Kaya
I peel my eyes open, but the pleasant weight of sleep still clings to my body, reluctant to let go.
I try to shift slightly, just enough to get the blood flowing through my stiff limbs—but the mont I move, a sharp pain radiates through , making wince and nearly gasp aloud.I’m sore. Everywhere.So much so that it feels like I was beaten black and blue last night.
Then, despite the ache, my body jerks upright—my eyes flying open in sudden realization.I was beaten last night.I was in a training match. With Magnus.
The mories rush back in an overwhelming flood, but one detail rises above the rest and slams into with full force—last night, I shifted again.
Magnus pushed . Provoked . And... it worked.
I shifted.
But then...
I flinch, my gaze darting down to my chest.Goddess—not again!I groan internally, cursing the stars and my damn fate.
He saw naked. Again.
This is the second ti. Sure, I’ve seen him naked too, but this—this feeling—it’s different. I don’t know why, but it matters that he is the one who sees .
It never used to. My nakedness stopped being sothing intimate a long ti ago. It beca sothing survival-based. Detached.But with Magnus... it feels like I’m experiencing everything again, for the very first ti.
And for once, I want to feel special.
Ha!I scoff bitterly at myself and shake the ridiculous thoughts from my head.
Special. As if soone like could be special.
Damien used to call that—special. But to everyone else... I was nothing more than a special cunt.
I sigh, catching myself in yet another round of self-pity.Stop moping, I grumble inwardly, forcing my sore body to shift under the covers as I glance toward the nightstand to check the ti.
"Crap, I missed training!"
A jolt of urgency rushes through —but it’s too late. The pack is probably already halfway through breakfast by now.
A wave of sadness and resignation crashes over , leaving behind that all-too-familiar feeling of helplessness. I can’t seem to get anything right. And worse—I can’t help but feel weak. Over and over again.
I suppose it’s only natural. When you’re ripped out of the world you’ve grown used to and dropped into a place that feels like its opposite, of course you struggle to find your footing.
But still...
No one wanted in Dark Wood. And no one wants here either.
And damn it, I want to be wanted.
"There’s no helping it," I mutter with a sigh as I force myself out of bed, my sore body protesting with every little movent, the ache bittersweet and lingering. "I’ll keep trying. I’ll train on my own, then. I don’t need anyone to run laps around the training grounds."
With that flicker of determination sparking in my chest, I head to the bathroom and turn on the water.First things first—get clean. Then breakfast. Then... a new beginning. All over again.
Once my hygiene and my wild, disheveled hair are taken care of, I stand in front of the full-length mirror, assessing the results.
I look pale. Tired. Soft. Weak. I sigh, frowning at the dark circles beneath my eyes. But it’s fine. It’s not like I’m auditioning for a beauty pageant any ti soon. Or ever.
I turn toward the door, ready to step out and face the day—but sothing makes pause. My gaze flicks back to the mirror’s fra, and my brow furrows slightly.
Sothing’s... different.
A note?
I don’t like getting notes anymore. Not since that one—from Shelly.But still, my hand reaches for it almost instinctively, and the mont my eyes scan the words, they widen in disbelief.
"et at the sa spot tonight, at ten. Wear the training gear. Sothing very comfortable.
P.S. Your wolf is magnificent, Moonlight."
Heat floods my face, setting my skin on fire. My heart starts pounding so loudly it echoes in my ears, threatening to drown out every other thought.I can’t even tell what set off more—the fact that Magnus called my wolf magnificent, or the surprisingly elegant cursive in which he wrote that new pet na.
Moonlight.
I’m completely, hopelessly flustered...And strangely?I don’t mind it.
Nice going, Kaya, I sigh to myself with a faint shake of my head. Falling for another man’s kindness all over again.
I press the note back against the mirror’s fra, where it sticks as if it belongs there, and without another second wasted, my legs are already carrying down the stairs—straight toward the dining hall.
Given how late it is, I’m not expecting much to be left on the table. But honestly? With Ray’s unpredictable creativity in the kitchen, I’ll gladly take anything that gives enough energy to get through training again.
But the mont I reach the first floor, I freeze.
The space is still surprisingly crowded.Not in the relaxed, lazy-morning way either.
There’s tension in the air—thick and simring. The pack mbers are gathered with stiff postures, stern faces, and a silent urgency that prickles at my skin.
They’re not here for breakfast.
And then—I see him.
I can practically feel the air shift—still, heavy—as he strides through the hall. His chest is squared, movents purposeful, his jaw clenched tight with tension.Aksel marches beside him, issuing sharp gestures to a few others, signaling them to follow.
They’re leaving the pack house.And by the look on their faces, they’re not happy about it.
"Kaya! There you are!" Samantha’s voice jolts out of my trance as she seemingly appears from nowhere. "I was just about to co fetch you myself."
"What’s going on?" I ask, my tone a little too clipped, skipping her friendly greeting. I regret it almost instantly—but she doesn’t seem to take it personally.
"Ugh," Samantha groans, running a hand through her hair, clearly just as displeased. "There’s been an urgent call for investigation. The Luna of Mistfall disappeared last night."
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