Chapter Fifty-Eight--The Fight Begins Within

Chapter Fifty-Eight--The Fight Begins Within
I leaned on Lola as we went into the living room.

Kalvyn and Syber stood arguing, the words beyond the roaring in my head. Bianca sat on the couch alone, as Lexi paced behind her. Carmen crossed the room to me.

“Kat, you look really pale, hon. I think you need to eat.” Carmen touched my clammy face, then neck.

Syber’s gaze flickered in my direction, then back to the book.

“Sure I’m not going to get locked in a cage first?” I said shakily.

Her brow drew together. “I wouldn’t let that happen.”

I believed her.

“That implies someone will try,” Lola snapped. “Someone care to tell me what’s going on?”

Syber stiffened. “As the evidence implies, Katrina is a traitor to us all.”

“And what proof do you have about that?” She answered coldly. “Or are you just grasping at straws?”

“They found me with a book I stole from my mom,” I said quietly, still my words echoed in the grossly unfurnished room.

Kalvyn punched the wall, his knuckles going through the drywall like butter. “Then why not tell me you had it?”

“Are you really accusing her of being a traitor? Seriously?” Lola said the same moment Bianca jumped to her feet, and screamed. “Who is her mother?”

I looked at Kalvyn. “You said she talked about horrible things she’d done. When I found the book, it was open to a page with a captive, giving me visual proof. Hearing, seeing and believing are three very different things.”

“That does not explain why you never mentioned it. But hid this thing, chalked full with useful information the entire walk back to the cabin, closeting yourself away from the clan with said vitals.”

His unblinking gaze bored into me.

“I needed to see it, for myself, on my own. To distance any of the last emotional ties between us, if there were any to begin with,” I whispered. Tears tracked my cheeks to see the distrust in him. To know Bianca had gotten to him. “To know that woman for the monster she has become. Every intimate detail. I needed to release her, before…” I swallowed. “Before I could watch her die.”

“Wait!” Bianca walked into my visual path of Kalvyn. “What you’re saying is, that female hunter, is Katrina’s mother?”

Syber, Lola and I shot her a “duh” stare.

“Yes, Clara is the woman who birthed me,” I spat. “But lost the privilege to be called my mom.”

“You’re a worst traitor than I thought!” She pivoted on Kalvyn. “How could you do this to us, to Kalvyn?”

“I already knew who that woman was,” Kalvyn replied.

Syber straightened. “So did I.”

“As I.” Carmen touched my shoulders.

Lexi held up a hand.

Bianca’s cheeks reddened. “So I’m the only one who didn’t?”

“Well, yeah,” Lola said. “I’m not even a part of this pack, and I already figured out you can’t be trusted with the morning newspaper.” She cleared her throat. “Kalvyn, think about this. If you understand Katrina at all, whatsoever, then you’ve already figured out she’d need, like, a private funeral. Her mom ditching out messed her up. You think that’s gonna magically erase all the years of mental hurt, just on your say so?” I started to speak and she motioned for me to hush up. “Inside a lot of us, there’s a kid who craves to have their parent’s approval, or have someway to connect with them somehow. Kat can’t even have that now. All illusion is gone. Do you really, and tell me honestly, think she’d betray you to that woman?”

Kalvyn cocked his head, as if he listened to some force I’d never hear. He straightened.

“No, I do not.” He crossed the room, stopping in front of me.

Bianca shrieked. “You’re being an idiot!”

“And as it’s already been proven, Bianca, you do not understand the slightest thing about my mate. You found Katrina in a comprising situation, and I comprehend how you’d confuse the issue.” He stroked my cheek. “I apologize for jumping to half-formed conclusions. You should have told me you found it, if for nothing else. I would’ve helped with the emotional backlash reading this horror no doubt gave you. I suffered alone for no reason.”

I covered his hand with my own. “I needed this.”

“We will talk about it later, in private.” He surveyed his clan members. “Emotions are running high at the moment, for all of us. We are under siege, and need to remain vigilant. We cannot dissect our loyalties, nor cultivate distrust. Agreed, Betas?”

Syber sent me a sheepish smile. “Agreed Alpha.”

“Without any doubt,” Carmen replied.

Lexi swallowed, her damp lashes heavy on those huge green eyes.

Bianca stomped from the room, slamming the French doors. If I was a better woman, I’d feel sorry for her. But I’m not. Sadie wanted nothing to do with her, and she certainly had no friends in this room.

Carmen frowned, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Crisis adverted. Now, you eat, and no argument. You’re swaying on your feet.”

My stomach gurgled in answer.