Declarations and Deceptions

Kaiden's POV

I balled my fists, getting angry. I had walked out of the party and the rest of the guests only to see them.

The sight of Lilian with Henrik in that secluded corner with no one with them ignited an anger within me that I hadn't anticipated.

I felt my blood boil, I knew fully well that Henrik was up to no good. His attendance alone at the party was a threat, somewhat torn in my flesh.

It didn't escape my notice that he was no lover of the blue moon pack.

We all were just banking on the fragile peace we held.

Seeing him with Lilian, my mate now, was the final straw that fucking broke the Carmel's back.


As I approached them, I kept my composure straight, but inside, I was seething and boiling over.

When I reached them, I couldn't resist the urge to claim what was mine.

The kiss was impulsive, it was a primal need to assert dominance and stake my claim on her.

I felt her initial surprise, then the hesitant response, and then I felt something else.

Something I wanted to explore but knew that I shouldn't. Something soft and innocent.

Something that wasn't in any way a fake.

I instinctively pulled away from the kiss and looked at Henrik who looked like he could beat the shit out of me at any given moment but I didn't mind.

And when he made to leave, I thought this would make the perfect time to stake my claim and at the same time make father happy.

And so with that, after the kiss was over, I held Lilian in my arms and led her through the throng of guests.

I knew what I was doing. And it gave me great pleasure to do it. Because I was enjoying it, I knew that this way I was making my claim on Lilian —one that would solidify her place and hold back Henrik's meddling.


We reached the podium, and I raised a hand to silence the crowd as I watched everyone else turn their attention to me.

I was glad I was getting the satisfaction I craved so much.


"Beloved members of the Blue Moon Pack and our highly esteemed and honored guests," I began in a voice that was commanding and authoritative but I knew my place.

"I have an important announcement to make to you. Tonight, I introduce to you my mate and the future Luna of the Blue Moon Pack, Lilian." I said and I looked at her.

I saw the way she blushed crimson red under my eyes and the eyes of everyone in the hall.

She was cute and all but I knew that I was doing this because of father and for Henrik to know and not necessarily because I wanted to do it.


The response from the pack members and guests were immediate.

Cheers and applause erupted from everyone. I saw Luna Caroline, my mother and she beamed with pride.

Her eyes shone with approval as she clapped her hand elegantly along with the rest.

After the announcement, I walked hand in hand with Lilian for a moment and we said hi to a few guests before I spotted my mother approaching us with a wide smile on her lips.


"Kaiden, that was wonderful," she said in a warm voice. "I'm so proud of you, dear son ."she said, beaming as she touched my cheek.

I smiled warmly at her. This was what she wanted and it warmed my heart to see her happy.


"Thank you, Mother," I replied, trying to keep my tone even. "It was necessary." I said to her.

She nodded her head still smiling and then she gave me a small squeeze in my hand before she stepped back.


I smiled and walked away from her. Soon everyone had lost interest in us, that was my time. With the formalities over, I immediately withdrew my hand from Lilian's when no one was looking at us anymore and then I turned and walked away from her without as much as another word to her, not bothering to see where she went.


I needed a drink to cool my temper and clear my head.


I found my way to the bar and proceeded to pour myself a strong drink, and I downed it in one gulp.


The liquid burned as it went down my throat, but it helped to take the edge off.


Just as I was about to pour another, Isabel appeared from nowhere beside me, her expression looked like she wasn't at all pleased with what I had done earlier but I pretended to not see her. I wasn't ready for her berating.


"Kaiden," she said to me, " how do you feel now? You were parading around with that lowlife weak mate of yours. Really?"

She asked me with a sneer in her voice.

I turned to her and my jaw tightened. I didn't want to do this but I had to.


"Shut up, Isabel. " I said to her as I downed another shot of my drink. "It was all for a show, to please my father.

There was nothing more. I said to her.

I knew too fucking well that I was lying and so I drank another shot of my drink to get me to shut up.


She snickered at me and I saw the way her eyes danced under the lights.

She looked angry but was trying to mask it. I understood that.


"You can't fool me, Kaiden. I know you better than that." She said and I scoffed and then I glared at her, I could feel my patience dissipating.


"Isabel, this is not the time or place." I gritted through my teeth. "If you can't keep your opinions to yourself, then leave." I told her.


She raised an eyebrow at me and smirked at me.

"Fine, I'll leave you to your little acting." She said and then turned and walked away from me.


I downed another drink, and my thoughts were a tangled mess of anger, frustration, and something I couldn't quite place.