Chapter 31
Chapter 31
–Kaia p>
I rushed back to my room.
I shut the door to my room and exhaled shakily, finally letting my shoulders drop.
My heartbeat was still annoyingly fast – not from the training, but from him.
A soft knock sounded a few seconds later.
I groaned.
“If that’s Theo, I swear p>
I hear Maliya say. “Relax, it’s me p>
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I opened the door, and Maliya slipped inside with her usual warm smile, carrying a tray with tea and those little honey pastries she always brings from the kitchen.
Her smiling face almost calmed me down.
Maliya commented. “You look like your soul stepped out of your body. Twice p>
I dropped onto the bed face-first. “Thanks for reminding me I look like shit p>
“Hey. That’s not what I meant❞ Maliya said.
Maliya sat beside me.
“You didn’t have to say it. I know I look like shit right now” I muttered, groaning.
My body hurts a little.
Maliya asked “Wanna talk or wanna pretend everything’s fine until it explodes p>
I didn’t move.
“Maliya… I don’t know what I’m doing p>
Maliya looked at me with a weird face.”That’s new. You usually pretend you know exactly what you’re doing p>
I flipped over, my hair a mess, and my face looked tired.
“He didn’t even come check on me yesterday. Ten hours. Ten. After everything that happened. That ceremony, that woman showing up. Nothing. Not a text. Not a knock. Nothing.” I vented out,almost yelling.
Maliya’s expression shifted.
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Chapter 31
Not pity, understanding.
Maliya stuttered. “About that p>
She hesitated.
I slowly sat up. “What p>
Maliya sighed. “Alpha Theo did come. Last night p>
I blinked. “What? No, he didn’t p>
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“He did. I saw him. He came to your hallway around midnight” Maliya insisted. “I ram into him when I was returning the tray. I told him you fell asleep already”
“He stood there for a long time. It looked like he didn’t know whether to knock or break the door down. After I told him you were resting”
My stomach dipped.
Maliya continued gently. “He was pacing. Running his hand through his hair like a crazy person. I think he wanted to talk to you but… something held him back p>
My chest tightened. Irritation, confusion, and that stupid spark of hope all mixing together.
“Why didn’t he just knock?” I asked, stupidly.
Maliya answered. “Maybe because I told him, you were sleeping. He didn’t want to disturb your rest perhaps p>
“He could have still come to see me. He always does that” I muttered,feeling offended.
Maliya then replied softer “Or maybe he didn’t know what to say yet p>
I rubbed my forehead, overwhelmed.
“…This is too much. Everything’s too much. I shouldn’t even care. I’m just someone he took pity on. I’m not anything.” I say
Maliya gave me a look.
“You’re more than you think. And he obviously cares more than he admits p>
I swallowed.
“Maliya… I’m scared. Every time I start to trust someone, it goes wrong. I don’t know if I can survive that again.” I say softly,my voice almost breaking.
Maliya took my hand.
“Then let him prove it. Or walk away before he does.” Maliya suggested.
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Chapter 31
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A small smile appeared on her face as she nodded.
“Just don’t lie to yourself in the process p>
I stared at the wall. My heart is messy with different thoughts, and my mind is even messier.
And for the first time since I left my old pack, I didn’t know which choice hurt less.
–Theo–
I clenched my jaw until it hurt.
Walking down the hallway my mind is muddled up with the thoughts of Kaia.
She hates me. She won’t even talk to me.
I stepped into the hallway, needing air, space. something to keep me from breaking something.
That’s when I noticed the light in Kaia’s room was still on.
And the pull. Gods, that pull-dragged me straight to it.
Through the half-open door, I saw her by the window, hair spilling down her back, she looked unreal.
For a heartbeat, I just watched her.
She sat by the window again, knees drawn up slightly, staring at the courtyard below.
I stood near the doorway at first, unsure if getting closer would push her away or pull her back.
I tapped lightly.
“Kaia p>
The door opened a crack. She looked pale, thoughtful, as if her thoughts had carried her miles away.
“You’re still awake,” I said.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Her voice was soft.
I hesitated, then. “Can I come in p>
A moment. Then she nodded.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” I said quietly when I stepped into her room.
My fingers tightened. “I haven’t p>
“Yes, you have.” My voice was low, steady. “I notice things, Kaia p>
She exhaled sharply, almost a laugh.
18:25 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 31
“What’s there to avoid? I’m just a stray you helped. That’s all p>
That hit deeper than she knew.
I stepped closer. “You’re not just anything p>
“Your pack thinks otherwise.” she retorts
“They don’t decide what I think p>
Kaia swallowed hard, eyes dropping to her hands.
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“It’s not fair to you, Theo. They’re questioning you because of me. You are in a difficult position because of me. I don’t want to be the reason your leadership gets challenged p>
My heartbeat kicked up. “Kaia, you’re not p>
But she cut me off. “And then there’s Elara p>
Silence. Heavy, thick.
Theo inhaled sharply. “So that’s what this is p>
“I saw her,” Kaia whispered. “In your hallway. Looking like she belonged here. Like I was the intruder p>
She chuckled a little. “Maybe, it’s true p>
I clenched my fists at my sides. “Elara doesn’t mean anything p>
Kaia lifted her eyes. fragile, uncertain, hurting.
“You can’t expect me to believe that p>
I stepped closer, slower this time, until I stood right before her.
“I don’t care what she wants. I care about you p>
Her breath hitched.
I felt it.
“I’m not your anything, Theo,” she said, voice trembling. “I don’t even know why you’re explaining your actions to me”
“You deserve to know what’s happening. Especially when it interrupts a very special day in your life.” I said. “Kaia. You don’t have to worry about Elara, I won’t let her be a pain in your throat”
“As if…” Kais looked at me and stopped midway.
Then I watched her rise from the bed, blowing her face as if needing to breathe.
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Chapter 31
“I’m going outside,” she whispered.
“Kaia p>
“Please… I need a minute p>
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“Theo, I’m not avoiding nor am I mad at you. There is no reason for me to be” She looked at me. “So, let’s not talk about this”
And she slipped past me, leaving only the faint scent of hers behind.
I stared after her, jaw tight.
“I’m not losing her too,” I muttered to Stash. “Not again. Not to fear. Not to the damn council”
AD
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.