Ch. 21: Misled

                                    

                                          

Nero
"I want a report of everything when I return," I told Ari as she followed me through the house the next morning. "If someone challenges Kaia's authority or place in the pack, let her deal with it. It will be well within her rights."
Ari nodded. "Anything else?"
I paused at the threshold of the front door. There were many things that could go wrong in my absence.
Maverick was still out there, and despite narrowing down potential places he could be stowing away, my wolf and I refused to go lax in the measures we were taking to keep Maverick from getting to Kaia. 
My fists tightened, thinking about the man.
I had to find him quickly, so I could deal with him with my own hands before Kaia could reach him. 
I didn't plan for Kaia to meet Maverick ever again. 
The next time Maverick appeared in front of my eyes, I would end him right then and there. 
But for now, I had to keep my thoughts focused on the Alpha King. He had finally returned home and called for me. 
Kaia's promise lingered in my mind. 
I'd promised her that I wouldn't lie. But I frankly didn't know what I would say to the Alpha King when I saw him. 
It was the first time I even dared to think about spilling a few white lies with carefully woven words to protect Kaia. However, my wolf and I recoiled at the thought of speaking falsities to the Alpha King. 
There had to be another way to sort this out. I just had to find out exactly how to do it.  
"Hey." Ari touched my arm and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Relax. You'll figure something out."
"I promised Kaia I wouldn't lie for her sake."
"She's got balls." Ari grinned. "The Alpha King's temper isn't something to take lightly."
"I don't know if I find it endearing or troublesome." I sighed, opening the door. Cool air brushed my skin, summoning goosebumps along my arms. 
Ari laughed from behind me as she followed me outside. "Let's go with endearing for now because I do find her to be so."
As if drawn to her, I spotted Kaia chatting with Sariah. Sariah was showing her things on her tablet that elicited a small wrinkle between my mate's brows. I was helpless to look away. 
She was magnetic, effortlessly tugging me into her orbit without trying, and like a mindless fool, my feet moved towards her. 
Halfway to her, Kaia glanced up. Sariah moved away upon my approach, tucking her tablet away as she called to Ari. 
"I have to go now," I announced. 
A slight frown spread across her lips. "Is someone going with you?"
I shook my head. "No. I will meet the Alpha King alone. I should be back soon, if there isn't much to discuss." 
Her frown deepened. 
"Are you worried about me?" I asked. I took slight pleasure at the sight of her downturned lips. 
Did she care enough for me to assign a corner of her mind to think about me, even if it was just for fleeting thoughts?
I was suddenly enraptured by her lovely lips. If she kept tugging on her bottom lip like that, I didn't think I would have the control to withhold myself from lowering my head and possessing them.