69

POV – Kai-Lea
“It’s a good thing we’re finally heading home. This weather is mad,” Gussie said, waking up to grab something to eat. After three days of nonstop shopping, I couldn’t agree more. I was exhausted, but in a good way. The memories we created on this trip were irreplaceable—every store we visited, every laugh we shared, and each adventure we embarked on brought us closer together.
Reggie had finally convinced Sherlock to come home with him, eager to introduce him as his mate. The joy on Sherlock’s face was evident, though it was paired with an expression that seemed to say, About time, you fool! I couldn’t help but laugh. Their bond was genuine, and witnessing it unfold warmed my heart, reminding me that love could flourish in unexpected places, even amidst chaos.
“Do you think Sherlock is ready for the pack?” I asked, leaning in toward Reggie as he gathered his things. “It’s a whole new world for him.”
Reggie nodded, his expression serious. “He’ll be fine. He’s stronger than he thinks. Besides, he has me now.” His confidence was contagious, and I smiled, grateful for the unwavering support within our little family.
I wasn’t much better with my mates, who seized every opportunity during our alone time to leave me sore. I had never imagined things could get so intense, and it didn’t seem like it would slow down even on the way home. The thought of having four more mates and what that would mean for our time together in the bedroom made me blush, a tingle of anticipation coursing through me.
“Do you have plans for when we get back?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the heat creeping up my cheeks.
“Not yet,” Kallen replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “But I know one thing for sure: we need to take a break from all this chaos.”
“But first,” I said with a mischievous grin, “we have one last stop to make before heading home.”
A chorus of groans erupted from the group, mingled with a few exclamations of excitement. “Really, Kai-Lea? Just when I thought we were done!” Kallen complained, though I could see the glint of intrigue in his eyes.
“Trust me, it’s worth it,” I promised, struggling to contain my enthusiasm. “It’s a special place, and I think you’ll all love it!”
Stuart raised an eyebrow. “And this ‘special place’ isn’t another shopping mall, right?” Kallen shot me a pointed look.
I shook my head vigorously. “Definitely not! I couldn’t step foot in another mall even if I were dragged! I don’t understand Gussie and Chellea’s near-constant need to shop. It’s exhausting!”
Gussie and Chellea exchanged amused glances, clearly unfazed by my disdain for shopping. “What can I say? Retail therapy is a thing!” Gussie chimed, smirking as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. She and Chellea nodded at each other knowingly.
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe for you. But I’m done with that chaos. This stop is something entirely different.” We informed Reggie, Sherlock, Gussie, Chellea, and Felicity that they were to stay in the RV no matter what happened, and they seemed more than happy to comply.
Kaitlyn had disembarked the trip two weeks ago but suggested we meet up two towns from here. I mentioned that, given the weather, I had a better spot in mind, to which she eagerly agreed. I couldn’t wait to settle this with her. I had no idea what her deal was, considering I’d always tried to be her friend. But evidently, that was never going to happen. Kallen, Stuart, Wade, and I rode in one SUV with two warriors, while the other SUV had been modified to hold a prisoner.
“This is it,” I said firmly as we approached an old, abandoned warehouse. Rumored to be a hangout for rogue packs and dark magic practitioners, whispers of its history swirled in my mind—battles fought, betrayals made, and secrets hidden. It was a place steeped in mystery, and I had chosen it for a reason. It was also the site where my parents died just after I was born.
“Kai-Lea, are you sure you’re ready for this?” Kallen asked. I met his gaze, showing my resolve to stop whatever Kaitlyn had planned.
“This is where Kaitlyn will think she’s safe,” I explained, my jaw tightening. “She believes she can manipulate the darkness here to her advantage, but she doesn’t know it’s a trap. This is where my parents died.”
The air grew heavier as we stepped out of the car, an unsettling chill wrapping around us. The old warehouse loomed before us, its windows shattered and doors hanging off their hinges. It felt like a tomb—a silent witness to all the pain and deception that had occurred within its walls.
