FAZER LOGINKaela’s POVI left the main room and walked fast toward the bathroom. I kept my face calm as I passed people, even though my chest felt tight. The mate-bond kept pulling at me, and I didn’t want anyone to notice. I didn’t stop to greet anyone. I didn’t look around for Taren. If I searched, people would read my face.The bathroom was bright and quiet. I went straight to the sink and held the edge with both hands. I looked down and took a few slow breaths. I splashed cold water on my wrists and stayed there until my pulse slowed. The bond still hurt, but I forced my shoulders down and kept my jaw loose. Tension shows, even when you try to hide it.The door opened behind me.I looked up into the mirror. Amélie stepped inside and shut the door. She didn’t act surprised to find me there. She leaned against the door like she came on purpose, like she was waiting for a private moment.“Running away?” she asked.I turned to face her. “Move,” I said. “I’m not here for you.”Amélie smiled, but
Kaela’s POVMateo stepped onto the stage like he belonged there.The women who had been bidding earlier shifted back. Even the host paused for a moment, like he didn’t know whether to introduce Mateo or stay quiet.I watched Mateo’s shoulders, his hands, and the way he stood near Taren without looking at him. He wasn’t here to flirt. He was here to take control of the room.Astra stirred inside me and spoke in a low warning voice. “The pup is now a King of Shadows.”I didn’t answer out loud. I kept my face steady and my eyes on the stage. My heart was beating fast, but I forced my posture to stay calm. If I looked shaken, the wolves around me would notice.Mateo reached the center of the stage. He glanced down at the crowd once, then looked toward the host as if waiting for the next step. The host cleared his throat and tried to bring back his cheerful tone.“And now,” the host said, “we have another—”Mateo cut him off with a small lift of his hand. Not rude, just firm. The host stop
Kaela’s POVThe yacht felt more crowded the longer I stood there. Taren was still on the stage under bright lights, still surrounded by eyes that treated him like a prize. The host kept talking, the bids kept rising, and the crowd kept smiling as if this was a normal game.But Taren wasn’t playing. His stare stayed fixed on Mateo and me. The growl he gave earlier was still low and clear. It was meant for Mateo.Mateo stood beside me like he belonged there. The black card stayed between his fingers. He didn’t put it away. He didn’t step back. He watched me like he expected me to choose in front of everyone.I didn’t reach for the card.My attention went back to the stage because I saw movement at the edge of the crowd.A woman pushed through people without apology. She moved fast, like she was late to something she believed was hers. She ran straight to the steps of the stage and called out, loud enough for people to turn.“Luen!”The word sounded like an order.Taren’s head turned tow
Kaela’s POVThe yacht smelled like strong Alphas the moment I stepped aboard.It wasn’t subtle. The smell mixed with expensive cologne and salty sea air. Every hallway, lounge, and staircase had wolves standing too close, laughing too loud, and looking around like they owned the place.I adjusted the green dress I wore and kept my face calm. I chose this color because it made my skin look good and my eyes look sharper. I didn’t want to look soft tonight. I came for answers, not approval.Still, the moment I saw the stage, my stomach tightened.Taren stood there. He wore black, simple and neat. His posture was still, like he was watching the room instead of being watched.But the women didn’t care about his focus. They circled him like he was something for sale. Their dresses were tight, and their eyes didn’t hide what they wanted. They looked at him like he wasn’t a man, like he was a prize.I walked closer and stopped near the edge of the crowd, far enough to watch, but close enough
Taren’s POVKaela’s hand stayed in mine in the car, even though neither of us spoke. I kept my eyes on the road, but I held on tighter. Frank’s voice was still stuck in my head. My wolf was sore and ashamed, and I didn’t want Kaela to see how close I was to breaking.Kaela didn’t ask questions. She didn’t try to force words out of me. She just stayed close with her shoulder angled toward me. When we reached Eleanor’s building, we got out without letting go right away. Kaela released my hand only when we stepped into the elevator. “We do this fast,” she said quietly. “No emotion in front of her.”I nodded once. “Signatures. Then the port.”The elevator opened onto a quiet floor. Eleanor’s assistant led us into the conference room, and the moment we walked in, the air changed. Eleanor was already seated, waiting like she had planned the scene.Before Eleanor signed the port papers, she sat at the head of the table. Her lawyer laid the papers out and pointed to the signature lines. Ele
Kaela’s POVWe left the hospital without speaking. The lights in the hallway were too bright for what had just happened. Taren walked beside me, but he didn’t look at me once. His shoulders were tight. His jaw looked locked, like he was biting down on words that could tear out of him if he opened his mouth.Frank’s voice kept replaying in my head. The way he sat up and screamed. The way his eyes locked onto Taren with hate, not confusion.Bastard. Traitor. Those were not random words. Those were aimed.When we got in the parking lot, Taren unlocked the car and got in right away. I followed and shut the door gently.He started the engine and drove. No music. No small talk. Just road noise and his breathing, heavier than normal.“Taren,” I said after a minute.He didn’t answer.I tried again, softer. “Talk to me.”His throat moved like he swallowed something sharp. “Not now,” he said. He sounded controlled, but it wasn’t calm. It sounded like he was holding himself together by force.







