Chapter 11
960 Words
Aliza POV
The last few weeks have been hell.
My entire body feels like a nonstop rollercoaster of side effects from this stupid curse. What was I thinking?
You wanted what was yours, Seris says calmly.
“Yeah,” I snap back, “and now this mark is climbing up my neck and it’s getting harder to hide.”
Everything will be better once Kieran becomes our mate, she insists.
“I can’t feel anything for him,” I scream. “Whatever was there is gone. It’s empty. Pointless.”
There’s no going back, Aliza. What’s done is done.
Kieran has been spiraling—fighting with Liam, losing control in public.
I did this to him.
And I hate myself for it.
I just wanted him to myself. I didn’t want her to win again.
She gets everything. Ezra’s brotherly love. Dad’s attention and the secret training they think I don’t know about. She inherited Mom’s ancestral magic. She had Kieran—and Liam too.
Everyone loves her, even when she isn’t trying.
I just wanted one thing that was mine.
Kaelani POV
It’s been a few months since the fight.
Both Kieran and Liam were suspended, only allowed on campus for tournament days, so I haven’t really seen either of them. That made things easier… and harder at the same time.
Today is also my birthday.
I wake up with a sick feeling twisting in my stomach. So much is set to happen today, and I don’t think I’m truly ready for any of it.
We are ready, Nyra says softly. You’ve learned so much. You have full control of your powers now. We can handle whatever comes next.
Before I can respond, Kaia bursts into my room.
“Happy birthday to you,” she sings, holding a cupcake. “Happy birthday to you!”
“Make a wish,” she adds.
“Really?” I ask, blinking.
“Yes,” she laughs. “Come on.”
“Are you ready for school?” she asks.
“No,” I admit. “But I have to do this.”
When we get downstairs, the dining room is full. My parents have half the pack gathered, and they all break into song.
“Thank you, everyone,” I say once it ends.
“Happy birthday, nugget,” my dad says.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Mom adds.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Ezra scoops me into a tight hug. “Happy birthday, bean. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I laugh.
“There’s a surprise outside,” he says, handing me a small box.
Inside are car keys.
I sprint out of the packhouse and nearly scream when I see it—a brand-new light pink Mercedes-Benz with a massive bow on top.
Kaia and I both scream.
“We are definitely taking this to school,” she says. “Leave the bow on it.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” I say, hugging him again.
But the moment I get to school, all that joy drains out of me.
I smell him the second I step out of the car.
Peanut butter and chocolate.
Mate Nyra screams in my mind.
I follow the scent across the parking lot without even thinking.
His head snaps up as soon as he sees me.
“You can’t be here,” he growls through clenched teeth.
“Kieran,” I say, tears spilling before I can stop them.
“I know I’m your mate,” I choke out. “I know that you know I’m your mate. I know how hard this has been for you and Atlas—and I can help you.”
“Why are you crying?” he asks, dropping to his knees.
I drop with him.
“Because I have to let you go in order to save you,” I sob. “If I don’t, I’ll lose you forever.”
“No,” he shakes his head violently. “You’re mine.”
“Yes, I am, Atlas,” I whisper. “But Kieran is hurting. And we need to help him.”
I cradle his face. “I need to let you go so that I don’t lose you.”
“Do it,” Kieran grits out, tears in his eyes.
I kiss him once, softly.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“I, Kaelani Quinn, daughter of Alpha Donovan Quinn, High Priestess of the Moonthorn Coven, reject you, Kieran Vale, future Alpha of the Thornmere Pack,” I say as tears stream down my face.
“I, Kieran Vale, future Alpha of the Thornmere Pack, accept your rejection,” he says.
The pain is immediate.
Kieran screams, collapsing into me, and I hold him through his agony—through mine—until I hear another scream behind me.
Then—
“Mate.”
Liam’s voice cuts through everything.
Nyra goes wild in my head.
Mate. Mate. Mate. He is true mate. Go to mate.
“Go, Kae,” Kieran gasps weakly. “I’m fine. We’ll talk later. Thank you." “I can’t just leave you like this, Kieran,” I say, my voice breaking.
“Yes, you can,” he replies softly. “Your mate is waiting for you.”
I turn, my breath hitching, and see Liam walking toward us.
Something is wrong, Kaelani, Nyra says quietly.
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
Do you feel them? she presses. The sparks.
“I do,” I whisper back. “But why? I rejected him.”
My hands tremble as I help Kieran to his feet.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him, forcing myself to let go before turning toward Liam.
- Writer
