Chapter 147

Kayla

I wasn’t surprised at all when Nicholas’s affection for me dropped significantly after the wedding. After all, he got what he wanted, didn’t he? Bluemoon pack. He was now the Alpha, exactly what he always wanted.

Our wedding night was nothing like I had imagined it would be. We returned to the manor in silence. Nicholas went straight to his office, where I knew he would sleep on the couch. I didn’t stop him.

The few days that followed quickly established our new normal. Nicholas spent most of his time at the guild hall or handling pack business, and I threw myself into preparations for the Darkmoon festival. It was better this way, I told myself. Cleaner. Less complicated.

Now, our packs were even more powerful together, and Nicholas’s status as an Alpha was almost unparalleled. He wasn’t just the Alpha of two powerful packs—he was also a guildsman.

Both things that I had helped him achieve, not that I was going to get any recognition.

Of course he didn’t need to keep up the act anymore, I thought bitterly to myself as we made a trip to Bluemoon for the official announcement on the third day after the wedding. He was all smiles as he addressed the pack, who had all gathered to hear the oh-so-joyous news.

“As you all know,” Nicholas began, “Alpha Owen has been in a coma for some time now. In accordance with pack law and with the guild’s blessing now that Luna Kayla and I are officially wed, I have officially taken over as Alpha of Bluemoon.”

The crowd murmured, and I scanned their faces, looking for any sign of dissent. But all I saw was relief. Of course they were glad to finally have an Alpha. Not the weak, wolfless Luna that they never wanted.

“I understand that change can be difficult,” Nicholas continued, “but I promise to lead this pack with the same dedication and care that I give to Nightshade. Together, our packs will be stronger than ever.”

The applause that followed was enthusiastic, if a bit cautious. I maintained my smile, nodding along as Nicholas outlined his plans for the future. He didn’t mention my father once, not even to wish him a recovery. The omission felt deliberate.

After the announcement, Nicholas walked off to survey the pack, leaving me at the house with Ava and Henry. I sat in the living room, staring out the window at the familiar landscape of my childhood home

“Kayla, honey, is everything alright?” Ava asked, sitting beside me on the couch.

I turned to her, forcing a smile. “Everything’s fine. Just tired from the trip, that’s all.”

Ava’s eyes narrowed slightly, not buying it for a second. “You don’t seem happy.”

“It’s nothing,” I insisted, standing abruptly. “We’re just busy, you know? The wedding, the transition, the festival coming up... There’s a lot going on.”

“Kayla—”

“I said it's fine, Ava,” I snapped, immediately regretting my tone. I softened, touching her shoulder. “Really. Everything’s fine. Nicholas is going to be a good Alpha for Bluemoon, and that’s what matters.”

Ava didn’t look convinced, but she let it drop, patting my hand before leaving the room. As soon as she was gone, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Later that afternoon, I found Henry in my father’s study, going through some old pack documents.

“Henry,” I said, closing the door behind me. “Can I speak with you about something important?”

He looked up. “Of course. What is it?”

I sat across from him, leaning forward. “It’s about my father’s condition. I need you to handle a… sensitive mission for me.”

Henry's brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I believe there’s an antidote, and I want you to be the one to search for it,” I said, lowering my voice. “Personally. And I don’t want Nicholas to know.”

“What? Kayla, that doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t we tell—”

I swallowed hard, choosing my words carefully. “I just think it would be better if we pursued this... independently.”

Henry stared at me, confused. “Does this have something to do with the tension between you two? Ava mentioned—”

“It has to do with making sure my father gets the best possible chance at recovery,” I said firmly. “Please, Henry. I need someone I can trust completely on this.”

What I didn’t say—what I couldn’t bring myself to say out loud—was that I had begun to wonder if Nicholas had ever truly been looking for the antidote at all. If my father were to wake from his coma, Nicholas wouldn’t have been able to become Bluemoon’s Alpha. The thought had been festering in my mind since the wedding.

Henry studied my face for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Alright, Kayla. I’ll look into it discreetly.” I told Henry about the rare plant Noah had mentioned, and he promised that he had some contacts who might be able to help.

“Thank you,” I breathed, relieved. “And please, Henry, not a word to Nicholas about this.”

He frowned, clearly troubled by the request. “Kayla, I don’t know what’s happened between you two, but secrets in a marriage—”

“Please,” I repeated, my voice breaking slightly. “Just this once.”

Henry sighed, but nodded again. “Very well. Out of respect for your father—and for you, seeing as how you’re like a daughter to me—I will keep this between us for now.”

I left the study feeling both relieved and guilty. I had a feeling this might just end in disaster, but right now, I didn’t trust Nicholas one bit.

When we returned to Nightshade, I threw myself back into training for the Darkmoon Festival with renewed vigor. With Nicholas constantly at the guild hall, I rarely saw him over the coming days, and it was a relief. I spent my days training hard, pushing my body to its limits, practicing making weapons out of found materials and building up my stamina.

The physical exertion was therapeutic, giving me an outlet for the anger and hurt that had overcome me the day of the wedding. Each swing of my practice spear, each mile I ran through the forest, each training dummy I destroyed helped me forget, if only for a moment, the mess my life had become.

At night, I would collapse into bed alone, too exhausted and sore to think about the empty space beside me. Nicholas and I had settled into an uneasy routine—we were polite when we saw each other, discussed pack business when necessary, and otherwise stayed out of each other’s way.

It wasn’t the marriage I had imagined, but it was the one I had.

Finally, the day of the hunt arrived. I woke before dawn, too excited to sleep any longer.

I dressed carefully in the clothes I’d picked out—dark training leathers that would blend with the forest, sturdy boots, and of course, no equipment. I would have to fashion some weapons and tools myself, since I didn’t have a wolf form. I was at a disadvantage already, but I didn’t care.

If anything, I was just looking forward to three days out of the house, by myself with nothing but the trees to keep me company.

The estate grounds were already bustling when I made my way outside. Warriors from the pack milled about, some stretching, others chatting amiably. I spotted a few familiar faces, nodding in greeting as I made my way toward the registration table.

But I was both surprised and chagrined to see Nora standing in line to register.