Chapter 5

Kayla's POV

Two weeks later….

I was now back in Callan's packhouse with the rest of his people and warriors, men and women alike.

After telling me part of his story at the hospital, he had been distant, and I couldn't figure out why.

Maybe he didn't trust me, and I wouldn't blame him. After all, his own brother tried to kill him for power and fame.

I was only a mere stranger, an outsider that married into his family, so why would he trust me?

I sighed as I closed the book on my lap and flung it on the bed. I had been on the same page all day, my conflicted thoughts making it difficult to concentrate on much else.

I realized it's better I tell Callan my whole story and get Callan to trust me and realize that Jackson meant nothing to me anymore.

What did I need to say to prove that I am loyal to him now and wanted Jackson's head on a stake as much as he did?

Those were the thoughts that were plaguing me, and I had still not made headway or come up with any solutions.

I noticed the looks of doubt his Beta, Drevan, and that warrior woman, Nyx, gave me every time I dared to show my face in front of them, but I didn't hold it against them; in fact, I understood.

I guess I would be hesitant to accept a total stranger, especially one related to their Alpha's dark past.

I was the wife of the monster who had tried to kill his brother, and to them that's all I would ever be until I could prove myself to them.

“But how?” I wondered out loud and let out a frustrated sigh.

Someone knocked on the door just as I slid off the bed, and I froze, staring at it in confusion.

I wasn't expecting anyone, and it wasn't even time for dinner yet. I looked towards the window and frowned when I realized that night had come.

How could I have missed that? I loved watching the sunset; it was one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Another knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I walked to the door, taking my time to put my clothes in order and ensure I looked presentable.

“I'm coming,” I opened the door and stared at the unfamiliar face of a young girl. “And you are?”

“Good evening, my lady. The Alpha has requested for you to join him and the rest of his men outside for a bonfire.”

Bonfire? My face lit up at the mention of a bonfire, and I quickly ran out, bumping into the girl.

Halfway down the hall, I realized what I had done and flushed in embarrassment, turning around to apologize, but she was gone.

Smacking my forehead with my hand, I continued to make my way outside, making a mental note to apologize to her later.

“Kayla,” Callan's deep yet soothing voice reached me as I stepped outside, and I flushed as I felt at least a dozen eyes on me. “Please join us,”

I gulped as I walked towards them, cautious of my steps. I tripped over a stick and almost fell until someone caught my hand.

“Be careful, pretty lady,” he whispered as he let go of my hand. “A beautiful woman like you shouldn't have scars on her body.”

My cheeks flushed a deep red, and I muttered a quick thank you as I continued walking towards Callan.

“Stop harassing my guest, Leon; she's off limits,”

My cheeks were hotter than the fire burning in the middle of the lot of them as I walked up to Callan and bowed slightly.

“Alpha, how are you doing?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Just call me Callan; there's no need for formalities between friends, Kayla.”

I flushed and avoided his gaze, my eyes landing on Nyx's. She had an unreadable expression on her face, but Drevan’s face was hard as a rock, and he was glaring at me.

I gulped, goosebumps filling my body as I looked away. The hostility in his eyes was scarier than anything I had ever seen before.

“Kayla, as a new member of this pack, you'd have to pledge your allegiance to me and denounce your old pack and its alpha.”

I nodded, hearing whispers around me. I realized they were expecting me not to be able to carry out such a simple task because Jackson was, after all, my husband.

If only they knew.

I took a deep breath and held my hand out. “I, Kayla Nikolai, denounce Alpha Jackson of the Sun Pack as my alpha and the Sun Pack as my pack,”

I looked up after saying this to find all eyes on me, identical looks of shock spread across their faces.

“What else do I need to do?” I asked, ignoring how uncomfortable their stares were making me feel.

Callan coughed and looked away, trying hard but failing to hide his shock at my actions.

“You'd have to accept Alpha Callan as your Alpha to prove your loyalty to him,” Drevan replied when Callan still didn't answer.

I nodded and held out my hand again, close to the fire. “I, Kayla Nikolai, accept Alpha Callan, the Rogue Wolf King, as my alpha and leader. I promise to do whatever I can to protect his honor and dignity among other Alphas.”

Audible gasps of shock reached my ears, and I grinned.

Shortly after, applause rang around me, shocking me and causing my cheeks to grow hot.

“Well done, Kayla, you're officially a member of the Rogue Pack.” Callan announced, his eyes beaming with pride.

“I want to get revenge on Jackson too.” I whispered softly, and he froze.

“What did you say?”

“I hate Jackson just as much as you do, and I want him to pay for betraying me the way he did.” I held out my hand. “Can we work together? With your influence and my knowledge of him and the pack, I could be instrumental in bringing him down because I want nothing more than to see him in as much pain as he put me through.”

He finally recovered from his shock and shook his head in agreement. “We have a deal, partner.”