Chapter 2
I tried to calm my swirling emotions as I took a cab back to the Morrison Pack’s territory, the familiar scent of pine and earth greeting me as I stepped out. The towering trees that marked the pack’s borders seemed to loom larger today, their shadows stretching long and heavy. My heart ached, and my wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, sensing the turmoil I couldn’t fully suppress.
When I entered the Alpha’s mansion, Aila Morrison was already there, standing in the grand living room with her usual warm smile. Her aura as the Luna of the Morrison Pack was as commanding as ever, but her eyes softened when they landed on me.
“Oh, my dear daughter-in-law is back!” she greeted, her voice lilting with affection.
The words that once made me feel shy and cherished now felt like a dull knife slowly twisting in my chest. I took a deep breath, the scent of spiced honey cake wafting from the table, mingling with the faint floral notes of Aila’s aura. It should have been comforting, but it only made the pain sharper.
I looked at her seriously, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Aila, please don’t call me that anymore. I’m not your daughter-in-law.”
And I never will be.
Aila’s expression shifted, her brows furrowing as she quickly walked over to me. She placed a gentle hand on my arm, her touch warm but tinged with concern. “Are you feeling shy, dear? I’ve been through this, you know. I called the Alpha heir last night. Do you think I don’t know what you were up to?”
She gestured toward the cake on the table, her smile returning, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I woke up early today just to make this dessert for you.”
A sharp pain twisted through me again, and I clenched my fists to keep my emotions in check. My wolf growled softly, a low rumble of anger and hurt. I swallowed hard, forcing the bitterness down. “Aila, you’re mistaken. I wasn’t the one with Clark last night.”
She froze, her hand dropping from my arm. Her aura flickered, a ripple of unease passing through the room. “What are you saying, Kamila?”
I met her gaze, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest. “Clark and I just aren’t meant to be. Let’s forget about this engagement. And please, could you let the Alpha heir know not to come looking for me anymore?”
Aila’s face paled, and for a moment, she looked as if she’d been struck. “Did that silly boy upset you?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. “I’ll call him right now to apologize.”
She pulled out her phone and dialed Clark’s number, her movements sharp and hurried. The line connected, and I heard his voice, rough and hoarse, say, “Mom?”
Before Aila could speak, a soft, stifled murmur came through the receiver. It was Nadia Vargas’s voice—once voted the best female voice in our pack, the undisputed favorite among the males. Even though it was just a brief sound, the implication was crystal clear.
Aila’s face turned ashen, and she quickly ended the call, her hands trembling. She looked at me, her eyes wide with shock and a flicker of pity. “Kamila...”
Her aura, usually so steady and commanding, wavered, a storm of anger and confusion swirling around her. I maintained my outward calm, though inside it felt like another blow had been dealt. My wolf whimpered again, a sound of sorrow and resignation.
“Aila, please leave,” I said softly, my voice steady but firm.
She hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue, but then she nodded slowly. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, filled with a mix of regret and something I couldn’t quite place—perhaps understanding, or maybe sorrow. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the silence she left behind.
I stood there for a moment, the weight of her absence pressing down on me. The scent of the spiced honey cake still lingered, but it no longer held any comfort. My wolf let out a soft growl, a reminder of the bond I had severed, the life I was leaving behind.
I turned and headed for the door, my steps steady despite the ache in my chest. The Morrison Pack was no longer my home, and I needed to find a place where I could start anew.
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