CHAPTER 12

Aura's POV

The morning sun shone through the worn-out curtain of Kai’s cabin, sending golden streaks over the floorboards. I perched on the edge of the bed, caressing my tummy, which was beginning to round out more visibly each day. The baby had kicked all night, and though it left me sleep-deprived, I didn’t mind. Each flutter and movement reminded me of the life growing inside me—the secret I carried.

Kai was unusually silent as he poured tea into mismatched mugs. The aroma of chamomile blended with the woody pine of the cottage, grounding the maelstrom of thoughts inside me. Yesterday evening's confession still reverberated in my mind: Kai knew Ryder. 

 Not merely knew him—he was his cousin. 

I eyed Kai over the rim of my mug, trying to fathom the man who had taken me in, protected me without question, and gave me more comfort in weeks than I’d known my whole life.   But now... everything felt different. 

 "You said you are his cousin," I murmured quietly, unable to hold back anymore. 

Kai laid his coffee down with a sigh and sat back on the creaky wooden chair. His eyes, those silent storm-cloud eyes, held something between grief and steel. 

“Yeah, we grew up together.   Not just as cousins, but like brothers. I was raised in the Silvermist Pack when my parents died. Ryder and I trained side by side, learnt the same customs, shared wins, and defeats. I trusted him more than anyone.”

I listened intently, fingers tightening slightly around my middle as the baby kicked in response. 

"Something happened right?" I whispered.

"Yes," Kai replied darkly. "The day he was named Alpha, things changed. At first, it started with keeping secrets. He grew colder, more controlling. I saw things I shouldn't have. Things he did behind the Council’s back."

I blinked, my mind racing. "What kind of things?"

Kai's shoulders rose and fell in a weary breath. His jaw tightened, and a storm brewed in his usually calm eyes. "He started working with a rogue witch," he finally admitted. "Trying to suppress the mate bond. There were rumors he'd already marked someone— now realize it was you—but he needed to marry someone of political value.”

My breath caught as my throat burned with rising emotion. I  had suspected it... but hearing it confirmed and cut deeper than I  expected. 

I sipped my tea, hands trembling. The image of Ryder in my memories was a mix of tenderness and violence. The nights he came to me, the way he held me like I was the only thing grounding him—and then the announcement of his Luna, as if I meant nothing

Kai looked at me, pain mirrored in his expression. "I left the pack because I couldn't watch him become that man. We fought. He accused me of betrayal because I questioned his loyalty to our people. He called it treason. I was forced into exile. I came here, to this town, to rebuild myself.”

I buried my  face in my  hands. So many truths at once. And still, beneath my fear and confusion, I felt something stirring. A need for comfort. A longing for safety. I had found both in Kai... but now?

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Kai leaned forward and sighed. “I didn't want you to connect me to his actions. The moment I saw you, Aura, I could tell you were fleeing something sinister.  The fear was visible in your eyes.  I wanted you to trust me because you wanted to, not because you were forced to.”

His words were heavy, pressing against my chest.  Ryder's treachery didn't end with me.

“You should hate me,” I responded in a harsh tone.  "I was his."

 Kai's gaze grew softer.  "Aura, you were never his.  You were used. That isn't love.”

I turned my head away, embarrassed by the part of me that still missed Ryder.  Even still, there were evenings when I dreamed about him—about our relationship, about the mark he left on me, which is still there, faint as a ghost of chains on my shoulder.

With a grounding touch, Kai grabbed my hand from across the table.  "I won’t let him take anything else from you."

Something flickered inside me as I caught his eyes. Trust. Something earned, but not the blind type I previously had in Ryder. 

~~~~~

 It was a silent haze for the rest of the morning. I cleaned the kitchen, prepped vegetables for supper, and assisted Kai with minor household chores. Even while there was a hint of discomfort in every moment, the normality of it all seemed somewhat reassuring.

As the sun began to set, Kai took me on a meandering walk into the forest behind his cabin. There was a hint of moist dirt and pine in the cool air. Birds chirped among themselves from the overhead branches, and a soft breeze whispered through the leaves.

“Where are we going?" I questioned. 

 "A place I go when I need clarity," Kai explained simply.

We  walked in peace till the trees opened out to disclose a secluded glade. A narrow stream wove through the center, its surface glinting in the soft orange light. Wildflowers dotted the ground—violets, dandelions, and tiny blue blossoms I couldn’t name.

 I stepped forward, my eyes widened.   "It's beautiful."  

"Yeah it is, Just like you," Kai murmured before he could stop himself.  

I turned to him, my heart fluttering. He looked aside instantly, apparently flustered.  

"Sorry.   That just... slipped."  

I smiled softly as I approached the tree and ran my fingers along its bark, feeling torn between the serene presence of Kai and the shadow of Ryder that still haunted me.

I sank my fingertips into the stream as we sat on the water's edge. The chill surprised me but quickly calmed my skin. The baby kicked again, and I giggled, astonished.  

"He’s strong today," I said.

Kai leaned closer. "He?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "It’s just a feeling. He feels... fiery. Like he’s ready to fight the world."

Kai chuckled. "Sounds familiar. How far along are you now?"

"Over four months," I murmured.

He nodded. "You’re doing well. You’re stronger than you think.”

We shared a long stare, one that had my heart fluttering dangerously. I wanted to lean in, to let him kiss me—but I couldn’t. The shame still hung heavily inside me. I pulled away first. 

 Kai didn’t push. He only nodded. 

Later that evening, I returned to my bed and nestled up in the sheets. My cravings had been worse today—honey-soaked bread, pickled berries, and a strange need for lemon and raw meat. I was beginning to assume this baby had inherited Ryder’s tremendous energy. 

Sleep was elusive. My dreams were restless. 

In one, I stood in the forest, surrounded by wolves. Their eyes flashed red, their growls deep and deadly. Ryder stood among them, gaze riveted on me. His hands were blood-stained as he reached for me.

 I gasped as I jolted up.

Something was off.

Kai was sitting close to the window, gazing into the darkness, so I got up and padded silently toward the front of the cabin.

 "You feel it too?,” I said,  moving closer to him.

Slowly, he nodded.  "The breeze is carrying a new scent. Something darker and unknown.”

My heart pounded.  The baby kicked again, more forcefully this time.

“What could that be,” I asked.

With tense muscles, Kai stood. I could sense the intensity emanating from him; his wolf was near the surface.

His lips formed a tight line as he sniffed the air again.

 "We might not be alone anymore.”