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Kaida
The moment Dahlia spotted Ben across the room, she grinned and turned to me with an apologetic look. “I’m just going to say hello. I’ll be back soon, okay?” She gave my arm a gentle squeeze before disappearing into the crowd, leaving me alone with Alpha Bastian.
I turned back to him, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. His presence was strong, commanding, but there was a softness in his expression that put me at ease, even though I barely knew him. I expected him to exert the same level of authority as other Alphas, but instead, he seemed… approachable.
“Kaida,” he began, his voice smooth and rich. “Please, don’t feel like you need to call me ‘ Alpha.’ Just Bastian is fine.”
I blinked, surprised by the offer. Most Alphas were fiercely protective of their titles, demanding respect from everyone. But Bastian didn’t seem to care for such formalities.
“Alright,” I said with a small smile. “Bastian it is.”
His lips curved upward, and I found myself relaxing, despite the nervous flutter still in my chest. He gestured toward the edge of the hall, where it was quieter, away from the crowd.
“Let’s get some air,” he suggested.
I nodded and followed him toward a set of large glass doors that led out onto a balcony. The night was cool and refreshing, a perfect contrast to the warmth of the crowded room inside. The stars were out in full force, twinkling brightly above us. It was peaceful, a stark difference from the buzz of the party.
“Where did you come from, before Crestwood?” Bastian asked as we leaned against the railing.
His question was casual, but I knew better than to give away too much. I was still getting used to the idea of being here, let alone sharing my past with someone who was essentially a stranger. I kept my response vague, choosing my words carefully.
“From the South,” I said, glancing at him briefly. “I needed a change of scenery.”
Bastian nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer for the moment. “I know the South well,” he replied. “There’s a lot of strong packs down there. I actually know a few of them, including Alpha Kaelen Darkridge. Have you heard of him?”
His question caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat. I forced my expression to
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remain neutral, simply nodding as though the name didn’t send a flood of memories rushing back. “Yes, I’ve heard of him.”
There was a brief silence, and I could feel Bastian studying me. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but I wasn’t about to offer any more information about Kaelen or my past. That chapter of my life was closed, or at least I was trying to close it.
We continued talking for a while, and to my surprise, the conversation flowed easily. Bastian wasn’t the intimidating figure I’d imagined. He was intelligent, thoughtful, and seemed genuinely interested in learning more about me, even if I kept the details of my past vague. As the minutes ticked away, I found myself relaxing more and more in his presence.
It was strange, almost disconcerting, how comfortable I felt talking to him. Maybe it was because he wasn’t pushing me for answers, or maybe it was because he wasn’t the dangerous person I had built up in my mind. Either way, there was something about him that made me feel at ease.
But I couldn’t let myself get too comfortable. No matter how pleasant our conversation was, the reality of my situation loomed over me like a shadow. I was pregnant. And no matter how nice Bastian seemed, I wasn’t about to let anyone get close to me, especially not now.
Just as I was about to excuse myself, a commotion erupted behind us. I turned to see a -woman, clearly drunk, stumbling through the balcony doors with a glass of wine in her hand.
She tripped over her own feet, and before I could move out of the way, the contents of her glass splashed all over me.
The smell of alcohol hit me like a punch to the gut, and I gagged, bile rising in my throat. I stumbled back, clutching my stomach as the nausea overwhelmed me. Without warning, I leaned over the railing and threw up.
Bastian was by my side in an instant. He moved quickly, gathering my hair in his hands so it wouldn’t get caught in the mess. His touch was gentle, almost too kind for someone who barely knew me, but I was too mortified to care.
The woman who had spilled the drink on me mumbled an apology before disappearing back inside. I didn’t have the energy to deal with her.
A waiter appeared moments later with a bottle of water, and Bastian helped me clean my face, his hand still steady on my back. I wanted to thank him, but the embarrassment was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
As I wiped my mouth and stood upright, Bastian’s eyes lingered on me, a look of concern etched across his face. Then, in a voice soft but laced with curiosity, he asked, “Kaida… are you pregnant?”
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The question was like a slap to the face. Anger surged through me, hot and fierce. How dare he ask that? How dare he make assumptions about me, as if I owed him any kind of explanation?
I turned on him, my voice sharp and cutting. “That’s none of your business,” I snapped. “Who do you think you are, asking me something so personal?”
Bastian’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting the outburst. He raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean any offense, Kaida. I was just-”
“Just what?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Just prying into my life like everyone else? I came here to start over, not to have people gossip about me or question my decisions.”
Bastian looked taken aback, but he didn’t back down. His expression softened, and he took a step closer, his voice gentle. “I wasn’t trying to pry. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I don’t need you to make sure I’m okay,” I said, my anger flaring again. “I don’t need anyone.”
With that, I turned and stormed away, not waiting for a response. My heart was pounding, a mixture of embarrassment and fury boiling inside me. I could feel his gaze on my back as I fled, but I didn’t care. I needed to get away from him, from this place, from everything.
I pushed through the crowded hall and out the front doors, the cool night air hitting my as I rushed down the steps. I didn’t stop until I was halfway down the street, my breath coming in shallow, angry gasps.
face
What was I thinking, coming here? I should’ve stayed home. I should’ve known that people like Bastian would want to dig into my life, ask questions I wasn’t ready to answer. I wasn’t ready for any of this.
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I forced them back. I wouldn’t cry. I couldn’t cry. Not now. I had come too far to fall apart again.
With a deep breath, I straightened my spine and wiped my face. I wasn’t going to let this ruin me. I had made a promise to myself when I left Kaelen, and I wasn’t about to break it. I would
my be strong. For me. For babies.
And I wouldn’t let anyone, not even someone as powerful as Alpha Bastian, get in the way of
that.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
