Chapter 12

STEFAN

My body rested sloppily on Kai's arm, and his fingers moved slowly and lazily through my hair. And that was something I'd never allow. Kai was the only one privileged to touch my hair; even Elena dares not try it.

My head pressed against his chest; his breathing slowed, but I could still feel the faint rise and fall of it. The room was quiet except for the sound of our breath. The air was still strong with the stench of our sex; sweats dripped down on our forehead and body.

Kai's hands now wrapped around my head as he pulled me closer to himself. His lips brushed my cheeks, but I turned and met his lips.

"I thought you never liked kissing me. Or are you fully into me now?”

I let out a disgruntled noise as I wrinkled my nose in clear disgust. “Eww!”

Kai laughed and caressed my cheek. “I'm not offended, Alpha." He teased me. “How do you feel now? Was I able to elevate your mood?” He smirked while I narrowed my gaze at him.

I didn't want to give him the satisfaction that he was perfect and he knew how to please me in the best possible ways, but one look at him told me he knew how much he owned every inch of me.

To be honest, I wasn't a fan of gay sex, but with Kai, it feels different. He was not only good with his lips but also knew the right words to say. He was furiously tempting and beautifully seductive. With him, I was happy and fulfilled.

Pity he wasn't my mate, it'd make a lot of sense. Kai was very handsome —dashing you could say. His head was adorned with beautiful brown curls that ended at his chin, and his eyes held the most beautiful brown eyes. Sharp-jawed, standing at six feet, lean but heavily built, with pink lips and a boyish look that made him look like a cute bear. He's the strongest, bravest, and smartest man I've ever met, which was the reason I made him my beta.

Kai tilted his head to look at me. “Are you fine if I tell you something now?” he asked. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as it jolted me out of my thoughts.

I didn’t lift my head from his chest. I hate going into a conversation after our special moment, but he's been trying to reach me all day, and I've been turning him down. And it could be just for one reason—it's important.

“Go on,” I answered.

He took a deep breath. “Ace sent you a letter. It says Malakai is making a move. A big one. Tomorrow, one of your clients will arrive in the country, and Malakai plans to meet him first. Ace thinks he wants to steal him from you.”

I let out a dry laugh. “That snake.” My lips curved slightly, but there was no real humor in it. “Go on if there's more.”

Kai shifted under me, his arm holding me tighter. “There’s more. Rumors have reached me about Ragnar. They say he’s plotting something dark. I don’t have the full details yet because he keeps it to himself. But the pack whispers what he told them. They believe it’s a plan that could change the supernatural world forever. They believe it could make Ragnar the strongest alpha alive.”

I moved my head slightly so I could see Kai’s face. “Do you believe them?”

Kai’s eyes didn’t waver as he seemed to contemplate his answer for a while. This was one thing that drew me closer to him, he was slow to speak. He thinks first about his words before pouring them out. And a person who does that is a very intelligent one." He paused to make sure I was listening to him.

“If Ragnar has been telling his people they will soon rise as one of the strongest packs, we can’t throw it away as a lie. You know what he’s capable of. You banished him for a reason. Likewise, you remember the things he did before you cast him out.”

I nodded slowly. His words dug into my mind like claws. The memory of Ragnar’s cruelty was still fresh in me. I had seen him destroyed without mercy. I had watched him tear apart what was mine.

I watched him destroy people and property like they meant nothing to him just to prove how dominant and commanding he could be. I couldn't take his brutal way of living and had stripped him of his place in my pack, but clearly, that hadn’t ended him.

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to Kai’s forehead. “You’re a darling for bringing me this.” My voice was calm, but inside, a cold fire burned.

“Be careful when you gather this information. Don’t get too close. Don’t let them suspect you. And if you ever need a backup, don't hesitate to mindlink me; I'd leave whatever I'm doing to get to you, okay?”

Kai’s mouth curled in a small smirk. “Why should I do any of this? Afraid I’ll leave you?”

I pulled back and gave him a face like his words had left a bad taste in my mouth. “Eww again for the second time in less than twenty minutes. You’re not even my mate. Why would I be afraid of losing you?”

He chuckled, but there was something in his eyes. Something searching.

“Do you regret what you did to Amara?” he asked suddenly.

The question hung in the air like a shadow. My lips parted, but no words came out. I stared past him. My eyes fixed on the door.

The question came as a surprise to me, and I know I could talk to him—he was my best buddy—but my answer would reflect on how I'd deal with my life. And right now, I don't have an answer for it.

The silence stretched between us.

Kai’s voice cut through it. “I just hope Ragnar’s plan has nothing to do with her,” he said. “Because… he started all this right after she awakened.”