Chapter seven::The truth between us
1228 Words
Kendall’s POV
Six months.
That was how long I’d been carrying a secret beneath my heart,and how long I’d been running.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands over the gentle curve of my belly. It was impossible to hide now. My body had changed in ways I was still learning to accept,fuller, softer, undeniably maternal. My silver wolf stirred faintly, protective and calm.
“You look beautiful,” Leo said from the doorway.
I glanced over my shoulder. He leaned casually against the frame, dark eyes warm, his lips curved into that easy smile that always made something inside my chest loosen.
“Stop staring,” I muttered, heat rushing to my cheeks.
He laughed softly and stepped into the room. “I can’t help it. You really do.”
I didn’t know when Leonard Harrington had stopped being just my neighbor and started becoming… this. Someone who picked up my favorite pastries without asking. Someone who reminded me to eat. Someone who never pushed when I went quiet, never asked questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
Tonight, he was dressed differently—dark slacks, a fitted shirt, a jacket slung over his arm.
“Ready?” he asked. “I told you. Somewhere special.”
“You still haven’t told me where,” I said, grabbing my purse.
He grinned. “That’s part of the deal.”
The restaurant was tucked away in the French Quarter, elegant but intimate. Candlelight flickered against dark wood walls, soft jazz ringing through the air. It felt… unreal. Like a life I didn’t quite belong in.
Leo pulled out my chair, waiting until I was seated before sitting across from me.
“This is nice,” I said quietly.
“I’m glad you like it.” His gaze lingered on me, unreadable. “I wanted tonight to be… important.”
Something in his tone made my wolf stir uneasily.
We ordered, the conversation easy at first—books from the shop downstairs, strange customers, the baby kicking more often now. Leo listened like every word mattered.
Then, as the food arrived and silence stretched between us, he exhaled slowly.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said.
My fingers tightened around my glass. “That sounds serious.”
“It is.” He hesitated, then met my eyes. “I know you’re a werewolf.”
The world seemed to tilt.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears as my wolf surged to the surface, instincts screaming danger. I forced myself to stay still, to breathe.
“You…” My voice came out hoarse. “What?”
“I know,” he repeated gently. “And before you panic, I need you to hear the rest.”
I stared at him, every instinct telling me to run. “How?”
“I smelled it,” he said simply. “The first night we met. Your wolf. Your magic.”
My stomach dropped. “Then why—”
“I’m one too,” he said quietly.
Silence crashed down between us.
I searched his face for any sign of mockery, deceit. There was none. Only calm. Honesty.
“A black wolf,” he added. “Different pack. Different territory.”
I leaned back slowly, trying to process the weight of his words. “You knew this whole time?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t say anything?” Hurt flared hot and sharp. “You let me think I was safe because you were human.”
“I let you feel safe because you were,” he said firmly. “With me.”
My throat tightened.
“Why?” I whispered.
“Because you were broken,” he said softly. “And I didn’t want you wondering if every smile or kind word had an agenda attached to it. I wanted you comfortable. That’s all.”
That’s all.
No manipulation. No claim. No pressure.
The sharp edge of my fear dulled, replaced by something fragile and aching.
“You should have told me,” I said.
“I know.” He nodded once. “And if you want to walk out right now, I won’t stop you.”
I studied him for a long moment.
Then I shook my head. “No. I just… needed to understand.”
Relief flickered across his face.
Dinner continued, quieter but warmer somehow. The tension faded, replaced by something steady. Familiar.
For the first time in a long while, I felt… normal.
Leo excused himself midway through dessert, murmuring something about a call.
I watched him disappear toward the exit, my wolf restless again for reasons I couldn’t explain.
He returned a few minutes later, his expression altered,focused, alert.
“Kendall,” he said, lowering his voice. “We need to leave.”
“What?” I frowned. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m needed,” he said simply. “At my clan.”
Clan.
My pulse spiked. “Now?”
“Yes.” His eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan it this way.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”
The drive was quiet.
Streetlights blurred past the windows as the city slowly thinned, buildings giving way to trees. Leo’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, jaw clenched.
“Do you want me to stay in the car?” I asked eventually.
“No,” he said immediately. “You’re welcome. Truly.”
Something about that made my chest ache.
We turned onto a long gravel path leading into the woods. A gated entrance loomed ahead, guarded by wolves in human form. Their eyes followed us as we passed, curious but respectful.
The moment we stepped out of the car, I felt it.
Pack energy.
Not hostile. Not welcoming either. Just… aware.
An older woman hurried toward us, her silver-streaked hair pulled into a neat bun, eyes lighting up the moment she saw Leo.
“Leonard!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a fierce embrace. “You gave me a fright.”
“Nana Miriam,” he said fondly. “I’m sorry.”
Her gaze shifted to me,and softened instantly.
“And you must be the girl,” she said warmly, taking my hands before I could react. “Oh, my dear… look at you.”
I stiffened in surprise as she pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “Welcome. You are most welcome here.”
“Thank you,” I managed, emotion clogging my throat.
She noticed my belly then, eyes widening. “A blessing,” she murmured. “Truly.”
Before I could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“And who is she?”
I turned.
A young woman stood near the steps, arms crossed, dark hair cascading down her back. Her gaze was cold, assessing, lingering on my stomach with poorly concealed disdain.
Leo’s shoulders stiffened. “Selene.”
Her lips curled. “You didn’t mention bringing company.”
“I didn’t need to,” he replied coolly.
Her eyes flicked to me again, hostility rolling off her in waves. “Interesting choice.”
Miriam straightened, her warmth dimming. “That’s enough.”
Selene scoffed but said nothing more, turning sharply on her heel.
I swallowed, my wolf bristling.
This place wasn’t as welcoming as it first appeared.
And something told me—
Tonight was only the beginning.
- Writer
