Kamrynn’s POV
“Let go of me! Kamrynn, stop! You’re hurting me!” She cried, clawing at my hand.
“Then talk!” I growled, pulling harder. “What is your father planning?”
“I don’t know anything! Please, Kamrynn, let me go!” Her voice cracked with desperation, but I wasn’t convinced. “You’re lying!” I hissed, yanking her head back. “Confess!”
“I swear, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she sobbed, her tears flowing freely now.
The sound of a door slamming open made us both jump. I released her, turning just in time to see Kyven storming out of Thalia’s bathroom. His hair was damp, and a towel was slung low around his waist.
“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his eyes blazing as he took in the scene.
I froze, my brain struggling to process the implications of his presence. Then my eyes darted to the corner of the bed, where his shirt lay in a crumpled heap. Realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
They just had sex. It’s why Thalia was so fidgety when I came into the room.
Kyven didn’t wait for an explanation. He marched forward, shoving me hard enough that I stumbled back onto the bed. Pain shot through my back and abdomen as I landed, but I barely had time to recover before he was on me, his voice a furious roar.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he bellowed, wrapping his arms protectively around Thalia, who was sobbing into his chest. A flawless performance if I’d ever seen one myself. But I didn’t come all this way just to give up.
“She knows something, Kyven!” I shouted back, ignoring the pain. “She and her father are hiding something, and you’re too blind to see it!”
“That’s enough!” he barked, his face a mask of anger. “You don’t get to come in here and attack her. You’re out of line, Kamrynn!”
I forced myself to stand, my legs trembling as the pain radiated through my body. “Kyven, you’re making a mistake,” I said, my voice shaking but resolute. “You need to call off this mating ceremony. Thalia and her father are hiding something, and it’s dangerous-for you, for the Pack, for everyone.”
Kyven’s laugh was harsh, cutting into me like a blade. “You’re unbelievable. Do you hear yourself right now? Throwing around accusations without any proof.”
“It’s not baseless,” I shot back, my desperation mounting. “I’m trying to protect you!”
“Protect me?” he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. “Or is this just jealousy talking?”
My breath caught in my throat. “Jealousy? Are you serious right now?”
“Admit it,” he demanded, his grip on Thalia tightening. “You can’t stand to see me with her because it’s not you. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?”
“Stop spouting nonsense!” I snapped, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.
Kyven stepped closer, his expression twisted with anger. “Then explain why you’re here, attacking her, throwing around these insane accusations!”
“Because she and her father are lying to you!” I yelled, my voice breaking. “They’re not what they seem, Kyven. Open your eyes before it’s too late!”
Thalia whimpered in his arms, her crocodile tears pooling on his chest. “Kyven, please make her leave,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t know why she hates me so much, but I can’t take this anymore.”
Kyven’s glare hardened as he turned back to me. “You heard her. Get out. I’ve had enough of your attention seeking bullshit.”
I shook my head, the lump in my throat growing heavier. “Kyven, you have to believe me. I’m not making this up-”
The sound of his hand connecting with my cheek echoed through the room, sharp and deafening. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled, clutching the edge of the bed to keep from falling.
The sting of the slap was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. I raised a trembling hand to my cheek, feeling the warmth of blood where his blow had split my lip. Kyven had just hit me and all because I was trying to uncover the truth…
“Don’t you ever come near us again,” Kyven hissed, his voice low and venomous. “You’re nothing but a jealous freak who can’t stand to see me happy. Stay in your lane, Kamrynn.”
Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Kyven-”
“No,” he interrupted coldly. “You’ve done enough damage. Don’t forget where you came from, Kamrynn. You were a rogue. You should be grateful this Pack even took you in. But instead, you’re trying to destroy what little peace we have. You should be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. You shouldn’t forget your place, you were hired as a maid so just do your job and stay out of my life.”
The weight of his words crushed me, leaving me breathless. Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my skin as he dragged me to the door.
“Kyven, stop,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He ignored me, yanking the door open and shoving me into the hallway. I stumbled but caught myself before falling.
“Stay away from us,” he warned, his tone icy. Then he slammed the door in my face, leaving me standing there, shattered and alone.
I pressed a hand to my throbbing cheek, the taste of blood bitter on my tongue. Tears streamed down my face as I turned away, my mind a whirlwind of emotions-anger, pain, humiliation.
“You don’t deserve this,” Aryna’s voice whispered, gentle but firm.
“I’m trying to protect him,” I said aloud, my voice breaking. “Why can’t he see that?”
“Because he’s blinded by the mate pull,” Aryna responded. “But you can’t give up now, Kamrynn. He may not see the truth yet, but you do. You have to keep fighting. For him. For the Pack. For everyone.”
I nodded weakly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “I won’t let them win,” I murmured, my resolve hardening.
With a heavy heart and a bruised spirit, I walked away from the room, determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.