​Kaden’s POV

​Five days.

​It had been five long days since I threw her out of my bedroom, and I hadn’t set eyes on Rebecca once. Honestly, I was glad. With her locked away in her room and out of my sight, it felt like my brain was finally resetting. The strange, terrifying tenderness that had taken over my body that night was fading, leaving my head clear again. I was the Alpha King, and I was back in total control.

​Still, I wasn’t stupid. I made sure the maids and the guards gave me a daily report about her every single morning. I knew when she ate, when she slept, and exactly how her body was recovering. I told myself it was only because she was my breeder and I needed the vessel healthy, but a small, annoying part of me just needed to know she was safe and okay.

​As for Kane, my brother had left the pack grounds three days ago and hadn’t returned since. I hadn’t heard from him, but the silence only made me suspicious. I knew Kane was up to something. He didn’t just walk away from a fight, especially not after the way he had claimed Rebecca as his mate.

​Suddenly, a sharp buzz cut through the quiet of my office.

​I leaned back in my leather chair and picked up my cellphone. I looked at the screen and saw the caller ID. My chest tightened slightly. It was an elder from the council. Without even being told, I knew exactly what this was about.

​I swiped the screen and answered it, lifting the device to my ear.

​"Greetings, Alpha King," the elder’s old, shaky voice came through the line.

​"Greetings," I replied, my voice flat and devoid of emotion.

​The elder hesitated on the other end, the heavy silence stretching over the line for a few seconds before he finally spoke again. "Your brother... Alpha Kane has summoned a meeting with the council. He has requested your presence."

​My jaw clenched tight, my grip on the phone hardening. So, Kane went on with his threats.

​"No issues," I growled softly into the phone, my eyes darkening with rage. "Send the date and the venue. I’ll be there."

​I disconnected the call and tossed my phone onto the mahogany desk. A dark fury burned under my skin. Kane was actually going through with his threats. He was bringing the council into my private business, trying to corner me.

​Before I could let my rage blind me, I closed my eyes and pushed my consciousness into the dark, quiet space of my mind. I reached out for a familiar, powerful frequency and forced a mind link to our old man. My father.

​The connection locked into place with a sharp tug.

​Father, I growled through the mental link, not bothering with pleasantries. Your son is getting on my last nerve.

​My father’s deep, weathered voice echoed in my head, sighing heavily. I take it you heard from the council. Kaden, I have already told you... Kane truly believes that girl might be his fated mate.

​She is not, Father! I snapped back, my mental voice booming with absolute certainty. She can’t be.

​And why do you think so? Father asked, his tone frustratingly calm. What makes you so sure?

​Because I know so! I roared back. She is Helen’s killer. The Moon Goddess would never play such a cruel joke on our family. She wouldn’t make my late wife’s murderer my own brother’s fated mate. It’s impossible.

​It is not your decision to make, Kaden. The Goddess does as she pleases, Father countered gently, though there was a warning edge to his words.

​I gritted my teeth, my frustration rising. Father, I know exactly what is wrong with Kane. Listen... my breeder is fucking beautiful and sexy.

​God, I couldn’t believe I was actually saying the words out loud, admitting it to another soul, but it was the absolute truth. Rebecca, despite wearing literal rags and going through harsh discipline, could still make a man’s head turn instantly. I couldn’t even imagine what she would look like if she were actually brushed up and dressed properly.

​Kane is just physically attracted to her, I insisted, trying to rationalize the madness. That’s it. She is a stunning female, and he is confusing basic physical attraction for a fated mate bond.

​Don’t be silly, Kaden, Father’s voice cut in, sharp and stern. Do not insult your brother’s intelligence. He is a grown Alpha, not a child. He knows the difference between a normal crush and the pull of a mate bond.

​Father, I— I tried to argue, but he cut me off completely.

​Kaden... you cannot get your breeder pregnant, Father urged, his voice heavy with sudden worry. I am urging you right now, do not do it. In fact, do not lay a single finger on her again. She might very well be your brother’s mate, and you are playing with fire.

​The memory of her tight, burning heat from five nights ago flashed through my mind, making my blood rush.

Hell no. She is not his mate.

​Then prove it, Father challenged, his tone dropping low. Remove the damn silver choker from her neck and let Kane smell her true scent and feel her wolf. Let us see who she belongs to.

​A wave of fierce, irrational possessiveness slammed into my chest at the thought of her scent being exposed to the world—to Kane.

​I can’t, I spat through the link.

​Without giving him a chance to respond, I slammed the mental door shut, breaking the mind link completely.

​"Fuck!" I growled into the empty room, running both hands roughly through my dark hair.

​I felt completely frustrated, my chest heaving as I tried to calm the chaotic storm inside me. No. She couldn’t be Kane’s mate. She couldn’t. The mere thought of it made a dark, vicious monster claw at the walls of my stomach, demanding blood.

​The walls of my office suddenly felt like they were shrinking, suffocating me. I couldn’t sit still anymore. My frustration reached a boiling point, forcing me to stand up from my leather chair. My legs moved on their own, carrying me out of the office and down the long, winding hallways of the castle.

​I didn’t even realize where I was going until I found myself walking down a specific corridor. My footsteps stopped right in front of the door where Rebecca was being kept.

​The two guards stationed outside immediately stood at attention, bowing their heads in deep respect. "Alpha King."

​"Open it," I commanded coldly.

​They didn’t hesitate. One of them unlocked the heavy door and pushed it open. I stepped over the threshold, intending to look at her, to remind myself that she was just a prisoner, a slave, nothing more.

​But the moment my eyes landed on what was happening inside the room, my entire body froze, and I instantly hated myself for taking a single step inside.