Chapter 99
Lily
I took Celeste’s advice.
My heart pounded as I made my way to the pack hospital. The air was crisp, and the faint scent of pine mingled with the distant sound of chirping birds returning home to their nests for the evening, but none of it eased my nerves.
I could hardly sleep last night, going over Kai’s distant behaviour, replaying every word, every moment where he had ignored me, and it was driving me mad.
It was not just about the mysterious she-wolf anymore, but about Kai shutting me out completely. I feared the growing distance between us would become insurmountable if I didn’t confront him now.
But today, I could confront him.
When I reached the hospital, I continued to the VIP floor. The VIP floor was a world of its own. It was quiet, exclusive, and reserved for only members of the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families. I had been here before, but today felt different.
As the elevator stopped and I stepped onto the floor, squaring my shoulders, preparing myself for whatever lay ahead, my resolve faltered when I saw Luna Helen—Kai’s mother—pacing angrily near the private ward.
Luna’s presence filled the corridor; she had pinned back her golden hair in her usual immaculate style, but her piercing blue eyes burned with fire. I paused at the corridor entrance, wondering if this was the right time.
Suddenly, Luna opened the door of the ward where Kai and the mysterious she-wolf were, and no sooner had she entered did I begin to hear voices—the irritated voice of Luna Helen and the calm but firm voice of Kai.
“She has no place here!” Luna Helen shouted, her voice echoing down the hall. She was so furious that I had goosebumps just listening to her. “Absolutely not! She cannot remain in this pack. Not only is she an outsider, but you’re the Alpha, for Moon’s sake—your duty is to protect this pack, not harbour a stray p>
“Mother,“ Kai’s voice was controlled, “This is not a discussion. I’ve told you p>
“So, you would disobey me over this runt?“ Luna Helen fired back; her tone was growing louder each time. Never did I imagine she would be the one to lose her temper like this. “I am your mother, Kai… I carried you; I nursed and nurtured you. Is this how you pay me back p>
“I’ve made my decision,“ Kai’s voice, calm but laced with authority. “She stays p>
“Don’t be a fool,“ Luna Helen snapped. “Do you think the pack will respect you if you allow some rogue or stranger to disrupt our lives? To put all of us in danger just because she looks like her? She could be a spy, for who knows. Someone might have sent her specifically to you. Open your eyes, Kai p>
Who was Luna talking about when she said that the mysterious she-wolf didn’t look like her? Who is she talking about?
By this time, I was standing in front of the room. Since the door was open, I could see Luna, Helen and Kia standing face-to-face with each other. I settled at the corner beside the door, away from their eyes, pressing my back against the wall, my mind racing.
What did the she-wolf look like?
I peeked into the room again, my breath catching as I saw Kai standing firm, his jaw defiant.
“She’s not just some stranger,“ he said. “She’s injured and under my protection. The pack will respect that, or they’ll answer to me p>
“You think the Pack council is interested in that?“ Luna Helen bristled. “You think they want to know how you plan to make the pack vulnerable? Kai Ryker… wake up p>
“Mother, you should leave now. You might wake her up at any moment p>
She let out a disbelieving laugh. “Really? Should I leave? You’re risking everything for a wolf who is a vision of what you see in your dreams? Please, are you serious right now? What has happened to my precious boy p>
Kai’s gaze darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You’ve said enough, Mother. Leave p>
But Luna Helen didn’t budge. “This isn’t just about her. Do you think you owe her? Do you think seeing those visions means anything? Is this some misplaced sense of guilt or something… more? Why did you ask to bring back memories that were taken away p>
“And why did you keep it away from me? Do you know how confusing it is to me when you always speak in riddles? I am a grown man, mom. I should know what happened to me. I wouldn’t be doing this if you had been forthcoming about it. Even now, you wouldn’t want to tell me what’s happening, and you’ve ordered Odin not to say a word about it p>
What were they talking about? I wondered silently as my heart sank. Something about the question Kai asked sent doubt crashing over me. Was the mysterious she-wolf more than just a stranger to Kai?
“Besides,“ Kai continued. “She’s in a coma. You want me to put her away like that? Where is your sense of humanity? Do you lack empathy so bad that you wouldn’t mind if a life is harmed p>
The way Kai spoke suggested a depth of connection that made my heart race.
“And what about your mate?“ Luna Helen’s voice cut through like a knife. “What about Lily p>
Another pregnant pause. I held my breath.
“This is not about Lily,“ Kai finally responded. “This is about doing what’s right p>
But as he spoke, I heard something else—hesitation, uncertainty, something unspoken that suggested this was far more complicated than just doing the right thing.
Who was this woman? A saviour? A past love? A potential threat to everything I believed about my relationship with Kai?
Hazel—my wolf coiled with tension, ready to react. Doubt and suspicion crept up my spine, creating a toxic mixture of emotions that threatened to consume me.
Luna Helene’s voice rose again, filled with maternal protectiveness and something else. Fear? Anger?
“She cannot stay, Kai. The moment she wakes up, she needs to be gone from our pack p>
“No,” Kai’s responded immediately—in a split second.
I just stood there frozen, witnessing a conversation that was doing nothing but harm the bond between me and my mate.
“You do not have the right to make that call, Mother, “he continued. “I am the Alpha of this Pack, and I make decisions alone p>
I couldn’t take it anymore. The initial fear that had filled me dissipated immediately. I entered the room.
Kai and his mother turned at my footsteps, pausing to stare at me.
“Lily? “Kai called out.