The Alpha's Shatter Zone
|39|

A pensive mood hung over the old castle, mirroring the weight on his own chest, and Kaiden wandered down one of the many halls in nearly complete darkness. His keen wolf sight was something he’d come to rely on, especially when wanting to keep a low profile and stay hidden. He wasn’t exactly sneaking or creeping through Alpha Chesca’s pack residence, but he wasn’t broadcasting his presence with a neon flashlight either. It was more comfortable remaining unnoticed, is all.

His fingers trailed along the wallpaper, and brushed the antique vases and ornaments that sat forlorn on cabinets and ledges. Some really were unique—just like the pack’s Alpha, he mused. Chesca had been on his mind far too much for his liking. It didn’t help that she kept getting herself into scrapes which he needed to rescue her from.

The stunt in the storm was classic. After rebuffing his offer for help to track down the most recent set of trespassers, she’d gone and disappeared in her expansive territory. When she hadn’t returned by nightfall, he’d been seriously growing worried. It startled him that his heart would feel that way, because he’d sworn to himself that he wouldn’t let her get too close. He didn’t want this painful feeling whenever they were apart or she was in danger.

He hadn’t wanted to become too attached. But she was his mate, and who was he to fight the path chosen by Fate? Because, despite his best efforts, she’d snuck her way under his skin and he wasn’t strong enough to tear it apart and release her. The soft voice she’d whispered and called him her Alpha was something he knew he’d never forget. The way she’d rested her cheek against his chest last night remained imprinted on his body. The smile she’d given him this morning when he made her breakfast seemed glued to the front of his mind. She had fallen for him, and he was suddenly doubting his plan.

It had been what he wanted, right? He wanted her to trust him, open up to him, give him access to her heart and pack, until it all belonged to him?

He just hadn’t counted on giving his heart to her.

For that’s what had happened, he realised with stifling clarity, as his hand absently rubbed the spot on his chest that had ached the entire time he’d searched the woods for his beautiful mate. Throughout the wind and the rain, amidst the lightning and thunder, the bond between them had led him to her anguished cries.

He stopped in his tracks when a strange noise echoed through the empty hallways. Well, not really a strange noise, but unusual.

Music. Piano music, to be exact. A few graceful notes that morphed into a complicated melody.

The lonely and mournful song tugged at his mind, drawing him, beckoning him closer. Hurrying down one hall and then another, the music grew louder. Moonlight glanced in the windows of the main corridor on the ground floor, and Kaiden used the silver glow to guide him. Ornate double doors were at the far end, and he remembered from his very first tour through this place with Roman that behind them sat the great ballroom. He strode towards them and paused as the piano music came from just the other side. The notes rose and fell in tempo, as if telling a story, and he wondered if he would ever be able to interpret the cryptic message.

Opening the doors slowly so as not to scare the performer of such intriguing sounds, he peered around and saw the grand piano sitting at the far wall. Kaiden crept in ever so carefully until he gained a view of the seat and keys.

He wasn’t surprised to see an angel sitting there.

With long, flowing, snow blonde hair, a night dress that glowed white in the light of the moon, and a determined pout to her plump lips that stirred in him desire, Kaiden knew he’d never be able to take his eyes off the transfiguration.

His mate. His glorious, ethereal, mesmerising, daring, and downright confusing mate was playing the instrument with such tender angst he could barely breathe as he watched her. There was just something about her dancing fingers that froze him in place. He’d had no idea that the hands that could so expertly fight and take down a group of men were also skilled with such musical ability.

When the last note faded and died in the stillness of the hall, he instinctively clapped his hands. “That was beautiful.”

Chesca jumped and spun on her seat, staring at him with such widened eyes he regretted doing anything more than breathe. “I’m sorry for scaring you,” he murmured and moved closer.

She eyed him carefully, shoulders going rigid, and with almost a haunted look in her emerald eyes. Maybe that was just the moonlight playing tricks on them. But she had been rather unusually quiet all night throughout dinner, ever since she’d returned from her run with her head guard, Kaiden recalled. Perhaps something was bothering her. Perhaps the way he’d treated her the last few days had confused her as much as it had him.

“No, it’s alright,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. Looking down again, she lost concentration back in the keys before her.

“Don’t let my presence stop you from playing. I loved the song you just played, it was beautiful,” he said all in a rush. Why was his throat suddenly dry? Why were his eyes glued to her impassive face that was so obviously trying to conceal her true emotions? Why was she still hiding things from him? That last question he asked himself was rather stupid, he admitted. He’d done nothing to earn this discerning Alpha’s trust. But hadn’t he?

“Thank you,” her eyes flickered to his momentarily, giving him a cursory glance into her inner turmoil.

