collision

Chapter 5: The Collision

The business meeting ended with handshakes and contracts worth more than most people saw in a lifetime. I felt nothing but the overwhelming need to get out of this building.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me," I said, closing my laptop. "I have another appointment."

I grabbed my clutch and headed for the door. I just needed to make it to the front entrance. Get in my car. Leave.

I turned the corner and stopped dead.

A boy stood in the hallway, tugging at his tie. Dark hair. Gray eyes. Taller than I remembered.

Kai.

He looked up and his eyes passed right over me. No recognition. Just a polite, blank look children give strangers.

"Excuse me," he said, moving to step around me.

"Kai." His name fell from my lips before I could stop it.

He paused, frowning. "Do I know you?"

My hand moved unconsciously to adjust my bracelet. The thin leather cord with wooden beads. Child-made and falling apart.

Kai's eyes locked onto it. His face went white.

"Starlight?"

His expression changed completely. The polite confusion shattered into something cold and hostile.

"You." He said it like a curse. "You're actually here."

"Kai, I—"

"Don't." He stepped back. "You have no right."

"Baby, please—"

"I'm not your baby. I haven't been your anything for three years." His voice cracked. "You left. You abandoned Dad and me because you were too weak. That's what everyone says."

"That's not what happened."

"Then where were you?" His hands clenched into fists. "Where were you when I had my first shift? It hurt so bad I thought I was dying, and I kept crying for you, but you weren't there. Mom was there."

Mom. He called Sera mom.

"You're selfish," he continued. "You always were. Dad said you couldn't handle the responsibility. That you cared more about yourself than us. And he was right, because you left. You left me."

"Oh my." A familiar voice cut through the tension. "What's going on here?"

Sera appeared, her gold dress shimmering. She walked toward us and placed her hands on Kai's shoulders possessively.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing out here? Your father is looking for you." Her eyes moved to me. "Oh! Amara. I didn't see you there."

Liar.

"His first shift was incredible," Sera continued. "I know it must be hard for you, missing all these important moments. But I've been there for everything. Every nightmare and scraped knee. I've been his mother in every way that matters. He calls me mom now. Don't you, sweetie?"

"Yeah." Kai's voice was quiet. "She's been there. You weren't."

"You have no right to be here," Sera said. "You gave up that right when you walked away."

"A cautionary tale." She smiled. "A story we tell Kai about what happens when you're too weak to handle responsibility."

Sera grabbed my hand, pulling it close to her face.

Then she screamed.

"She hit me!" Sera sobbed. "She slapped me! Someone help!"

I stood frozen. I hadn't touched her.

People appeared. Pack members. Guests. Paparazzi. Camera flashes exploded.

"Mom!" Kai rushed to Sera's side.

"I'm fine, sweetie," Sera whimpered. "Your... Amara just got upset."

"It's not okay!" Kai turned to me. "How could you hit her?"

"I didn't—"

Reporters shoved microphones in my face. The hallway filled with people.

"What's going on here?" Damien pushed through the crowd. Sera threw herself into his arms.

"She got so angry and hit me," Sera sobbed.

"I didn't touch her," I said through clenched teeth.

"There are witnesses," Damien said smoothly. He moved close. "You look good. Got some money, some fancy clothes. But you're still the same pathetic woman who couldn't keep me satisfied. If you want to come back, just beg."

Rage exploded through me. My wolf surged forward.

"You want to accuse me of hitting you?" I said. "Fine."

I moved faster than anyone expected. My hand connected with Sera's face in a sharp slap that echoed off the marble walls.

The cameras went insane.

"There," I said coldly. "I slapped you now. So stop your fake tears and own the real thing."

I turned to Damien. "You're pathetic. A weak excuse for an Alpha who needed a trophy to make himself feel powerful. You think I'm afraid of you?"

His hand rose.

"UNLESS YOU WANT TO LOSE BOTH YOUR LEGS AND HANDS, I SUGGEST YOU DON'T."

Lucian's voice cracked through the hallway like thunder.

He appeared through the crowd, his amber eyes blazing. Damien's hand froze.

"I believe Ms. Cross was just leaving," Lucian said softly, infinitely dangerous. "Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me."

His hand touched my back. "Let's go."

Kai was staring at me with such hatred. I let Lucian guide me out.

The night air hit me like a slap. Everything hurt.

"My car—"

"I'll have it delivered." Lucian steered me toward a black SUV. "Get in."

We sat in silence as the pack house disappeared behind us.

"Where do you live?" Lucian asked quietly.

I gave him the address.

More silence.

Then, so quietly I almost didn't hear it: "He called her mom."

Lucian didn't respond. He just sat there as the first tear rolled down my cheek.

Then another. And another.

And I couldn't stop.