CHAPTER 12.
“How much did you hear?”
Kade’s voice was deep as his golden eyes locked into mine. I fiddled with my skirt, feeling more awkward by the second. This was so embarrassing…
4–
We both spoke at the same time and paused. I looked at him, waiting for him to speak but he seemed to be waiting for the same thing.
I hesitated. Was this really necessary? I should leave. I should pretend I didn’t hear anything. But I couldn’t, I had to know.
So, I took a breath. “Kade… why did you reject me?”
He paused, I could see his jaw tighten. He looked away for a moment, exhaling. “It wasn’t that simple, Mira.”
I crossed my arms tightly, my gaze fixed on him. “Well if it wasn’t, explain it to me.”
Ineed to know why after all the time we’d spent in love. Those promises of our future, those words. I wanted to know why he suddenly forgot those. And rejected me. He hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke.
D
“When I became Alpha, the pack wasn’t safe,” he said. “Rogues were getting bolder. There was someone in the pack working with them.”
ffrowned, still confused. “And that was the reason?”
His gaze flickered to mine, a sigh escaping his lips. “Do you remember the time you were sick? When you were unconscious for days?”
I did. I had been weak, barely able to move. I remernbered waking up in the healer’s house, Kael watching over me, his face unreadable. And after that…
C
Sample not for sale T
Everything changed. But what did that have to do with this?
fnodded. “Yeah. What about it?”
B
Kade’s expression darkened. “You weren’t sick, Mira.”
+10 Bonus >
“You were drugged.” His voice was tight. “And kidnapped.”
stared at him, my breath catching in my throat. “What?”
Kade ran a hand through his hair, his voice rougher. “Someone in the pack helped the rogues take you. I got to you before they did, but… you were already unconscious. The medicine they used–it kept you out for days. We thought you’d never wake up.”
paused, suddenly feeling cold. “What do you mean?”
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CHAPTER 12
I felt lightheaded. My mind struggled to gather memories from that time. Blurred voices. A strange fog in my head. And then… nothing.
swallowed hard. “You never told me.”
I didn’t know all of this. Why didn’t I know this?
His hands clenched at his sides. “I was scared, Mira. I didn’t want you to be hurt because of me. I couldn’t bear to see you like that again.” My heart pounded. “So you pushed me away? You didn’t even think to tell me?”
He met my gaze, his voice raw. “Mira.. I’m sorry. I thought it was the only way to keep you safe.”
felt like I couldn’t breathe.
All this time, I thought he had just… stopped wanting me. That I wasn’t good enough. That I had done something wrong.
And
now–this?
Anger burned through me. But under that, there was something else. Regret. Pity.
“You should have told me,” I whispered. “We could have made a decision together.”
know, he murmured. “But I couldn’t risk it. I was scared, Mira.”
He took a shaky breath. “I loved you.”
Silence. The air between us was thick and heavy. I could feel his warm breath fan my cheeks and all of a sudden, I realised how close we were standing.
His fingers twitched like he wanted to reach for me. I tilted my head slightly, drawn in despite everything. His hypnotic golden eyes flickered to my lips, then back to my eyes. For a second–just a second–I almost let it happen. But reality slammed back into me.
stepped back, breaking the moment.
should go,” I said quickly.
Kade’s eyes darkened, but he nodded. “I’ll walk you home. It’s late.”
should have refused, but I didn’t.
The walk back to Elma’s cabin was quiet. Too quiet. Kade walked a step behind me, and I could feel his gaze fixed on my back.
fsaid nothing. My mind was still a mess. Looking back, everything suddenly felt different. But did it matter anymore?
Suddenly, I felt Kade grab my arm. I looked up, noticing his furrowed brows and tense posture.
Stay close, he murmured.
Ffrowned. “What-
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CHAPTER 12
“I smell rogues.” His voice was sharp.
My blood ran cold. Rogues? Here?
My mind immediately went to the cabin. Elma and Rowan were in three..Without thinking, I tore away from him and ran.
“Elma! Rowan!”
The door was unlocked. My heart pounded as I shoved it open. The cabin was dark. I rushed straight to Rowan’s bed, bumping against corners and edges but I didn’t care.
Empty.
froze.
No. No, no, no.
My lungs seized, my hands shaking as I yanked the blanket back, as if somehow my son would appear underneath.
But he wasn’t there.
spun around, panic clawing at my throat.
Rowan!”
Nothing.
kade stepped inside, his expression dark.
He’s gone.”
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