CHAPTER 10: FRACTURED LOYALTY

LOREN'S POV

The weight of my mother's words hung in the air, a constant reminder of the choice I had to make.

My mother's plan had set in motion a chain of events that would change the course of history forever.

In the silence that followed, I knew that my decision would be the catalyst for a war that would shake the very foundations of our kingdom, especially if it came to Keal's knowledge that I poisoned his father, the king; that's another layer of war.

The darkness that had been lurking in the shadows was finally beginning to reveal itself, and I was faced with an impossible choice.

I was filled with mixed feelings about my mother’s intentions for me. Was she proposing that I poison her husband so I could take charge and become the King, or does she have exterior motifs?

I felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. My mother's plan to overthrow my father and claim the throne for me had always seemed like a distant possibility, a mere talk, but now it was staring me right in the face.

Mother had lured me to betray my only stepbrother for a commander position, something I never asked for; the only friend I had turned me into a monster; although I kind of enjoyed being the commander, I knew I didn't merit it. First my brother, now my Father.

As I stood on the balcony, the cool night air did little to calm my racing thoughts. I thought of my father, the king, the man who had always been a symbol of strength and wisdom. Could I bring myself to betray him? He hasn't given me any reason to.

And then there was Lyra, locked away in the dungeons for her supposed betrayal. I knew she wasn't a traitor, she was only reacting to her feelings for Ren, but my mother's words kept echoing in my mind: "Sentiment has no place in our world, my son."

A faint noise behind me broke the silence. I turned to see my mother standing in the doorway, a look of expectation on her face.

"Well, Commander Loren?" she asked, her voice dripping with anticipation. "Have you made your decision?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But as I looked into my mother's eyes, I knew that I had to make a choice. The fate of the kingdom and my destiny hung in the balance, and I was the only one who could tip the scale.

"What do I need to do?" I asked finally, my voice firm but laced with a hint of dread.

My mother's smile was like a cold wind on a winter's night. "I'll send for the witch," she said. "She'll prepare the substance we need. Once that's done, the rest will be easy."

I nodded, feeling a sense of resolve wash over me. But as I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The person staring back at me was a stranger, a person I no longer recognized.

And in that moment, I wondered if I had just made a deal with the devil herself.

As I leave the room for some privacy to rethink a terrible choice I just made, the wind howled through the castle corridors like a chorus of restless spirits, echoing the troubles that ravaged my mind. My mother's words still lingered in me, a poison that seeped into my soul, tempting me with the promise of power and control.

A faint light flickered in the distance, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the corridors, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Carlos, his face etched with concern.

“What is it Carlos, you shouldn't be in the castle, you should be at the post with the other warriors,” I ask, trying to sound bold and brave

"Commander, I've come to warn you," he said, his voice low and urgent. "There are rumors of a traitor within the castle walls. Someone who seeks to overthrow the king and claim the throne for themselves."

My heart skipped a beat as I met Carlos's gaze. Did he suspect my mother's plan? Or was he referring to someone else entirely? Or could the council of elders be playing another game?

"What do you know?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Carlos hesitated, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "I don't know much, Commander. But I do know that we need to be careful. The kingdom is on the brink of chaos, and we can't afford to make any mistakes.”

“Alright Carlos, tighten the guards in the castle, there should be no entrance into the castle except the Royal families, you must fortify the guards in the borders too, Kael can attack anytime,” I said with a tone of dismissal,

“and Carlos…” I whispered, carefully glancing around to be sure no other ears lurked around the corners. “If you hear any other things about the overthrow, or who wants to do it? Let me know as soon as possible.” I commanded, and he pledged as he left.

It is gradually dawning on me now that the betraying of my father is the beginning of the kingdom's downfall, but my mother seems to see otherwise. Sadly I have made my choice.

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DARKWOOD FOREST

ZARA'S POV

It's been days of silence and moments of peace since Ren's return, with no words or actions from Kael, it seems as if his quest for his position as the the commander and next king of the Northern Coast has suddenly died off.

With Kael's words to Ren still in my head, I decided to blow it off. I might have misheard him, but everything seems fine. It's been Emily and I always in training, and now I'm way better with my gift; she reads the mind, and I control it; quite a great team we could make.

