Kael's POV.
I stood in the throne chamber, my heart pounding, my hands clenched tight, my side throbbing under the bandage that still hid my unhealing wound.
Clara's voice grated, her dark eyes sharp as she pushed for Lila to join the Gamma Training Academy, her daughter standing nervously beside her in her green dress.
The three elders nodded, their gray robes stiff, their faces expectant, but my anger burned hot, my wolf Zeus growling low, his protectiveness fierce.
I didn't trust Clara, never had, her schemes, her hunger for power, always lurking. Lila was kind, but the academy was brutal, and I didn't want Clara's family closer to me or my Luna, Aria, who I knew was pretending to be Celeste.
My chest tightened, guilt and worry mixing, the seer's warning, "Don't fall deeply in love with her. You'll be hurting her" echoing in my mind.
