Kayla's POVQuietly the King turned around, walking out as abruptly as he came, my eyes trailing after him watching in disbelief.I turned to Azel flabbergasted, without thinking, I threw my arms around her in a hug, the joy bursting out of me before I could stop it. “I’m staying, Azel! I’m not leaving!” the words tumbled out in a rush, almost breathless.Azel froze for a moment, and I could feel her hesitation. Slowly, she hugged me back, but it was brief, almost hesitant. She stepped away quickly, her hands smoothing her apron. “I’m glad you’re staying, Lady Kayla,” she said.I grabbed her arm before she could slip away fully. “Azel, don’t do that. You don’t have to act like I'm your boss, not anymore.” I pulled her back into a hug, tighter this time, holding her close. “You’ve been more than just a maid to me. You’re my friend.”Her body softened against mine, and I felt her shoulders shake slightly, as if she had been holding her breath for days. She finally let herself relax, hug
KLAUS' POV “Alpha, we await your orders” one of the guards voiced as they closed in on Kayla, about to arrest her. “You have to believe me, you know I would not do something like this” Kayla begged, her eyes yearning for me to believe her. I couldn’t answer her, not yet. Not when I didn’t know the truth. I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. Nothing made sense anymore. The emerald— how did it end up in her room? She couldn’t have done it… or could she? I raised my hand, stopping the guards from dragging her away for just a moment. My eyes locked on hers, searching for something, an answer, a sign, anything. But all I saw was fear and hurt, and it twisted something inside of me. “Keep her room in the room,” I finally ordered, my voice harsher than I intended. “She’s pregnant. For the sake of her baby, lock her in here.” The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them, but I couldn’t take them back. I turned on my heel then walked away despite her protests. My heart pounded
KLAUS' POVI didn’t think I could move that fast.Cradling Kayla in my arms, I pushed through the doors of the hospital, barking orders. The nurses jumped into action, but all I could hear was the pounding in my ears. Kayla’s face, pale and cold, was all I could see.“Get the doctor!” I growled, laying her gently on the bed. Her chest rose and fell, but just barely.As they swarmed around her, I stood frozen at the foot of the bed, helpless. Even in battle I had never felt this type of fear.The doctor finally walked in, she went straight to work, checking her vitals, muttering instructions to the nurses. I paced the room, my fists clenched. Each second that passed made the knot in my chest tighten.“She’s been poisoned.”The words cut through me like a blade. I turned, my eyes locking on the doctor. “Poisoned?”She nodded, her expression grim. “It’s in her system. We caught it in time, but it’s not going to be easy we'll have to flush it out of her system”I stared at her, trying to
Kayla's POVAt the Lycan King’s words, I watched as Lily's face twisted from disbelief to resentment.I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or if I was in an alternate universe when the King turned his back on her.Lily did as he said, walking away without a word I could only imagine the havoc the King's command could have caused as the doctor also followed behind, I'm guessing she wanted to give us some privacy.I did feel better as Lily left the room. My memories returned in fragments.“Azel…” I muttered.“Is she the one that poisoned you? Don't worry she's been locked up.” the King assured.That jolted me. “What?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, my heart kicking against my chest. “Locked up for what reason?”“She confessed to the theft,” he replied coolly, not even a flinch in his tone. “And attempted murder. She tried to kill you.”“No,” I shot back, sitting up despite the pull of pain in my muscles. “She told me she would help me, she was lying. Azel is my friend, she woul
Kayla's POVI was prisoner once again. Except that my prison was somewhat comfortable. I sighed in frustration, trying to swallow down the fear I felt for Azel being locked up. Hopefully, she wasn't tortured in there.I didn't know about the dungeons but I had heard about trials and executions. If Azel… No! I couldn't even bear the thought as I clutched the collar of my dress nervously.I forced myself to turn my back on the door, taking in the room I had grown used to the last few crazy weeks, I hated the silence. I hated how helpless I felt knowing Azel was locked up because she tried to help me.The fog in my mind had lifted and I recalled when she came to give me food and promised to help, I didn't expect her to do something so reckless. if I knew I would never have agreed to it.The poisoning was something else I couldn't wrap my head around on my own accord. My feet began moving and I paced back and forth, wondering if Lily's tried to kill me or just frame Azel.My pacing wasn’t
KLAUS POVThe thud of my fists hitting the punching bag echoed in the gym, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the storm in my head. My knuckles were raw, the chain holding the dummy creaking under the pressure of every blow. I punched harder, wanting the physical pain to match the mess inside me.Another hit. The chain snapped, and the dummy crashed to the floor.There was a cough behind me.I turned to see Raymond leaning against the wall, a smirk on his face. “Remind me not to get on your bad side,” he teased. "I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near you when you're in a mood like this.”I ignored him, breathing hard. Sweat trickled down my temples as I grabbed a bottle of water. I chugged half of it before throwing it across the room. It hit the wall, bursting open and spilling everywhere. But the anger didn’t go away.Kayla’s face flashed in my mind, her wide eyes as she pleaded, as she swore she wasn’t lying. But she had lied. She gave me hope and I thought for a moment the moon god
