Kael couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Something about her was different from the other wolves he'd encountered. After his meeting with the pack leaders wrapped up, finding her became his only thought.
He tracked her scent through the forest, surprised when it seemed to double back and change direction several times. Was she... avoiding him?
Belle darted between trees, heart racing. She'd caught his scent approaching and panic set in. The pull toward him was too strong, too confusing. She needed space to think.
"You're quite the runner," Kael's deep voice came from behind her.
jumped, nearly dropping the few berries she'd managed to gather. "Alpha King," she mumbled, eyes fixed on the ground.
"Just Kael is fine," he said, moving closer. "Interesting technique you have for berry picking. Most wolves stay in one area instead of zigzagging through half the territory."
Her cheeks burned. "I was just... looking for the ripest ones."
Kael tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Is that so? And does avoiding me help find better berries?"
"I wasn't—" she started, then sighed. "I just... I don't know how to act around you."
"Like yourself would be a good start," he said, his tail swishing behind him as he stepped closer. "Why are you running from me, little wolf?"
The nickname made her stomach flip. Belle clutched her berries tighter, unsure if she wanted to flee again or step closer to him.
I'm not..." she whispered, but they both knew it was a lie.
Kael chuckled, his amber eyes twinkling with amusement. "Here, let me help you."
Before she could protest, he was beside her, his large hands gently brushing against hers as he showed her the best berries to pick.
"These dark ones are sweetest," he said, his breath warming her ear.
Belle tried to focus on the berries, not the way her skin tingled wherever he touched her. They worked side by side, her small basket filling quickly with his help.
"You're good at this," she admitted, sneaking glances at his strong profile.
"I wasn't always Alpha King," he winked. "Once I was just a pup learning which berries wouldn't make me sick."
Time slipped away as they talked and picked. Belle almost forgot who she was - and who he was - until a twig snapped nearby.
Her Alpha and Luna stood watching, faces twisted with fury.
"Belle!" her Alpha barked. "Return to pack house immediately."
Kael straightened, frowning. "Is there a problem?"
"No problem, Alpha King," the Luna said sweetly before glaring at Belle. "Our Omega simply forgot her place."
Belle's hands trembled as she handed the basket to Kael. "Thank you for your help," she mumbled before scurrying away.
Later, tied to the punishment post, Belle bit her lip to keep from screaming as the whip cracked against her back. Twenty lashes for disrespecting her rank, they said. Twenty lashes for daring to spend time alone with the Alpha King.
But even as blood trickled down her spine, all she could think about was the alpha king, his smile and the way his fingers had brushed against hers among the berries.