“She’s odd, not dangerous. And honestly, who isn’t weird?”
Kai hums, half-convinced. “Well, if you think she’s trustworthy, we can add her. But I’m not explaining anything if she starts talking to plants.” I roll my eyes. “Alright, tomorrow we should gather everyone and make a plan.”
I curtly nod, the reality of it all settling in.“Shouldn’t we clean this mess first?” I ask, gesturing to the chaos in the kitchen.
Kai shrugs. “Nah, that's tomorrow's problem, or Caleb’s.”
Shaking my head, a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “You’re horrible.”
“Guilty as charged,” Kai replies with a wink. We ascend the stairs in a somewhat comfortable silence.“My offer still stands for that shower.” He then says, adding to the lingering tension that’s always somewhere between us.
“And my answer remains unchanged.”
A soft laugh escapes Kai, and I catch the shy undertone. A rare sound from him. It’s disarming, like the unexpected warmth of sunlight on a winter day.
“We’ve met before,” I whisper, more to myself than to him, and his smile falters; he contemplates me.
“I suspected as much, but for some reason… I can’t remember.” The last part is whispered as if it’s a secret. We stand there, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. The silence stretches, laden with possibilities, and finally, I break the stillness.
“Goodnight.”
I turn away, retreating into my room, choosing solitude over the magnetic pull of his presence. Being near him is a constant battle of wills, and tonight, my emotions are edging dangerously close to surrender.
Another nightmare wakes me,but this time, it offers nothing new, just sharper angles of what I’ve already survived. Still, the longer I’m here, the more I begin to remember. Pieces comeback in flashes, and I’m starting to understand them for what they are: memories,answers.
I just need to learn how to read them.
Exhausted to the bone, I prepare myself for another day in Elgar. I have plenty of time to make a mean iced caramel latte. Searching through the pantries, I gather all my ingredients. Toasting white sugar until it’s melted before I add butter, cream, and salt. Using Kvirr to accelerate things and keep everything under control. In five minutes, I get a smooth golden syrup. My taste buds are so happy, it’sorgasmic. Who needs boys when you have this divine potion? I’m so proud of myself, I end up writing down the instructions for Wyll. That will teach him to judge my favourite drink. Reaching the yard, I see the guys returning from their run, sweat gleaming down their torsos.
"Lyna, care for a hug?" Wyll’s wolfish smile is on full display.
"Don't even think about it." Kai's booming voice answers for me.
"Kai's very protective of what's his," Wyll remarks, feigning conspiracy.
"I'm not his—” “—That's right.” Kai and I say in unison, contradicting each other.
That fucking guy.
"Weren't you dating Heather, you know, with her being the daughter of Elveron's alpha and all that?" Caleb interrupts, wiping his face with a towel, clueless to the effect his words have. Kai doesn’t bother explaining or denying anything; he just stares at me,typical. The only tell is the flicker in his eyes, softening just for a second before his usual wall of indifference slams back into place. I let out a dry scoff, shaking my head, and turn away.
“Have a great day, boys,” I toss over my shoulder, the sarcasm sharp enough to slice air. As I slip through the gates, Wyll’s voice cuts the silence, loud enough to sting.
“And you dare call me a moron?”
Disappointment knots in my gut. Funny, considering I saw it coming a mile away.
Training with Nalaka and going to classes is a welcome distraction from Caleb’s little revelation. Suddenly, Heather’s animosity makes more sense. If you’ve been promised to some guy since you were a kid, and he suddenly starts paying more attention to a new toy… I’d be pissed too.
Could I be the bigger person and let go of the grudge?
Maybe.
But she acted like a total bitch, so probably not.
“Did you know Heather and Kai were in some arranged marriage or something?” I ask, watching Nalaka closely as we walk toward the infirmary. Her smile flickers for a moment, almost nervous, before she brushes one of her braids behind her ear.
“Yeah, I’ve heard the rumours,” she says softly, but doesn’t elaborate. “I don’t think Kai’s agreed to any of it, though. Why?” Nalaka glances ahead, but her voice betrays a hint of interest.