As we approached the entrance, I could almost hear the echoes of laughter and whispers from long ago, tainted by the darkness that now lingered. Anger welled up inside me—anger at Kaitlyn for thinking she could betray us without consequences, and anger at myself for allowing her schemes to go unchecked for so long. It wasn’t long before we heard hushed whispers from Kaitlyn and whoever she had been colluding with.
My resolve strengthened with every step we took closer to her. “This is where I’ll confront her, where I’ll finally make her understand that we won’t tolerate her betrayal anymore. She’s used this place as a refuge, but now it’s our weapon.” This wasn’t just a confrontation; it was a reckoning. Memories of all the times Kaitlyn had manipulated us flooded my mind, fueling my determination. She had thought she could destroy us, but now it was my turn to turn the tables.
When we reached the door, I paused for a moment, glancing back at my mates. “Remember, we stick together. No matter what happens, we face this as a team.” Wade smirked, ready for whatever lay behind the door. We had the warriors positioned at the exit to prevent anyone from getting too far.
They nodded, their expressions filled with support and determination. We pushed the door open, and a cloud of dust enveloped us, the stale air heavy with the scent of decay. Inside, the vast space was illuminated only by the fading light filtering through the broken windows, casting ghostly shadows on the walls.
As we stepped deeper into the warehouse, the atmosphere shifted. Kaitlyn’s shock was evident as she narrowed her eyes, watching us draw closer. To our surprise, it wasn’t just Millus or Milton she had been working with, but Mavrek as well. All three wore confused looks on their faces. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel adrenaline surging through my veins.
“I thought you said she’d come alone and wouldn’t be here for another hour,” Mavrek spat, anger evident in his voice.
“That’s my fault,” I said, venom lacing my words. “I knew she was betraying us. Just not to who.”
“I knew you’d figure it out sooner or later. How did you, though?” Kaitlyn’s voice dripped with disdain, but an edge of uncertainty lurked beneath it.
“You give everything away just by opening your mouth. At first, I thought you were just mad about something else the day we met. But the more I thought about it, the more I remembered those longing looks you shot toward Stuart and Kallen, and the anger that washed over you every time they spoke to me. I tried to give you time to find your mate and move on from them. However, it became clear that you weren’t interested in finding your own mate. You’ve wanted Kallen and Stuart for longer than that. But you could clearly see that they were never going to reject me. So, you decided it was time to take action—team up with vile, repulsive pieces of shits to take me out of the equation altogether, leaving them for you in my absence.” I gestured toward Kallen and Stuart, who growled at her. “Your biggest mistake was helping me plan this trip. Earlier that day at the mall, you couldn’t get away from the thought of my not going anywhere fast enough. Every time they smiled or simply looked at me, you were ready to attack. So, offering to help me with this trip was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I wanted to catch you and put an end to this little game of yours.”
“You wanna play games? Fine, we can play games,” she said, anger flaring as she prepared to shift into her wolf.
I took a step closer, refusing to back down. “I’m not here to play games, Kaitlyn. I’m here to end this.”
At that moment, I sensed my wolf stirring within, my Lycan awakening from its slumber while my other soul sneered. Stay alert, I urged them, feeling a familiar pulse of power coursing through us. This isn’t just about her anymore; it’s about our pack, our family. We need to be ready for anything.
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes, dismissing my resolve. “You really think you can intimidate me with this little setup? You’re making a mistake,” she taunted, but I could see the flicker of fear in her gaze.
“No, I don’t. And that’s why we’re putting an end to it.”
As I locked eyes with her, I felt my other half push forward, fueled by anger and a desire for justice. Let’s show her what we’re made of, I thought, ready for whatever confrontation lay ahead. As she shifted into her wolf, as I into my Lycan. Even in crouched state I knew that I now stood almost nine feet tall and was just as unique in coloring as my wolf. Kallen and Stuart looked at me with pride before shifting into their own wolves as our warriors had made their into room too already in their wolf forms. Ready to attack anything that moved.