Chapter 55
Kael’s POV_
The next few days were hell.
I barely left my room.
The walls felt like they were closing in on me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face. Roxanne. Her smile. Her voice. That damned folder. That video.
I kept thinking, how did it come to this?
She had me trapped. She had caged me like some animal.
And the worst part?
There was no one I could tell.
Valric, my wolf, was silent most of the time. But when he did speak, it was always the same.
“We should rip her apart. She’s vile.”
“We can’t,” I replied. “Not now. We don’t have proof. If we move too soon, she’ll destroy everything.”
I spent hours just staring at the ceiling. No appetite. No energy. I was just…empty.
Roxanne hadn’t contacted me since that day at the restaurant. It felt like she was giving me space, but I
knew better. She was planning something. She always was.
Then, that evening, my phone rang. Her name flashed across the screen. I stared at it for a long time. Valric growled.
“Don’t pick it up.”
“We have to,” I whispered.
I answered.
Her voice was sweet…..too sweet.
“Hi, Kael, Just a quick heads-up. I’ll be coming over for dinner tonight. With my parents. They’ve already spoken to your mother and father. Everything is arranged.”
I didn’t say anything.
“Also,” she added, her tone sharp now, “I hope you remember our little agreement. You need to smile, behave and do as I say. Or the video goes public. Understood?”
I clenched my jaw.
“Understood,” I said quietly.
Then I hung up.
And I threw my phone.
It shattered against the wall. There were pieces flying across the room.
Valric snarled. “She wants to make us her puppet.”
“I know. But we need to be smart. We’ll play along. For now. But we’ll find a way out. I swear it.”
I sat back on my bed and stared at the broken phone.
My head pounded.
I didn’t move for the rest of the day. I barely noticed when the sun dipped below the horizon.
There was a knock on my door.
“Kael?” It was my mother.
I stood up quickly and wiped my face.
“Come in.”
She entered. She was graceful and elegant as always. Her brows were drawn in concern.
“Are you alright? You’ve been acting…strange.”
I forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. Just tired. There is a lot on my mind.”
She stepped closer and touched my cheek. “You look pale. You’re sure you’re okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I just need to rest.”
Claim
She hesitated, then smiled softly. “Alright. But don’t stay in here all night. Roxanne and her parents are
coming for dinner.”
“I know,” I said.
She left and my stomach twisted.
Evening came too fast.
I forced myself to get dressed. I chose a black button-up and slacks with a hint of cologne.
Fake it, I told myself. Just fake it.
When I stepped downstairs, they were already there.
Roxanne wore a pale pink satin dress. It clung to her curves. The neckline was dipping just enough to look innocent and seductive at the same time. Her dark hair was pinned up. There were a few strands falling around her face. She looked like the perfect Luna-to-be.
She turned and smiled when she saw me. “Kael. You look wonderful.”
I grunted. “You too.”
Valric hissed, “I hate her. I hate her so much.”
“Me too,” I replied.
She was already chatting with my mother and father. Her voice was light and cheerful.
“Oh yes, the wedding colors should be soft, nothing too flashy,” she was saying. “I was thinking blush and
gold. So elegant, right?”
Her mother nodded. “Blush and gold would look beautiful on you, darling.”
Her father smiled at my parents. “We’re just so thrilled about this union. Our families have always been close. This is perfect.”
My father, Alpha Alexis, nodded. “It’s long overdue.”
Luna Grace, my mother, added, “We’re very happy. Roxanne is so lovely.”
I wanted to scream.
Dinner was served. There was steak, mashed potatoes and steamed greens. It was my favorite.
But I couldn’t eat.
Roxanne sat beside me. She leaned in, her voice low.
“Eat your food, Kael. Smile. Act normal. Or else.”
I glared at her. “You don’t have to keep threatening me. I get it.”
She smiled and cut her steak like nothing was wrong:
I chewed slowly, forcing the food down my throat. Everything tasted like ash.
The table was full of polite chatter.
“So when do you plan to announce the marriage to the public?” Roxanne’s mother asked.
My mother smiled. “Soon. Perhaps next week. We want it to be a grand event.”
“We’d love to host the dinner for the Luna Ceremony at our estate,” my father offered.
Roxanne beamed. “That sounds lovely, Alpha.”
I didn’t say a word.
Once dinner was over, my father stood. “Let’s move to the sitting room. We have a few details to finalize.”
We all got up.
I followed them like a ghost.
We sat down-my parents on one couch and Roxanne’s on the other. Roxanne and I sat in the middle.
She crossed her legs and took a deep breath.
“Before we begin,” she said sweetly, “I have something important to say.”
Everyone turned to her.
She placed a hand over her stomach and smiled.
“I’m pregnant.”
There was silence…a long and heavy silence.
My heart stopped.
My mother gasped. “Pregnant?”
Dad stared at me. “Kael…is this true?”
I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
Roxanne squeezed my hand hard.
“Yes,” she answered for me. “Kael and I are expecting. It was unexpected, but…we’re happy.”
Valric howled inside me. “Liar. Liar!”
She continued, “We thought it best to inform you all together. It’s a blessing.”
My mother then added, “Of course, it pushes up the timeline a little, but a child is a gift.”
Her mother blinked rapidly. “We’re…going to be grandparents?”
Roxanne nodded. “Yes.”
Everyone looked at me again.
I forced a smile. I had no choice.
“Yes. It’s true.”
But inside, I was screaming.
This wasn’t just a dinner.
This was my prison.
And Roxanne? She had just tightened the lock.
