CHAPTER 15

Kael's POV

Warm water splattered on my face as I ran my fingers through my hair, but I couldn't fucking relax. A pathetic pair of brown eyes were fixated on me.

Without bothering to spare her hideous condition a glance, I groaned.

"I bet no body wash can clean the filthy germs your touch left on my body."

There it was. Her pathetic heart beating faster from just one comment. But who said I was lying? She really stank. Of what, you ask? Rotten eggs, sewage, and dirt. It seemed she hadn't even been given soap to rinse off after that day of her public humiliation.

But since when did I care?

"Get out and tell one of the maids to clean this bathroom. The room stinks of your disgusting scent already."

I heard a splash of water followed by a low groan, and I finally opened my eyes to look at her struggling back. She slipped and hurt her elbow. Sniffling her cry with the back of her hand, she started rubbing the bloodstain with her shirt.

I scoffed at the realization. Rather than taking care of her bleeding elbow, she looked more afraid of the bloodstain on my tub.

My eyes trailed lower, and I got a view of her naked legs. Because of being wet, the white shirt had turned translucent, giving a full view of her bra and panties. Her figure was frail—nothing better than a stick. Dom's shirt was literally hanging on her.

The woman wasn't even attractive. David should be kissing my shoes. If it wasn't for me, who would have married his hideous daughter?

Reb was full. Touching her felt like heaven. Damn those full blossoms and that firm ass. She was my match. She was the only woman who could keep up with my desires for hours. And this girl? It looked like her stick body would crumble under my mere touch. Let alone *fuck*. She was the complete opposite of mine. Her 5'3" figure could collapse under me without even realizing.

A concubine would be a much better option if the council ever demanded an heir someday.

I really didn't care about her wasteful existence… yet.

The image of that bastard pinning her petite body under his in the forest flashed before my eyes, and my fists clenched.

Tears trailed down her eyes. She was crying, and one could feel her fear from miles away. I saw my Reb in her at that time. That *fucker* David must have forced her like that. She must have begged. But no one came to save her. She was David's daughter. This girl deserved it. But I just couldn't. I wasn't able to stoop myself that low.

Yes, I took her to the club to strip that veil of innocence from her eyes. I wanted her to know where I could throw her and what would become of her if she ever crossed me. It was a punishment. But the chain around her neck was my claim. I knew no man would touch her, seeing who she belonged to. She didn't know anyone, but everyone knew her.

It was just one night. I asked the manager to make sure of it. But a *fucker* slipped Eros into her drink. That wasn't part of my plan, nor was her running away. If I hadn't reached her in time, that Alpha would have…

Letting out another sigh, I switched off the shower and walked out. Why was I wasting my time thinking about her? I had way more important things to do.

Alpha Kane was one of the members of our cartel. Yet when a difficult time came with rogues, the other Alphas were too conceited and afraid to interfere. Except for me. I just loved ripping the rogues' heads off and feeding them to dogs. Killing was my vent. Seeing blood was the only time I felt peace in my restless heart.

132 rogues in the last seven days since her. It was sick. I knew. My mental health wasn't at its best right now. But what could they expect from a man who lost his mate and was asked to marry her murderer's daughter the next day?

"I am really sorry for the loss, Alpha Kael. A Queen like Luna Rebecca was once in a million."

"A billion. Indeed."

Alpha Kane bowed, offering me his condolences, and I continued to swirl the drink in my glass. Five glasses since morning? Who cared.

We sat in uncomfortable silence when he broke the ice.

"I guess I should take my leave."

"Come. Let me show you out."

I didn't usually walk people out—it wasn't my style—but my restless mind was itching for a stroll.

"Thank you so much, Alpha Kael. You don't know how much this means to us. In times like these, when no one is helping, your support means so much."

We walked down the corridor with his beta and guards following us, and I nodded. My hands rested in my pockets.

My footsteps seized. It was barely audible. I turned around to find nothing.

Strange.

Kane and the others looked at me, asking what was wrong. I said nothing. It couldn't be a hallucination. I continued to walk.

Then I sniffed. It was distant but present.

That disgusting smell from that girl!

"Alpha Kane, I will take my leave from here."

"Sure. Have a nice day."

I cracked my neck. Nice? Sure. Once I had that little bitch at my feet, my day would turn out sunny. She had the audacity to eavesdrop on my conversation. That piece of shit! I had zero trust in her. Who knew when she was planning my murder or, worse, sending inside information to her father?

There was no one saving her today.

Before she even touched me, I was going to rip her to shreds. Starting with those doe-like eyes of hers that fluttered and looked at me in innocence every time I shouted at her.

I marched down the corridor. Her scent was getting closer. Just behind the pillar. Gotcha, bitch!

Turning around, I came face to face with that hideous face of hers. Her head leaned against the wall, chest heaving, and fists clenched behind her. She blankly stared at me.

"Done eavesdropping, huh? I guess my last punishment wasn't enough."

My fingers coiled around her petite neck, but unlike earlier, she didn't resist. Her expression remained blank. Beads of sweat trailed down her forehead. But those eyes—they stayed transfixed on mine, barely blinking. There wasn't any stubbornness or rage in them like earlier. Rather, they looked lost, blank, and oblivious.

"What are you doing here? Answer me, dammit! Or you won't like the repercussions."

My grip made her body thrash. Those chapped lips of hers opened, but no curse or reply left them.

"Speak!"

Nothing.

And then, just as I was about to tighten my grip on her neck, her entire body jolted. My brows furrowed as I saw a strange white foam leaving her lips.

What the *fuck*?

I pulled back. Without my support, her body crumbled. Those eyes closed. Her limbs fell lifeless, and before she could hit the ground, my arms wrapped around her waist on their own accord.

Her lifeless body dropped into my lap like a heap, and I grabbed her jaw to speak.

"Hey! Wake up! Ast… Astri, whatever your name is!"

Her face was turning pale. Her thudding heart—the one I always felt irritated hearing—was slowing, and I picked her up in my arms to rush to the infirmary.

Dammit! What has this stupid woman done now?