Kailey’s POVWhile the feast was still going on, a group of people walked up to where Ezekiel and I were sitting. "Greetings, Alpha," a woman from the group spoke, bowing her head slightly.The moment my eyes landed on her, my blood ran cold. My whole body stiffened. Memories—long-buried and unwanted—flooded back so fast they nearly knocked the breath out of me. This was my aunt. The woman who had raised me from childhood. The woman who should have been my guardian, my family. But when Ezekiel’s father banished me all those years ago, she turned her back on me. No letters, no words, not even a single look of sorrow. Just… nothing. And now, she had the nerve to stand here, claiming she didn’t know me? My hands clenched into fists on my lap. I wanted to spring at her, to choke her until she felt every ounce of the pain she had put me through. But this was a feast. Eyes were everywhere. I had to keep my cool. I had to swallow the storm raging inside me. But no matter how hard I tried
Kailey’s POVEverybody was just so surprised at the turn of events at the feast. Everywhere was quiet. I could see that I had just made a scene.God! I hate myself! I said, putting my hand on my head.I could feel all eyes on me, burning into my skin like hot iron. The weight of their stares made my chest tighten. I had completely lost control. My anger had spilled out for everyone to see, and now, I had given them all something to talk about.Ezekiel shifted beside me, his look heavy. “Kailey, take a deep breath.”I waved him off. “Don’t, Ezekiel. Don’t tell me to breathe, don’t tell me to calm down, and don’t tell me I overreacted.”“That’s not what I was going to say,” he said strongly. “I was going to ask if you’re okay.”I scoffed. “Okay? I just found out my past came knocking on my door, in the middle of a feast no less, and you think I’m okay?”Ezekiel rubbed his jaw but said nothing. I knew he was trying to be gentle with me, but right now, I didn’t have it in me to understand
Kailey’s POVWe all returned to the hall where everyone was. I was not myself. My blood boiled, my hands clenched at my sides. My eyes found Cecilia even as she was smiling, greeting all the guests like she hadn’t just flipped my world upside down.I wanted to grab her by the throat and squeeze until she stopped breathing. I wanted to see the panic in her eyes the way she made me panic all these years. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now. It would cause more problems than it would solve.A light touch on my back made me tense. I spun around, my body still on edge.Mage Elyra.I blinked. “Wow… you came.”She smiled, her eyes warm but knowing. “Yeah, sure I did. I wouldn’t miss this. After I was done with what I was doing in the woods, I said let me rush down here.”I nodded, my eyes flickering back to Cecilia. “That’s nice. I’m happy you’re here.”Elyra followed my gaze, her expression turning serious. “Where is Aurene?”“He’s in his room,” I said. “He’s still getting prepared to be show
Kailey’s POVAurene turned to him. “No. I’m done lying. You want me to respect you? Then tell me the truth. Tell me why you let it happen. Tell me why you never protected her. Tell me why you still stand beside her, knowing everything she’s done.”Ezekiel’s jaw clenched.Cecilia, for the first time, looked shaken. She wasn’t in control anymore. The room wasn’t following her plan.I watched it all, my heart racing. My boy. My brave, bold son.I had always wanted to shield him from this, but now, I saw it. He had his own fire. His own fight.And for the first time, Cecilia had nothing to say.Silence stretched. The whole hall held its breath.Then, Aurene took a step back. He sighed, shaking his head. “You can keep your fake words, Cecilia. I don’t need them.”And with that, he turned and walked out of the hall.Leaving everyone stunned.Leaving Cecilia open.And leaving me, his mother, feeling more pride than I had in my entire life.******After a few more hours, the feast finished, a
Kailey’s POVI wanted to go and check on Ezekiel, but I didn’t dare. I knew right now he was really angry, so ignoring him felt like the best thing to do. Auren was in his room, and I told myself I’d go meet him instead. I guessed he was just frustrated—I know how much all this must weigh on him. As I walked down the hallway, I caught sight of Cecilia coming out of one of the rooms. She looked like she’d eaten something sour, her face all twisted and angry. Seeing her like that made a smile creep onto my face. I was so happy about what happened earlier that I couldn’t help myself. Cecilia turned, her sharp look locking onto mine. She noticed the grin on my face and stopped in her tracks, her eyes sharpening. “What’s funny?” she snapped, her voice cold and sharp. I crossed my arms, leaning slightly against the wall as I tilted my head at her. “What isn’t funny?” I said with a laugh. “You, Cecilia. You are the joke of the night. A self-acclaimed Luna, made to look stupid by a fourte
Kailey’s POV“She’s not my Luna anymore!” he roared, his voice cracking with frustration. “I told you that already. I—”“Oh, really?” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “Because it sure as hell sounded like you were defending her just now. ‘My Luna this, my Luna that.’ Which is it, Ezekiel? Is she your Luna or not?”He opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find the words. I shook my head, laughing bitterly.“That’s what I thought,” I said, my voice cold. “You can’t even make up your mind. And you want to come in here and yell at my son for speaking his truth? For standing up to that conniving bitch?”“Don’t call her that,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.“Why not?” I challenged, crossing my arms. “That’s exactly what she is. And you know it. You just don’t want to admit it because it’s easier to keep pretending everything is fine. Well, guess what, Ezekiel? It’s not fine. It’s never been fine. And your precious Cecilia? She
