KEILAH
Morning light filtered through the curtains, warming my skin as I slowly woke up, feeling much better than the night before. The weight that had pressed on my chest seemed to have lifted slightly, though it hadn’t entirely disappeared. I reached out, expecting to find Ralph beside me, but my hand touched only cool sheets. He wasn’t there.
I sighed, knowing he must already be up, preparing for the day. This day was crucial, not just for him but for the entire pack. I could feel the significance of it pulsing through the walls of the house.
I pushed the covers off and headed straight to the bathroom. As I caught my reflection in the mirror, I grimaced. My eyes were puffy from crying, and the memory of Benita’s lifeless body falling off the upper floor crept back into my head, sending a rush of fever through my veins. My knees felt weak, and for a moment, the room spun.
Gripping the edge of the sink, I steadied myself. I couldn’t fall apart-not today. Taking a deep breath, I turned on the tap and splashed cold water onto my face, hoping to wash away the remnants of the nightmarish events that still clung to me like a dark shadow. The shock of the cold water grounded me, bringing me back to the present.
I stared at my reflection, water dripping down my cheeks, and forced myself to breathe slowly. “You’re okay,” I whispered to myself. “You’re safe. Ralph is with you.” The mantra helped a little, but I couldn’t shake the image of Benita.
I had killed her, or at least, I thought I had. The guilt was still there, lurking in the corners of my mind, but Ralph’s words from last night echoed in my head: “You didn’t kill her.” He had been so sure, so adamant that it wasn’t my fault. But the uncertainty still gnawed at me.
I dried my face and took a deep breath, trying to push those thoughts aside. Today wasn’t about me. It was about Ralph and the pack. I had to be strong, not just for myself but for him. I needed to be by his side, ready to support him in any way I could.
After all, today might very well determine our future together.
I tugged on his shirt over my head, ready to step into the shower when a sudden thought made me pause. I realized I had no pads to change into, and with everything that happened last night, I hadn’t even considered it. Frustration bubbled up as I let out a small sigh. How could I be so unprepared? I was about to figure out what to do when I heard a soft knock on the door, followed by Dahlia’s voice calling from the bedroom.
“Keilah, are you up?”
I quickly wrapped a towel around myself and stepped out of the bathroom. Dahlia stood by the bed, holding a pair of black jeans, a burgundy shirt, and a pack of pads, along with a newly packed set of underwear.
“Good morning,” she greeted me with a warm smile.
“Good morning,” I replied, a sense of relief washing over me as I took the items from her hands. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Dahlia just nodded, her smile unwavering. “Take your time. I’ll be here if you need anything.”
I offered her a grateful smile before heading back into the bathroom.
After freshening up and dressed up, I padded back into the bedroom, where Dahlia was still waiting, her presence as steady as ever.
“You’re still here?” I asked, surprised to see her standing by the window, gazing out with a thoughtful expression. “Aren’t your feet hurting from standing so long?”
She turned to me, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “Not at all, Keilah. Don’t forget, I’m both a witch and a werewolf. I’ve got more endurance than most.” She winked playfully before adding, “Besides, I have to be on guard just in case something happens.”
I couldn’t help but smile back at her, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t felt in a while. Her calm, reassuring presence was exactly what I needed right now. “Thank you for everything, Dahlia. I really appreciate it.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing my part. We’re all in this together, and your well-being is as important to me as it is to Alpha.”
I moved closer to her, closing the distance between us. Reaching out, I took both of her hands in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against my own. “Dahlia,” I began, my voice thick with emotion, “I need to apologize for the things I said to you before… the hurtful things. I won’t lie and say I didn’t mean them because, at that moment, I did. I felt betrayed, and I thought the only friend I had was on my mate’s enemies’ side. I was scared, and I lashed out at you. But I realize now that I was wrong.”
Dahlia’s eyes softened, her fingers giving mine a reassuring squeeze. “Keilah, you don’t have to-”
“No, I do,” I interrupted gently. “You’ve been nothing but supportive, and I let my fear get the best of me. I’m sorry, Dahlia. Truly.”
A small smile touched her lips as she shook her head slightly. “Keilah, I understand why you felt that way. You were protecting your Alpha, just as I was. But I want you to know that I’m on your side. I’m here for you, for Alpha, and for the pack. We’re all in this together, and I hold no hard feelings.”
Her words were like a balm to my wounded heart, and I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Dahlia’s smile remained gentle as she released one of my hands and gave the other a comforting squeeze. “Shall we head downstairs now? You need to eat something before we leave.”
I nodded, appreciating her concern, but there was something tugging at my mind. “I want to see Ralph first,” I said, my voice laced with worry. “Is he downstairs?”
Dahlia’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. “Alpha had gone out of the house for a while,” she replied carefully, “but he’ll be back shortly.”
I felt my heart skip a beat, and my brow furrowed as worry began to creep in. “Where did he go? Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice tinged with anxiety.
Dahlia quickly shook her head, her smile returning as she tried to reassure me. “No, no, nothing’s wrong. I’m not exactly sure where he went, but the only thing I was ordered to do was make sure you have something to eat. Otherwise, it’ll be a big problem for me.” She finished with a playful wink, but I could see the concern behind her eyes.
Despite her light tone, my worry didn’t completely dissipate. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I forced myself to take a deep breath.
“Okay,” I finally said, trying to push the unease aside. “Let’s go downstairs.”
As we entered the kitchen, it was nearly empty, with only a few pack members finishing up their breakfast.
When they noticed us, they offered warm smiles, though I knew those smiles were likely directed at Dahlia.
“Your breakfast is ready,” Dahlia said, motioning to a small table near the window where a plate of bread pudding and a glass of orange juice awaited.
I hadn’t eaten much the day before, and now that I was seated, the hunger hit me all at once. Without a second thought, I dug in, savouring each bite.
Dahlia excused herself quietly, leaving me alone with my breakfast. I watched her go, feeling a small pang of anxiety as she disappeared out. I returned my attention to my plate, trying to focus on the comforting warmth of the food, but my thoughts kept wandering to Ralph.
Suddenly, I noticed the pack members who had been seated across begin to approach me. My heart jolted in my chest as panic threatened to take over. They walked toward me with purpose, and before I could tell them to back off, they sat down in the empty seats around me.
My pulse quickened, and I opened my mouth to speak, but I was taken aback when one of them spoke first, her voice filled with concern. “How are you doing, Luna?” She asked gently.
I blinked rapidly, utterly shocked. I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to see someone else standing behind me, but there was none. They were talking to me.
“You must have been scared,” another one added, her eyes soft with empathy. “It must have been painful. I’ve experienced it too, twice, actually, but you will get through it. We’re here for you.”
I blinked again, trying to process their words. Finally, I found my voice, though it was laced with disbelief. “Are you talking to me?”
“Of course we are,” they replied, their tones steady and sincere.
“Why?” I asked, the confusion clear in my voice. “Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden? I know ya’ll don’t like me. You never did.”
They exchanged glances before one of them spoke up. “We never said we didn’t like you, Luna. It wasn’t us… it was-”
Before she could finish her sentence, I saw Ralph’s car pulling into the driveway outside the window. My heart raced as I stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over my chair. “Excuse me, but I have to go,” I said awkwardly, brushing past them as I hurried out of the kitchen.
My heart pounded as I barreled out of the house, desperate to see Ralph. He was just stepping out of the car, flanked by two men whose faces were familiar to me. I rushed toward him, my emotions in turmoil, unsure whether I was more relieved or confused by what had just happened in the kitchen.
“Ralph!” I called out, my voice betraying the tension I felt as I approached him, seeking the comfort and clarity only he could provide.