Velor chuckled, reaching out to squeeze Kieran’s bicep mockingly. "Still strong, I see. But strength means nothing when your pack is weak. How many have you lost this month? Three? Four?"

CRACK.

Kieran twisted Velor’s wrist so hard the bone groaned. In an instant, blades were drawn.Snarls ripped through the room.

Kieran did not let go. He yanked Velor closer, their faces inches apart. "Say another fucking word about my pack," he hissed, "and I will peel the skin from your bones while your men watch."

Velor’s smirk wavered, but he forced a laugh. "We both know you won’t do shit. I have ideas you know...what you have been upto..."

Kieran’s grip tightened. "Is that why you are here? To provoke me into killing you? Because I will, Velor. Gladly."

His free hand twitched towards the dagger at his belt." Do it, Kieran... if you can! "

Kieran’s fist clenched, but Velor was not done.

"Or maybe... it’s that little wolf hiding in the shadows who is making you nervous?"

Kieran froze.Did he mean Autumn? But Autumn wasn’t here! No way! He could not feel her... Or smell her near!

Velor’s grin returned, triumphant. "Oh? Didn’t think I would notice her?"And then...everything snapped in Kieran. He knew about Autumn?Was he here because of her? "Well, well... My old friend Kieran." His voice dripped with false warmth. "I came running the moment I heard about your... condition."

Kieran tried not to react. But Autumn, hidden in the archway, felt the ripple of fury in the air, though she did not move. She wasn’t too sure if she was already discovered. But then...

Crack.

Kieran twisted Velor’s wrist faster this time and the snap echoed. Steel hissed as both packs drew blades in unison again.

But Kieran did not shout. He did not need to. His voice was a razor’s edge as he fisted Velor’s collar and yanked him close.

"Test me again," he murmured, "and I will feed you your own fingers."

Velor’s grin never wavered. "Still so dramatic. I just wanted to see if the rumors were true..."

A muscle in Kieran’s jaw jumped. "You are mistaking patience for permission."

His gaze slid past Kieran right to where Autumn hid. He clearly knew Autumn was there. But Kieran did not.

Velor looked at Kieran’s face and laughed.

Kieran’s control shattered.

He slammed Velor into the table, wood splintering under the impact. Bloodfang warriors lunged, but Blackmoon wolves blocked them, fangs bared.

"Enough!" Kieran snarled, pressing his forearm against Velor’s throat. "You want a war? Name the place. I will bury your pack myself."

Velor choked out a laugh. "Tsk. And here I thought you would ask about the trespassers at your eastern border. Or the missing bodies... "

" You are out of your fucking mind! "

"Am I?" Velor’s eyes gleamed. "But first..." He jerked his chin towards the shadows again.Velor sneered, breathing hard.

It was starting to look like they would tear each other apart right then...blood was moments away from spilling.

But then Velor suddenly shoved Kieran back and stepped away, straightening his coat with a grimace.

"That’s an... interesting specimen of a mate you have got hiding behind the corridor."

Kieran stiffened.

"Shouldn’t you deal with your little spy?"

Kieran turned.

" Oh wait! Now I understand! You couldn’t sense her at all? You couldn’t sense your mate when she has been right here, listening to everything? How does that work, Alpha? " Velor fought hard trying to control his laughter.

This time, Autumn stood exposed in the doorway, pulse racing.

Velor smirked. "I smelled her the moment I walked in.From the shadows, behind the arched hallway.And the heavy breathing,gosh! " Autumn flinched. She had not realized her breathing or her scent gave her away.

Velor turned slightly, addressing the hallway directly. "You might want to train her better, Kieran. Eavesdropping could get her killed one day.No wonder you have no discipline in your pack. So many moles and rats! " He almost giggled!

" AUTUMN!"

She stepped out hesitantly, wide eyed, trembling.

For one terrible second, the world stilled. Then...

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO FOLLOW ME!" Kieran’s roar shook the hall.

Autumn flinched but tried to hold her ground. "I was just... ! "

He crossed the distance in three strides. His hand shot out...

SLAP!

The sound cracked like thunder. Autumn stumbled back, cheek burning, eyes wide with shock. The room froze.

Even Velor’s smirk vanished...entirely. For once, he did not look amused. He looked...surprised instead.

Autumn turned and ran. No one stopped her

She did not speak. Did not cry out. She just kept running.

Silence.

Then, slowly, Velor straightened up, rubbing his throat. "Well. That was... unexpected."

Kieran did not look at him. His hand flexed at his side, knuckles white.

Velor exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "I will take my leave. But, Kieran..." He tossed a small, rolled parchment onto the table. "There is something at my pack that might interest you. One full moon to negotiate. After that?" He smirked."Consider your eastern border forfeit and this invitation void! "

He strode out, his men falling in behind him.

Then he suddenly paused. " Oh, judging by your stance...I am judging alright, no fret...you don’t know much about the woman you just slapped! I also noticed that you did not claim her. Well, this kind of works perfectly. You can bring her along to Bloodfangs if you want. I can assure you, she will love my surprise! " Velor winked and even blew Kieran a kiss. " I will keep girls handy for you and your men. I promise. The juiciest, sexiest bitches on our lands. You wouldn’t want to miss this, Kieran. Try to be there on time! "

Kieran did not move. Not until the last Bloodfang wolf was gone. Then..

SMACK! SMASH! CRASH! freewebnσvel.cøm

He flipped the entire table, sending glasses and parchment flying. His chest heaved, his voice growled and howled in a guttural snarl.

"Everyone. Out."

The Blackmoons scattered.

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