The Luna they betrayed became Untouchable

Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Kael had never hated asking for help more than he did that morning.

He stood inside Lucien’s study, his hands clenched behind his back while the Supreme Alpha read through the figures he’d brought.

Lucien didn’t even look surprised. "You want fifty million silvers?" he asked, not looking at him.

"I need it temporarily." Kael kept his voice steady. "Silver Creek’s reserves have been depleted. The healers are struggling, trade has slowed, and—"

Lucien shut the ledger. "Then manage your pack properly, Alpha Kael. What exactly is it you are doing wrong?"

Kael’s jaw tightened. "I am doing nothing wrong, Alpha Lucien. I have only come for help—" He paused, realising his tone wasn’t that of someone who needed help, and cleared his throat. "I am doing nothing wrong than what I have always done. Evelyn has always—"

"How does this tie back to your vile ex-Luna, Alpha Kael? Did she manage your pack’s finances?" Lucien shot back.

"No," Kael snapped, feeling undermined and embarrassed. What sort of question was that?

Lucien raised his brows, waiting for him to continue.

"She never managed the pack’s finances. I did it all," he replied.

Lucien hummed, tossing the ledger back to Kael. "Then do it again. You came here asking me for money when the First Houses are bleeding because of you."

Kael’s brows drew together. "Because of me?"

"You think I would be dealing with this mess if your pack hadn’t become one of the reasons Evelyn started digging into everything?"

Lucien rose from his chair. "Your problems are yours, Kael. You are an Alpha. Act like one."

"The pack cannot survive without additional funds," Kael argued.

"Then find additional funds," Lucien replied.

Kael stared at him while Lucien’s expression hardened. "I have my own problems to deal with, Alpha Kael. You don’t see me begging for loans, do you?"

Kael couldn’t be more ashamed than he was in that moment.

Lucien turned away from him, effectively ending the conversation. "Go back to your pack," he said coldly. "And figure out how to keep it standing."

Kael stood there for another moment, humiliation burning underneath his skin.

He had come to the First Houses believing Lucien would understand. Silver Creek had always been one of the realm’s strongest packs. He had paid his dues. He had never expected to be turned away like some desperate Alpha begging at another man’s door.

But Lucien had not even hesitated.

Kael tightened his grip around the ledger. "Very well." He gritted out, then turned and walked out.

The moment the study door slammed behind him, the restraint he’d been forcing over himself cracked.

"Damn it!" His fist struck the wall. The guards stationed outside stiffened, but neither dared look at him.

Kael barely noticed them. He stormed through the corridors of the First Houses, every step fueled by humiliation.

Evelyn. Somehow, everything always came back to her. The moment she had left Silver Creek, everything had begun falling apart.

And Lucien had just made it clear that no one was coming to save him.

---

By the time Kael returned to Silver Creek, there were already three more problems waiting for him.

The head healer met him at the entrance. "Alpha, we need to speak about the infirmary."

"Later," he grunted.

"Alpha, it cannot wait," she argued back, and he stopped, brows raised. "What now?"

"We’ve run out of the moonroot extract again. Two warriors have developed fever from infected wounds, and the healers are asking whether we should begin rationing what little medicine remains."

Kael stared at her blankly. "Then ration it."

The healer hesitated. "And the merchants?"

"What about them?" he asked.

"They’re demanding payment before they send anything else."

Kael’s eyes narrowed. "Tell them they’ll be paid."

"With what, Alpha?"

It felt like cold ice water had been doused on Kael. His eyes flashed red, and in an instant, he was on the woman, gripping her neck so hard.

"What did you say? That the pack is broke? That we can’t afford anything?" He growled into her face.

The healer’s feet barely touched the floor. "Alpha—" she choked, clawing at his wrist.

Kael’s eyes burned red. "Do not question my ability to provide for this pack."

"Alpha." Sophia’s voice came from behind him, and he froze.

She stood several feet away, her expression startled, one hand pressed against her chest. Two servants had stopped in the corridor, staring at the scene before quickly lowering their heads.

Kael released the healer. She stumbled backward, coughing hard as she clutched her throat.

