Chapter 13: Chapter 13

KEVIN’S POV

“Kevin… Kevin… are you listening to me?” My father’s booming voice brought me back to reality.

“Sorry Alpha… I just…” I was about to say zoned out but father interrupted me.

“I know that you are not feeling that well but this is important…” He urged in a stern yet urgent voice.

“You have my undivided attention Alpha…” I said, sitting up straight.

My father glanced at Collins and nodded his head. Collins produced a large golden box. A five-petalled lily was engraved on the lid. The large ruby in the center dazzled in the sunlight.

“Today I have invited the Alphas of the other four packs in Auroville for a meeting. We will invite them for the unification ceremony and also send a secret warning…”

“But, dad…”

“I know that you need more time to convince Kiara. But, I am helpless son… You were attacked yesterday… We have to send in a strong message if we want to protect our pack…”

Exhaling deeply, I nodded my head. “How are we going to send a secret warning?”

“We will carry this box along with us…”

“Sorry…” I blurted out. This made no sense at all.

“This box contains a secret that can make or break Auroville. I will explain it to you when we are free. We have to leave now,” My father said in a decisive tone.

I could only suppress my curiosity and accept his order.

A flash of light from the corner caught my attention.

“Who is there?” I called out in a loud voice. When there was no reply, I went to investigate but all I found was Cami and Kiara engaged in a glaring match.

Poised in their leather jackets and jeans, they looked no less than warriors. I didn’t need Einstein’s brain to guess what this was about.

Yesterday night Kiara had saved my life. Now, it was my turn to save her. I closed in behind her and hugged her from behind.

Cami’s eyes widened in surprise. Hurt flashed in her eyes and she said, “Kevin, I know you are an honorable man and a respectable Alpha but Kiara is vile and hateful. She derives pleasure by hurting other people.

If you reject her to save your family from heartache, it won’t make you a bad Alpha…”

I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. How could she talk so casually about this? Drawing in a deep breath, I said, “Your parents must be missing you Cami. It is high time you returned…”

Her jaws hung open. Shaking her she said, “How can you say that, Kevin? I stayed back only to protect you…”

“There is no need, Cami. My mate will protect me whenever I am in need; just like she did yesterday…” I interrupted before she could complete her sentence.

I spun Kiara around so that she was facing me. Cupping her face in my hands, I said, “We will have a candlelight dinner today, alone…”

Then I walked away without sparing another glance at Cami. Hopefully, she would take the hint and leave. I had enough on my plate without having to worry about the rift between her and my mate.

KIARA’S POV

I had been pacing near the lake waiting for Nivaan. It was already an hour since I send him the picture of the golden box. If I missed the chance to switch the boxes, God knows when I would get an opportunity again.

“Nivaan! You are finally here… I have been waiting for ages…” I blurted out the moment I saw him walk out of the bushes.

He came to a halt in front of me. Tapping my head playfully, he said, “It is not like I had a golden box with a lily flower lying in my wardrobe. I had to get this custom made.”

My eyes widened in wonder. The box was an exact replica of the one I had seen in Alpha’s hand. All I needed to do was switch them before they left for the meeting.

“Wait for me here,” I said as I hid the box under my jacket and rushed to the cottage.

The sound of water running in the bathroom indicated that Kevin was taking a bath. I replaced the golden box kept on the table and hid the original one in the wardrobe.

The door of the bathroom swung open the moment I had shut the wardrobe. I gulped when my eyes landed on Kevin. His hair was still wet from the shower. Water trickled down his bare chest making my heart flutter.

I had to use every ounce of my willpower to look at his face. This didn’t seem to help either. His deep eyes held me captive. His lips quirked up as he walked slowly towards me.

My heart started thumping erratically and my breath caught in my throat. I barely managed to whisper, “What are you doing?”

“I need my clothes.” Kevin’s musical voice jolted me to reality. Bloody hell! Why did I have to hide the box in the wardrobe?

I stood there frozen on the spot. He was now just a few steps away from me. Thinking quickly, I said, “How about I choose the clothes for you?”

He stood there still for a moment as if trying to ensure I had really said those words.

I cleared my throat and repeated, “Kevin, How about I help you in choosing your clothes? You have an important meeting today and you should look good…”

“Sure… of course… I mean why not…” He said in a flustered voice and took a few steps backward.

I took out the suit that was nearest to me and thrust it into his hands before shutting the door.

His eyebrows drew together and he said, “Are you sure you want me to wear, black pants with, blue striped jacket and a red shirt… they don’t ummm… seem to go well…”

Damn! I must have mixed them up while taking it out. I couldn’t afford to open the door again. So, I made an excuse, “What do you know about new trends… besides it will look good on you…”

“Cool… if my mate thinks I will look good then I must wear it..” He said putting on the shirt. He looked at me uncomfortably for a moment but then his eyes lit up with a naughty glint.

I was too worried to catch on to the fact that I should have left the room for him to change. By the time I realized it, he had already changed. I could only stare at the ground embarrassed.

Thankfully, Kevin didn’t have the time to rub it in. He grabbed the box and trotted out of the room.