Shadows Of The Past

Chapter 5

Cara's POV

By the time I made it home, the ache was gone, but the bruises still coloured my skin. I'd retarded my healing, made it appear as if I wasn't healing as fast as I ought to. It was needed.

Uncle took one look.

"What happened?" he asked, frowning, his eyes roaming the bruises on my arms.

"Training," I said, pushing past him toward the kitchen. "It will heal soon”

Uncle let out a sharp exhalation.

I began fiddling with the kettle, pretending that I hadn't heard the disappointment in his voice.

We had this same conversation every time. He knew what was going on. But he also knew why I never fought back.

Long after, he finally spoke. "You should rest."

Instead, I pulled out the rent money that I had set aside and placed it on the table. "At least take this.”

He shook his head almost immediately. "No."

"I could not go see your father before he died," he cut me off, his voice low and laden. "I gave in. I betrayed him and Alpha Robert " He turned toward me then, his eyes holding something almost like regret. “ “Let me be the one who stands by you this time, Cara. You don't have to carry everything alone. I know you think you have to be strong all the time, but you don’t have to—not with me. Let me do something for you, even if it’s just this. Let me be the family you can lean on, the way your father would have wanted.”

I swallowed, my fingers curling into fists.

I wanted to argue. To tell him that I could take care of myself.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It's a call from my editor.

“Hello, Avery”

"We need to meet," he said.

I frowned. "Why?"

"The company wants to hold a fan meeting for you."

I froze. "What?"

"You know… meet readers, sign books, answer questions—"

"I know what a fan meeting is," I snapped. "I'm asking why they're planning one. I made it clear I would never show up in public."

Avery hesitated. "I don't know. I wasn't told. And the company already announced it."

I squeezed my eyes shut, breathing hard through my nose. "Then tell them to cancel it."

"I don't do public events," I said coldly. "That was part of the fucking deal when I signed with them."

Avery sighed. "I know, but this isn't something I can change. But we already informed the fans”

If someone find out the connection between Cela and Alec, it would be a disaster.

***

I had just stacked the last of the chairs when an expensive car roar cut through the quiet evening. I glanced out in time to see a sleek black car pulling up in front of the cafeteria.

The moment stepped out, his presence commanded the entire street. His broad shoulders, powerful stride, and sharp jawline made him look every bit that he was.

Twilight settled around him like a second skin, his dark aura blending seamlessly with the night.

Damn, he's really attractive.

I quickly shoved that thought aside as he walked in like he owned the place.

I looked around the empty cafeteria before his gaze settled on me. "Pizza," he said simply, taking a seat.

"We're closed," I said, crossing my arms. "And we're out of pizza."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to come back tomorrow?"

I sighed, wiping my hands on a towel. "I saved some for myself. I can warm it up if you really want it."

"woo-ooh" Cornell snorted. “Sick of Alpha personal chef meal? Come here to eat pizza?”

I ignored her and went to the back.

Before I could put the pizza in the oven, the door banged open.

"Get me something to eat!"

Mateo.

I turned around slowly, already bracing for whatever shit he was about to throw my way. But the moment he spotted Liam sitting there, his whole vibe changed.

His gaze flickered to his injured arm—the one had broken—and for a second, I could see the humiliation eating at him.

"I—uh…" He stepped backward. "Never mind. I'm not hungry."

Then, to my utter astonishment, he turned and walked away without another word.

I blinked. What?

Mateo hadn't troubled me for the past two days, and now this? This wasn't like him.

I shrugged it off and finished warming up the pizzle before setting the plate in front of .

As I turned to walk away, his voice stopped me.

“I am gonna celebrating my mating ceremony this weekend”

"I knew this day would come. But I still froze for a moment."

Liam leaned back in his chair, watching me carefully.

So that was it.

He wanted to reject me first before actually announcing his desired mate.

My chest hurt, but I had felt this pain before. Last time, Caleb left me for an Alpha’s daughter.

And now, Liam was pulling the same.

But this time, I didn't care.

I forced a small smile, keeping my voice calm. "Congratulations."

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he hadn't expected me to react this way.

"At the ceremony," I said. "You're going to announce it, aren't you? You want everyone to see it, to make it official."

His wolf flared behind his eyes for a brief moment

"I would be there"