Chapter 156
Kai POV
Healer Odin cleared his throat, a subtle reminder that I was holding this stranger—my mate—for longer than was appropriate. Heat crept up my neck as I realized how it must look, and I gently helped her settle back onto the bed, though my wolf protested the loss of contact.
“I should ask you some questions,” I said, trying to regain my composure as Alpha. “For our records p>
She nodded, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. Her hands trembled slightly, whether from weakness or nerves, I couldn’t tell.
“What’s your name?” I asked, pulling up a small stool to sit beside her bed.
“Serena,” she said softly. “Serena Thorne p>
The name didn’t match what she’d told us earlier. I remembered distinctly she’d said Sarah Matthews. My brow furrowed, but I kept my voice neutral. “And where are you from originally, Serena p>
She hesitated, her blue eyes darting to Odin before returning to me. “My father is an Alpha across the seas. The Crimson Moon pack.” Her voice carried a slight accent I hadn’t noticed before, lilting and unfamiliar. “He… he sold me to the Silverleaf pack as a bride for their Alpha p>
My stomach churned at her words. The practice of selling daughters as political alliances was archaic, outlawed in most civilized packs. “Silverleaf? But you said you were from Blue River pack p>
Confusion flickered across her face, quickly replaced by a pained expression. “I… I’m sorry. Everything is jumbled in my mind. Silverleaf is where I lived. The Alpha there is old, much older than my father p>
That I could attest for. Alpha Theon was indeed old. This woman should be as old as one of his many children.
She shifted on the bed, wincing as she moved her bruised body. “When the rogues attacked, I was in the garden. I spend most of my day there, tending to it, gathering herbs and vegetables for cooking.” A bitter smile twisted her lips. “Despite being Luna, the Alpha insisted I cook every meal myself. Said it was a woman’s duty p>
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. The thought of my mate being treated as little more than a servant made my blood boil.
“His children were worse,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I am the same age as his daughter, and they hated me for it. Called me names, pushed me down stairs when no one was looking, put glass in my food.” Her hand unconsciously moved to her throat, as if remembering some past injury.
“Why didn’t you leave?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. Forced marriages in wolf packs were binding and Silverleaf must have entered some sort of contract with her pack that would be annulled if she leaves.
“I tried once,” she admitted. “The Alpha caught me at the border. The punishment She shuddered, unable to continue.
I reached for her hand, offering what comfort I could. Her fingers were ice-cold in mine.
“When the attack came, I barely escaped,” she said, her voice stronger now. “Some of the warriors helped me. They created a distraction, told me to run and not look back.” Suddenly, she sat up straighter, her eyes wide with urgency. “You have to go back! There might be others who survived. We have to help them p>
Her grip on my hand tightened painfully. “Please, Alpha Kai. They sacrificed themselves for me. Up until that moment, I thought everyone hated me in the pack because only a few peole were kind to me. Never did I think the warriors would put me first before themselves. We can’t just leave them there p>
The desperation in her voice tore at my heart, but I knew what my scouts had reported. I’d sent them back to investigate while she was unconscious, and their findings had been grim.
“Serena,” I said gently, hating what I had to tell her. “We’ve already sent scouts to check. There were no survivors p>
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “That can’t be right. They were strong warriors. They knew how to fight p>
“The entire pack was burned,” I continued, keeping my voice soft but firm. “We found… We found bodies. Many bodies. I’m so sorry, but you’re the only one who made it out p>
Her face crumpled, and a keening wail erupted from her throat. The sound was primal, filled with such grief that it made my wolf whimper in response. She collapsed forward, and I caught her, pulling her against my chest as sobs wracked her small frame.
“They’re all gone,” she cried, her tears soaking through my shirt. “Everyone. Even the children. Oh gods, the children p>
I held her tighter, my own eyes stinging with unshed tears. The loss of an entire pack was a tragedy beyond measure, something that would send shockwaves through our world.
“It’s my fault,” she gasped between sobs. “If I hadn’t run, if I’d stayed to help p>
“No,” I said firmly, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “This is not your fault. The rogues did this, not you. Those warriors wanted you to survive. They gave their lives so you could live p>
She stared at me, tears still streaming down her face. “But why? Why would they attack us? We were peaceful. We never bothered anyone p>
I didn’t have an answer. Rogue attacks were usually territorial disputes or resource raids, but this sounded like something else entirely. A targeted massacre.
“We’ll find out,” I promised her. “And we’ll make sure they pay for what they’ve done p>
She nodded weakly, then suddenly went limp in my arms. I panicked for a moment before Odin stepped forward, checking her pulse.
“She’s fainted,” he announced. “The emotional shock, combined with her physical state… it’s too much for her system to handle p>
I laid her back on the bed, arranging the blankets around her carefully. Even unconscious, her face was drawn with pain and sorrow.
“Alpha,” Odin said quietly, “may I speak with you outside p>
I followed him out of the tent, though I kept glancing back at Serena’s sleeping form.
“Her story doesn’t add up,” Odin said without preamble once we were alone. “First she was Sarah from Blue River, now she’s Serena from Silverleaf with a father across the seas. And still, I sense no wolf within her p>
“She’s traumatized,” I argued, “Confusion is natural after what she’s been through p>
“Perhaps,” Odin conceded. “But I’ve treated many trauma victims, Kai. This feels… different. And there’s something else p>
“What p>
“When she fainted just now, I noticed something odd about her scent. It’s changing p>
“Changing how p>
Odin frowned, clearly struggling to explain. “It’s subtle, but it’s as if she’s… adapting. Her scent is becoming more like ours, more like Royal Hunters Pack. That’s not normal p>
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. “What are you suggesting? That she’s some kind of impostor p>
“I don’t know what she is,” Odin admitted. “But I do know we need to be careful. Keep her under observation. Don’t let your… connection to her cloud your judgment p>
“One more word from you, Odin,” I said through gritted teeth. “I will have you punished. The effrontery for you to look me in the face and accuse my mate is stunning p>
“But Alpha he insisted.
“That’s enough!” I growled. “Continue with the treatment and I don’t want to hear one more word from you regarding this matter p>
Odin sighed but nodded. “As you wish, Alpha. Just… be careful. Some puzzles, once solved, reveal truths we wish had remained hidden p>
As I returned to the medical tent, I found myself studying Serena with new eyes. Who was she really? Sarah Matthews from Blue River? Serena Thorne from Silverleaf? Or someone else entirely?
Her face was peaceful in sleep, the lines of pain and fear smoothed away. Whatever secrets she held, whatever mysteries surrounded her, one thing remained certain—the mate bond between us was real. I felt it in every fiber of my being.