KLAUS' POV“I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you” Kain warned, stepping in close, too close. There was a glint in his eyes. I didn't understand why he felt confident enough to challenge me this way and even proposed such a ridiculous offer.“How I feel is none of your business. You should be the one packing” I retorted, not backing down.“You underestimate me brother. You always have” He muttered. His breath brushed against my skin, venom laced in every word. “This time the ball is in my court and I'll take everything you stole from me Klaus. Everything. The pack, the crown, your face… even Kayla.”Before my brain gave the command, my fist connected with his jaw. The sound of bone meeting bone echoed in the room, and Kain stumbled back, clutching his face. The taste of my anger was sharp in the air, and I could feel the blood pounding in my temples.Kain laughed out, mocking me.“You think that’ll stop me?” he snarled, lunging at me like a rabid animal. His fingers clawed at my throat
Kayla's POVI took a deep breath, my shaky hand trailing on my neck as I wondered what all this meant. He didn't lock the door so the first thought that crossed my mind was Azel, but then again, the mess with Kain was etched my mind.I had kept the file under my pillow before the guards did their search. Hopefully, it was still in the room, after a mild search I found it, then hid it in my closet under a pile of clothes.Plan B, I told myself. Just In case everything else fell apart.Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the room and closed the door softly behind me.I moved quickly, stopping a passing guard. “Where are the dungeons?” I asked him, keeping my voice steady.He blinked at me, surprised by the question. “Down the corridor, take a left, and you’ll see the stairs leading down.”I nodded, grateful for his brief directions, and started walking. Just as I rounded a corner, I heard a familiar, sickening voice.“Well, well, look who’s running away.”Lily.I froze in my tracks,
Kayla’s POVThe tears started falling before I even realized it. My chest tightened, each sob coming out as a painful gasp for air.“She left me there, she abandoned me” I croaked out, my heart feeling heavy.“She did it to protect you,” Silver whispered in my mind, her voice gentle, like a comforting breeze against my skin.I wanted to believe that. I had to. But the ache in my chest was unbearable. For so long, I’d believed my parents were dead, that I’d been spared from some type of accident but that wasn't the case.She had left me at their doorstep, she took my wolf and left me vulnerable,But at what cost?A sob escaped me, the kind that leaves your throat sore. I could taste the salt of my tears on my lips, and feel them slip down my cheeks and onto my skin. My hands shook as I wiped at my face, but the tears wouldn’t stop. My chest heaved, desperate to catch a breath, but each inhale only brought more memories.“Why didn’t she tell me?” I whispered, my voice barely audible ove
Kayla's POV“Kayla you're acting like a child.” Klaus calIed out behind me stopping me in my tracks.I never thought I could feel so much anger that I couldn’t breathe, I looked around, hoping this was a dream seeing Raymond changing out of his clothes. He looked like he didn't want any smoke and letting us deal with the issue ourselves.“You're unbelievable, Klaus” I snarled, crossing my arms.“I'm just saying you're acting a bit irrational here”Irrational?Irrational??It took a lot not to cross the room and punch him so hard he swallowed his words.“I'm sorry I find it a bit hurtful the only reason you're alive is because I risked my fucking life for you and you don't give a damn, rather you're accusing me!”“We're talking about a baby Kayla, the kid is innocent in all of this” Klaus retorted like I was bothering him.“Yes but I'm not, right? I'm the one who forged DNA reports. You are beyond reasoning with and I have better things to do” I turned around to leave but I stopped tur
Kayla’s POVSteam rose from the tub as I sank deeper into the water, letting it wrap around me like a cocoon. I thought a bath would help but I still felt as shitty as before.A knock on the bathroom door pulled me out of my thoughts. Azel stepped inside with a tray of food, her eyes twinkling with something and I could immediately tell she had some new gossip to spill.“Anything interesting today?” I asked, though I already knew where this conversation would lead.“Oh, just the usual palace chatter,” Azel said, setting the tray down on the side table. “You have been through so much, we need you well and rested.” Azel tried to shift the conversation.“No Azel it's fine. whatever you have to say I can take it” I said, sinking deeper into the tub so only my head was on the surface, my hair spreading through the water like tentacles.Azel walked up to the bath, splashing water, unable to meet my gaze before speaking.“It's Lily”I stiffened, my fingers gripping the edge of the tub, guess
