Page 25 of Fated (The Bonded Legacy #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

KAI

K ai picked at the roll he’d grabbed from the breadbasket.

The soft, crusty bread crumbled beneath his fingers as he pushed the crumbs into a pile on his plate.

They’d just been seated for dinner, but his appetite had vanished.

His father held court across the table, regaling Maxim and Magnus with summit stories.

Kai’s mind, meanwhile, tangled in a relentless loop of frustration and exhaustion.

He couldn’t tell what had been more draining—pretending to care about the alphas boasting their successes at the summit review, enduring the grueling border negotiations, or surviving the tense car ride to dinner where he’d clashed with his father yet again.

A muscle twitched along Kai’s temple as the memory surfaced.

“If you dare to reject her” —Darius’s glare had frosted over, each word striking like an icicle— “you’ll lose everything. Your title, your name, your pack. You’ll fight in the coming war as a rogue before I let you disgrace Bloodstone.”

The force of his father’s alpha aura had been oppressive, leaving no room for argument. The threat lingered in Kai’s mind, a suffocating reminder of what was at stake.

And then there was Ava.

A vision of her tear-streaked face haunted him, sobs echoing as he imagined breaking her heart. She’d trusted him, planned a future in her mind—a future he’d promised her. Now, that promise felt like sand slipping through his fingers.

Kai clenched his fists under the table, anger simmering just below the surface. Darius had no right to force this on him, to use his legacy as leverage to bind him to a mating he didn’t want.

Movement near the entrance caught his eye, pulling him from his thoughts. The Moonshadow group had just arrived, their arrival drawing attention as they stepped into the restaurant. His gaze landed on her instantly.

Lena.

She stood with her brother, Cian, and their packmates, golden-brown eyes scanning the room.

She was radiant, her confidence and warmth filling the space like sunlight breaking through clouds.

For a moment, Kai let himself take her in—the way her glossy hair framed her face, the strength in her posture, the quiet determination in her expression.

“Our mate is stunning.” Orion’s whisper carried longing that vibrated beneath Kai’s skin.

He struggled for air, the bond’s pull like a fist wrapped around his throat. This wasn’t some fairy-tale meeting. Lena had upended his life, shattered everything he’d built. She wasn’t a gift. She was a reminder of everything he stood to lose.

Her face lit up when she saw him. Kai froze, resolve wavering under her gaze. Then his anger surged forward like a tidal wave, drowning out the bond.

He glared at her, emerald eyes hardening to cold jade. Her joy faltered in stages: first confusion, then disbelief, finally hurt. Her smile collapsed as she followed the hostess, gaze dropping to the floor.

His stomach twisted with a flash of guilt as he watched her joy crumble, but he hardened himself against the feeling. She wasn’t a victim in this. She was the complication that had destroyed everything he’d planned.

Good , Kai thought bitterly. Let her feel the chaos she’s brought into my life . His gaze followed her, mouth pressed into a hard line, even as Orion whined in protest.

He was so fixated on Lena that he didn’t notice his father rising until Darius’s booming voice filled the restaurant, inviting the Moonshadow wolves to join them for dinner.

Acid churned in Kai’s gut as servers rearranged the tables. He glared at his father, who gestured for more wine without acknowledging his son’s silent fury.

“Whatever my Moonshadow family needs,” Darius declared, “add it to my bill.”

Once the tables were joined, Darius facilitated the introductions. “This is my beta, Maxim; our beta-heir, Magnus; and you already know my son, Kai.”

Cian followed suit. “Aiden, my father’s beta; Ryker, my future beta; and, of course, my sister, Lena.”

The crumbs on Kai’s plate blurred as he stared downward, jaw muscle pulsing, while Magnus leaned toward Lena with undisguised admiration.

“You were phenomenal in warrior training today,” Magnus said. “The way you had the Blackwater beta-heir on his back wheezing…it was impressive.”

Lena blushed. “Thank you. I’m grateful for the training my father provided.” Her gaze flicked to Kai before returning to Magnus. “It’s given me the confidence to support my future alpha in any way I can.”

Kai’s eye twitched at the insinuation of her claim on him. He forced himself to stay silent, teeth grinding together. Orion, however, was nearly purring with approval.

“Perfect , ” his wolf murmured. “She will fight by our side. She will protect the pack, our family . ”

Reluctant appreciation flickered through him at her tactful response.

She’d managed to acknowledge their bond without making him seem weak or cornered.

He also couldn’t deny the appeal of having a fighting luna by his side.