He swallowed hard and ran a finger along the top of the piano, drawing a line in the layer of dust. “Where did you learn to play?”

“My mother taught me,” was the quiet response. “This was her favourite song. Fragile Heart.”

The title suited the song he’d just heard, but definitely not the woman before him. Alpha of Steelheart, was she not? But perhaps something else really lay beneath the steely wall he knew she kept erected around her as a shield. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but was afraid in case his touch shattered the heart he knew was just holding together.

Or in case her goodness zapped through the darkness and cruelty within himself, and destroy him. That’s how good she was. He didn’t deserve her. He’d ruin her, and that was why he didn’t want her falling for him. It was much harder getting what he wanted from people when he knew they cared for him, and he would just break their heart in the process.

Maybe it was because he cared. He’d spoken the truth when he’d told her he’d protect her forever more. Yes, protect her from everything he’d once been. For he was still her greatest enemy.

And greatest salvation.

Wasn’t that his job as her Alpha? Save her from all the demons and enemies—both metaphorical and literal—she now had?

“You’ve certainly been given many talents by the Moon Goddess,” he remarked.

She chuckled and shook her head.

“What? You don’t believe in her?”

Chesca cocked an eyebrow and gave him a look, one that said she knew he didn’t either. “Just a Godess of the moon? The moon is just one fraction of our universe. Why not believe in a God of the universe? A being who made every life, every wolf and creature, every plant and mineral, every wonder around us? A being who...can also take it all away,” her gaze wandered to the window at the forest beyond, a shadow of dark memories flitting across her face.

“And why would you want to believe in someone like that? It sounds contradicting,” Kaiden didn’t understand the meditative mood that had overcome his mate.

She just shrugged it off. “It makes sense. Believing in all that power is comforting I guess, even though it can hurt sometimes. But maybe our lives are guided by something bigger than we realise? Maybe there’s more purpose in it all than just some involvement from the moon?”

“Maybe,” he held her gaze carefully, watching the subtle lights reflect in the crystal green colours of her irises. He could easily attribute her beauty to an all-powerful God, so perfect was she in his eyes.

“Do you play?” With a deep breath, she changed the subject and snapped Kaiden from his straying thoughts.

“Uh..not really…”

“Come on, I bet you do,” she patted the seat beside her and gave him a look that said she thought he was lying.

He narrowed his eyes at her but walked around to the keyboard anyway. When she moved to get up, he placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back down. “Only if you play with me,” he laid out his conditions.

The slight lift of her lips told him she knew what he was trying to do, but right now he didn’t really care to hide it. He’d endure anything just to have her by his side.

Sitting beside her, Kaiden stretched his fingers and placed them on the keys, trying to remember the lessons he’d suffered through as a little six year old. But the childish songs weren’t appropriate to be played on the magnificent instrument before him, nor be heard by the angel beside him.

“Just follow my lead,” Chesca commanded and placed her hands on his, having noticed his hesitation.

For a few minutes they fumbled through a well-known song, but Kaiden eventually regretted that late at night wasn’t the time to be torturing the piano with such atrocities.

Taking his hands off the keys, he sighed, “I fear I have destroyed the magical atmosphere that your exquisite playing set before.”

Chesca giggled and put on a sophisticated air, mimicking his classy tones, “Alright then, sir, shall we go for a stroll along the promenade instead?” Her eyes still held a reserved expression, and he pondered just what she was keeping from him this time.

“Actually, I was wondering,” he brushed back a strand of her luscious hair and tucked it behind her ear, admiring the smooth curve of her cheeks and soft lips, and the way her hair fell gracefully around her shoulders. Leaning in for a closer inspection of her flawless, moon-kissed complexion, he forgot what he was going to ask. When her small hand carefully found its way to his thigh, it sent tingles running up and down his entire body.

Only she had this effect on him. Her mere presence this close, the glance of her audacious eyes, the warm breath that lingered on his skin—all had him hanging on her every move and anticipating the next time she’d honour him with her touch. Her soft lips on his was a sensation he found himself craving all too often. He could only imagine what it would be like to hold her in his arms fully and complete the mating bond. It made his heart race just thinking about it.

It wasn’t long until he captured her lips with his own, and wound his arm around her. Pulling her as close as possible on the seat by the piano, he spoke with this kiss instead of trying to formulate words. She left him speechless, and it unnerved him at the best of times.

But he was used to remaining in control. Or at least, maintaining the facade that he was. Back home, his father had a cunning and cruel way of twisting everything around and showing Kaiden who was really in charge. So at least here, in a kingdom far from his own, he could reign with a little more authority. Pulling back from his mate, he fought to regain the upper hand in the conversation. He wouldn’t fall under this angel’s spell any longer.

