His Abandoned Luna Chapter 71

|| Kael’s POV ||

The heavy oak doors of the study creaked open as I stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and leather filling my nostrils. My father sat behind his desk, his expression dark and unreadable, while my mother stood by the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The tension in the room was palpable, a thick fog of disappointment and frustration that made it hard to breathe.

“Where have you been?”

My father’s voice was low, edged with barely restrained anger, but it was his eyes that made my blood run cold. They bore into me, sharp and accusing, as if he already knew the answer but wanted the satisfaction of hearing me admit it.

I didn’t flinch under his scrutiny, but my pulse pounded in my ears. My mind raced for an excuse, something that wouldn’t set him off even more.

“I was busy,” I said finally, keeping my voice even, though the lie sat heavy on my tongue.

His lips curled in displeasure. “Busy doing what?”

Before I could respond, my mother stepped forward, her tone sharper than steel.

“Kael, you haven’t even gone to apologize yet.” Disappointment laced her words, but there was something else beneath it— frustration. Exhaustion. Disbelief. “After what you did, it took a lot of your father’s effort to get things back to normal. Do you even understand the damage you’ve done? People are even talking about voting against you.”

"Not against him, Cassandra, removing him permanently from the election pool," father corrected her.

My fists clenched at my sides. I could feel my nails digging into my palms, a sharp reminder to stay composed.

“I have a plan,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the unease churning in my gut.

“A plan?” My father scoffed, his brows knitting together in skepticism. “And what exactly do you think you can do to tarnish whatever reputation we are left with?”

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. He was right. For the past few months, everything I had done had gone wrong. It was as if the universe itself had turned against me, cursing every step I took. Lilac slipping further and further from my grasp. My influence over her unraveling like a frayed thread, as if she never cared about me. Everything I worked for— everything I built— crumbling in front of me. As if someone was deliberately pushing me to my doom, as if I was the target of their rath. I tried to look if any of my competitors was behind it. Nothing came out of the investigation. I was frustrated and desperate.

But this time, it would be different.

It had to be.

“Then we’ll have a backup plan,” I said, lifting my chin defiantly. “Either she becomes mine tonight, or we destroy her reputation.”

My mother gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth as she took a step back.

My father, however, leaned forward, his expression unreadable. “You think it’ll be that easy?”

“Yes.” I met his gaze without hesitation. “Lilac isn’t as strong as she pretends to be. She has always been stubborn, but she feels deeply. I just need to remind her of what we had, of what we could still have. And if she resists…” I let the words hang in the air for a moment before finishing, “Then I’ll make sure everyone sees her as a... well her reputation will be in the line.”

The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but I forced myself to believe them. Lilac had always had eyes for me— only me. She always thought we were fated mates. Disappointment washed over her on my eighteenth birthday when she learned we weren't mates.There was no way she could have stopped loving me so suddenly.

She just needed a push. A reminder. A glimpse of our perfect future.

Or... a lesson in loyalty.

“Kael…” My mother’s voice wavered, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her gown, "what exactly are you doing?"

"You will see," I smiled.

"Just what are you planning this time? Haven't you done enough?" Father narrowed his eyes on me.

"Trust me this once, dad," I replied in a firm voice.

Mom's eyes were uncertain, “Be careful. You’ll be in Alpha Asher’s territory tonight. Your father and I won’t be attending, but everyone will be there. Alphas. High-ranking wolves. Prominent families. Tell us what you are planning so that we can back you up. If anything goes wrong…”

That’s the point, I wanted to say, but instead, I smirked.

“That’s perfect.” My voice was calm, controlled— like a predator who already knew the hunt was his to win. “The more people there are, the better. I’ll make sure everyone sees exactly what I want them to see.”

My father studied me, his eyes darkening. He wasn’t a man who easily gave approval, and I didn’t expect it now. But he didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him, unreadable as always.

“Just remember, Kael,” he murmured, his voice carrying an edge of finality. “This is your last chance. If you fail, there’s no coming back from this.”

I nodded, jaw tight, my resolve solidifying like steel.

“I won’t fail.”

I couldn’t fail. I worked all my life for this.

Lilac would be mine again. The throne would be mine. No one would dare to question when I would ascend.

One way or another.

I moved towards the door when I heard my father one last time, "remember you are a Reventhorn. Do not embarrasse me again."

So that's how he saw me right now. An embarrassment! I swallowed my words.

I don't have to answer you right now, father, the event at the night will show you my worth.