Bastian
The engine of my car hummed steadily as I drove Dr. Cooper to the airport. The conversation between us had been minimal after Kaida’s checkup. He had his usual clinical detachment,
focusing on professional matters, while my mind churned over other things. Kaida had been quiet too, the weight of her thoughts clear from her silence. Her medical condition still lingered in the air, and I knew how fragile the whole situation was. Dr. Cooper had been helpful in keeping things discreet, but now it was time for him to return to Silverclaw Ridge.
As I pulled up to the departures drop–off, Cooper turned to me with a nod. “Keep me posted if there are any developments with Kaida. I’ll be back when necessary.”
I nodded in return, not particularly wanting to prolong this conversation. “You’ll be the first to know.
B
With that, Cooper gathered his things, stepped out of the car, and headed toward the terminal. I watched him for a moment before my gaze shifted toward the bustling crowd of arrivals. Something caught my eye, pulling my attention from the mundane flow of passengers. Walking out from the terminal was someone I hadn’t expected to see here–Kaelen Darkridge.
And he wasn’t alone.
Alara Snow, his wife, was at his side, her arm linked with his. They moved together like a couple on vacation, her smile light but strained. My eyes narrowed in suspicion, curiosity prickling at the back of my mind. What was Kaelen doing here in Crestwood City? And with Alara, of all people?
Without wasting a second, I stepped out of the car and made my way toward them. Kaelen spotted me first, a flicker of surprise passing over his face before he masked it with a smile.
“Bastian,” he greeted me, extending a hand.
I clasped it, eyes briefly flicking over to Alara, who offered a polite smile. “Kaelen, Alara. What brings you to Crestwood?”
Kaelen’s grip on my hand was firm, his gaze steady as he replied. “Honeymoon, actually. We just arrived.”
Honeymoon? My brow furrowed, and I glanced between the two of them. Something felt off, but I played along for now.
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“Honeymoon in Crestwood?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. ” Interesting choice.”
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Kaelen chuckled, but it was strained. “Alara wanted to see more of the country. I figured Crestwood would be a good spot to get away for a while.”
“Ah, I see,” I said, nodding. I turned my attention to Alara, her expression unreadable. “Well, I hope you enjoy your stay here.”
“Thank you,” Alara said softly, her voice carrying a hint of discomfort.
Kaelen and I exchanged another brief handshake before I bid them farewell. “Enjoy your honeymoon,” I added with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “I’ll let you two get settled in.”
Kaelen nodded, offering me a tight smile before turning back to Alara. I watched them walk away for a moment, the wheels in my mind already turning.
As soon as I was out of their line of sight, I pulled out my phone and dialed Ben’s number. It rang only once before he picked up.
“Alpha,” Ben’s voice was sharp on the other end. “What’s going on?”
“I just ran into Kaelen and Alara at the airport,” I said, keeping my tone even. “They’re here in Crestwood. On their honeymoon.”
There was a pause on the other end before Ben spoke again, his tone heavy with intrigue. “Their honeymoon? In Crestwood?”
“Exactly, I muttered, leaning against the car. “It seems like an odd choice, don’t
you
think?”
“Definitely,” Ben replied. “What do you think they’re really doing here?”
”
“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted. “But it doesn’t matter. Kaelen’s presence here is an opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”
There was a pause as Ben absorbed my words. “Do you want me to keep an eye on them?” “No,” I said, straightening up. “I’ve got something else in mind. It’s time to make Kaelen suffer.” Ben’s silence spoke volumes, but I knew he understood. The rivalry between Kaelen and me had been brewing for years, ever since he took the Luna role I had coveted. This honeymoon of his? A convenient excuse to disrupt his life and throw him off his game.
“What’s the plan?” Ben asked, his tone now fully on board with
my idea.
“I’ll need you to spread some information about Kaida,” I said, my voice low. “Kaelen still doesn’t
know the full truth about her, and I intend to use that against him. But first, let’s stir the waters a bit.
“You want me to focus on Kaida’s… situation?” Ben’s voice dropped to a cautious tone.
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40
+25 Points:
“Yes. Start small. Make sure word gets around that Kalda’s medical condition is more complicated than anyone knows. If it reaches Kaelen, we can use that to rattle him.” I paused, a dark smile playing on my lips. “And remind him that she’s still very much in Crestwood.”
“Got it,” Ben replied. “And what about Alara? Do we… Involve her?”
I considered it for a moment. Alara was a complication, but a useful one. If Kaelen’s attention was divided between his growing doubts about Kaida and his fragile relationship with Alara, it would be easier to push him over the edge.
“Let’s see how things play out first,” I said after a beat. “Alara’s not my immediate concern. Kaelen’s the one we need to target. But if she gets caught in the crossfire… well, that’s just a bonus.”
Ben chuckled darkly on the other end. “Understood, Alpha.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” I said before hanging up.
As I stood by the car, watching planes take off and land in the distance, I felt the familiar pull of satisfaction in my chest. Kaelen had made the mistake of showing up in my territory, in my city, and now I had all the leverage I needed. He may have thought this was just another honeymoon, a brief escape from his responsibilities, but he had no idea what was waiting for him here.
Crestwood was more than just a destination–it was my territory. And I didn’t take kindly to Kaelen waltzing in like he owned the place.
The next few days would be critical. If everything went according to plan, I could finally make Kaelen pay for the years of frustration and rivalry. And this time, it wouldn’t just be about power or rank. It would be personal.
I got back into the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. The game had just begun, and Kaelen had no idea that he was already losing.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
