CHAPTER THREE

Tia's POV

The encounter with the Crescent Shade pack still lingered in my mind, the memory of Kael's piercing gaze making my skin pickle. Of course, that wasn't all I was thinking about. I didn't come back with any hunt. I knew Dad wasn't going to be happy, so I had to mentally prepare.

As we got home, I went straight to my house, telling Lori I'd come see her later. I had someone I had to talk to. Or at least, someone to make my presence known to.

I spotted my sister, Isla, gathering herbs in the garden she'd started growing a while ago for some reason. I wasn't so excited about it when she told me her idea, but I helped her build it nonetheless. It's not like she's doing something dangerous. Despite her age, she seemed to know how to take care of plants, so at least it wasn't a waste of effort.

She looked up, surprised to see me. Then she smiled widely.

“Hi! How was the hunt?" she asked, then noticed my downtrodden expression and frowned. “Did something happen?"

“Kael," I simply said.

“Oh." She knew about Kael and his pack almost always interrupting our hunt and she sympathized. She offered me a hug which I gladly accepted. I needed enough strength to face my fierce Dad and his constant complaints.

“I'm planning on going tonight. I was thinking of going with the others, but then I'd rather go alone. I need to clear my head at night and maybe redeem myself a bit, you know."

"As long as you're not putting much pressure on yourself.”

Just then, our father emerged. Great. Just what I'd wanted.

His face was stern as he spoke. “I heard you were outsmarted by the Crescent Shade Pack again. What's this, the fifth time? Seventh? You're the future alpha, for goodness’ sake! You need to toughen up and show them who's boss. To think you're being outsmarted by a beta."

I felt a surge of frustration, but I said nothing. He's always been hard on me and it wouldn't change anything. But I tried to defend myself a bit. "But it's just a hunt, it's not the end of the world. And we always go by night to get food anyway.”

“It's not just a hunt, Tia. It's about pride and reputation. We can't have them thinking we're not strong or that we're scared of them, that's why we hunt at night."

I sighed, about to say something again when his phone suddenly rang. I felt relieved as I watched him go answer a business call.

Thank God.

"I'm sorry, sis,” Isla mumbled.

I bent to kiss her forehead, my heart softening. "It's okay. I don't like it, but he's right.”

“But you're still learning. Everyone makes mistakes," she protested.

I grinned. “You're such a cutie, Isla."

I kept her company for a bit before going to Lori's house like I'd promised. I couldn't stay home. If I waited for Dad to come back, we'd probably not be as civil to each other as we were. I knew he was talking like that for Isla’s sake. He saw her as weak, and saw me as strong.

As I walked, the fresh air and gentle breeze lifted my spirits. I felt like going for a run, but I didn't want a situation where I'd meet anyone from the other pack. We'd had enough of a confrontation today.

Later, in Lori's home and room, I confided in her about my thoughts on Kael. “I don't know, Lori. Why was he looking at me? Should I be scared?"

Lori hummed thoughtfully, as we sat on her bed, before she spoke. “Maybe he wasn't looking at you? Thinking about something else? I just can't imagine anyone from the Crescent Shade pack looking at any one of us with anything other than disdain.”

“You didn't see the way he was looking at me," I insisted. “There's something about him that gets under my skin. I never cared too much about him. Sure, I don't like him, but… I just…”

Lori's eyes sparkled with interest. "Maybe you actually do like him. I mean, this is the longest you've talked about anyone. Even when you had your first boyfriend, you didn't talk about him like this.”

I frowned, not knowing whether I should accept what she was saying or dismiss it. Why on earth would I like Kael? I've never thought he was handsome or anything, not that I think he's ugly. His personality’s good, but I never saw him as anything other than an enemy.

“I don't like him," I decided. "It'd also be a really foolish thing to do. My father would kill me. He's already mad about us always losing in hunting, you think he'd accept me being with someone from that pack?”

"True. But anything could happen."

“I'd rather that not happen though. You know I want my mate to be from here."

Lori nodded. "I guess that's fair.”

I shifted my attention from looking at her to a pillow nearby. “Why are you even entertaining the idea of me being with someone from another pack?" I asked. "Don't you hate them?”

"I don't know. I hate them for stealing our hunt, that's all. I don't know too much about them, but I do have enough eyes to see that the boys aren't too bad looking. In fact, very good looking. Especially your crush Kael."

I groaned, suddenly regretting that I told her about this. "He's not my crush. Just a guy that I think is weird.”

“Maybe, maybe not."

“Maybe not," I said forcefully, before closing my eyes, trying to ignore the foreign feeling I was having in my chest.