The Runaway 7

Chapter 7 

That afternoon, I casually mentioned craving some moonfruit tea, and Kael, surprisingly, didn’t refuse. 

But halfway through, he asked me to stop by the Pack apothecary on the far edge of the territory to bring back a specific tonic-the same one he often used after harsh training. 

I didn’t think twice about it. 

The apothecary wasn’t far, just a short carriage ride. 

Even so, I hurried, worried he’d accuse me of staying out too long. 

What should have taken me three hours, I forced myself to finish in two. 

When I finally returned to the healer’s den, the first face I saw was the last one I wanted to encounter. 

Damien was waiting outside Kael’s chamber, his expression stiff and uneasy. 

Through the half-open door, I caught sight of Claire Ramos sitting at the end of Kael’s bed. He leaned against his pillows-actually smiling at her. 

The sight froze me. All the fragile peace I’d tried to rebuild these past days shattered instantly. 

So this was why he had sent me away-because she was coming. 

Damien’s eyes widened when he noticed me, but I didn’t care anymore. 

I pushed the door open and strode in without hesitation. 

I was done keeping quiet. 

Plenty of wolves survived broken bonds; I could too. 

With the three of us in one room, I decided it was time to bring this to an end. 

But then I stopped short. 

Claire’s eyes were swollen from crying, her hair a mess. 

Kael didn’t even look startled to see me. He simply kept talking to her, his tone like steel. 

“If you had the brains to fake messages and spread rumors, then figure out your own way out of this. What 

are you doing kneeling here?” 

“You had your fun with your tricks-edited photos, twisted stories. I haven’t even begun to punish you, and you dare show your face?” 

His mouth curved like he was smiling, but every word carried venom. 

Chapter 7 

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Claire dropped to her knees with a dull thud, voice shaking. 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… Please, Kael, we trained under the same mentor-you can’t just drive me out…” 

Kael’s frown deepened. He gave me a quick glance, something like panic flashing before his expression hardened again. 

“From the very beginning, I told you-I only saw you as a student, nothing more.’ 

“” 

“You’ve been here all this time-have I once come to find you? You clung to me using your Beta status, forged evidence, poisoned HowlNet with lies. Did you really think I wouldn’t uncover the truth?” 

His voice rose, fury breaking through. 

“Claire Ramos, even if our old mentor begged me on his knees, I still wouldn’t forgive you.” 

My pulse hammered. Kael suddenly turned to me, his words like a whip. 

“Athena! What are you standing there for-are you going to let your Alpha collapse from anger?” 

Heat rushed to my face, shame knotting in my chest. 

I stepped forward, and instantly his hand closed around mine, grounding me. 

When my eyes met Claire’s, I saw it clearly-rage, disbelief, but mostly bitter defeat. 

Kael’s final words struck like a blade: 

“I’ll say this one more time-I already have a Luna. Stop deluding yourself. What makes you think you could ever replace her?” 

Before Claire could break down further, Damien entered, lifting her to her feet and escorting her away. 

Kael pulled me down onto the bed beside him, clinging to me like a child unwilling to let go. His head rested 

against my chest as he let out a heavy sigh. 

“I knew you’d lose your mind if you caught sight of her, so I tried to send you away. I even had a voice crystal ready to prove it… but of course, you still walked in.” 

He tilted his head toward me, eyes gleaming. 

“Now that you’ve watched me tear her down yourself, do you still think I was unfaithful?” 

A storm of emotions inside me broke apart, leaving me strangely light. 

My lips trembled with the only question I could ask: 

“What about when you went to the airfield and met her?” 

Kael groaned in frustration, his fingers pinching my waist-not to hurt, just enough to make me jolt. 

“How did I end up with such a stubborn Luna?” 

He pouted, almost boyish. 

“I’ll explain everything later. For now? Kiss me and put an end to this.” 

Within days, the matter with Claire was settled. 

She was sent back to the border, her honors stripped, her name marked for deceit. 

Occasionally, defenders tried to argue online: [Such a shame. Why didn’t Alpha Kael use his power to protect 

her?] 

But the strongest responses shut them down: 

[Protect her? After all her lies? She disgraced the Pack and nearly destroyed her Alpha.] 

Chapter 7 

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