Chapter 4

Kari's POV

A few hours later, I walked through the gate, stepping into my parents' compound. My stomach twisted as I made my way to the main entrance where the guards stood. What was I even supposed to say when they asked why I was here?

“My Lady.” They bowed in sync. “You must wait until my Lord grants you permission to enter the palace.”

Of course. My parents had probably given the guards strict instructions not to let me inside again.

There was nothing to say except, “I’ll wait.”

My voice was hoarse, but one of them still turned and disappeared inside while I stayed put, my boxes sitting behind me like proof of my failure.

“Look who decided to come back.” Someone said and laughed like a witch. It was my father the Alpha.

I wasn’t surprised. If anything, I expected worse. All I wanted was a place to stay, though I knew full well they could throw me right back out.

“Father.” I forced the word out; I hadn't called him that in years. “Good evening.”

The door behind him opened and my mother stepped out with Bianca, my younger sister trailing behind her.

"Kari?" My sister called out with surprise in her voice. "Kari!"

She rushed forward, but my mother reached out a hand to stop her mid-run. My mother turned to me with hostility. "Is that who I think it is."

“It is your daughter, Kari." My voice cracked. “Good evening, Mother.”

She ignored that completely. “Why are you here?” Then, without missing a beat, she added. “Did you come with your husband, Kari?”

The question sent something sharp through my chest. I shook my head, eyes dropping to the floor. “I came back to live with you,” I whispered. "Something bad has happened between myself and Alpha Titan."

“What did you just say?” My father’s voice carried that same scoffing edge.

For a single moment, I debated telling my parents that it was all Indira's doing. Indira and I had been very close growing up as kids in this house, even though my mother was never at home with the idea of our friendship. My mother never saw Indira as her daughter; to her, Indira would always be my father's daughter but never hers.

But over the years, my mother had grown to slowly accept Indira, only to have her betray me like this. Perhaps my mother was right for not trusting her all along.

“We are no longer together, Alpha Titan and I." I finally spoke, leaving out the part about Indira. "I’m sorry, father..."

“Sorry?” His chuckle was dry. “You think your mother and I will take you back after everything you said and did to us? You family traitor!”

He snapped his fingers, and a guard stepped forward. My father muttered something I couldn’t catch, then turned back to me, his gaze unreadable.

“Well?” He shifted his attention to my mother. “What do you think?”

She let out a sigh, as if even having this conversation was exhausting. “She threw away her family for a man who was never worth it.”

My sister stepped forward. “We could forgive her, Mother. She needs a place to stay, even if it's just for tonight.”

I gave my sister a grateful smile, but she had looked away.

“That settles it.” My father nodded, exchanging a glance with my mother, who gave the smallest nod in return. “Take her things to the smallest chamber in the palace,” he ordered. The guards moved instantly, lifting my boxes.

As I walked past him, he spoke again. “Stay out of our way, Kari. You’re only here because you need shelter, that’s all. And stay away from your sister. She doesn’t need your influence.”

I didn’t respond. There was no point saying anything to him.

The second I stepped into the living room, I remembered the memories. The last time I stood here, I had been arguing with my parents, throwing insults at their faces, invalidating everything they ever did for me.

All because of a man who cast me aside for my own sister. I wondered what my parents would say if I told them it was Indira who did It.

A lump rose in my throat. I swallowed it back and followed the guards down the hall. When we reached the door of the chamber, one of them pushed it open, revealing a small and dark space with barely any furniture. “This is where my Lord has ordered you to stay.”

“Thank you.” I took the key from him and stepped inside.

This wasn’t where I belonged. I knew that. But it didn’t matter. I could’ve been exiled from the pack entirely, but I wasn’t. So, this was enough for now. I had a roof over my head at least.

I locked the door, dragged my boxes to the corner and took in the room properly. No wardrobe. My chest ached, but I pushed the feeling down. “It’s fine,” I muttered, collapsing onto the