Kamari's Point of View Everything around me was green. Green and shimmering with life. The flowers were in bloom. The trees rustled with squirrels and birds. Everything was serene. Nothing out of place. For a second, I felt at home in my own skin. No bad memories could get to me here. One with nature and the lives all around me. Hunter and Randal were looming close but even their presence wasn't fully known to me. All I could feel was the wind nipping at my arms and the dirt squishing beneath my toes. This was what I needed. The reprieve of my mind. A break from the constant questions and answers. Push and pull. This moment, it only belonged to me. When I became Alpha, I knew this wasn't going to be an option all of the time. I would have to abide by other people's schedules. Make sure that everyone was happy and not just me. Meetings, charities, events. All of it would consume my time. Hopefully, it would make all of my bad thoughts go away as well. "Someone is approaching he
Kamari's Point of View Zayan refused to sit down in my mother's office. Instead, he was a brooding mess behind me. His fingers were curled around the back of my chair. Dug in deep. Refused to let go. As if I was his sole lifeline and he wasn't about to give me up. Convincing his father to help him was a task I had entrusted my mother with. She was a persuasive person and wouldn't take no for an answer. She also couldn't resist my pleading, even when it drove her up the walls. "And you are sure he won't be busy at this time of the day? I mean, we get shit done better at night than during working hours. I chalk it up to no one calling me once the sun has set." Rachel explained and looked at Zayan with penetrating eyes. In her own way, she was summing him up. Adding all of the risks and throwing it all to the wind. All because I had asked her to. Because I needed an ally in Crescent Shine and who would be better than a man I loved... LOVED? Fucking hell. I needed to wait on that word
Kamari's Point of View My mother took absolutely no shits when it came to formal events. None whatsoever. It was just my first debut within the pack since I left. The first time that I would face most of the elderly within the pack as their new heir. And here she was, organizing several stylists for the day, not only for me but for Nolan, Zayan, and Malakai as well. We were going to be color co-ordinating our clothes but to a more subtle degree. We were together but I was still to be set apart from them. I wasn't going to be close to anything red as well, as today I had to seem like a sweet and approachable young woman. Not intimidating in the slightest. Pastel pink was the color of choice but would be difficult to match with the men. So, we settled on a light blue and white. Easy enough. Bodyguards would be stationed outside of the old-aged home but none were permitted to enter. Approachable, once again. Rachel even organized an entire squad of journalists for the occasion to ph
Malakai's Point of View Sitting in a car with Nolan and Zayan was like pulling teeth. The process was long and painful but it couldn't be helped. Although I would have much preferred to be in the presence of Nolan, rather than Zayan. The former heir was a ball of anxiety. Nerves. His leg refused to rest. Bounced up and down relentlessly. On a few occasions, he would lean on the dash of the car. Examine the building in front of us with keen eyes. It didn't seem to soothe his restless energy. Instead, he would grumble something under his breath. Nolan was the picture of calmness. His face was a blank slate of emotion. He felt a lot more at home with the situation than Zayan. The product of having such a powerful father. Of being the prodigal son. Which Zayan was also supposed to be but for sure wasn't. I blamed the fact that he never paid his father's position much mind for his lack of obedience. "How long is she going to be in there?" Zayan growled out and shoved himself off of th
Kamari's Point of View By the end of our visit, I could no longer feel my feet. Or rather, all I felt was their throbbing in the heels my mother had chosen for me. My cheeks were cramped as I let go of the last smile I could muster for the day. Waved happily as I climbed into the car alongside my mother. Most of the able-bodied elderly stood outside. Waved us off with goofy grins. Sweat beads on their brow and spittle in the corner of their mouths. The look on their faces was enough to give me pause. Made me rethink everything I was doing. College could wait. I would have loved to go more than anything but with just this short visit, I felt more alive than I had ever before. Yes, my introduction to the pack wasn't fully planned. Felt rushed. We also did it more out of necessity rather than anything else. But it still warmed my chest to see so many hopeful faces. So many people were elated that I was now among them again. "That went over smoothly," Rachel murmured from beside
Kamari's Point of View Zayan and Nolan noticed the tension immediately. Picked up on it like bloodhounds on a trail. They stepped out from behind us. Flanked me on either side. Malakai held his breath beside me. Looked near ready to murder someone. "I don't know what you are talking about," I murmured. Twisted a bit so that I was facing them more. All of their eyes remained on me. Drilled holes into my face. The phone. Zayan had his bottom lip tucked into his teeth. Bit down on it until I noticed a drop of blood threatening to fall. It was taking all of his restraint to keep from cussing. Cursing. A deep chuckle came from the phone. Menacing to the very core. Shivers danced up my spine. Deep dread. "I am talking about going to college, my darling. You know, the thing you left me for?" I wanted to vomit. Wanted to scream at him to fuck off. Leave me and my pack alone. I didn't need him. No one did. It was that simple. That easy. He should do all of us a favor and just die
Malakai's Point of View Storming off wasn't the most mature thing to do. In hindsight, it was the worst thing to do. My therapist would have scolded me for it. Branded me a coward. An emotional mess. Kamari likely thought I was hot-headed now. Someone she couldn't rely on in tough times. A burden. Fucking hell. Why did I care this much? Why does the thought of losing her rip my soul to shreds? She wasn't my mate. She was supposed to be a means to an end. Now this? Was I growing soft? No. No. I was still the Alpha. Still someone Keanu could look up to. And I had to keep it that way. Had to make sure I didn't fuck things up. Following the back of the house, I trudged into the garden. Nodded at the guards that were standing on their post. Rachel was on the back porch. Had already gotten herself a martini. No Gaelan in sight. Just the Luna, sipping away at her martini as if she had no care in the world. "You look worse for wear." She stated but her eyes hadn't moved. Remained st
Kamari's Point of View Nolan and Zayan were already at the breakfast table by the time I got up. Both whispered in hushed tones as I approached. Died down when I entered. My parents were nowhere in sight. A thrilling and mortifying realization. Lost years meant a lot of making up to do. But them not being here meant I would have some peace of mind. Zayan cleared his throat when I scooted into my usual seat. Nolan eyed me up and down, a growing smirk on his face. Even Zayan seemed to look rather amused. As if the funniest joke in the world was floating in front of my face. Ignoring them, I loaded some food onto my plate. Picked and chose whatever I felt like. From eggs to bacon and everything in between. At least this was one thing my mother knew how to do well. Order a large spread of food from her personal chef for her child to enjoy. All I needed now was... "Coffee?" Nolan asked. For a second I contemplated ignoring him some more. But I was a demon without coffee. And we st