Ava might have a mind for strategy, but she wasn’t interested in bruising her fists or getting blood and dirt under her claws.

If circumstances were different —Kai slammed a mental door on the thought, burying it beneath his resentment.

Darius beamed, his pride unmistakable. “What an impressive female,” he said warmly. “I couldn’t picture a better luna to usher in the next era of Bloodstone leadership.”

Kai’s expression hardened, the praise for Lena scraping against his raw nerves. Meanwhile, Orion stretched languidly within their shared consciousness, radiating with delight at their mate’s acknowledged strength.

The meal progressed in a haze of forced smiles and polite conversation. Kai watched Cian’s posture soften by Darius’s enchantment with Lena. Watched Ryker’s easy humor bridge both packs. Watched Lena include Magnus in their banter without hesitation, her natural charm drawing everyone closer.

Kai even felt jealousy flare as she laughed with Ryker, golden-brown eyes alight with affection. He hadn’t felt such a genuine warmth since his mother passed and couldn’t help but crave all of Lena’s affection be directed at him, and him alone.

He found himself leaning forward, despite himself, drawn to the sound of her voice, hanging on to every word, completely dazzled by the way she interacted with everyone at the table.

She was kind and captivating, and Goddess was she beautiful.

He leaned closer, elbows braced on the table, as she and Ryker told Magnus a story in tandem, one effortlessly picking up where the other dropped off.

I want to know all your secrets. The thought came unbidden. I want to know your memories, make new ones with you that we can tell our—

He caught himself before he could finish the thought and jerked back, scowling at how easily his traitorous body and mind responded to her.

“She’s everything.” Orion’s conviction radiated through Kai’s bones with marrow-deep heat. “Ours.”

Aiden’s voice interrupted the wolf’s musings. “Alpha Raelen is eager to host you after the summit, Kai. He’s looking forward to your visit and seeing Darius at Cian’s ceremony. He’s sending the gamma-heir, Jace, with a car so you can ride back with Lena and Ryker.”

Lena’s gaze snapped to Kai, voice bright with hope. “You’re coming home with me?”

Unwanted images flashed—walking Moonshadow’s territory with Lena, seeing her home, sharing her bed. The speculation snuffed itself out before taking root, leaving him unsettled by his wayward curiosity.

Darius cut in before Kai could respond. “Yes, we’re very excited, but no need to send a car. Our gamma-heir, Elias, will bring Kai’s car down personally.”

Kai’s shoulders tensed, a flash of panic crossing his features as he glanced at his father.

“That’s not necessary,” he said even as Orion snarled in protest. “I’d be happy to return to Bloodstone with you, pack some things, and address a few personal obligations.

I can make the journey to Moonshadow the following day. ”

“Liar , ” Orion snapped. “You’re running . ”

“No. I need to see Ava.” Kai felt another wave of anger surge at the corner his father had backed him into.

“What am I supposed to do, disappear for a whole month then show up with Lena on my arm hoping Ava gets the message and doesn’t lose her mind?

I know you don’t like her, but she deserves better than that. ”

“I’ll just need the day, Dad.” Kai kept his tone steady, but his eyes pleaded with Darius for this small reprieve.

Darius’s smile didn’t falter, but his tone left no room for argument. “It’s already arranged.”

Kai’s knuckles whitened as he swallowed his retort, Darius already turning the conversation back to Cian’s upcoming ceremony.

When the meal ended, the groups moved toward the exit. Lena lingered outside the restaurant, waiting until the others had moved ahead, then approached Kai.

Before he could step away, she looped her pinky around his, golden-brown eyes soft and searching as she tilted her face toward his.

The moment stretched as she rose on her toes, lips pressing softly against his cheek.

The kiss lasted a few heartbeats, the warmth of her touch spreading through him like wildfire and softening the tension in his body.

Orion’s contented purr vibrated from his chest to his throat, the wolf surging forward as their mate’s scent wrapped around them like a tangible caress.

She pulled back, voice barely a whisper. “I’m glad dinner happened. Being close to you makes my wolf, Elara, and me so happy. I can’t wait to have more time with you. To share my home with you.”

Kai was paralyzed, lungs refusing to work as she turned and joined her packmates near the Jeep. As she climbed in, she glanced back at him, smile gentle and sweet.

“Goodnight, mate,” she called softly.

Kai stood rooted to the spot, the ghost of her kiss still burning on his cheek. Orion preened in his mind even as Kai’s chest ached with the futility of his fight. He exhaled shakily, thoughts spinning. “I’m fucked,” he muttered as he made his way towards the limo.