Chapter 75
Kael’s POV…
After we left Morana’s cabin, I dropped Alex at his house. He didn’t ask too many questions, but I knew his
mind was spinning.
“You good?” he asked as he stepped out of the car.
“Yeah, I nodded. “Thanks for coming with me.”
*Just be careful, man,” he said, gripping the door. “That woman… she gave me the creeps.”
“I know. I’ll be fine.”
Once he was gone, I drove straight back home. The bottle was heavy in my pocket, but it felt heavier in my mind. Like it carried the weight of something unseen.
I went up to my room, locked the door, and pulled the bottle out. I placed it inside my closet, tucked in the
back behind some folded clothes. Then I locked the closet with a small key and slipped the key into my
wallet.
No one could know.
Not my parents. Not Roxanne. No one apart from Alex.
The next step was planning. I couldn’t walk around with a big bottle of clear liquid. That would raise too many questions. I needed something smaller and easier to carry.
I found a few small travel-sized bottles from an old cologne set. I cleaned them out and carefully poured
the potion into them. It was clear, odorless and tasteless, according to Morana. But I still wore gloves, just
in case.
Once they were sealed, I tucked one into my coat pocket.
Now it was time.
The next day, I called Roxanne.
“Kael?” she answered. She was surprised.
“Hey,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I was thinking maybe we could go out today. You know… lunch?”
A pause. “Really? You’re inviting me? Not your mom forcing you?”
I chuckled. “No. My parents did ask me to bring you a small gift. And I figured… might as well bring it in
person.”
She laughed softly. “Aww. That’s sweet. Alright. Pick me up at one?”
“Sure.”
[ Crate TV
I arrived early and brought the gift-a silver necklace with a pale pink stone. Something my mom picked.
Roxanne looked stunning, as always. She wore a rose-colored dress and light makeup. Her smile was
bright, but her eyes… they were always calculating.
We sat at a quiet restaurant, tucked in a corner booth.
She leaned over and puckered her lips. “Don’t I get a kiss for being such a beautiful date?”
1 smirked and leaned in. I planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
She raised an eyebrow. “Cheek only? Not in the mood today?”
“We’re in public,” I said smoothly. “People are watching.”
She laughed. “Right. Mr. Alpha must maintain his image.”
The waitress came and poured water. Roxanne turned to me.
“So,” she said, “what’s the real reason you brought me here?”
*Like I said, my mother wanted me to give you this.”
I handed her the box.
She opened it and gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
“She thought it would suit you.”
Roxanne smirked. “You could’ve just dropped it off at my house. Why the lunch date?”
I shrugged. “I also wanted to talk. In private.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Alright. I’m listening.”
I hesitated, then said, “We need to set boundaries. Terms for this… relationship. We both know it’s fake.”
She nodded slowly. “I told you before. Public smiles. Private freedom. Sleep with whoever you want. Just keep me looking good in front of others.”
I nodded. ‘Fine. That works.”
The waitress returned to take our order.
“I’ll have the grilled salmon with roasted vegetables,” Roxanne said.
“Cheeseburger. Extra onions. And a Coke,” I added.
“Lemon iced tea for me,” she said.
I smiled politely until the waitress left. My hand brushed against the tiny bottle in my coat pocket.
When the food arrived, I reached for the mustard and ‘accidentally’ knocked it over her dress.
“Oh! Damn it, Kael!” she groaned and stood up quickly.
“I’m so sorry,” I said. I was trying to look apologetic. “Let me call someone…”
“No, I’ll go clean it.”
She walked toward the restroom.
The second she was gone, I pulled out the small bottle and poured the clear liquid into her iced tea. I stirred it with her straw and pushed it back to where it had been.
I exhaled and leaned back.
She returned five minutes later. She was blotting her dress with napkins.
“Honestly,” she muttered. “You’re lucky I like this dress too much to scream.”
“I’ll buy you another one,” I said.
She rolled her eyes and started eating.
But she wasn’t drinking.
My heart beat faster.
“This food’s good,” I said casually and took a sip of my own drink.
She glanced at me and lifted her iced tea.
Finally.
She sipped it.
I watched her swallow.
One dose down.
I stared at her for a moment, trying to read any change. There was nothing.
She smiled and kept eating. “You know… you’re acting really different today. You are softer.”
“I’m just tired of fighting,” I lied. “Maybe it’s time we accept what we are.”
She smiled. “Good. Because I don’t like surprises, Kael.”
But if Morana’s potion worked… she would be in for a big one.
And I hoped with everything in me that it worked.
Because I was running out of time.
And choices.
