Chapter 83 Chapter 83
_Leah’s POV_
The silence in the room felt heavy.
My chest burned. My hands were shaking. I was still holding the lab report and staring at the neat printed letters that said Natasha was pregnant.
But my heart refused to believe it.
“I saw her drinking alcohol,” I said suddenly.
Kayden turned to me. His eyes were sharp. “What?”
“I smelled it,” I continued. “In her room. Last night. She was drinking.”
Natasha gasped softly. “That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is,” I insisted. “I know what I smelled.”
Kayden’s face darkened. “Leah, stop.”
“No,” I said, my voice trembling. “I won’t stop. She is lying. She is not pregnant.”
The room went completely still.
Natasha pressed her hand to her chest. Tears filled her eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“I’m not doing anything to you,” I replied. “I’m trying to find the truth.”
Kayden stepped between us. His whole body was tense.
“That is enough,” he said coldly.
“Kayden, please listen to me,” I begged.
“I said enough,” he snapped.
I had never heard his voice sound like that toward me before. It cut deeper than any blade.
“She is lying,” I whispered again. “I know she is.”
Kayden pointed toward the door. “Get out of here.”
My heart dropped.
“What?” I whispered.
“Get out before I lose my mind,” he said angrily.
The words hit me hard.
Athena growled inside me. He is blinded by family.
Tears filled my eyes. I wanted to fight. I wanted to scream. But I also saw the fury in Kayden’s face.
He wasn’t going to listen.
Not today.
I turned and walked out of the room. Every step felt heavy. I closed the door behind me and leaned against the wall in the hallway. My chest hurt. My throat burned.
He didn’t believe me.
The man who promised to trust me… didn’t believe me.
Athena’s voice softened. Breathe, Leah.
“I feel so stupid,” I whispered.
You are not stupid. You are trying to protect him.
“But he thinks I’m cruel,” I said.
Doubt filled my mind.
What if I was wrong?
What if Natasha truly was innocent and scared?
Had I imagined everything?
No.
Athena’s voice was firm. You did not imagine the alcohol. You did not imagine the fear.
I wiped my tears.
Something was wrong with Natasha.
I knew it.
But now Kayden was angry with me.
The rest of the day passed slowly....too slowly.
Kayden avoided me completely.
He stayed with Natasha. He spoke to guards. He buried himself in work. Every time I tried to approach him, he found a reason to leave.
The distance between us felt like a wall.
My chest ached the entire day.
Athena stayed quiet most of the time. She felt my sadness.
By evening, I was exhausted....not from work but from pain.
I was sitting alone in the small library when Kayden finally came to me.
He stood in the doorway for a long moment.
“Leah,” he said.
I looked up. “Yes?”
His face was serious. “We need to talk.”
I stood up slowly. “Alright.”
He crossed his arms. “I did not like your behavior today.”
The words stung.
“I was only trying to help,” I said quietly.
“You accused my cousin,” he replied. “In front of a doctor. In front of me.”
“I had reasons,” I whispered.
“You embarrassed her,” Kayden said. “She is already fragile and scared.”
I swallowed. “Kayden...”
“You need to apologize to her,” he interrupted.
The room went silent.
“Apologize?” I repeated.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “You hurt her. And you hurt me.”
Tears filled my eyes again. “I was trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection from family,” he answered.
Athena growled softly. He is wrong.
I wanted to argue. I wanted to shout. I wanted to tell him everything I felt.
But I also felt the bond between us trembling.
If I pushed more, I might lose him.
“I don’t want a rift between us,” I whispered.
“Then apologize,” he said.
I closed my eyes.
“Alright,” I said softly. “I will.”
Kayden nodded. “Thank you.”
He turned and left the room.
I stood there alone, feeling small and defeated.
But deep inside, a tiny voice still whispered:
She is not innocent.
Later that night, I walked slowly toward Natasha’s room.
My feet felt heavy. My heart was nervous.
I didn’t want to apologize. Not really.
