Oops Alpha, Wrong Luna-Chapter 24

Kael’s POV.

The throne chamber was dead quiet, the elders’ faces pale, their eyes glued to the floor. My fist still stung from slamming the throne’s arm, my growl echoing in my ears.

I leaned forward, my voice low, dangerous, my eyes burning into each of them. "If you’ve got nothing else to say, speak now. Let’s end this charade."

My wolf, Zeus, paced inside me, his snarls loud, ready to tear into anyone who dared challenge me.

The elders stayed silent, their breaths shallow, their fear thick in the air. I’d shut them up, made them remember who I was, their Alpha, not some pup they could yell at.

I waited, my heart pounding, my arm throbbing from the fire at the Fang Pack. The memory of the flames, the locked door, Aria’s scared eyes, it burned in my mind, fueling my anger.

I knew Aria was my Luna, not Celeste, hiding behind her sister’s name, but I was playing along, waiting for her to trust me with the truth.

She didn’t know I knew, and I wasn’t going to push her, not yet. But the fire, Celeste’s threat to make me hate Aria, the elders’ sudden anger; it all felt connected, and I needed answers.

When no one spoke, I leaned back, my jaw tight. "So, can anyone tell me why I almost got burnt in a fire?" I asked, my voice sharp, my eyes scanning every face.

The elders shifted, whispering to each other, their voices low, nervous. I caught their glances, quick and sneaky, like they were hiding something.

My gut twisted, suspicion flaring. They’d pushed me to go to the Fang Pack, and insisted on the deal with Alpha Nicholas. Were they part of this? Did they know about the fire?

I asked again, louder, my voice booming. "Why was the guest house burning? Why was the door locked?" My fists clenched, Zeus growling, sensing their unease.

The elders started talking, their words tumbling over each other, all denial. "We don’t know," Elder Marcus said, his scarred face stiff.

"It must’ve been an accident," another muttered, his eyes darting away. Some sounded honest, their voices steady, but others; Thanos, especially, looked shifty, his hands fidgeting, his eyes avoiding mine.

My chest tightened, anger rising. They were lying, or at least some were.

I stood, my boots heavy on the stone floor, my patience gone. "Get out," I said, my voice cold, dismissing them.

"All of you." The elders scrambled to their feet, bowing quick, their faces pale as they hurried to the door.

I watched them go, my eyes narrowing, my mind racing. Thanos lagged behind, his gray hair neat, his steps slow, like he was waiting for something.

I stopped him, my voice sharp. "Thanos, stay."

He froze, his back stiff, then turned, his eyes guarded. The other elders left, the door shutting with a thud, leaving us alone in the chamber.

I stepped closer, my arms crossed, my glare pinning him. "Did you assign a new maid to the packhouse?" I asked, my voice low, hard.

I knew he’d brought Celeste here, thinking she was Aria, without realising that I knew the difference.

I smirked inside, keeping my face blank. Let him think I was clueless—I’d use it to catch him.

Thanos swallowed, his hands clasping tight. "Yes, Alpha," he said, his voice shaky.

"She begged me for a job. Aria, your Luna’s sister. I thought it’d be fine." His lie was smooth, but his eyes flicked away, his fingers twitching.

He didn’t know I knew the truth; that Celeste was the one he’d hired, not Aria. My smirk grew, cold and sharp, my wolf stirring, smelling his fear.

"Don’t do that again," I said, my voice like ice, stepping closer. "No one comes into my packhouse without my say. Understand?" My eyes burned into his, Zeus growling low, ready to snap if he pushed me.

Thanos bowed, his head low, his voice quick. "Yes, Alpha. It won’t happen again." His words were polite, but his eyes were sly, like he was hiding more.

I nodded, dismissing him, my jaw tight. He turned to leave, his steps fast, but I didn’t trust him. Not after the fire, not after Celeste’s threat.

Before he reached the door, it opened, and Beta Brian stepped in, bowing low. "Alpha," he said, his brown eyes serious, his face sweaty from running.

"I’ve got something to discuss." Thanos glanced back, his eyes narrowing, then hurried out, shutting the door behind him.

I nodded at Brian, my heart heavy, my mind still on Thanos’s lie.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice rough, sitting back on the throne. Brian stepped closer, his hands fidgeting, his eyes searching mine.

"It’s about Aria Thorn, like you asked," he said, his voice low. "Her background, her past." He paused, his face softening, like what he found hurt him to say.

My chest tightened, my hands gripping the throne’s arms. I knew Aria was my Luna, knew she was hiding, but hearing about her past made my heart ache.

"Go on," I said, my voice steady, but inside, Zeus was quiet, listening.

Brian took a breath, his eyes sad. "She had it rough, Alpha. Her family, her mother, her sister Celeste, they hurt her. Bad. Called her weak, an Omega, useless. Kept her down, made her feel small. She fought to survive, always hiding, always scared." His words hit like punches, my stomach twisting, anger flaring.

Aria, my mate, treated like that? By her own blood? I wanted to find them, to make them pay, but I kept my face blank, my hands tight on the throne.

"Anything else?" I asked, my voice hard, hiding the rage burning in my chest. I wanted to know everything, to understand her, to protect her better.

Brian nodded, his voice lower. "About the fire—" he started, but I cut him off, my head snapping up.

Something felt wrong, like a shadow moving outside the door. My wolf stirred, his senses sharp, picking up faint steps, a heartbeat too close.

I stood, my boots silent on the stone, and walked to the door, my hand resting on the handle. I could feel it, someone was there, listening. My heart pounded, Zeus growling, ready to act.

I yanked the door open, fast and hard, and grabbed the neck of the man behind it. Behold, it was Thanos.

His eyes widened, his face pale, his hands clawing at mine.

My grip tightened, my voice a low growl. "What are you still doing here?"

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