My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 146: Consequences

Violet

His face was frozen and his eyes were the only thing that moved. They widened.

"No?" he repeated.

Had I ever told him that word before?

I wasn’t entirely sure. I might have most likely have.

I smiled faintly. "I can’t stay."

"What... what are you—"

"Kael..." I straightened against the tree. "Their pride was wounded. I not only attacked that vile woman, but I embarrassed the rest of them in front of their delegations. In front of hundreds of wolves. I demonstrated power that could reign them in, and most of all, I am sure one or two of them would have come to the conclusion of what I truly am..."

The slight twitch in his expression made me realise I was right.

"Violet," he breathed, grabbing my arms and clutching them. His hands were trembling. "What are you saying? I can protect you. I have the authority and strength to—"

"I need to go, Kael." My voice broke on his name. "You already wanting to hide me is a sign something has gone terribly wrong."

The silence that followed was deafening.

His expression went through several shifts. Shock, denial, and pain pain.

"Violet—"

"I can’t stay here," I whispered, shaking my head as I blinked back the tears.

No. Not now.

"I am very sure they want answers after what happened," I said, "And surely not in the way you want with how you are reacting."

His hold on me tightened slightly. "Let me help you—"

"I have been feeling a certain pull since the eclipse started." I pressed a hand to my chest where the faint feeling resided. "It was what brought me to this place then before I seized control of it. I tried getting rid of it, but it didn’t work." I paused. I didn’t have to let him know I have always wanted to leave the Capital regardless of what happened during the summit. "I feel it is drawing me somewhere. I don’t know where, or what it is, but I need to follow it."

Kael’s grip on my hand tightened almost painfully. "You can’t do that. It is not safe. Leaving now when—"

"Kael—"

"To hell with it. When I let them know you are my mate—"

"You are a Supreme Alpha with responsibilities to your territory and your pack."

My body thrummed and Kael’s head whipped back to see the figure emerging from the shadows between the trees.

Rowan stepped into the small space, his expression awfully calm.

Kael was immediately on his feet instantly, moving to position himself between Rowan and I. The air crackled with sudden tension as both men faced each other.

"What are you doing here?" Kael’s voice was low. Dangerous.

Rowan met his glare without flinching. "I simply followed my mate."

My stomach plummeted and Kael grimaced. For some reason, I expected more from his reaction. But less than a second later, the realisation settled over me like a dark cloud.

He knew...

They both knew.

My thought spiralled and I found myself panicking.

When?

Was it when I had done that in the hall?

"My mate." Kael’s tone dripped with contempt. "Is under my protection."

"You are already past the point of making that announcement to the others," he whispered, his eyes slowly trailing to meet me.

I looked away.

The air grew chill. "How dare—"

"I do not understand what exactly prevented you from revealing it before the summit, but think for a moment," Rowan’s voice filled the air. "Your military power is already an issue for some of the others. And then you suddenly claim a Lycan as your mate? They won’t believe that bond is real. All it would translate to is that you are fabricating such claim to hoard more power."

"The bond is real," Kael hissed. "The priestesses can prove that—"

"Only during an eclipse. Even if they do that, we can choose who to become our mates. You might as well have done this on purpose."

Kael’s hands fisted at his sides and my chest tightened at the faint layer of frost coating the skin of his hands.

What was he doing?

Rowan just stared at him, unbothered. "You know I am right."

"You are just doing this to prevent me from letting everyone know she is mine."

Kael’s words made me stunned. I stared between the two of them.

This situation felt strange. What was this?

Rowan smiled and shrugged carefully. "Who knows." Then his smile was gone just as quickly as it had appeared and he faced Kael dead on. "You know what I am saying is the truth."

Kael’s next words made a sinking feeling of dread seep into my bones.

"She is my mate." His voice was firm. "I will claim her publicly. Mate bond law would protect her, and no one would be able to touch her without declaring war on me."

"Yes, and declare war some will. Your forces are astounding. Adding a Lycan to your arsenal?" Rowan’s voice hardened and his eyes became harsher. His voice hardened. "You will become a threat no one can ignore."

A war...

No.

’I don’t want that!’

"No. Stop."

My voice cut through their escalating argument. Both men froze, turning to look at me.

I pushed myself to my feet using the tree for support.

"I don’t want anyone dying because of me. Don’t do that!" My voice was clearer as the words came out. "Don’t do this to me. I would never forgive myself." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Rowan eyed Kael. "Let her leave. Quietly. While they’re still distracted with Palisa."

Kael’s eyes were blank as he looked at me. He shook his head.

"He is right," I gritted out. "I don’t want to do this if it puts your wolves at risk... and like I said." My voice lowered. "I want to leave."

"Where will you go?" Kael whispered, turning around fully to face me. "It would be dangerous out there. They would look for you."

"I can help hide her in my territory—"

Kael whirled around and grabbed Rowan by the collar of his coat, pulling him closer as he hissed in his face. "Absolutely not!"