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
Kamari's Point of View I was right. My mother had written the speech for me. Planned it out to the very last drop. "Now, before you tell them how you are going to change the pack for the better, take a moment to pause. Smile. You need to seem appealing to them. As if you are some model on the runway. They need to want to be you. Have your life." She was droning on and on. Nothing stopped her, not even my protestations. By the time we get to the school, my mind was going to be numb. Blank. My elation earlier seemed far away now. A distant memory now replaced by my mother's voice banging into my ears. The high-pitched squeal that she thought she covered so perfectly. her sharp intake of breath when she needed a moment to compose herself. "Don't you trust me enough to let me handle this myself?" I asked, interrupting her in the middle of her sentence. For a moment, all my mother could do was blink. Her hands were still clutched at the edges of her paper. Still held them close. But
Malakai's Point of View We were all stationed at opposite ends of the school. Had our eyes peeled for anything that might look out of the ordinary. Even a car passing by one too many times would be reported. Nothing and no one came in or out. Until the explosion hit. It was on the side Zayan had been stationed at. Was ear-deafening, even from so far away. Shook the wind from my lungs. "No," I gasped and made my way through the school. All of the guards ran with me. Not a single one was spared as we traversed this foreign ground. It took us two minutes to get to the other end. To see the chaos in front of us. Body parts were strewn all along the path. Dust floated in the air above a crater in the ground. Another second passed as I mutely stood and took in the carnage in front of me. The vague smell of cooked pork drifted up my nose. Reminded me of the time I had tried to help someone trapped in a housefire. Then my mind jumped to Kamari. To her well-being and everythin
Kamari's Point of View "There is no way in fucking hell that I am allowing you to go! Do you understand me, Kamari? Not a fucking chance!" My mother screamed at me from across the room. Her eyes were bulging out of her head. Veins popped out on her neck and forehead. But my mind was made up. Nolan, Malakai, and I were going to Crescent Shine tonight. Already had most of what we needed loaded into the car. If things went south, I instructed both of them to leave me there. To head back this side. They had a lot to lose and I wasn't willing to put their lives on the line. "My mind is made up and there is no going back. He crossed a fucking line! Bombed the school! Hurt Zayan! I need to do this!" I screeched back and flung my leather jacket over my shoulders. Another present from the man now laying in a hospital bed somewhere in this house. I couldn't bring myself to see him yet. Silently promised that I would come back, just to make sure he was fine. That he was alright. Thriving,