LOGINKali's POV I wish I could disappear. Go back to Aiden's warm cottage and listen to Cecil. I wish I were Cecil. She was brave and fearless. She was brave enough to burn down the house that caused her so much pain. I wish I could do the same. Burn this house down along with the people that ever causes me harm. I sat stiffly in my seat, my spine straight, my hands folded in my lap like they belonged to someone else. Someone calmer. Someone braver. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure everyone at the table could hear it, could see the fear leaking out of me through every shallow breath.I wished I was brave enough.But I wasn’t Cecil.I wasn’t Zara.I was just Kali.Helpless, shaking, small.A bitter chuckle slipped out of me before I could stop it. It sounded wrong in the quiet dining room. Every head at the table turned toward me.The sound of cutlery stilled. The air tightened.Maduro’s eyes settled on me, dark and curious, like I was an insect he had just noticed crawli
Zara's POV "Are you crazy?" The words left my lips before I even had the time to stop it I whipped my head around, staring at Ike and waiting fo him to back me up. Ike's face darkened, his hands clenched into fists on top of the table. My head spun back at Maduro. "No! We came here with Kora and we will leave here with her!"My heart began thudding painfully inside my chest. If I could, I would crawl over the table and punch that smug smile off Maduro's ugly face. Maduro wiped his lips with a napkin. "Here I am, trying to do you people a favor by taking her off your hands and here you are trying to make a hassle.""We don't need your favour," my eyes darted over to Kora, her head was bowed and both her hands tucked between her thighs, "and we love her just the way she is."Her head snapped up and she stared at me. But he's eyes showed no emotion other than fear. "We hand a deal. You give us Kora in exchange for our help," Ike's voice was a low angry growl. I can't even i
Zara's POV The door to the sitting room fell open and we walked in. Maduro's face lit up in a wide smile. "I am so glad you could make it for dinner." Maduro sat at the head of the table, Hera sat at his right hand and Kora sat at his right, looking petrified even though she smiled at me. And beside Kora was the other Kora, the cute one like she called herself, she had a smug smile on her face, tapping at empty seat beside her. I glanced at Ike briefly, he had a frown on his face. "Come on, make yourself comfortable. Let's eat," Maduro continued. I took the empty seat beside Kora and Ike took the seat at the other end of the table. I pushed my food around my plate, lifting small bites to my mouth more out of obligation than hunger. The flavors barely registered. Everything tasted like tension, like the air before a storm breaks. Across the table, Ike hadn’t touched his food at all. His plate sat pristine, untouched, as if it were nothing more than decoration.Maduro notic
Zara's POV I rushed back down the corridor, my boots slapping against the polished floor, my pulse pounding far too loudly in my ears. I turned a corner too sharply and nearly collided with a solid wall of muscle.Ike.He caught me by both arms instantly, steadying me before I could even think of stumbling back. His brows drew together as he searched my face.“What’s wrong?” he asked, sharp and immediate.I swallowed and glanced over my shoulder, my eyes flicking down the corridor we’d just come from. For half a second, I was certain someone would be standing there, watching, listening. But the hallway remained empty, quiet in that unnerving Redpeak way.“Let’s go back inside,” I said quickly. “Please.”That was all it took.Ike didn’t argue. He turned, opened the door behind him, and ushered me inside before closing it firmly. The click of the latch sounded too final, too loud in the silence that followed.He stepped back, folding his arms over his chest, his posture guarded now. “
Kora's PoV As soon as the door slammed shut. My smile fell. I do not like Zara one bit. She was smug and collected. Acting like she's better than me. She's not. No one could possibly be better than me. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. I can't get worked up over nothing. If Emmett is powerful enough to make my father worried, then it was only right that I take my place as Emmett's mate. It was supposed to be me after all. Kali did not have what it takes to be a Luna. She is weak, useless and completely wolfless. No wonder Emmett did not put a rush on mating her. I paused in front of my mirror, staring at the gorgeous woman stating back at me. "Hang in Emmett, your true Luna is coming," I whispered, the corner of my lips lifting in a small smile. A small knock came on the door. "Come in," I said, plopping into my chair. I grabbed a comb and began fixing my dark waves. "Is she gone?" Enzo's voice boomed from the door way. "She is."I heard the door shu
Zara's POV I paced back and forth. "We should not have left her there with them," I said. Ike perched at the edge of the bed staring at me with distant eyes. "I am going to find Kora," I said and began walking to the door. "Stop. We need to figure out a plan to leave here with Kora. I have a feeling that Maduro might be up to something." I paused at the door and turned to face him. "I know. I don't trust him. And I especially don't trust that Hera with the fake ass smile. Did you see how shaken Kora was of them?" Ike nodded, dragging his fingers through his dreads. "Why did you insist we come here?" he asked. "What did you intend to achieve with this. I swallowed, looking away from him as I shrugged. "I just wanted Kora to see her family." Ike jumped to his feet. "Don't you dare lie to me! It was clear from the on set that Kora didn't want to come back here. But you go behind my back to get Emmett on this crazy plan." He let out a frustrated sigh. "Why are we







