Luna's Last Chance

Chaptee 5:The Broken Trust.

Kael's POV

As I pace back and forth, the council chamber air in the pack is thick with suspense. My head is a flurry of contradictory feelings; no matter how hard I try, the doubts that have rooted themselves cannot be shaken. The charges against Aria tormented me, skewed my ideas till I could not distinguish what was real from what was created. The weight of uncertainty hurts my heart, and I feel as though I am being split apart.

I only momentarily ground myself with my fist on the wall; the pain in my hand grounds me. I have no idea how to put what I thought I knew back together. It is disintegrating right in front of me. Lyra's previous letter, which uses nasty terms, sits on the table mocking me. Though my gut tells me to believe in the link we have, to trust Aria, the so-called data is hard to overlook. Every action I do seems to be one step toward losing all I value.

The door creaks open, and Reginald walks into the room with his normal forceful presence. Ever the strategist, my father has been urging me to move quickly to guard the name of our family and the future of the pack. For the first time, though, I started to wonder about his intentions.

"Keal," Reginald murmurs, his voice firm and low. You have to make a decision. The group will doubt your leadership more while you wait. You cannot afford to seem to be weak.

I flash him, my irritation spilling over. "I cannot simply criticize Aria depending on fabricated data and gossip. She has the right to defend herself.

Reginald closes his eyes and gets stiffer. "This relates not only to her, Kael. It concerns the direction this pack is headed. The pack will lose faith in you if it witnesses your wobble. The requirements of the pack must come before your own emotions.

His remarks dousing the fire of my rage with a cool dose of realism felt like a cold wave. Of course he is correct. As Alpha, I have to consider more than only myself. But the idea of forcing Aria away under cover of a falsehood and losing her is intolerable.

"Father, what if you are mistaken?" My voice just above a whisper, I ask. "What if Aria's innocence is false? If I ruin her for something she did not do, how can I live with myself?

Reginald's tone softens but only a little. "You have to be strong, Kael; I know this is tough. Sometimes the larger good calls for sacrifices. Should Aria be guilty, she puts all we have created under danger. And in case she is not... He stops, steely and deliberate eyes. She will then figure out a means of proving it.

His comments chill me to no end. I get nauseous reading his comments on Aria, as if she is only a pawn in his game. But he is my father, the guy reared to lead our pack to defend it at all costs. Though I have always trusted his judgment, I am not so sure just now.

"Think very carefully, Kael," Reginald says. The pack is observing here. They have to see you act with decision. Your emotions cannot distort your judgment.

He turns and walks away, the weight of his words hovering large in the air. I slide into a chair and hide my face in my hands. What should I be doing? Between my love of Aria and my obligation as Alpha, how can I decide? I feel as if I am drowning in a sea of uncertainty and the pressure is choking.

Startled by a knock on the door, I climb up to find Lyra standing there. Her face is deliberately calm, but I can see delight shining in her eyes. She understands she is winning and that her falsehoods are separating us.

She says, walking into the room, "Kael, I'm here to help. "I understand this is difficult for you, but you have to believe we are acting for the pack's best."

I fix my eyes on her, battling in me both rage and grief. "Lyra, how certain are you? How can you prove Aria is guilty?

Lyra's eyes flare with something—probably shame or fear—but it's gone as fast as it first seemed. "Kael, the data speaks for itself." One cannot overlook what is directly in front of them. You have to move before it is too late.

I shake my head as the walls close in around me. "What if you are mistaken? Suppose this is all some horrible error?

Lyra pauses, just momentarily, then her face stiffens. "Aria will know you are doing what you have to if she really loves you. This goes beyond your and her alone, Kael. It has to do with the pack, with regard to everyone.

Though they reflect Reginald's, her words don't comfort me. If anything, they simply heighten my fear. I get sick thinking of facing Aria and accusing her of something so terrible. But what options am I left with? Ignoring me runs the danger of losing the respect of my pack, the very people I have promised to defend.

I stand, my choice taken, but my heart weighs grief. I answer, "I'll talk to her," my voice flat. "I'll let her have a go explaining."

Lyra nods, something like relief flickering in her eyes. "That is all we ask, Kael. Simply hear her out. Still, keep in mind you have to be strong. Your emotions cannot color your judgment.

I get a flash of resentment toward Lyra, toward my father, and even at myself as she goes. This is not how things ought to have gone. Together, Aria and I were supposed to lead the pack into a future grounded in love and trust. But right now everything is breaking down and I have no idea how to put it right.

I inhaled deeply, getting ready for the confrontation. I owe Aria listening; she needs to know what she is accused of. But the idea that this chat marks the end of everything gnaws at me.

The hallways seem darker than they have ever been as I head to Aria's chambers. More oppressive. The pack members I pass follow me like ghosts, curious but also worried in their whispers. I open the door and see Aria seated by the window, back to me. She seems so calm and so uninformed of the approaching storm.

"Aria," I murmur gently, my voice breaking under the weight of what I am about to do.

She turns, her eyes ablaze onto me, but the smile falters upon seeing the look on my face. "Keal, what's wrong??"

I stop, my heart cracking at her concern. I must do this, though. I have to know the reality. "We have to talk."

Sitting across from her, the suspense in the room shoots upward. Her hands quiver slightly as she waits for me to speak, and I can sense her anxiety.

"There have been accusations," I start, faltering to find the proper words. People think you have been disloyal to me. Knowing you are carrying another man's child.

Aria's face turns white, horror widening her eyes. Kael, you cannot really believe that. I know you. You are aware I would never—”

Then explain this, I say, pulling up the letter Lyra showed me earlier. My heart is hammering in my chest, I pass it to her. "This letter," It apparently comes from the man you have known.

With quivering hands, Aria takes the letter and looks over its contents. I see her look change from shock to fury, then to something that hurts me—betrayal.

Her voice faltering, she continued, "This is a lie." Keal, this letter is a fabrication. You really have to believe me.

I find her to be credible. God, I most want to believe her above anything. But the questions, the anxiety of being misled, are too great. "How should I be sure, Aria? How can I come to believe?

She reaches out to me when tears build up in her eyes, but I step back as the struggle pulls me apart. Kela, kindly. I never would turn on you. You really have to believe me.

My voice breaking, I respond, "I want to." But everything is breaking down, Aria. Who I should trust today is unknown.

Though I can't allow myself to give in, the agony in her gaze feels to my heart like a razor. I have to defend the pack even if it means hurting both of our hearts.

Aria's voice is a whisper with a surprising quiet strength. "What then do we have if you cannot trust me, Kael?"

Her comments hang in the air, weighty and definitive. I have no response or means of healing the distance that has developed between us. All I know is that one false step will send everything tumbling down from the brink.