KarinaA sense of contentment filled the air right after. We didn't bother staying and walked back to the house again in silence but this time the air felt lighter, just the slightest bit warmer.As we stepped inside the hallway I stopped in my tracks to turn to him.“Do you want to see Levi? Before you go I mean.” I offered. He looked taken aback by the offer but soon gave a sharp nod. With that I led him into my room, showing him the crib. He looked over it beside me. My nerves kicked in only a few seconds after. I just left him in my room like that? How mortifying.The other part of me outweighed the slight embarrassment I felt. It was a small price to pay for the olive branch that was extended today.“He really is a deep sleeper.” He finally murmured, making me look at him. My lights weren't on, meaning only the shadows and outside lights ghosted over his face. He was looking down like He was his whole world.Then his gaze shifted back to me and I swore I saw stars in his eyes.

Connor. I took in a breath to prepare for what I had to say next. I was going to tell her everything about the past, everything that I had failed in.It had crossed my mind last night before I fell asleep. Despite all my speaking I had barely communicated and I didn't trust. The fear of her leaving after this was still there, but I wasn't going to let it stop me.“When I was younger, there were three of us, the future Alphas Beta and Gamma raised together. Me, Isabella and… Darius.”It took effort to say his name, I and my entire family, the pack as a whole, had done our best to erase him from our existence. Even his own mother. Mentioning him was like conjuring a spirit.At times the memories of the past and our childhood came up, but it was always embittered by everything that happened next, who he became mI could tell her confusion from the way her brows furrowed at the last name. It was easy to predict what question she was thinking about. She was expecting me to mention Ralph c

Connor. There it was, I had placed the verdict on myself. I closed my eyes and looked away from her.Everything that happened after; finally stripping Darius of the Beta position and watching him get humiliated by the pack, living separated from the rest of us felt like hollow victories. It didn't matter if the Council made a decision by then or if the pack members prostrated for a public apology, because she was gone. They could move on easily with the depth of the guilt without her to haunt them.Neither of Isabella's parents came out weeks after she'd left. I'd overheard whispers that it was out of shame or fear if the pack scrutiny —Rumours that I threatened in order to quell. I knew it was solely out of grief. Grief for losing a daughter they had only reunited with. My parents also grieved in their own way. My mother had done her best to quell the rumours, calling all the servants to ensure no lips went. She retreated into her shell, turning frosty and it was only my presence t

KarinaNot following him meant I would have to leave without him. Apparently the site they were referring to was on the farther side of the pack, opposite the direction of his home, meaning I would have to find my way home by myself.He looked even more unwilling to do so, So I steeled myself to snap at him lightly.“I’m not a child and I'm not completely helpless. Just give me the directions and I'll be fine.” I said.Before Connor left he gave me a different, more discrete set of directions to move through to avoid meeting anyone and the pack's prying gaze at large. His wariness was evident and I could understand why after everything he'd said. It soothed me even.I wandered the meadow for twenty more minutes after he'd left before I made my move. His directions were lodged directly at the forefront of my mind and I was always good at tracking so I didn't fear losing my way. The walk back rather let my mind veer towards other thoughts, especially the most recent ones.I was stuck

KarinaAfter that, all the tension from earlier seems to seep away. She didn't speak a word for a moment, but peeked at the bundle in my arms several times.A minute or so passed before her voice came.“Is that Alpha Connor's baby?” she asked.I stiffly nodded, “Yeah.”Another pause came, this time lasting for half a minute before she spoke “Can I ask what his name is?”“Levi.” I quickly replied, nodding slightly. She hummed and looked away. My insides clenched. Maybe I wasn't being too forthcoming.“How old are you?” I finally asked, turning to her.Her head turned towards me and she blinked in surprise.“Twenty years old. I just turned two months ago.” She said tentatively though her gaze glittered slightly. She seemed excited that I was asking her questions.I couldn't fully read her. She was wary at first but turned a complete 180 at knowing my identity. She was young and seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve. I couldn't find a hint of ingenuity in her actions.The change I cou