Kiara.“I don't have anything else to do today,” I spoke to Levi, curled within his sheets and went to the world.Isabella and Leo's Mating ceremony was merely a day away.There was still plenty of time. The rest of the next day when the sun is up will still be considered time for the preparations. The ceremony ensued at night after all.However, with every ticking second that passed, I felt the minutes waste away, dragging us closer to the moment.It was strange, after the strains of exhaustion I'd borne, I found myself too restless to sleep on my free day.Standing up, I took one last look at Levi before aiming for the door.He was asleep and would be safe even without me present.Taking in the cool night air, I blinked at the plethora of decorations and hangers made to the entire pack.People walked around without a care, children running and waving through the decorations as they went. Stepping down, I spotted a few of the other pack members walking around and tensed slightly. Wa
Karina.The sound of the wind mixed in with the rushing of my blood, overwhelming my senses to the brink.People. Noises. I stumbled across everything, uncaring of the decorations. It was too much.I remembered their faces, right before I turned unconscious. The malicious grins they had as they advanced into me.“Rogues like you are only good for one thing."My body crashed onto the bark. I let my hands reach out to hold it tightly as I forced breaths out of me.This wasn't the first time it happened, and it was far from being the last. But first, I had to breathe.Scraping my wrist against the rough tree bark, I let the rhythm sway me while every exhale I let out. Slowly, the rushing feeling wanted down. The continuous drum in my chest slowed and the voices in my head waned with reassurances from Germaine filling me.I wasn't there. I was safe, in a pack full of people like me. A pack that cared.I would never be there again.“Karina!”My breath hitched at the voice, mixing with the
Connor.The lump in my throat didn't go away. With every step I took, I felt the stretch of the bond of the person I left behind.Along with the broken pieces of my heart.Stepping into Isabella's home, I could only pray that nobody was in sight. Time had passed since I left with the excuse of seeing through the remaining preparations.But my hopes were gone. Isabella was nowhere to be found, but my uncle and aunt were.So were my parents.They looked up in a scarily synchronized fashion, there eyes and smiles bright. I had no doubt that they were reminiscing in nostalgia, the same way I left them.My mother's face fell first. She walked toward me with a worry ridden expression.“What's wrong, darling? Why do you look so down?” I should have been more careful, and acted slightly cheerful.Neither of them knew the truth of my mating. It had taken pleading from Isabella's parents to keep it a secret. A secret which I was supposed to reveal after I had gotten Karina's favor. I remembered
Karina.The next morning I woke up tired, angry, and empty.The day felt listless, a hollow feeling in my belly that I was sure wasn't because of food.“I'll leave this place.” His words echoed in my head.“Is that what would make you happy?”‘Is it?’I growled at the reminder of those words, shutting my eyes so tightly I could see stars beneath them.It was what I needed. Safety and peace. I had every right to it. I shouldn't feel angry for making the best decision for my child and myself.And yet…Shaking my head fiercely, I sat off the bed.It was time to prepare for the work for today. I was distracting myself, I was more than aware of that, but it didn't matter.Picking up a sleeping Leo, I rocked him lightly.“You can't sleep all day today, you know. There's a big celebration coming up.” I pouted, kissing his belly and forehead before rocking him.He still didn't budge, though his breathing and the feeling through the bond reminded me that he was safe. Dropping him back in the c
Karina.For a moment, time froze. Left under his gaze and the stars above us, I could imagine that this was a different scenario. A different time, a different place.But just like all things, the moment passed. The rushing in my head stopped, bringing back all the noises around me.I looked into his gaze, focused on Levi.‘No.’Even now, Levi bore tufts of hair that was evidently his. There was no way to cover it. Whether by his appearance or simply the calculations, there was no way I could deny it.‘He knows.’‘After all this time.’‘We were almost there.’‘He knows.’Words rushed into my head until they grew into a cacophony within my mind, but one was louder than the rest.‘Run.’I pushed him away, cradling my son carefully to mitigate whatever shock. “Karina, wait!”I didn't stop, couldn't. Stopping would mean the end. It would be me having to face Con
Karina.I jerked back immediately, near stumbling from the shock.“Are you deaf, Connor? Didn't you hear everything I said?” I barked out, my voice raised an octave higher.“Did you let me say anything?” He retorted, eyes blazing with anger.“You said you'd leave. You said so,” I pleaded.The seam of his lips tightened. I could sense the mounting tension in the air ready to burst at any moment.“Things have changed.” He bit out. “I can't leave knowing that my child — our son — is living away from me, not knowing who his father is.”I could barely breathe as the panic crept up on me.‘No.’‘He wouldn't.’Terror filled me to the brim. It felt like the nightmares, the more recent ones were coming true.He couldn't do this. He couldn't force me out of this pack. He couldn't take Levi away from me either.“You don't have to care about him,” I screamed out irrationality had taken over my senses,“Who are you to dictate anything about my or Levi's life? You wouldn't understand—”“—You aren't
Connor.I stormed through the pack area with clenched fists and cold rage coursing through me.I was ready to let go. I simply walked away, taking a final look at the pack to remember the place she was going to be.And then, I spotted the banner falling.I had seen my baby pictures. Every few times my mother would bring it out, reminiscing in nostalgia. I complained every time, but would still follow her as she described moments that I could barely remember.Even though he was still asleep, I could tell the similarities easily.She had a baby. A son. My son.I stormed into the house, ignoring everyone there. I vaguely spotted the dark haired Sierra with Duncan talking to Isabella and Leo. Without hesitation, I cut in, grabbing Isabella’s wrist.“Excuse me , we need to talk.” I addressed her as everyone else before pulling her away.“Hey!” I sensed everyone's aggression, including Leo's, but paid it no mind. I didn't know what Isabella had signaled for them to stop. I continued advanci
Karina.Shortly after he left that night, I closed off all the windows, locking myself in.When morning came, my home was still lodged in darkness. Whilst Levi slept peacefully, I remained pacing, jittery over what was to come. I felt it when his car drove by.‘Coward.’ the word whispered into me continuously.In the following days, I withdrew from everything and everyone. I'd called in for several days off with Lola, who was equally as exhausted from attending the wedding. She granted me on the basis of taking care of my child. Since then, I hadn't stepped out of the house for little more than a breath of fresh air.I also avoided everyone within the pack. I'd received calls from Felix and even Sam, worried about my lack of visits which I panned up to another flimsy excuse. I could sense that my aversion wasn't enough, but I held onto it as though it were the last strands of my sanity which was slowly slipping away.Avoiding everything didn't make me feel better, nor did it stop the