Klaus' POVThose few days in the jail cell didn't seem so bad now. Being reappointed as Alpha after Kain made his division and managed to get people on his side wasn't an easy journey and now there was another baby on the way.It was one I didn't expect but one I couldn't turn my back on. I knew Kayla was right and sooner or later I would find a reason why trusting Lily was a bad idea but I was hurting Kayla in the process.Hopefully, this was all a game Lily was trying to play but funny enough if it came to that, I won't get mad but rather I’d be relieved.“Your majesty, good morning” Lily wore a long velvet red gown that stopped below her ankles, she looked beautiful truly, Lily was a sight to behold.“You called for me Alpha” she continued since I remained quiet I blinked back to the present, my eyes narrowing as I wondered what just happened.“Yes… I ehm we're going to the hospital” I voiced trying to keep my voice steady.The corners of her lips curved into a smile like I asked h
Kayla's POV“What nonsense is this Lily?” Klaus blurted out in astonishment while I stood frozen like a statue.I was at a loss of words or maybe I was unable to speak because my breath caught in my throat, it felt like my ribs had caged in, squeezing every bit of air out.“I have proof” she continued the torment and brought out a piece of paper from her bag waving it like a flag. Instinctively my hand reached out trembling as I took it from her."This can't be possible," Klaus muttered, his voice low, almost pleading, but it sounded weak. It didn’t even hold the edge I was expecting. He sounded like he didn’t believe it himself.I glanced down, my eyes skimming the bold letters that confirmed it. My heart clenched. I knew they had been together, I had seen it with my own eyes, felt the deep, cutting pain of the mate bond. I could endure all that again. But this? A baby?The floor seemed to tilt beneath me, and I had to steady myself, gripping the paper so tightly that it crinkled und
Kayla's POVI glared at Raymond, who just rolled his eyes for a moment. I didn't know what to say and I didn't have to as Klaus spoke up.“It's late Kayla, go to bed”“Please,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I just need to—”“No.” he didn't even let me finish taking my arm and leading me out of the gym. “I'll sleep in your room tonight. I had a long day and my bed is cold”The corners of my lips twitched but I forced down the smile, I was happy he would sleep in tonight but I just wished he would let me learn.Once we got to the room, he helped me change into my nightgown and slid next to me wearing only shorts, his arm wrapped around me, his fingers tracing slow circles on my skin.You’ve been through enough.”“I just—” My throat tightened. “My mother... She told me things. About my wolf, about the people after me.” I turned my head, eyes searching his face in the dim light.His hand stilled for a moment before continuing its path over my arm. “If they come for you, they’ll regre
Kayla's POV“Please send me back! I still have a lot to ask please”The seer shook her head. “I'm sorry Kayla but I can't, defying the laws of nature always comes with a price. We are not meant to communicate with the dead. You managed to twice, a third time is way too risky.” She stood up, stepping away from my hold and I sighed in defeat as I rubbed at the faint glow still lingering from the rune on my hand.“You can still use whatever she said to help you, what can you recall?”I took a deep breath, the memory of my mother’s voice still echoing in my ears. “She spoke to me about my wolf... about how it's powerful. She said people would come for me because of it.”The Seer’s brows furrowed slightly, her fingers tracing the edges of her table as if deep in thought. “There are a few wolves, very few, whose auras can be stolen. If you carry that power, then it’s no wonder the rogues are after you. They would want it for themselves.”“So, that’s what this is about? They want to take my
Kayla's POV“Yes, my gift from the pack guards to you so I won’t turn the pack upside down searching for the number of my kid, when she’s just cooking or doing whatever it is you do” he teased and I couldn’t help but smile.“Kids” I corrected, taking the phone out of the box. I looked up and noticed he was nervous. “Kids?” He echoed.“We’re not just having one child” I whispered, pausing for dramatic effect. “We’re having twins.” For a brief second, Klaus was completely still. His breath caught as the realization dawned on him. His eyes widened, shock flickering across his face before a smile slowly spread on his lips.“Twins?” His voice held an unfamiliar excitement, like he couldn’t quite believe it. “Yes, twins! Two lives growing inside me” I replied, trying to sound happy despite my heavy heart. He stepped closer, cupped my face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing my cheek. “You’re carrying two?” He let out a surprised laugh. “We’re having twins!” “There’s more.” His ha
Kayla's POV “Don't say that Kayla, I should have recognized one of them, I am the reason they came for you," he muttered, almost to himself, his hand curling into a fist by his side. "If I hadn’t—" "You can’t keep doing this," I interrupted, stepping forward. "This isn’t all on you." “It is. I wronged them, and now they want revenge. You’re in the middle because of me." “It wasn’t just about you, they knew things about when I left the pack... about my mother." His brow furrowed, confusion briefly replacing the guilt. I raised my sleeve, revealing the mark on my arm showing him the rune. "One of them recognized this. They mentioned her like they knew she marked me Klaus. This goes deeper than just revenge against you." He stopped pacing, his eyes dropping to the mark on my skin. “Your mother did this?" His voice was low, almost a growl, but I nodded. "She did. It’s complicated, the men didn't hurt me, not physically. They made this chant… I can't explain it but it's not you, Kl