2. We were outlaws

Kaliah POV

By the time I woke up, I realized I was on a motorcycle. A cloth belt had been wrapped around my waist to keep me secure from my brother. He must’ve felt me stirring and stopped the bike at a red light, glancing back at me.

The two of us were siblings, but couldn’t look more different. I took after our mother, who was Asian, my long black hair and brown eyes a remnant of her looks. While my brother took after our father, a typical blonde-haired and blue-eyed Caucasian man.

I was struck by the fact that my brother seemed very different right now. He had somehow survived and was also taking the lead, making me wonder what had changed.

When we’re growing up, I was the one who took life more seriously. I loved fighting and dedicated myself to honing my body into a weapon. Meanwhile, Kiran didn’t take life that seriously. He was a playboy and a flirt, always bouncing from woman to woman.

But it also meant he was a very charming man who had great social skills. I lacked social skills, preferring to let my sword or knife do the talking.

Had my brother not been an omega, he would’ve been the heir to our father’s legacy. But he was so it meant I was going to be the one to inherit.

Or rather, I would’ve been.

I realized I shouldn’t have been named heir after the decision I made.

The fact that Axel was in our lives was my fault. Three years ago, I met him when I rescued him from a river. My father took him in, treating him like a second son. Then, three days ago, the man I called my mate had conspired with ministers who opposed my father and led a rebellion, killing our parents. He did it do it during the full moon, almost adding insult to injury.

Being without him, even after what he did, left a huge hole in my heart. He was supposed to be the one who I was going to be with for the rest of my life. My mate, the one who would support me.

But then he destroyed my city and family, usurping him and taking the throne that had been in our family for generations.

How could he do this?

Better yet, why would he do that?

Was his need for power that strong?

I whimpered softly, burying my face against my brother’s back.

This loss I felt was overwhelming, consuming every part of me. I wanted to ignore it but how could I when I just lost my mate? It pained me to admit but I was going to need to grieve. Grieve for a man who had betrayed me.

The motorcycle slowed beneath us, the hum of the engine giving way to gravel crunching under the tires. Rain had slicked the roads, and the storm clouds above still loomed, grumbling like they weren’t finished with us yet.

Kiran parked in front of a small inn with dim lights glowing through rain-streaked windows. I slid off the bike, steadying myself as the cold air bit at my skin. The smell of wet asphalt, old wood, and burning firewood inside reached me, sharp and distinct.

I tilted my head toward the door. “We don’t have IDs,” I said quietly. “Or money.”

Kiran sighed beside me. “I know.”

“And you still think this is going to work?”

He exhaled through his nose, and I could hear the forced optimism in his voice. “We don’t have a choice, Kaliah. We need shelter. I’ll try to talk to her.”

I nodded, folding my arms tightly over my chest as he strode up the steps and pushed open the door. I stayed near the bike, trying to block out the murmur of people inside, the clinking of silverware, and the sound of laughter. It all felt so far away, like a life that wasn’t mine anymore.

The rain started again, soft at first, then picking up. I lifted my face slightly, letting it fall over me. I listened for Kiran’s voice inside, trying to make out words.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open, and he stepped out. His footsteps were slower this time.

“Well?” I asked.

“She said no.” His voice was low, tight with frustration.

My jaw clenched. “Of course she did. We look like two soaked strays that crawled out of the forest.”

“She asked for ID. I told her we didn’t have any. She asked for payment. I told her we could pay tomorrow.” He shook his head. “Didn’t budge. Said she doesn’t do ‘favors for vagabonds.’”

I scoffed bitterly. “Did you try flirting?”

“I did,” he muttered.

I raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“She’s in her sixties and thinks I’m a ‘pretty liar.’”

I huffed a laugh despite myself. “She’s not wrong.”

Kiran smirked briefly, then looked up at the sky. “It’s still coming down. I can try again. Or maybe talk to someone else inside.”

“No.” I shook my head. “Let’s not waste more time. There’s gotta be a shed or alley we can camp in for the night. I’ve slept in worse.”

He didn’t answer right away. I could feel his gaze on me, quiet and heavy. Finally, he said, “You shouldn’t have to.”

I straightened my shoulders. “Neither should you. But here we are.”

Kiran rubbed the back of his neck, water dripping from his hair. “I’m going to try the diner across the street. Maybe someone there has more heart and less policy.”

“Yeah,” I said dryly, “nothing says charity like people eating pie in a warm booth while the world burns.”

Well, our world was burning. The city was going to function as it always did. Terrority wars were common. They would turn their head and let the alphas go at it, never allowing it to ruin their daily lives.

He gave a short laugh. “You’ve gotten more bitter.”

“You’ve gotten more optimistic,” I countered. “One of us has to balance it out.”

I was always a bitter person, and this whole situation just made me more bitter.

He looked at me for a long moment before stepping back onto the sidewalk. “Wait here. I’ll be quick.”

But when he returned, he had a frown on his face. I couldn’t see it, but I could sense it,

"Any luck?" I asked.

It was obvious from the tone in his voice that he didn’t have any luck. I hated to accept that it was the truth, but it was.

Adjusting to being blind was difficult. I couldn’t imagine living the first part of my life like this. How was I going to do it?

He shook his head, lips pressed into a tight line. "No. Just turned away again."

I frowned, the pit in my stomach growing deeper. "Honestly, it’s as I expected.

He dropped onto the nearest rock, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yeah, well, it’s not going to help us out here when we need shelter. Shit is getting bad, sis."

I stepped closer.. "Could it be them?"

I felt him looking up at me, eyes dark. "If it is, they're getting smarter. More careful. And that means they're planning something."

A cold wind stirred the trees around us, and I suddenly felt exposed. Vulnerable. "We need to move," I said. "We’re not safe here.”

“I know.”

“How did you escape, by the way?” I asked, finally, turning my face towards him.

He swallowed. “Uncle Rodan and Dad’s loyal subordinates helped me escape before they were captured. I… don’t think they are alive anymore.”

“Father’s beta was killed. I couldn’t see it, but I heard it and smelled his blood,” I said, voice strained. “He helped me escape.”

Kiran sighed. “He was a good man.”

“I'll kill all of them,” I promised, my tone dripping with venom. “Kiran, we’re going to have our revenge.”

“Kaliah, it’s not going to be that easy. We need help.”

I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. What help? We were outlaws now, banished from our city.

“What help did you have in mind?”

“An old friend of mine is in another state. If we find him, we’ll get the help we need, sis.”

A crack of thunder hit suddenly, making me jump. Then came the rain.

It had stopped for a while, and now it was back.

I sighed softly, wishing we were anywhere but here.

“Fuck, we better find a place to stay soon.”

I felt the water hitting me all at once. It was almost refreshing and did help ground me with everything that happened.

The grief I felt earlier flew away in an instant.

I felt hatred replacing that sense of loss—burning, choking, absolute.

This man didn’t deserve to be mourned by me.

He had betrayed my family.

He had destroyed my home, turned my father’s legacy into a battlefield, and claimed the ashes like they were some kind of gift.

He didn’t deserve my tears.

He didn’t deserve a single piece of my heart.

The only thing Axel deserved was death.

Not at my side. Not in my thoughts. Not even in memory.