"Leave," he ordered. The healer didn’t need to be told twice. She hurried away, and Kael remained where he was, breathing heavily.

Sophia approached slowly. "You shouldn’t have done that. You don’t want your own people to fear you."

Kael shot her a look that said he wasn’t in the mood. He continued walking toward his office, Sophia trailing behind him.

As soon as the door shut, he turned around. "I need to speak to you."

Sophia blinked, mind racing through all the things she’d done recently. Which one was he going to talk about?

"I’m all ears."

Kael ran his fingers through his hair. "How far have you gotten with the healing vials? It’s been more than three months already. We need more than what we have now."

Sophia’s expression tightened. "I’m working on it."

Kael stared at her. "Working on it?"

"Yes." She forced a small smile. "The process isn’t as simple as I thought it would be. Evelyn’s formulas were—"

"Then make your own formulas." The sharpness in his voice made her flinch.

Kael immediately looked away, rubbing his temples. "I’m sorry."

Sophia’s lips trembled slightly. "I’m trying, Kael."

"I know." He sank into his chair, suddenly looking more exhausted than angry. "I just... I don’t know how much longer we can keep doing this."

Sophia walked around the desk and placed her hands gently on his shoulders. "We’ll figure it out."

Kael closed his eyes. "No." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I don’t think we will."

Sophia’s hands slowed. "The pack is falling apart, but you still have me."

"Everything is falling apart, Sophia. The merchants want money we don’t have. The healers are begging for medicine. The warriors are getting sick. And Lucien just refused me a loan."

Sophia’s eyes widened. "He refused?"

Kael nodded bitterly. "I asked for fifty million silvers."

"And he said no?" she asked.

"He told me to go back and act like an Alpha."

Sophia had no words. This wasn’t how she had planned her years in Silver Creek to be. She’d expected more, but now... she was stuck trying to recreate healing potions she knew nothing about.

Kael opened his eyes and looked at her. For a second, he said nothing. "Evelyn used to know what to do. These merchants—she spoke to them. The healers—she provided the vials."

The more he spoke, the more Sophia’s face hardened. "So what, you want her back?" she asked, her voice coming out sharper than intended.

Kael didn’t answer. Sophia’s nails dug into her palms. "Kael?" she called.

He finally turned. "I don’t know."

Her expression changed. "You don’t know?"

"If bringing her back is what it takes to save Silver Creek..." He paused, his pride warring visibly with desperation. "Then perhaps I have no choice."

Sophia stared at him in disbelief. "You would beg her?"

Kael’s jaw clenched. "I wouldn’t have to mean it."

Sophia went still.

Kael’s eyes hardened as though he’d already begun convincing himself. "I could tell her whatever she wants to hear. Apologize. Admit I was wrong. Tell her I need her."

Kael looked at her. "She doesn’t need to know the truth. I would only use her. She can handle the finances, restore the trade routes, fix the infirmary. Whatever she needs to do, I’ll let her. And once Silver Creek is stable..."

"And me?" Sophia asked.

"You would remain Luna. We’ll get to have more time to ourselves. I can take you on trips to the southern district that you’ve told me about, remember? With her back, you and I would get these loads off our necks. We would just have to pay a little price for it."

He reached for her hand. "It will only be you and I at the end of the day. Nothing changes that."

Sophia stared at their joined hands. She should have felt relieved. Instead, something dark and furious twisted inside her.

Over her dead body would Evelyn return to Silver Creek.

Not after everything she’d done to make Evelyn disappear from Kael’s life.

Because Sophia remembered what Evelyn had been like before marrying Kael. How she used to follow Kael around. The way she watched him whenever he entered a room.

Evelyn had once loved Kael so completely that Sophia had believed there was nothing left of her pride.

If Kael called her back now and pretended to love her, she might come. And if Evelyn came back, Sophia knew exactly what would happen.

Kael would remember the woman who had once loved him more than herself.

A knock suddenly sounded against the door. Kael frowned. "Come in."

The door opened, and Beta Callum stepped inside. "Alpha." He bowed, his gaze meeting Sophia’s, and just like that, she stiffened, her face tightening.

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