Chapter 10

Kamari's Point of View

'It is a new day. A new start. Just keep your head down. Take in a deep breath. You got this. You can do this.'

The mantra repeated itself in my mind. Over and over again like a broken record. Each word gained more emphasis than the first. As if I could beat it into me. Make my body believe it to be true.

I stood in front of the pack house, glaring up at it as if it would swallow me whole. My dad had tried his best to fix what I had broken. Tried to reason with Arik. But there was no getting around this. I had to get back to work, whether I liked it or not.

Zayan had promised to pay whatever Arik demanded. Although I knew the price was extremely steep. Never before had someone bought their freedom for 500 thousand dollars. It just highlighted what Arik had said.

He wouldn't make it easy for me to leave. Or even fucking bearable. 

"Kamari!" Eris screamed from inside the house. I clenched my jaw. Ground my teeth against each other. 

'Another day. Brand new. We can do this. Get this over and done with. Wait for Zayan to come to my rescue at any moment.'

"Coming!" I called back and gripped my work back over my shoulder. Felt the strap bite into the tender flesh. 

Once again I had packed extra clothes, just in case Zayan made an appearance later on. At least he wouldn't smell the desperation on me then.

Entering the house, I noted the group of sleeping bodies in the living room. They were draped over each other. Draped over the couches as well. An army of red cups dotted amongst them. The smell of alcohol hit me square on the nose. I blanched but carried on walking.

"In the main bedroom!" Eris screamed again and I glared up the stairs. 

They were going to torture me again this morning. Rub my rejection in my nose. 

I dumped my bag at the foot of the stairs and took it up one at a time. Tried to remember the mantra but failed miserably. As far as I went, I realized how horrible the house looked. Cigarettes were put out anywhere and everywhere. Vomit stains on the carpet. 

They had a party last night, that was clear.

Before I got to the top, Eris was already out of the room. Looked distraught. Her eyes were large and her mouth agape. I didn't want to ask what was wrong. Or pry. All I was here to do was clean and go home. Maybe make them a meal or two but that was where my duties ended. 

"This is all your fucking fault!" She hissed but as soon as she said it, her head turned to look behind her. Guilt morphed her face and she bit down on her bottom lip when she looked back. 

One. Two. Three deep breaths and she was as composed as ever.

"We have guests from another pack coming over later today. The house is in an utter state. See to it that you clean from head to toe. You have about," She glanced down at her wrist, only to find it empty. I wanted to snicker at her. But my daunting task loomed ahead. "They will be here at fucking one. See to it that this place sparkles before then." 

"Yes, Luna apparent." I said. Her eyes widened even more.

"Don't fucking call me that, you hag. You know what you have done." Was all she could seethe out before turning on her heels and heading back to her room. Their room.

The thought of Arik lying naked in there brought heat to my cheeks. Even after yesterday, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. Need him. It was the worst-case scenario.

Would I need him like this for the rest of my life? Lament the life we could never have? 

I headed back downstairs, only to find the pile of people slowly getting themselves up. Quinten was amongst them. Cut me a glance so fierce I was sure it would hurt. No one else seemed to notice my presence. Or care, for that matter.

Most of them were groaning in protestation. Too much alcohol still left hangovers, even if you were a wolf.

The door opened beside me and I glanced to my left. Nolan appeared with his eyes soft and warm. His smile reached his eyes when he saw me. Noted the lack of an apron and cleaning gloves. Relief washed over him. 

"I was hoping you wouldn't have started work already. I have some good news." He beamed. But as he glanced at my face, his eyes trailed behind me. They locked on Quinten. Some non-verbal conversation played out between them before Nolan pulled himself back to me.

"Anything to do with a large sum of money?" I asked coyly, still keenly aware of all the people surrounding us. 

"You are in luck. It is indeed a large sum of money. Who knew being wealthy felt this good?" Nolan joked. I chuckled.

"Don't act like you aren't accustomed to money, you ass. We all know you are the second wealthiest man in the pack." I threw back and kicked my bag to the other side of the stairs. To the locker room just beyond the kitchen on the other side. 

Nolan scoffed and smirked. "Not yet. That is still daddy's position, I am afraid. But one day. All I am now is a spoiled rich kid who does whatever he likes in his free time." 

"Hey, Kamari. You need to start on this mess. Luna Rachel won't be pleased to have a meeting in this place." 

I felt my heart drop at the name. My world tilted. No one besides Arik knew about my mother. Who she was. Arik had made a promise to my dad to never tell anyone. As had Arik's father before him. A contract between three Alphas. 

We wanted normalcy here. To be rid of her title and her penetrating presence.

"That's your mom, isn't it?" Nolan asked with his lips right next to my ear. We were both aware of all the eyes on us. How intimate the moment looked between us. 

For some reason, this upset Quinten even more.

"Get to work!" Quinten tried again but I was glued to the floor. The only thing keeping me grounded was Nolan so close to me. The small circles he rubbed on my back. 

I hadn't seen my mother since the day I left. Which was almost 9 years ago. 

"If you shout at her again, I will rip out your tongue, do you understand me?" Nolan growled.

He was the only one who could speak to the Alpha and Beta in such a way. He never hid behind his father but knew the man would save him if he needed to. To have that same protection now was wonderful.

"I'm alright," I said and placed my hand over his. "I'll just clean somewhere else in the house and try to avoid her as much as possible. She won't acknowledge me, anyway." All of this was said in a whisper.

I felt small. As small as the day I saw the disappointment in her eyes when she looked at me. Insignificant. Just another burden she had to carry.

"To fucking hell with that," Nolan seethed and looked up at Quinten again. He was no longer watching us. Joked around with some of the other pack members. "Hey, dipshit! Where is your buddy? I have some cash for him."

***

Nolan had disappeared up the stairs five minutes ago. One minute after he had left, voices started raising. Arik screamed. Nolan screamed. Even Eris flew down the stairs to avoid the fight. But Nolan would never take no for an answer.

So, he came down just in time to catch my defeated look. His phone was in his hand but I could see it was bent at an odd angle. Screen cracked. What had he done?

"We are leaving. The transfer was made and you are free." Was all he said as he leaned down to grab my bag in the process. 

Arik followed close. Only in his boxers. That six-pack glinted with sweat. I wanted to lick my lips. Wanted to moan at the sight. But Nolan was grabbing my elbow and steering me away from Arik.

"You are not fucking leaving!" Arik roared. Everyone in the house seemed to fall into silence. Held their breath. 

Nolan inhaled deeply and turned to look at the Alpha. But he was already positioning himself in front of me. Shielded me away. There was no way Arik would get past him. Not when Nolan was in protection mode.

"She is leaving. The asked amount has been paid. Her debt to you and this pack is done. From now on, she is considered a normal member of Crescent Shine. If you don't like that agreement, take it up with the Wolf Court." 

"Her debt hasn't been paid by her or a family member, as stipulated in the law." Arik fired back. I cringed. Shied away. 

I could feel Eris'eyes on me. Feel her anger seeping through. For what reason she was angry, I had no idea.

"Her debt was paid by her future husband. That is all you need to know." 

Everyone's heads whipped in our direction. Every last pack member stood and watched us in mute shock. Even I felt shocked at the words. But I knew they were just a bluff. If Arik called it, Nolan and I could marry to make sure all our ends were air-tight. It was rather smart of him.

"She... She..." I could see Arik trying to compose himself. Swallow the words he wanted to say. Everyone noticed it as well. "She isn't someone else's but mine." He whispered but Quinten stepped in for him.

"Then it is settled. Kamari is a free woman. Congratulations."