CHAPTER 82
1359 Words
Morning came and the rain finally stopped.
The sky was still dark and heavy, but the storm was over. The air just smelled wet, like mud and smoke from the fire.
The packhouse was slowly waking up. Doors opening, voices here and there, footsteps on the wooden floor. From the kitchen, you could already hear pans clattering and smell food being made.
Elise walked quietly through the halls.
Her hair was still damp, her eyes looked tired, and she felt like anyone who looked at her would notice. People she passed greeted her softly, and she forced a smile back, the kind that was just enough to get by.
When she reached the stairs, she saw Kai.
He always stood out, always looked like he belonged in every space. But this time, his expression was gentler.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and guilt hit Elise so hard she had to look away, tugging on her sleeve like she was busy with it.
“Did you sleep?” Kai asked, low and careful.
She nodded. It wasn’t true.
He looked like he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t press. He simply stepped aside to let her pass.
Every step away from him felt like dragging a weight. She wanted to tell him everything, she wanted to tell him about the kiss, how Luka fooled her, how she wished it had been him instead, but the fear of losing Kai kept her silent.
She couldn’t risk it.
So she said nothing.
Outside in the courtyard, Luka stood with a group of warriors, laughing like he had nothing on his conscience.
But Elise felt his eyes on her the whole time, she wondered what he always comes to do in the packhouse.
From the scene, you could tell the warriors weren’t comfortable with him around. Everybody knew how wicked he and Becky was.
Her stomach twisted.
The memory of last night burned in her chest. He had taken advantage of her weakness, played the right words, the right look, the right everything.
Even though she knew it wasn’t in any way her fault, she still hated herself for letting it happen. She hated him more for knowing exactly what she wanted deep down and using it.
When the others left, Luka walked her way. Elise quickly turned toward the garden path, but his voice followed.
“Running already?”
She stopped, turned halfway. “I’m not—”
“Careful,” Luka cut in, smirking. “If you trip, the truth might spill out.”
Her fists clenched.
He came closer, lowering his voice. “Last night, you needed someone. I was there. That’s it.”
“You tricked me,” Elise said sharply.
Luka tilted his head, pretending to think. “Or maybe you wanted it to be him so badly, you didn’t notice it wasn’t.”
The words stung hard.
“Relax,” he added, tone calm but eyes sharp. “I’m not going to tell Kai. Why would I ruin the fun?”
Before Elise could answer, another voice cut through.
“Elise.”
Her chest jumped. Kai.
He was walking toward them, steady and unreadable.
His eyes moved from Luka to her, then back again. There was something in his look, but she couldn’t figure it out.
Luka smirked faintly, dipping his head. “Alpha.”
Kai barely glanced at him. His eyes stayed on Elise. “Can I have a word with you?.”
Elise nodded quickly, her throat dry.
As Luka walked away, his smirk grew.
Elise’s guilt grew heavier. Standing next to Kai only made her silence harder to carry.
By midday, the packhouse was full of noise and life again.
Training in the yard, children laughing, the smell of stew filling the halls. Everything felt normal.
Except Elise.
Kai led her into the council room. The fire was low, papers scattered across the old oak table.
“I want to clear something,” Kai said. His voice was calm, but not light. “Last night, when I saw you in the hall—I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“You didn’t,” Elise replied too fast.
“You looked… off.”
“I was tired.” The lie slipped out quickly again.
Silence stretched.
Kai watched her carefully. His eyes were searching, steady. “If something’s wrong, Elise, tell me.”
Her throat tightened. She wanted to say it.
She wanted to pour it all out. But fear held her back.
“I’m fine,” she whispered.
His jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly. The doubt in his eyes didn’t go away.
Elise looked away.
The council meetings went on and on, and Elise only stared at Kai blankly. She didn’t listen to a word they were saying.
He caught her staring once. She looked away quickly, embarrassed.
When the meeting ended, everyone left in groups, still talking. Elise stayed behind, pretending to gather papers. She didn’t want to face Kai.
But he didn’t leave. He stayed by the table, watching her.
“You’re avoiding me,” he said.
Elise froze, the quill slipping from her fingers. “I’m not—”
“You are.” His voice wasn’t angry, just firm. “And I don’t know why.”
She swallowed hard. “I just… need some space.”
Kai’s look softened a little, but he didn’t relax. “If that’s what you want, fine. But Elise—” he stepped closer, lowering his voice, “don’t shut me out completely. Not again.”
Her chest hurt. She wanted to tell him, but Luka’s words echoed in her head: Or did you just want it to be him so badly you didn’t notice?
She couldn’t do it.
“I won’t,” she whispered. “I promise.”
Kai watched her for a long moment, then nodded and left. Elise stood there alone, feeling like the world would soon end.
Outside, Luka was at the training grounds, watching the warriors.
He looked relaxed, but when Elise came out, his eyes followed her.
She walked faster, heading toward the library, but he stood in her way.
“You look pale,” he said casually. “Kai giving you trouble?”
“Stay away from me,” she snapped.
He smirked. “You don’t really want that.”
“I do.”
“Then why haven’t you told him?” Luka asked, tilting his head. “If you’re so disgusted by what happened, why not confess? Unless…” He leaned closer, smirking wider. “…a part of you wanted it.”
Elise’s stomach turned.
She shook her head, trembling. “You’re cruel.”
“No,” Luka said. “I’m honest. You’re the one lying.”
Two pack members passed by. Luka straightened, smiled politely, while Elise just stared blank into space.
After a while, she left with her heart pounding.
By evening, the dining hall was full.
Voices and laughter mixed with the sound of plates and cups. Kids ran between tables.
The smell of bread, meat, and stew filled the room.
Elise sat at the table but barely ate. She pushed food around her plate, her appetite gone.
Across the room, Kai sat with his captains.
He kept glancing at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. She gave him a quick smile.
He smiled back faintly, but his eyes looked troubled.
After dinner, people stayed behind to talk, but Elise left early, saying she was tired.
As she walked out, Luka’s voice followed her.
“Sweet dreams, Elise.”
She froze but didn’t answer. She just walked faster until she reached her room.
That night, Elise lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She couldn’t stop thinking.
If she told Kai, he might hate her. If she kept it to herself, Luka would keep using it against her.
She felt trapped.
She rolled onto her side, eyes burning. When she finally slept, the dream came back.
The same forest. The same figure at the edge. The same voice saying,
“You’ll lose everything.”
She tried to run after it, but it kept moving further away.
Elise woke up crying.
- Writer