But I loved Kayden more than my pride.
As I reached the door, I heard something.
A voice.
Natasha’s voice.
It was low and urgent.
“I told you to be patient,” she whispered.
My heart jumped.
Athena went alert and said, Listen.
I moved closer and carefully peered through the keyhole.
Natasha was standing near the window with her phone pressed to her ear.
“All is going according to plan,” she said quietly. “Please be a bit patient.”
Plan?
What plan?
My skin turned cold.
“Yes, I understand,” she continued. “It will be done.”
My breath caught.
Done?
What would be done?
Athena whispered, She is dangerous.
I knocked on the door and for a second, Natasha panicked and then she cut the call.
She turned toward the door.
“I’m coming,” she said suddenly.
I quickly stepped back from the keyhole and stood straight.
A second later the door opened.
Natasha smiled at me. “Leah.”
I forced a small smile. “Can we talk?”
“Of course,” she replied.
I took a deep breath.
“I came to apologize,” I said.
Her eyes widened slightly. “Apologize?”
“Yes,” I continued. “I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. I should not have accused you. I let my worries control me.”
She looked at me for a long moment.
“I was scared,” I added. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
Natasha sighed softly. “It hurt me, Leah.”
“I know,” I whispered. “And I regret it deeply.”
She studied my face.
“I only want peace in this house,” I said. “And I want you to feel safe here.”
Natasha’s expression softened.
“It’s alright,” she said finally. “I forgive you.”
I felt relieved. “Thank you,” I said.
“Come in,” she added. “Sit with me for a while.”
I hesitated but stepped inside.
Her room looked normal. It was neat and calm.
But my eyes drifted to the corner where the carpet had been moved last night.
Athena warned, Stay careful.
I sat on a chair near the bed.
Natasha sat across from me.
“You must understand,” she said gently, “I have been through a lot.”
“I know,” I replied.
“I thought you hated me,” she continued.
“I don’t,” I said honestly.
She smiled. “Good.”
For a few minutes we talked about simple things. The pack. The house. The weather.
Then her eyes fell on my neck.
“That pendant is very pretty,” she said.
I touched it instinctively. “Thank you. It’s an amulet.”
“It looks special,” she said. “May I try it on?”
My body went tense.
Athena growled. No.
“I’m sorry,” I said politely. “I can’t take it off.”
Natasha frowned. “Why not?”
“I wear it at all times,” I answered.
“But it’s just a necklace,” she said lightly.
“It’s more than that,” I replied.
She tilted her head. “For protection?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Protection against what?” she asked with a small laugh.
“Against dark magic,” I answered.
Natasha laughed softly. “You believe in such things?”
“I didn’t at first,” I admitted. “But after everything I have experienced, I know it’s real.”
She shook her head. “It sounds like superstition.”
“Maybe to you,” I said calmly. “But not to me.”
She leaned forward. “You really think a small pendant can protect you?”
“Yes,” I said simply.
She kept asking questions.
“Who gave it to you?”
“A seer,” I replied.
“And you trust her?”
“With my life,” I answered.
Natasha smiled in a strange way. “Interesting.”
Her curiosity made me uncomfortable.
Athena whispered, She wants it.
I stood up slowly.
“It’s getting late,” I said. “I should go.”
“So soon?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
She sighed. “Alright. Good night then.”
“Good night,” I said.
I left her room and closed the door behind me.
My heart was racing.
Athena spoke immediately. She is hiding something big.
“I know,” I whispered.
Who had she been talking to?
What plan was she speaking about?
Why was she so interested in my amulet?
Questions swirled in my mind.
None of it made sense.
But one thing was clear.
Natasha was not who she pretended to be.
And whatever she was planning…
It involved me.
I walked back to my room feeling colder than before.
Athena’s voice echoed in my thoughts.
Be careful, Leah. The storm is getting closer.
I touched the amulet at my neck.
Something dangerous was coming.
And I had a terrible feeling…
That it was already inside our home.