Ezekiel’s POVAs it stood right now, I was really losing it. Like, I was way too tired of everything. The feast Cecilia told me to plan? A fucking mess. Like, what the fuck? How can a fourteen-year-old boy talk back to me and Cecilia like that? Like, what the fuck?It shocked me to the highest level.You fucking caused all this for yourself.I could hear my wolf’s voice in my head, sharp and cutting, like he was enjoying my misery.“How did I?” I muttered under my breath, dragging my hands through my hair as I paced the room.You let Kailey down years ago, and you think nemesis won’t catch up with you?“You must be joking,” I growled back at him, my anger boiling over. “I have paid for my mistakes. Why the fuck is all this still happening to me?”Paid? Oh, please. You’ve barely scratched the top of what you owe, Ezekiel. And if you’re not careful, Auren is going to become something you’ll regret.“Fuck!” I snapped, striking my hand into the wall. My chest heaved as I tried to calm my
Ezekiel’s POVJames’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t reply. “Alpha,” he said slowly. “I… I think you need to address this head-on. Call a meeting. Confront Remus and the others. Show them you’re still in control.”I scoffed. “Oh, that’ll go well,” I said lightly. “What am I supposed to say? That my house is in shambles but they should still believe me? That my son publicly insulted me, and my Luna and ex-Luna are locked in a power struggle, but I’ve got everything under control?” “You don’t have to say all that,” he answered, his tone calm. “But you do need to remind them of who you are. Of what you’ve done for this pack and the Alliance. They’ve forgotten, Ezekiel. And if you let this continue, they’ll change the story entirely.” I rubbed a hand over my face, tiredness sinking deep in my bones. He’s right, you know, my wolf said, his tone softer this time. You’ve been so focused on keeping the peace that you’ve forgotten how to lead. Maybe it’s time to tell them. And yourse
Kailey’s POVHow fucking annoying it is to actually wake up to a text from Ezekiel.Meet me at the eating by 9 a.m. with Auren. Don’t be late! Who the hell does this fool think he’s talking to? I slid my phone onto the table and lay back down. I didn’t even know when I dozed off yesterday. I was so tired and scared that I just crashed, and now I wake up to this buzzing sound? So crazy. “Another crazy morning in this hell of a pack,” I mumbled, looking at the ceiling. I reached for my phone again to check the time. It was almost 8:30 a.m. I groaned, wondering whether I should even bother going to the diner. My wolf stirred, growling lowly, her way of nudging me to get moving. You should go. “Why? So he can piss me off even more?” I asked aloud. You know why. You care. I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, deep down, I still love Ezekiel so much. But what he did in the past? It’s always fresh in my mind. Every damn time I see him, I feel that pain. And it pisses me off so bad. Sometimes, I fe
Ezekiel’s POVJames’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t reply. “Alpha,” he said slowly. “I… I think you need to address this head-on. Call a meeting. Confront Remus and the others. Show them you’re still in control.”I scoffed. “Oh, that’ll go well,” I said lightly. “What am I supposed to say? That my house is in shambles but they should still believe me? That my son publicly insulted me, and my Luna and ex-Luna are locked in a power struggle, but I’ve got everything under control?” “You don’t have to say all that,” he answered, his tone calm. “But you do need to remind them of who you are. Of what you’ve done for this pack and the Alliance. They’ve forgotten, Ezekiel. And if you let this continue, they’ll change the story entirely.” I rubbed a hand over my face, tiredness sinking deep in my bones. He’s right, you know, my wolf said, his tone softer this time. You’ve been so focused on keeping the peace that you’ve forgotten how to lead. Maybe it’s time to tell them. And yourse
Ezekiel’s POVAs it stood right now, I was really losing it. Like, I was way too tired of everything. The feast Cecilia told me to plan? A fucking mess. Like, what the fuck? How can a fourteen-year-old boy talk back to me and Cecilia like that? Like, what the fuck?It shocked me to the highest level.You fucking caused all this for yourself.I could hear my wolf’s voice in my head, sharp and cutting, like he was enjoying my misery.“How did I?” I muttered under my breath, dragging my hands through my hair as I paced the room.You let Kailey down years ago, and you think nemesis won’t catch up with you?“You must be joking,” I growled back at him, my anger boiling over. “I have paid for my mistakes. Why the fuck is all this still happening to me?”Paid? Oh, please. You’ve barely scratched the top of what you owe, Ezekiel. And if you’re not careful, Auren is going to become something you’ll regret.“Fuck!” I snapped, striking my hand into the wall. My chest heaved as I tried to calm my