But something has always laid behind the scenes of my mind and it has been raising questions in me lately, I haven't set eyes on Ren since his conversation with Kael, and I got a glimpse of Kael while leaving Ren's tent that day, he doesn't look happy, the question still lingers in me ‘what is going on ‘, and whenever I ask Emily, she waves it off with a suitable excuse.

It's another long day of training from Emily but today I'm either getting answers or she doesn't rest, I need to know the whereabouts of Ren and I'm not ready to take a ‘He’s fine’ for an answer this time around, from her countenance, I could sense she has read my thought

“Don't ask me, he is fine” she jovially said, wrapping her mini towel over her neck

“And how long do I keep getting that for an answer, he isn't in his tent, he isn't in the healer's tent, he's not been seen for days now and you not bothered, no one is, and all you say is he's fine, how does that make sense” I spat in anger, with some close members of the pack staring from a distance, abruptly bringing her resilient spirit to a halt.

“Alright,” she says trying to calm me down as she steps closer to me “You see, Ren is fine, it is the healer's direction that he stays alone for a long period until his healing is complete, so…that's it,” she says, trying to convince me, with fake convictions etched all over her face

“Listen, Zara, it's nothing to be worried about, trust me,” she says, playfully tapping me on my cheek then making her way to her tent leaving me to my clouded thought on who to trust, something was off with the way she spoke when it comes to Ren, but I just couldn't figure it out. She's hiding something.

I need to find Kael, I have to confront him. Why am I suddenly beginning to lose focus of my mission? This isn't why I left my mum; this isn't why I left Cathryleth Clan.

I trekked through the dense forest, my senses on high alert as I searched for Kael. I had been looking for him for days, but he seemed to have vanished into thin air. I knew he was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what.

I stopped suddenly, my head cocked to one side. I had heard a faint rustling in the underbrush. I turned slowly, my eyes scanning the area. And then, I saw him.

Kael was right behind a thick veil of the iroko log, seated there with his legs swinging as if he was plotting something; he looked towards me as he noticed my presence, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I felt a surge of relief mixed with anger. Why had he been avoiding everyone?

I took a step closer to him, my voice firm but controlled. "Kael, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you."

Kael slowly came down from his sitting position, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've been busy," he said, his tone neutral.

I narrowed my gaze. "Busy? That's all you have to say? I've been searching for Ren everywhere, and I know you must know something about his disappearance."

Kael's expression remained impassive, but I could sense a flicker of emotion behind his eyes. He was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what.

"Don't lie to me, Kael," I said, my voice low and even. "I know you're hiding something. Tell me the truth about Ren, since the day you left after your private conversation with him, I can't find him"

Kael sighed, with his eyes locked onto mine, “We need to respect the healer’s direction; he needs time to heal; he was inflicted; if not absented, he might die; he's healing too slow,” Kael said, trying to sound sincere.

There was something with the way he spoke to me; his words sent shivers down my spine, and I was instantly cold and longed for him; The thought of him being my mate quickly crossed my mind, and I just couldn't comprehend it.

“Alright,” I succumbed, “I guess I'm just overreacting,” I said with mixed feelings, his eyes still locked into mine, creating a different type of atmosphere within me; I could sense he was up to something, something I wanted too.

His hands gradually rolled through my hair, and my heart skipped; I couldn't believe I was in reality. It felt like a dream, one that I never wanted to wake up, his fingers tangled in my hair, sending shivers down my spine. I felt lost in his eyes, wondering what it would be like to have him completely

Kael's face was inches from mine, his warm breath caressing my skin. I could feel the tension between us, the electricity that crackled in the air. It was like the entire world had come to a standstill, leaving only the two of us, suspended in this moment.

Without breaking eye contact, Kael's hands slid down my back, pulling me closer to him. I felt his chest against my raised breast, his heart pounding in time with my own. It was like our very rhythms were synchronizing, beating as one.

I couldn't help but gasp as Kael's lips brushed against mine. It was a gentle touch, but it sent shockwaves through my entire body. I felt like I was melting into him like our lips were made to fit together perfectly.

As we deepened the kiss, I knew that I was lost. Lost in the sensation of Kael's lips on mine, lo

st in the intensity of his gaze, lost in the sheer magnitude of my feelings for him.

I was lost in everything.