ログインChapter 38— Fear Their Retaliation.KYRAFor a moment after Maddy spoke, it felt like the hall grew quiet or maybe it actually had. My brows knitted together as confusion bloomed in my chest.What did she mean…she didn’t want it?I stared at Maddy as if the answer might be written on her face, but she wouldn't look at me. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her shoulders stiff.My mouth was still open as I stared at her, as if I’d somehow misheard her, as if the words had somehow rearranged themselves in my head. I couldn’t understand it.I couldn’t understand her.Why would she say that?Why would she refuse, when she of all people knew what it meant to be voiceless? What it meant to live every day shrinking yourself smaller, so you wouldn’t be noticed, so you could blend in easily. So you wouldn’t be punished for merely existing. She had lived it, lived that fear. She had stood beside me in that room, trembled the same way I had just that mine hadn’t been obvious.I had believed— no,
CHAPTER 37— Omega Protection Charter.KYRA“Alpha Tristan,” I addressed. Tristan was watching me with an intensity that felt like I was being stripped bare. It unsettled me, especially with the hall getting unbearably hot. I resisted the urge to swipe at the beads of sweat already forming on my forehead before the Alphas mistook it for fear or weakness. That would be the last thing I would let them think of me.“You might not have been present in the entertainment room,” I said evenly, my voice coming out strong despite the tightness beginning to form in my chest. I gritted my teeth as a searing heat spread deep in my belly.“But what happened there happened in your name.” I forced out the words, my legs almost giving in to the scorching warmth flooding my body. My eyes watered and I looked down briefly, blinking before lifting my gaze. “Callie wouldn’t have done what she did if she didn’t believe she had your backing, approval, and protection.” I continued. My palms were now slick
CHAPTER 36— Devil’s Incarnate.KYRAThe hall was as quiet as a graveyard.I could feel the way the air pressed heavily against my skin. Even the most arrogant Alphas had gone unnaturally still.My gaze shifted until it settled on Alpha Damon.My father’s arch-enemy. Eric’s cohort and best friend. I like to call them ‘brothers in cruelty’ because they shared the same evil thoughts. If Eric was the blade, Damon was the hand steadying it.He stood in front of me giving me a challenging stare as if daring me to show what I could do. I wasn’t legendary because I judged with emotion, I was legendary because of how well I executed my mission. Damon didn’t even bother to mask his contempt. His lips curled into an ugly grimace as his eyes met mine, filled with hatred so strong I could feel it in my bones but I didn’t falter.“Alpha Damon,” I said evenly. I held his gaze, refusing to blink, refusing to give him even a fraction of the satisfaction he so clearly craved. I was letting him know t
CHAPTER 35— This Judgement Wasn’t Mine To Give.KYRAThe hall was quiet. Every eye was on us as we stood like offerings laid bare. Maddy shifted uneasily beside me.I nodded at her, a silent nudge of encouragement. My way of telling her that whatever she said next, I would stand beside her. She cleared her throat, fingers twisting together so tightly her knuckles blanched. Her eyes refused to settle anywhere for long, flickering from Eric to Rowan, from Reed to Damon, and their companions, then finally to the floor. “Go on,” Leon said gently. “You may speak, Maddison.” Maddy swallowed. Her gaze darted to Eric again, then to his companion. Her nails dug into her skin as though she needed the pain to keep herself grounded. “I…” She looked away, her fingers trembling. She inhaled sharply then spoke. “I forgive them.”The words echoed in the hall, but they sounded wrong in my ears, as if somehow she had spoken a different language. Forgive them? Was yesterday a joke? Maddy continued
CHAPTER 34— The Ball Is In Your Court Now.KYRA“Hi,” he said softly.My heart fluttered at the warmth in his voice.I pushed the door wider, turning my head to glance over my shoulder. “It’s just Tristan,” I said to Maddy. He’s here to see you.” “Actually,” Tristan corrected gently, “I’m here to see you.”“Both of you,” he added as Maddy stepped forward with a frown on her face.“Hi, Maddison.” He smiled at her with a short wave.“Tristan.” Maddy scowled but I could tell it wasn’t real. From their interaction I could see there was more to their friendship than I knew and the realization sent a cold curl of unease through my stomach.What if there was more to them? Had they… had they shared the same bed… I looked away already feeling something cold wrapping its claws around my heart.“Maddy, can you give me a moment?” Tristan asked. “I need to speak to Kyra… alone.” Maddy opened her mouth, shut it then glanced at me with questions, uncertainty written all over her face silently aski
CHAPTER 33— We Made The Top List.KYRAMaddy and I prepared for work in silence. Just like I was bracing myself for whatever the day decided to throw at me next, I guess Maddy was thinking the same.I dressed mechanically, tying my hair back, and then slipped into the familiar uniform that had begun to feel like a second skin and I hated it, because it was a reminder of my reality.When we stepped into the hallway, my stomach tightened. No matter how much pep talk I’d given myself, part of me still dreaded walking into that place, a part of me anticipated the looks, the judgements. As we approached the kitchen, the scent of food drifted into my nose. I could hear the clanging of pots and dishes and it reminded me that life in the pack went on regardless. Duties still waited.The closer we got to the kitchen, the more my spine stiffened. Fuck! I wasn’t ready. When we stepped into the kitchen, it was as if our presence stilled the air. Those who were chopping, washing dishes, cooking,







