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Kate
“Careful, Stella. You‘ ve been playing with fire. Don’t let it burn you.
She stepped closer, her face inches from mine.
“You‘ re the one who s burnt, Kate. Tyson loves me. And soon, this pack will, too. You‘ re nothing but a barren and forgotten.”
Before I could respond, a low growl echoed from the shadows. Stella froze and turned around, looking scared.
“What was that?” she whispered.
But I didn’t answer. The growl came
again, louder this time, and Stella backed away, her bravado crumbling.
“I–I should get back inside,” she stammered, hurrying toward the
restaurant.
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I stayed rooted in place, my heart pounding. Whatever was out there, it wasn’t just a random wolf. And for the first time, I wasn’t worried.
Instead, I welcomed it.
The memory of Tyson and Stella burned. fresh in my mind. I hated how they still had this hold on me–how Stella‘ s proud grin clawed at my insides like a festering wound. Tyson had stood by her side, looking at her like she was his entire world. And me? I was expected to smile and pretend I didn’t notice how she flaunted her pregnancy like a trophy.
My fists clenched and the freezing night did little to cool my rising anger. How heartless could they be?
I veered toward the forest trail near Mirage. The dark, quiet path offered solace I desperately needed. It wasn‘ t the quickest way home, but I didn’t care. I needed space to breathe, think, and stop myself from crumbling.
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My pulse began to steady. For a moment, it felt like I could finally exhale. But then, a low growl rippled through the stillness. I froze, and every muscle tensed. My wolf stirred, her hackles rising.
“Who’s there?” I demanded, but my heart pounded like a drum.
A man emerged from the darkness. My breath caught as the moonlight revealed the bachelor and most powerful Alpha Kent of the Crimson Moon Pack.
His black T–shirt clung to his broad frame, damp with sweat like he’d just finished a run. His dark hair was disheveled, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unyielding. Alpha Kent had always been this breathtakingly dangerous.
“Rough night?” he asked.
I let out a breath to steady myself and crossed my arms. Was it Kent who growled earlier and frightened Stella?
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
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He smirked and took a step closer with confidence that screamed attention.
“Taking a run. Clears the mind,” Kent said casually.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Convenient timing. Are you always lurking around in the dark?”
His smirk widened.
“I could ask you the same thing. It’s not exactly safe out here alone, Kate. But then again, Tyson‘ s priorities seem… elsewhere these days.”
His words hit me harder than I thought. I never expected rumors to spread fast, but I refused to show it.
“I can take care of myself,” I snapped.
Kent studied me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
“I don‘ t doubt it. But the question is- should you have to?”
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I didn’t have an answer, so I looked away, pretending to focus on the shadows dancing between the trees.
“Don’t forget tomorrow‘ s meeting with
the healers. Crimson Moon Pack and
Bloodfang working together is important.”
“I didn’t forget,” I replied tersely.
“Good. And Kate… don‘ t let them break you.”
The meeting hall was alive with activity the next day. Healers from different packs. filled the rooms, exchanging stories and strategies for incorporating modern medicine into traditional healing.
Normally, this meeting excited me, but it was hard to focus.
I spotted Kent near a table talking to the healers of his pack. He caught my eye and nodded. I nodded back and took my seat among the Bloodfang representatives.
The meeting had already started when the
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door suddenly opened, and Tyson and Stella walked in. Discussions stopped, and all eyes turned to them. Stella clung to Tyson’s arms. She was glowing for the joy of stealing the spotlight. My jaw tightened as I fought to maintain my composure.
“Luna Kate, it’s wonderful to see you here. I didn’t realize you’d be attending,” she said with a sarcastic smile.
“I wouldn’t miss it. I’m surprised you‘ re here,” I replied evenly.
“We thought we‘ d join. Stella thought she might learn something useful for the pregnancy,” Tyson interjected.
Before I could respond, Kent stepped forward. He spoke calmly but looked annoyed with the meeting interruption.
“This meeting is for healers and pack leaders. I don’t recall it being open to… uninvited guests.”
Tyson smirked; his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
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“Is there a problem, Kent?” Tyson asked.
“Only if you’re here to cause one,” Kent replied smoothly.
Before the situation could escalate further, Stella laughed lightly and grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table.
“Let’s not ruin the mood. How about a toast? To cooperation and alliances,” she said with a smile.
Her eyes gazed at me, looking amused before she took a long sip. Then, she choked. Her hand went to her throat as she
began coughing violently, the wineglass
slipped and shattered on the floor.
“Stella?” Tyson said in a panic, grabbing
her arm.
The room erupted into chaos. Healers rushed forward, shouting over each other in their attempts to help.
“She’s choking!” someone yelled.
Tyson’s gaze snapped to me, his eyes
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burning with fury.
“What did you do?” he yelled.
I stared at him, stunned.
“Are you serious? I didn’t do anything!”
“You expect me to believe that? You‘ ve been bitter ever since…”
“That’s enough,” Kent ordered, stepping
between us.
“You don’t get to throw baseless accusations, Tyson.”
“This is none of your concern,” Tyson
snarled.
“It is when you‘ re out of line. You barge into a meeting uninvited, and now you‘ re blaming your mate for something she clearly didn’t do? Is this how an Alpha should be?”
A murmur spread through the room as pack leaders exchanged glances. Tyson‘ st jaw tightened; his anger barely contained.
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“This isn’t over, Kate,” Tyson warned, glaring at me.
He scooped Stella into his arms and turned toward the door. Anger rose inside me like lava about to explode, and I couldn’t control whatever came out of my mouth.
“Tyson!” I called after him.
“If you walk out that door with her, don‘ t bother coming back. Not as my mate. Not as my Alpha.”
The room fell silent. Every eye was on us. Tyson turned, and for a moment, he stared at me. Then, without a word, he turned and left, Stella limp in his arms. My heart broke into a million pieces. I knew it was bound to happen, but it still hurts.
“That was bold,” Kent broke the silence.
“It needed to be said.”
And I wondered what would happen next.
