Moving Into The Alpha’s Chambers

Chapter 47

Karyan stood at the front of the great hall, his sharp gaze completely focused on Karina.

Karina stood resignedly before him. The hall was filled with the murmurs of the assembled group members, their gazes flitting between the alpha and the accused.

“You are risking the safety of our entire pack,” Karyan’s voice echoed through the hall, silencing the whispers. “Your actions are reckless and dangerous. Seven people from our pack were attacked because of your stupidity and you, instead of realizing your mistake, went back to the creature’s lair.”

Karina opened her mouth to retort, but Nalani stepped forward. “Alpha, if I may speak.”
Karyan’s eyes glanced at Nalani. He gave a small nod.

“Karina believed that the creature could be tamed,” Nalani began, choosing her words carefully. “She thought it would be more useful to Mond if we could control it. She did not act out of hatred but out of a desire to help.”

The alpha’s eyes narrowed. “Help? By endangering us all?”

“She was wrong, but her intentions were good,” interjected Thad who also seemed determined to defend Karina. “Karina’s actions were foolish, but she didn’t mean to hurt Mond. She is a valued member of your pack and should be given a chance to make amends.”

Karyan’s gaze shifted from Thad and Nalani, his jaw tightening, ‘your pack…?’ He thought, ‘it’s also your pack, Nalani…’ He let out a long sigh after realising that Nalani still didn’t hold this as her home.

“Intentions don’t matter when lives are at stake,” he replied coldly. “Karina’s carelessness almost cost us. The safety of the pack is my primary responsibility, and I cannot let such actions go unpunished.”

“But-“ Nalani began, but Karyan cut her off.

“My decision is final,” he declared. “Karina will be confined to the dungeons until the Festival of Medeina one week from today.”

Karina’s shoulders slumped, but she soon held her head high, accepting her fate.

Thad and Nalani exchanged worried glances, but they knew better than to pressure the alpha further.

Karyan turned her attention back to the meeting. “Let this be a reminder to us all. Mond’s safety is the most important thing. We must not make any mistakes.”

As the hall began to empty, Nalani stepped closer to Karina. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Karina nodded. Her face still wore a haughty mask. “Never mind. I’ll be fine. It’s only been a week.”

Thad put a hand on her shoulder. His face was troubled, but he said nothing.

“Oh, never mind, Thad,” Karina said. “I’m not about to walk to the gallows.”

Two guards escorted Karina out, their grip tight on her arms as they headed towards the dungeon.

Nalani watched grimly, before she turned and ran after Karyan.

“Alpha, wait!”

She chased Karyan down the corridor,
managing to grip the sleeve of his robe to stop him.

Karyan stopped, letting Nalani step in front of him. She raised her eyebrows, waiting.

“You’re not being fair,” Nalani said in an irritated tone. “I am also guilty. I went to the creature’s lair with Karina. Why don’t you punish me too in front of everyone?”

Karyan’s cold, piercing gaze took the wind out of Nalani’s sails. “Who says I won’t punish you?” he replied flatly. “Just wait.”

Without another word, he turned and continued down the corridor, leaving Nalani standing there worried.

She stood still in the corridor. The heavy doors of Karyan’s private room closed behind her, the voice repeated in the empty hallway.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Then, she stepped into her garden, seeking solace in its beautiful flowers.

Night had fallen. Nalani sat at her desk, carefully writing a letter to Kabar. She tried to be detailed and concise to explain what had happened in Mond.

“That thing is completely out of control,” she wrote. “I have met it twice and both times I almost lost my life. I have tried to communicate telepathically. You know my telepathy always works on the wild animals you hunt in Inverno. But in Mond, my telepathy has its limits. This may be related to the extinction of magic here. Even a simple talent like telepathy doesn’t work well.”

The letter was far from finished when a knock on the door interrupted her. Mita hurried to open it. It was quite late, and Nalani wondered who couldn’t wait until morning.

As the door swung open, a tall alpha figure stepped inside.

Nalani barely had time to hide her letter before Karyan approached her.

“Pack your things. Starting tonight, you will be moving into my place.”

Nalani’s eyes widened in shock. “Why-?”
Karyan’s gaze was sharp as he replied,

“Didn’t you ask to be punished? This is your punishment. You will live with me so that I can keep a close eye on you.”

Nalani’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Ouch, damn it!’ She cursed to herself.

The thought of living under Karyan’s constant watch made her anxious. She had always valued her privacy, and the idea of losing it was almost unbearable.

“But-“ she began, but Karyan cut her off with a raised hand.

“There is no argument. You have shown that you cannot be trusted alone. That is as it should be.”

Nalani swallowed, feeling both angry and helpless. She wanted to argue, to say how unfair this was, but she knew it would be futile. Karyan had already made up his mind.

Silently, she nodded and began gathering her things. Mita watched wide-eyed, clearly shocked by the sudden turn of events, but wisely rushed to Nalani’s aid.

“Your servant stays here,” Karyan said. “This room is still yours. You may still go to this room during the day to play with your rabbit.”

Nalani turned to Mita. “Please take care of Kapoo for me, Mita.” The servant nodded.

Karyan waited by the door. Nalani could feel his eyes on her as she packed, a reminder of the control he had over her life.

Once finished, Karyan led the way out of her room. Nalani with the bundle of clothes in her arms followed him to the part of the castle where Karyan was staying.
***

He felt negligent towards Nalani all this time. The girl was a gift from another werewolf tribe, and he had treated her carelessly, like an object.

Not that he had ever thought of throwing her away out of boredom. He was probably just too focused on his role as the alpha of the pack.

Meanwhile, the girl was just a human, not a werewolf like them. But it seemed he had underestimated Nalani and his own feelings.

Now, he was taking the girl to his private place. The wing of the castle where his parents had once lived and raised him.

Nalani, with a large bundle in her hands, hesitantly followed him into a large room.

“This is my room,” he said. Nalani’s eyes widened.

He smiled inwardly at his agitation. He pointed to a door that connected his room to another. “And you will sleep there.” Did he see the slight relief in her eyes because she thought they would share a room?

He gestured for Nalani to go to the next room. Nalani walked slowly, and he followed her inside.

It was a nice room, once belonging to Lorelei. The furniture was still the same and still as nice as ever because he had taken care of it. Nalani deserved this room because...

“Alpha...”

He followed Nalani’s eyes to the connecting door. One eyebrow arched. A silent question.

“Why isn’t there another exit, and... there should be a doorleaf here.” Nalani pointed at the connecting door with a frown.

He could not hold back his laughter. “I won’t do anything to you,” he said. “And the only way out is through my room. You’ll have to go through me if you try to sneak out.”

“All right. I see your point. But...” He saw Nalani refrain from stomping her foot. “But what if I have to come out while you’re changing?”

He grinned. “You can close your eyes if you want.”
***