<h4>Chapter 200: Court appearance.</h4>


    <strong>Charis</strong>


    The tears spilt over now, running hot down my cheeks. My throat felt tight, making it hard to breathe. "Why are you doing this? Why have you been picking on me all week? What did I do to you?"


    Kael opened his mouth, then closed it. Something flickered in his eyes; guilt, maybe, or regret.


    "Charis—" he started.


    "No!" I cut him off. "You’ve been irritable and mean and critical ever since this week. Ever since you walked in on me with Rhett and ter, is that what this is about? Are you jealous? Are you angry that I was with them? I told you I cannot reject them and ept only you..."


    "Wait!" ter interrupted, "Kael asked you to ept him alone and reject us?"


    Kael rolled his eyes, sighing with exasperation. "That’s not—"


    "Then what is it?" I was crying harder now, the words tumbling out between sobs. "Because I can’t keep up with your moods. One minute you’re kissing me and saying you need me, and the next you’re telling me I’m immature and weak and making bad decisions. Which is it, Kael? Do you want me or not?"


    The silence that followed was crushing.


    Rhett stepped forward. "Kael, I think you should leave."


    "Yeah," ter agreed, his voice tight. "This isn’t helping anyone. I can’t even begin to think why you feel like you’re the worthier mate."


    Kael looked at me for a long moment. I couldn’t read his expression. Then he sighed—and walked toward the door.


    He paused with his hand on the doorknob. "I’m sorry," he said quietly, without turning around.


    Then he left, pulling the door closed behind him with more force than necessary. The m echoed through the room.


    I fell back onto the bed and buried my face in my hands, sobbing. Everything hurt—my throat, my chest, my heart. I couldn’t understand why Kael was being like this. Why did he keep finding faults in everything I did? Why was he suddenly so irritable and harsh?


    Was it because of the mate bond? Because I’d been with Rhett and ter first? Because he felt excluded?


    Or was it something else? Something I couldn’t see?


    The bed dipped on both sides as ter and Rhett sat down beside me.


    "Hey," ter said softly, his hand rubbing circles on my back. "Don’t listen to him. He’s being an ass."


    "He’s scared," Rhett added quietly. "That’s what this is. He’s scared of losing control, scared of the mate bond, scared of caring about someone. So he’s pushing you away before you can hurt him."


    "But I wouldn’t hurt him," I sobbed into my hands. "I wouldn’t."


    "He doesn’t know that," Rhett said. "Kael’s been hurt before and a lot. He doesn’t trust easily, and when he does, he panics."


    "That doesn’t give him the right to be cruel," ter said firmly. "You didn’t deserve that."


    I lifted my face from my hands. My eyes felt swollen, my cheeks wet. "What if he’s right? What if I am too emotional and too weak?"


    "You’re not weak," Rhett said immediately. "You just stood up to your abusive father. You told him off in front of everyone. You refused to let him control you anymore. That’s the opposite of weak."


    "You’re a living being," ter added. "You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to cry, be angry, and be scared. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you real."


    I wiped at my face with the back of my hand. "I’m so tired."


    "I know," ter said gently. "Come on. Lie down. You need to rest before court."


    "I can’t sleep," I protested. "There’s too much in my head."


    "Just try," Rhett urged. "Even if you just rest your eyes, it’ll help."


    They helped me lie down and pulled the covers over me. tery down on my left side, Rhett on my right. They weren’t touching me, just close enough that I could feel their presence.


    "I’ll wake you up in time," ter promised. "Don’t worry about the rm. I’ll make sure you’re up and ready."


    I closed my eyes, not really believing I’d be able to sleep. But the warmth of having them near, and the sound of their breathing, made me feel a little less alone.


    ***


    Three hourster, I was still awake.


    I’d turned over so many times I’d lost count. I stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows shift as dawn started to break outside. My mind wouldn’t shut off. It kept reying everything—my father’s hands on my throat, Kael’s harsh words, Eva’s tears, that calcting look on Elena’s face.


    Shoot! I’d forgotten to mention Elena to the boys —did they know she was here yesterday? I made a mental note to tell them as soon as they wake up.


    On both sides of me, they were fast asleep. ter was snoring softly, a gentle rumbling sound. Rhett’s breathing was deeper, slower. Both of them looked peaceful.


    So much for waking me up.


    I smiled slightly despite everything.


    Carefully, I untangled myself from the bed, trying not to wake them. I padded to the bathroom.


    An hourter, I was showered, dried, and dressed.


    I’d chosen my outfit carefully, something that looked appropriate for court but still felt like me. A navy blue dress that fell just below my knees, simple but elegant. ck tights underneath because the morning was cold. Low ck heels that I could actually walk in. I’d dried my hair and left it down, falling in soft waves around my shoulders. Minimal makeup to hide how tired I was and to make me look innocent.


    I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked older somehow. Different from what I had just a few months ago. Maybe that confrontation with my father had changed something in me. Or perhaps I was just too tired to look young anymore.


    When I came out of the bathroom, both Rhett and ter were still sleeping. Rhett had rolled over and was now sprawled across most of the bed. ter was curled up on his side, one arm tucked under the pillow.


    I looked at the clock—7:05 am. I still had at least thirty minutes before I needed to leave for court. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since before Kael’s party.


    There was a breakfast café in town that opened early. I could stop there, get some coffee and maybe a muffin, then head to the courthouse. Better than going on an empty stomach.


    I grabbed my bag —a small leather one that looked professional —and checked that I had everything I needed. My identification documents, some money and my phone.


    I took onest look at ter and Rhett, sleeping peacefully. Then I closed the door quietly behind me and headed downstairs.


    The pack house was mostly quiet at this hour. A few early maids were in the kitchen, but I slipped past without being noticed.


    I stepped outside into the cool morning air. The sun was starting to rise, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. It would have been beautiful if I’d had the energy to appreciate it.


    That’s when I saw him.


    Kael was leaning against the fender of a sleek ck car. His arms were crossed. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he’d been running his hands through it. He looked tired but alert, his eyes tracking me as I came down the steps.


    Our eyes met.


    I looked away and kept walking toward the driveway exit. I wasn’t in the mood for another argument. I didn’t have the energy for whatever he wanted to say.


    "Get in."


    His voice was quiet, but I heard it clearly.


    I didn’t stop walking. I acted like I hadn’t heard him and just kept putting one foot in front of the other, focusing on getting to the street where I could hail a cab.


    I heard a sigh behind me. Then footsteps following me.


    "Charis, stop walking and get in the car."


    I kept walking faster.


    "Charis."


    I ignored him.


    "For the love of—Charis, would you just—"


    In the next instant, I felt hands on my waist. Then I was being lifted off the ground.


    "Put me down!" I gasped, squirming. "Kael, put me down right now!"


    But he just adjusted his grip and carried me back toward the car, my feet dangling in the air, my bag slipping off my shoulder.


    "Let go of me!" I protested, pushing at his chest. "What are you doing?"


    "Taking you to court," he said calmly, like he wasn’t currently kidnapping me. "Since you clearly weren’t going to ept my offer to drive you."


    "I don’t want you to drive me!"


    "Too bad."


    He reached the car and somehow managed to open the passenger door while still holding me. Then he deposited me into the passenger seat.


    "Stay," he ordered, like I was a dog.


    "I’m not—"


    He closed the door, cutting off my protest. Then he walked around to the driver’s side and got in.


    I considered getting out, opening the door, and walking away. But something stopped me. Maybe it was how tired I was. Perhaps it was the look on his face or something else.


    Kael started the car. "Seatbelt."


    I red at him but put on my seatbelt.