Chapter 6. Appointed to a new position

The king summoned Kael into his throne room. At first, Kael had a gut feeling that Princess Farah had snitched on him for being outside the palace walls, but it turned out to be something entirely different.

"Kael," the king's voice boomed.

"Yes, Your Highness," Kael replied, bowing to the king.

Princess Farah and Zoya were present, and Kael did his best to avoid their gaze - especially Farah's, which seemed to throw venom at him, and Zoya's, which smiled seductively at him.

"I would like to appoint you to a new position," the king said. "Henceforth, you are to guard Zoya, my daughter, and ensure her safety."

Kael was taken aback, having wished it was Farah he had been appointed to guard. However, he knew that to carry out his mission successfully, he had to follow orders. So, he bowed his head and said, "Okay, Your Highness, your wish is my command."

Zoya stood up, kissed her father on the cheek, and said, "I'll see you later, Father." She turned to Kael and said, "Let's go," before walking out with him.

As soon as Kael and Zoya left, Farah turned to her father, her voice laced with concern. "Father, how could you trust this guard? He's a stranger who just appeared at our palace out of nowhere."

The king dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand. "Enough, Farah. I have no time for this nonsense. Kael has proven himself worthy, and I won't let such a skilled guard slip through my fingers."

Farah's expression turned incredulous. "I can't believe this, Father. How can you trust him so easily?" She kissed her father's cheek and stormed out of the room.

Meanwhile, Zoya was busy with various tasks, with Kael following closely behind her like a shadow. He wasn't enjoying the assignment, but he had no choice. Zoya was a beautiful girl, but in Kael's opinion, she couldn't hold a candle to Farah.

"Kael, we're heading to my friend's place now," Zoya said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and flirtation. "We have a meeting, and as my appointed guard, you need to ensure my safety."

Kael nodded, his expression neutral. "Yes, my lady."

Zoya walked away, swaying her hips, with Kael following closely behind. They arrived at Zoya's friend's place, where they were greeted by a group of giggling girls.

The girls, from high-society families, couldn't help but stare. "Who's this, my goodness?" one of Zoya's friends squealed, and Zoya quickly hushed her. "Shh, that's my guard. Quit gawking," she said sternly.

"Sorry, sorry, but he's so handsome!" her friend replied, and Zoya shot back, "I know, but like I said, he's my guard and nothing more."

The girls couldn't tear their eyes away from Kael, but he was used to this reaction. He'd always been the object of admiration from women – his handsome features made him hard to ignore.

Zoya quickly wrapped up her gathering with her friends, eager to leave the gawking behind. On their way back to the palace, Zoya's curiosity got the better of her. "So, tell me, Kael, have you had a woman before?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Kael's response was blunt and unapologetic: "Yes, countless."

Zoya's cheeks flushed instantly, turning a deep pink. She was taken aback by his straightforward answer, and her heart skipped a beat. This man was unapologetically honest, and it both shocked and intrigued her.

As the sun began to set, Zoya retreated to her chamber, Kael taking his position outside her door. With one last glance at him, she slipped inside.

As night fell, Kael returned to his own quarters, but his mind was consumed by thoughts of Farah. The impending full moon only intensified his longing. Overwhelmed by the urge to see her, he snuck back into the palace, navigating the numerous guards with ease. Stealth was a skill he had mastered long ago.

He made his way to Farah's chamber, his heart racing with anticipation. Knowing he couldn't simply barge in, he leaned against her door, inhaling the scent that lingered on the other side. Just then, he heard footsteps approaching – Farah's maid, exiting the room.

Kael swiftly hid behind the wall, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As the maid emerged, he knocked over a nearby candle, using the distraction to slip into the chamber unnoticed. The plan worked, and he found himself inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light within.

The maid closed the door behind her, oblivious to Kael's stealthy entrance. He gazed upon Princess Farah, sleeping serenely on her bed. As he drew closer, she stirred in her sleep, and he froze, holding his breath. But she settled back into a peaceful slumber.

Kael opened her closet and discreetly sniffed her clothes. His eyes landed on a tiny nightgown, which he quickly pocketed. It was a small, insignificant item that Farah would hardly miss.

With one final glance at the sleeping princess, Kael slipped out of the chamber and made his way back to his quarters.

As he exited the palace, he encountered Elara, Farah's maid. "What brings you out so late at night?" she asked, eyeing him with a hint of curiosity.

Kael flashed a charming smile. "Just patrolling the grounds. We can never be too careful, especially under the light of the full moon." His lie rolled off his tongue with ease.

Elara smiled, her eyes lingering on Kael's handsome face. "I should return to my quarters now. Take care of yourself..." he trailed off, expecting her to say her name.

"Elara," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"Elara," Kael repeated, his voice low and smooth, before bidding her farewell.

Elara couldn't help but watch him until he disappeared from view. She let out a wistful sigh and headed back to Farah's chambers.

That night, Kael's sleep was fitful. His mind was consumed by thoughts of Farah, and his wolf grew restless. The beast within him couldn't bear the distance between them, and Kael knew he had to accelerate his plans. This urgent need was the last thought that filled his mind before he finally drifted off to sleep.