“I wanted to ask if I could borrow a book from your library.”

Chesca blinked in surprise, a flash of desire blazing in her eyes with a hint of annoyance, but it disappeared quickly and was replaced with curiosity. “Why would you do that?”

“Well...Roman caught me with one of your books, and explained in very clear terms the fit you’d have if you found I’d touched any more. One would almost think your property is sacred.”

She scoffed at his sarcastic tone and rose gracefully from the seat. Almost as if his presence was displeasing, she paced by the window with her hands clasped behind her back. Her short gown swished around her thighs, drawing his eyes and scattering his thoughts.

“Which book did you want to read?” suddenly she spun and faced him.

“Uh— The Island Adventures of Arthur Kent,” he recited the title.

“Pff, that story is ridiculous,” she waved it off with a dainty flick of her hand. Then she stared at him with a look of daring and a conspiratorial smile. “You want a really good book to read?”

“Sure, of course.”

“Then come along.” And with that, she grabbed his hand and pulled him from the large ballroom, and down the hall to the library he’d stumbled across earlier in the week.

It was a good sized room, most walls lined with at least three bookcases that reached up to the roof. A large armchair with old-fashioned upholstery sat invitingly in one corner, a tall lamp standing stately beside it. Two large windows across from the door let in some light, and a few shelves were mounted between them.

Chesca ran a hand along a sagging bookshelf and thumbed through the titles. Stopping at a few to pull them out and offer either a smile or frown, she eventually nodded her head once she’d found what she was looking for. He took it from her when she held it out for him.

“Hua Mulan?” he gaped and raised a brow at the old-looking classic. “Like the Disney fairytale?”

“That children’s movie is based on this book, yes,” she put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. “She was a warrior who fought instead of her father.”

“I know the story.”

“But did you know it’s based on a legendary woman? And that they named a crater on Venus after her?”

“Is that so?” he eyed the thick novel in a new light.

“Just give it a chance. It’s one of my favourites,” she stated.

“I’m beginning to see why.” Flipping through the yellowed pages, his eyes landed on several drawings of Mulan with different weapons and fighting stances.

“My grandfather enjoyed the story so much that he collected these artifacts. Genuine Chinese weaponry,” Chesca continued, motioning to the wall with the windows. Only now that she pointed it out did he see the swords and knives hanging on the wall.

“The dao, or saber, and the jian, this sword, are both from the second century, forged with blades of pure iron.”

“Amazing,” Kaiden said with genuine intrigue.

“Feel this,” she handed him a small dagger-like knife, and he flipped it over in his hand. It was light weight, but etched with the promise of strength, swirling patterns and leaves that looked strangely familiar.

He curiously watched Chesca take down the sword and swing it back and forth, making him swallow with caution. He didn’t want to know how deadly she was, now armed with such a masterful weapon. An avenging angel with a dangerous edge in the tilt of her innocent wings.

“You know how to use it?” Kaiden remarked more than asked.

“Yes, but I prefer to use just my hands in an actual fight,” she answered casually, replacing the sword on the wall.

Something clicked into place in his mind, like a puzzle piece. Something he’d been pondering all evening. “Like that guard you killed earlier?”

Her body stiffened, and he knew he’d struck a chord.

He’d been out walking that afternoon, and come across a few of her guards burying something—or someone, to be exact. By the scent, even under three feet of dirt already, he knew it was a Razestone pack member. When he’d questioned them, they gave vague answers, muttering something about Alpha Chesca’s orders.

“What guard?” she asked with an incredible performance of innocence.

“Don’t lie to me, Ches,” he growled.

She flinched at the sudden sharpness of his tone, and he unclenched the fist that had tightened around the dagger, instead holding it loosely between his fingers.

“Why is it any of your business?” She managed to straighten her shoulders and glare at him.

“You killed my guard, didn’t you? With your bare hands?”

“I am an Alpha. What else did you expect, Kaiden?” her eyes flashed with chagrin. “That I’m an untainted little girl, trying to play dress-up with my dad’s cloak of authority? That I never make the hard call?”

“Was killing him really necessary?” Kaiden rebuked, despite the knowledge that he himself had done far worse than just kill a wolf for trespassing.

“He nearly killed Lexi,” came her reply, laced with a deadly snarl.

“And that gives you the right…” he began slowly, laying a hand on her arm.

“Don’t dare touch me,” she snapped and grabbed the offending hand.

He looked down at his other raised fist, the one still gripping the dagger. Chesca’s eyes followed his gaze, then looked back up at him with nearly black depths, her jaw clenching hard, a daring threat in her rigid posture.

The words from the last note they’d received tripped sickenly through his mind.

The knife in your own hand may stab…

And he suddenly wondered if the note had been written for Chesca...or for him.