Free Web NovelChapter 18: Trapped
KADEN’S POV
A sudden, hot rush of anger slammed into my stomach. I was jealous. No—not jealous. That was impossible. She was a murderer. She was a slave. I couldn’t feel that way about her. I didn’t even know what to call the feeling, but I knew one thing for certain.
I did not like Kane’s hands on her.
The moment she heard my voice, Rebecca practically jumped out of Kane’s grip. She moved away from him with wide, terrified eyes, holding her torn dress against her chest. She didn’t look at either of us again. She just turned on her bare feet and rushed away down the corridor, disappearing around the corner like a ghost.
Kane turned his head, his brown eyes watching her go until she was completely out of sight. Then, he slowly turned back to face me. He furrowed his brow, his nose twitching slightly as he caught the air.
"Brother," Kane said, his voice deep and serious. "She smells like you. She smells completely like your scent. Tell me it’s not what I am thinking."
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I ignored him completely, turning around on my heel and marching right back toward my chambers.
Kane didn’t let it go. I could hear his heavy footsteps right behind me, following me closely through the hallway. When I reached my room, I pushed the heavy doors open, but he stepped right inside behind me before I could shut him out.
The moment Kane stepped into the room, his eyes went straight to the massive bed.
The sheets were still completely tangled, messy, and ruined from the hours before. The heavy smell of my release and her sweet scent still hung thick in the air, impossible for an Alpha to miss.
Kane stared at the bed for a long moment. Then, he looked up at me with deeply suspicious eyes.
"So the rumors I heard on my way here were actually true," he said, folding his massive arms across his broad chest. "Word is you took a breeder."
I let out a harsh, tight breath, walking over to the window to avoid his gaze. "Yes," I said coldly. "She killed Helen. She is the one responsible for her death, and she offered herself as a breeder to me to pay for her crime."
Kane nodded slowly. He didn’t yell or argue. He just took a seat in one of the heavy chairs by the dead fire, his movements calm and relaxed. He was quiet for a few long seconds, just studying my face, looking past all the anger I was trying to show.
"How are you doing?" Kane asked softly.
The question caught me off guard, making the anger in my chest burn even hotter. I ignored his question completely, turning around to glare at him. "Why are you here, Kane? You have your own pack to rule. You shouldn’t be leaving your territory."
"After I heard about the death of Helen, I had to arrange things in my pack and come see you," he said simply, his brown eyes full of a brotherly worry. He leaned forward, ignoring my harsh tone completely. "Kaden... how are you really doing?"
I looked away from him, my hands clenching into tight fists at my sides. I couldn’t answer.
If I spoke, I was afraid I would lose control. I couldn’t tell him that I was drowning. I couldn’t tell him that just hours ago, I had held the woman who destroyed my life, and for one terrible night, she had given me the only peace I had felt since Helen died.
I decided to change the topic. I turned away from the window and glared at him. "When are you leaving?"
I didn’t know why I asked that. Deep down, I didn’t actually mind him being here. But there was a strange feeling twisting inside my chest, one I couldn’t explain no matter how hard I tried. I used to never have a problem with Kane visiting me, but right now, everything felt different. Everything felt too complicated.
Kane scoffed and stood up from his chair. He walked over to me and placed a heavy, comforting hand on my shoulder. "I’m staying for at least a month," he said softly.
I frowned and quickly pushed his hand off my shoulder. "Why a month? You are an Alpha, Kane. You have your own pack to rule."
That was just an excuse, and we both knew it.
"And you are my twin." Kane said, his brown eyes staring deeply into mine. "I need to be sure you are okay. You just lost your mate and your unborn pup."
The mention of Helen and my lost child felt like a physical blow to my chest. I forced my voice to stay hard and cold. "I am fine."
"No, you’re not," Kane said, shaking his head. He looked around my messy bedroom, his eyes lingering on the tangled bed sheets again. "Why does my being here make you so defensive? You used to look forward to my visits."
That was the same question I was asking myself. Why was I so uneasy? Why did his presence suddenly make me uncomfortable?
I didn’t have an answer for him, so I just kept my jaw clenched and glared at him.
"Father instructed me to watch over you, Alpha King, and that is exactly what I intend to do," Kane said, his voice steady and stubborn.
I frowned deeply at the mention of our father. I opened my mouth to protest, but Kane stepped closer, cutting me off before I could speak.
"I know to the world you are brutal," he said softly, looking straight into my eyes. "I know everyone thinks you are hard, heartless, and completely unbreakable. And maybe you have to be that way for the pack. But I am your twin, Kaden. I know you. And I know you are hurting inside."
"I told you, I am fine," I snapped. My wolf banged against my ribs, wanting nothing more than to push everyone away so I could be alone with my dark thoughts.
"No," Kane said, his expression softening with that annoying brotherly worry. "You’re not fine. I am staying, Kaden, and that is final."
A hot wave of anger rushed through me. I wanted to use my Alpha King authority. I wanted to command my guards to drag him out of my territory. I wanted to order him to leave right this second, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t do it. He was my brother. The only person left who still cared about the man behind the crown, even when I gave the world every reason to see me as a monster.
I let out a harsh, defeated breath and turned my back on him again, staring blankly out the window. Kane didn’t say another word. He just turned around and walked away.
Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open, and a breathless guard rushed into the room.
"Alpha King! The old iron lift leading down to the servants’ quarters just broke down! The gears jammed completely between floors!"
I frowned, glaring at him. "Get the mechanics," I growled. "Why are you bothering me with a broken lift?"
The guard’s next words turned my blood cold and made my entire body go rigid. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Alpha... your breeder is locked inside the cage. The power went out, and the air vents have completely shut down. She is trapped inside, Alpha. We can hear her screaming through the shaft."
