Chapter 22

As I step out of my room, there aren’t any guards posted outside, but I can’t shake the feeling of being watched.

I glance over my shoulder, but there’s nothing there.

The hallway is bare, devoid of any artwork or decoration. It’s a stark contrast to Roman’s house.

Curiosity piqued, I open a few doors along the corridor.

Each room carries a unique scent, a clear sign that this is a communal packhouse.

The bracelets on my arms sting slightly as I use my wolf scent, so I decide to head downstairs instead.

The stairs are simple, wooden, nothing like the grand staircase in Roman’s house.

I mentally scold myself for constantly comparing everything to Roman.

The tantalizing aroma of food wafts from the main hall, leading me to the dining room.

As I enter, I’m met with the stares of at least forty wolves. The room falls silent as all eyes turn to me.

I raise an eyebrow in a show of defiance and stride towards the table.

As I’m deciding where to sit, a guy around my age waves me over.

I walk over and take the empty seat next to him. Almost immediately, a plate of food is placed in front of me.

“Hey, I’m Kai. Welcome to the chaos.” Kai’s eyes are warm and friendly, and when I use my wolf-scent again, I can tell he’s genuinely being nice.

His gaze falls on my bracelets, and a flicker of anger crosses his eyes. “I’m sorry they did that.”

I offer him a weak smile as I eye my food.

Eggs and bacon. They probably won’t poison me now.

The room falls silent again as the door opens.

Alan strides in and takes his place at the head of the table, the spot reserved for an Alpha.

“Good morning, pack. As you can see, we have a new member today. My very own daughter has decided to join us.” I scoff at his words, earning a stern look from Alan.

“She will be here for an undetermined amount of time, so please make her feel welcome. We will have a party tonight to celebrate my daughter’s and my Luna’s return. Bon appétit everyone.”

His words instantly kill my appetite. Is my mother really alive or has he taken another mate? Kai nudges me gently with his elbow.

“There are rumors that you were kidnapped by the Alpha of our Alpha’s old pack after he decided to leave them. Is that true?”

Before I can answer, another door opens and a tall blond man walks in.

His green eyes meet mine, and he grins maliciously.

His scent hits me as he takes a seat across from me.

I recognize it. He’s the one who hurt Jess.

I take a deep breath and reach for my fork, avoiding his gaze.

But when I see his hand resting on the table, I move quickly, stabbing my fork into his hand.

The wolf next to him gasps.

I stand, locking eyes with Jess’s attacker as he pulls the fork from his hand.

“You hurt someone very dear to me. You’ll pay for that someday.” He rises slowly, and more wolves are now watching us.

He bares his teeth at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“I look forward to that day, wolf-witch.” He grabs his plate and leaves the dining room, my gaze burning into his back.

The bracelets on my wrist burn as I try to summon my magic.

I can feel it being blocked by the bracelets, but I keep trying.

Kai places a hand on my shoulder, gently urging me to sit back down.

His head is close to mine as he whispers, “Don’t. They’ll lock you up.” His words pull me out of my anger, and I sit back down. I start eating, and slowly, the room fills with chatter again.

“She is his daughter. They say she has Alpha blood and will be the next in line.”

“They say she’s a witch and a wolf. She controls the hell fires.”

“Alpha will never accept her as his Beta. Lorcan had to kidnap her because she doesn’t want to be here.”

“I heard she’s the Prince’s mate.” I was just taking a sip of water. I slam my glass down so hard it shatters.

The room falls silent again as I rise, taking my time to look at each and every wolf in the room. Some meet my gaze defiantly, while others look away in fear.

“My name is Katelynn. I was born into the Moon River pack. Now, I am the next queen in line. The Prince is my mate.” Alan starts to rise, but I lift my hand, stopping him.

“I have come here to find my true mother.” I hold Alan’s gaze.

“If I don’t find her here, if I discover that the promises made to me are lies, hell fire will rain down on you all, along with the king’s army. I suggest you stay out of my way. Thank you.”

I can feel their eyes on me, but my focus is on Alan.

He nods slightly. Holding my head high, I walk away.

Instead of heading upstairs, I make my way to another room opposite the dining room. It’s set up as a large living room.

Footsteps behind me tell me I’m not alone.

“Holy crap! That was awesome!” Kai’s voice echoes through the high ceiling of the living room. “You just threatened the Alpha and you’re still alive.”

His voice is filled with excitement.

I turn to him and point at the couch.

Kai pales slightly, but his smile doesn’t waver. He takes a seat on the couch, and I sit on the table in front of him.

“You’re going to tell me everything you know about the Alpha and this pack,” I say. Kai nods eagerly as he leans back into the couch.

“All the members in this pack were rogues. Some were kicked out of their packs for terrible things, like Lorcan, the one you stabbed with your fork.

“Others, like me, left their packs voluntarily for personal reasons. The Alpha has been scouring the world for decades, finding rogues and bringing them together, giving them a place and a family.

“Different tales float around about why the Alpha left his pack. Some folks say he murdered someone, others say he was just mad he wasn’t going to be the next Alpha. We’ve got a Luna, but she’s not around much.

“Rumors say she’s heartbroken over losing her child. That child must be you! We’ve been living here for as long as anyone can remember, always on the lookout for new pack members. Not me, though. I’m no warrior.”

I take a moment to digest his words. Most of it is just hearsay, whispers among the wolves. And we all know how reliable that is.

“Can you tell me what the Luna looks like?” I lean in so close to Kai that I almost bump heads with him, but he doesn’t back away.

“She’s got long black hair, green eyes, stands about five-eight. She has a tattoo on her back that reads ‘Sleep tight my angel, sleep sound my baby. Mommy will guide you, for the lights will die when you fade.’ And she’s got a scar running down one side of her face.”

I stop breathing as a long-buried memory surfaces.

“You are an angel, my love. If you die, the lights of the world will fade to darkness.”

My mother is alive.

Suddenly, an alarm blares so loud I have to cover my ears. Kai jumps to his feet.

He grabs my arm and smears something on my bracelet that looks suspiciously like blood.

I try to pull away, but my bracelet snaps and falls to the floor. He does the same to the other one.

I can feel my magic stirring deep within me, singing with the joy of freedom.

Kai bolts for the door. “We’re under attack! Let’s go.”