Kailey’s POV“She’s not my Luna anymore!” he roared, his voice cracking with frustration. “I told you that already. I—”“Oh, really?” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “Because it sure as hell sounded like you were defending her just now. ‘My Luna this, my Luna that.’ Which is it, Ezekiel? Is she your Luna or not?”He opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find the words. I shook my head, laughing bitterly.“That’s what I thought,” I said, my voice cold. “You can’t even make up your mind. And you want to come in here and yell at my son for speaking his truth? For standing up to that conniving bitch?”“Don’t call her that,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.“Why not?” I challenged, crossing my arms. “That’s exactly what she is. And you know it. You just don’t want to admit it because it’s easier to keep pretending everything is fine. Well, guess what, Ezekiel? It’s not fine. It’s never been fine. And your precious Cecilia? She
Kailey’s POVI wanted to go and check on Ezekiel, but I didn’t dare. I knew right now he was really angry, so ignoring him felt like the best thing to do. Auren was in his room, and I told myself I’d go meet him instead. I guessed he was just frustrated—I know how much all this must weigh on him. As I walked down the hallway, I caught sight of Cecilia coming out of one of the rooms. She looked like she’d eaten something sour, her face all twisted and angry. Seeing her like that made a smile creep onto my face. I was so happy about what happened earlier that I couldn’t help myself. Cecilia turned, her sharp look locking onto mine. She noticed the grin on my face and stopped in her tracks, her eyes sharpening. “What’s funny?” she snapped, her voice cold and sharp. I crossed my arms, leaning slightly against the wall as I tilted my head at her. “What isn’t funny?” I said with a laugh. “You, Cecilia. You are the joke of the night. A self-acclaimed Luna, made to look stupid by a fourte
Kailey’s POVAurene turned to him. “No. I’m done lying. You want me to respect you? Then tell me the truth. Tell me why you let it happen. Tell me why you never protected her. Tell me why you still stand beside her, knowing everything she’s done.”Ezekiel’s jaw clenched.Cecilia, for the first time, looked shaken. She wasn’t in control anymore. The room wasn’t following her plan.I watched it all, my heart racing. My boy. My brave, bold son.I had always wanted to shield him from this, but now, I saw it. He had his own fire. His own fight.And for the first time, Cecilia had nothing to say.Silence stretched. The whole hall held its breath.Then, Aurene took a step back. He sighed, shaking his head. “You can keep your fake words, Cecilia. I don’t need them.”And with that, he turned and walked out of the hall.Leaving everyone stunned.Leaving Cecilia open.And leaving me, his mother, feeling more pride than I had in my entire life.******After a few more hours, the feast finished, a
Kailey’s POVWe all returned to the hall where everyone was. I was not myself. My blood boiled, my hands clenched at my sides. My eyes found Cecilia even as she was smiling, greeting all the guests like she hadn’t just flipped my world upside down.I wanted to grab her by the throat and squeeze until she stopped breathing. I wanted to see the panic in her eyes the way she made me panic all these years. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now. It would cause more problems than it would solve.A light touch on my back made me tense. I spun around, my body still on edge.Mage Elyra.I blinked. “Wow… you came.”She smiled, her eyes warm but knowing. “Yeah, sure I did. I wouldn’t miss this. After I was done with what I was doing in the woods, I said let me rush down here.”I nodded, my eyes flickering back to Cecilia. “That’s nice. I’m happy you’re here.”Elyra followed my gaze, her expression turning serious. “Where is Aurene?”“He’s in his room,” I said. “He’s still getting prepared to be show
Kailey’s POVEverybody was just so surprised at the turn of events at the feast. Everywhere was quiet. I could see that I had just made a scene.God! I hate myself! I said, putting my hand on my head.I could feel all eyes on me, burning into my skin like hot iron. The weight of their stares made my chest tighten. I had completely lost control. My anger had spilled out for everyone to see, and now, I had given them all something to talk about.Ezekiel shifted beside me, his look heavy. “Kailey, take a deep breath.”I waved him off. “Don’t, Ezekiel. Don’t tell me to breathe, don’t tell me to calm down, and don’t tell me I overreacted.”“That’s not what I was going to say,” he said strongly. “I was going to ask if you’re okay.”I scoffed. “Okay? I just found out my past came knocking on my door, in the middle of a feast no less, and you think I’m okay?”Ezekiel rubbed his jaw but said nothing. I knew he was trying to be gentle with me, but right now, I didn’t have it in me to understand
Kailey’s POVWhile the feast was still going on, a group of people walked up to where Ezekiel and I were sitting. "Greetings, Alpha," a woman from the group spoke, bowing her head slightly.The moment my eyes landed on her, my blood ran cold. My whole body stiffened. Memories—long-buried and unwanted—flooded back so fast they nearly knocked the breath out of me. This was my aunt. The woman who had raised me from childhood. The woman who should have been my guardian, my family. But when Ezekiel’s father banished me all those years ago, she turned her back on me. No letters, no words, not even a single look of sorrow. Just… nothing. And now, she had the nerve to stand here, claiming she didn’t know me? My hands clenched into fists on my lap. I wanted to spring at her, to choke her until she felt every ounce of the pain she had put me through. But this was a feast. Eyes were everywhere. I had to keep my cool. I had to swallow the storm raging inside me. But no matter how hard I tried