Chapter 21: Ariadne's Mistake

"Move the flowers closer to the archway," Kael called out to some servants, his hand waving to hurry them up. "The colors must be balanced. And you, spread the torches out further. We needn't have anyone burnt during the ceremony." Just as Kael was turning to check progress around the head table of the banquet, a young warrior ran up, out of breath from running. "Kael!" the warrior huffed. "Ariadne Steflendon is back from the war!" Kael's blood ran cold as he froze. "Oh no," he muttered, as his heart sank. He ran toward the mansion's gates without wasting a single moment. It was a sight to make his stomach roil when he reached the courtyard: Ariadne, the most fearsome warrior who had fought innumerable battles for the Alpha, rode her huge black horse onto the estate grounds. Her armor was sullied with specks of blood, and her sword still dripped with the lives she had taken. Her fierce, bright eyes traversed the glitters of decorations with an expression of confusion and pride. With practiced ease, she swung from the saddle, her boots grinding into the cobblestones as she strode forward, the crimson cloak billowing behind her like a bloody cloud. Kael shoved through the servants, trying to head her off, but she moved too fast. Ariadne's keen eyes cut through the golden hangings, the glittering tapers, the banqueting tables set out with precision. A slow smile crept across her mouth as comprehension dawned—or rather, as what she thought was comprehension did. 'They've done all this for me," she murmured, her voice laced with triumph. Before Kael could stop her, Ariadne marched toward the grand hall, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in her wake. 'Ariadne, wait!" Kael called out, but she ignored him, her focus solely on the grand doors ahead. Ariadne burst into the courtroom and dropped on one knee before Alpha Ileus, her head bowed to him in reverence. The king, who had been going over wedding plans with his advisors, raised an eyebrow as the warrior knelt before him. "My Alpha," she begun off, her voice trembling with gratitude. "You honor me beyond words. This celebration, this grand display, it is more than I could have ever asked for." Alpha Ileus blinked, taken aback by her words. "Ariadne, what are you talking about?" She lifted her head and her eyes shone as bright as any star, her face a mask of utter devotion. "I have returned victorious! Our enemies have been eliminated, as you have ordered. Their blood covers my hands, my sword, my soul. And now I am ready." "Ready for what?" Ileus repeated carefully, his eyebrows furrowing. "To take my rightful place as your Luna," she announced, her voice reverberating off the walls of that chamber. The room was stuck in silent shock. Advisors exchanged nervous eye-fluttering; Kael, finally abreast, stood framed in the doorway, shaking his head in dismay. Alpha Ileus rose from his throne, a towering figure in the cold light as he cast a threatening shadow over the kneeling warrior. "Ariadne," he said carefully, "you have misunderstood." Her smile faltered. "Misunderstood?" "This is not a celebration for you," he said softly, yet firmly. "It is for my wedding. I am to be joined with Rieka, the wolfless girl, on the fourth night under the full moon." Ariadne paled when his words finally set in. She got up to her feet, taking her time, the blood-speckled gauntlets clenched at her sides. "You. You're marrying a wolfless girl?" she echoed, almost incredulous. "Yes," said Ileus. She laughed, a bitter, sharp, unhinged sound. "I have given everything for you! My loyalty, my strength, my very life! And you choose her? A wolfless girl who has done nothing for this pack?" Kael stepped forward, his voice firm with calm. "Ariadne, that's enough." "No, it's not enough!" she snarled, whirling on him. "I bled for this pack! I bled for him!" She was pointing at Ileus, her finger shaking with anger. "And this is how I am repaid?" "Ariadne," Ileus said, voice now tinged with warning. "You will watch your words." Her chest heaved as she fought to keep her fury contained. "Do you love her?" she spat, voice cracking. Ileus's expression softened, but his resolution did not waver. "Love her or not, she is my choice." "That is no answer," she spat, her tone bitter. "It is the only answer you shall receive," Ileus returned. Kael set a firm hand on her shoulder. "Ariadne, I think you should rest. You've been through a lot. She shrugged him off, her eyes never leaving Ileus. "This isn't over," she said quietly, her tone shaking with anger and despair both. "Ariadne," Ileus said, his voice a whit final, "it is over. I respect your service to this pack, but my decision stands. You will not challenge it. She stood there for a moment, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and marched out of the courtroom, her bloodied cloak trailing behind her. Kael sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That could have gone better." Ileus shook his head, his face tired. "She's strong, but she allows her emotions to rule her. She'll either learn to accept this or she'll have no place here." Kael nodded, though his gaze stayed on the door through which Ariadne had gone. "I'll keep an eye on her." "See that you do," Ileus said. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Outside, Ariadne burst into the courtyard, her mind aflame. The serving women and warriors who had previously bustled about stopped to stare at her blood-stained body. Murmurs rippled through them, but she paid no heed, her mind consumed by the plagues of betrayal and humiliation. Kael caught up to her as she mounted her horse. "Ariadne," he called out in a far gentler tone. "What?" she snapped without ever looking at him. 'You've done great things for this pack," he said sincerely. 'Don't let this cloud your judgment." She laughed bitterly. 'Judgment? What judgment is left when the man I've fought for chooses another girl over me?" Kael sighed. 'It's not about worth. The Alpha's choice is his own." She glared at him. 'Then maybe he should have chosen someone who would die for him. Someone who already has." The moment he would have answered her, she kicked her horse into a gallop and was gone, vanished into the trees. Kael watched her go. "This isn't the end of it," he muttered under his breath.