THE PRIVATE CONFRONTATION 

CHAPTER 5

Natalia's P.O.V

I slipped through the crowd, past trays of champagne, and curious glances that lingered a bit too long. 

I didn't care, I just wanted to get out of there.

The doors to the terrace were only a few steps away, when I felt a rough hand caress my skin, smoothing it as it pulled me back sending a surge of electricity in its way. My hands felt warm, as I turned to see who it was.

Kade 

“Leaving so soon?” he murmured, leaning close enough that I felt his breath brush my ear. I trembled against the silken warmth

I tried to pull back, but his grip only tightened slightly, not painful, but I couldn't move my arms. 

“I just need air, okay?.”

“Funny,” he said softly. “So do we.”

My chest heaved as my breath got caught in my throat. Before I could move again, another presence closed in on my other side. Blocking the path back to the ballroom.

It was Cassian smirking at me.

Karl stepped into view in front of me.

My breath turned shallow. “What are you doing?”

Cassian’s expression didn’t change. “Trying to talk.”

“That doesn’t require trapping me.” My voice was laced with a mix of defiance and sass.

Kade chuckled. “Old habits.”

Heat flared in my chest, as I sensed the anger and humiliation they wanted to put me through again.

“Let go of me.”

Kade's eyes darkened for a quick second, then he let my hands go. But he didn't step away.

Cassian gestured towards a side hallway. “Walk.”

I laughed under my breath. “You don't give me orders.”

His gaze sharpened. “You're in our house now, you better behave.”

Karl finally spoke. “This isn't a request.”

Seriously? They were going to bully me again?

I knew I was cornered and overpowered, who would interfere with the Alpha's three son and save me.

Cassian shifted behind me, while Kade guided me forward. Karl stepped aside only to fall in step once I passed him.

Kade, and Cassian had me boxed in, but not in a way I could fight with fists.

As they moved me to the hall I saw Tasha standing near one of the golden pillars, a champagne flute poised delicately between her fingers. 

From a distance, she looked concerned. Like a sister watching an awkward situation.

But I know Tasha.

The way her lips curved just slightly higher on the right when she was pleased.

The way her eyes sharpened when something entertained her.

She wasn’t worried, she was enjoying this.

Her gaze met mine fully, and she smiled.

Not obvious, but just enough for me to see.

A slow, satisfied smile that said: This is exactly where you belong.

The hallway was quiet, the soft music was muffled by the thick walls. Kade was now slightly behind, and Cassian to my right, Karl ahead guiding the direction.

Like escorting a prisoner.

We stopped outside a dark wooden door.

Cassian opened it.

It looked like a private study. Probably belonged to Alpha black.

What were they going to do to me here?

The door closed behind us with a heavy click.

I turned slowly. “If this is about high school, you can save it.”

Cassian leaned back against the door, arms folding across his chest. “It’s not.”

Kade moved closer, not touching, but near enough that I felt surrounded again. “We’re family now.”

The word made my stomach twist.

Karl remained by the desk, silent.

Cassian’s eyes dragged over me. “That means boundaries.”

“Boundaries?” I repeated. “You didn't care about boundaries when you read my diary in front of the whole class then pinned me down and painted my face like a clown and posted it online.”

A flash of something crossed Kade’s face. Regret? No. Probably not.

Cassian didn’t blink. “We were seventeen.”

“And cruel.”

“And you were dramatic,” he shot back.

And there was silence, I couldn't believe he said that. My nails bit into my palms

Kade broke the tension with a lazy grin. “Besides, we’ve been getting to know Tasha. She’s been… pleasant.”

“She’s so much more cooperative than you were in school,” he continued.

I folded my arms. “Then go talk to her.”

“Oh, we have,” Kade said smoothly.

Karl added quietly, “She understands pack dynamics.”

“She understands how to flatter you,” I shot back.

Cassian studied me carefully. “She doesn’t fight everything.”

“Maybe she doesn’t have to,” I snapped.

Kade’s grin faded slightly. “Still defensive.”

“Still insufferable.”

Karl stepped forward slightly. “The photo can be removed.”

Removed? What were they getting at?

“You can’t erase four years of humiliation,” I said quietly.

“No,” Karl agreed. “But we can remove the evidence.”

Why?

The question hovered on my tongue.

Kade tilted his head. “You’ve changed.”

“So have you?” I laughed.

He smiled faintly. “That wasn’t a compliment.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. 

“What do you want?”

Cassian pushed off the door and approached until only a few feet separated us.

“You’ll be living here,” he said. “Your mother is Luna Mother now. That makes you and Tasha permanent residents of this estate.”

Permanent.

My breath hitched at the word.

“No,” I breathed. “I’m not staying.”

Cassian’s gaze didn’t waver. “You don’t have a choice.”

Rage flared in me. “I’m not a child.”

“You’re pack,” he countered.

“I’m not yours.”

The moment the words left my mouth, something inside me shifted, violently.

It started low in my chest. It felt like a spark. Then a burn. Then a roar.

My knees nearly buckled.

A howl ripped internally through my mind.

My wolf.

She had been silent for years. Dormant and weak, but now she was awake and screaming.

MATE.

The word echoed like thunder as I staggered back a step. All three of them stiffened.

I looked up to see Cassian’s pupils dilated.

Kade inhaled sha

rply, nostrils flaring.

Karl’s composure cracked for the first time.

MATE. MATE. MATE.

Three? Three of them??

My gaze flew between them, horror blooming.

“No,” I whispered.