Chapter 17

Kian’s wolf was restless since they decided to return to their pack. He was opposed to the entire idea because they wouldn’t spare Kiara, and there was no way he could fight off an entire pack all by himself. Then, perhaps, Rommik would see reason. But what help would he be against Konrad? People feared him.

He swallowed, looking ahead at the road. Layla was at the wheel, maneuvering the vehicle effortlessly. Some kind of music blasted through the car speakers, and she was singing along.

It would take at least a week for them to reach the pack borders. They decided they’d drive to the nearest town and from there take the forest path to their pack.

The full moon had come to pass while they were with the Miller family. Kian didn’t even remember half of it among the chaos. He eyed Kiara, who was sound asleep beside him in the back seat. They didn’t even get a chance to talk with each other about everything properly.

The idea of her anywhere near Konrad infuriated him. While the punishment for leaving the pack lands was death, he feared it’d be even worse when Konrad learned about his mate’s betrayal. He would surely want to make an example of Kiara’s death.

A growl rumbled out of his chest. Layla lifted a brow from the driver’s seat at the sudden appearance of his wolf, and he looked away. While he didn’t fully trust Layla yet, he decided he’d take Kiara’s word for it. And it seemed she trusted her sister.

Layla’s phone rang, pulling him out his thoughts. She lowered the volume to hit some buttons, and suddenly, Ronald’s voice filled the inside of the car. Kian growled again, a little startled by the unexpected sound.

Human technology confused him, but he couldn’t help notice how convenient it was. He listened in on their conversation, shamelessly eavesdropping. He just wanted to make sure they weren’t planning something behind their back. Was it even eavesdropping if everyone could hear the two-sided conversation?

He eyed the black device in his hand apprehensively, remembering their conversation with the Miller family earlier.

“Stay low and follow Layla’s instructions. She will take you there safely,” Ronald said.

“You heard that, Wolfie?” Layla smirked. “You be a good puppy and follow my instructions if you don’t want trouble for yourself and your dear Kiara.” She jabbed a finger in his direction.

He growled, wanting to bite off that finger. This young wolf was a menace, and she was pushing his buttons. He fought the urge to pick her up by her scruff and discipline her like the wolf parents often did with their children.

“Layla, be nice. Stop doing that,” Kiara chastised. “Why do you have to butt heads with him all the time?”

Layla shrugged. “It’s too easy.”

Kiara rolled her eyes while he took a step forward only to be stopped by Kiara. He didn’t like it. Nope. Not even a bit.

He tore his gaze away from her and shifted his attention to the Miller couple. “Thank you for all your help, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. We will always be grateful for everything you have done for us.”

The couple smiled at him, and he felt more at ease upon seeing the trust in their eyes.

“We are also thankful for your help. You saved us.” Ronald smiled and handed Kian a rectangular-shaped device he saw many humans use in their daily lives. But he didn’t entirely know what it was used for. “This is for you.”

He took it from Ronald’s hand and inspected it, looking at the couple questioningly. “What is this?”

“It’s called a cell phone, dummy. Don’t worry I will teach you both how to use it.” Layla took the phone from his hands and put it in her backpack.

She did teach them how to use it, and he was in awe. It was amazing how advanced the humans were. If it wasn’t for the misunderstandings that kept them apart, they might have had access to this technology too. Lost in thought, he didn’t realize when he drifted off, snuggling close to Kiara.

***

Kiara was still in disbelief. Now that the past day’s events had settled and she had enough time to think, she didn’t know what to make of it.

With a sigh, she watched the drizzling rain. Kiara always loved the rain and everything that was associated with it. Their surroundings were just so beautiful. Layla had lowered the window for Kiara, allowing the wind and droplets of water to beat on her face. She smiled involuntarily. It was exhilarating.

Kian was fast asleep in the back seat. They stopped briefly by a restaurant to eat and rested a bit before continuing their journey.

Kian, who looked as if he could pass out, fell asleep as soon as his head hit the headrest of the seat. She guessed all those sleepless nights he spent accompanying her to the city were finally catching up with him. Also, the human medicine was making him feel drowsy. She insisted Kian take it since Layla believed it sped up the healing process.

Layla’s parents had given them enough money. So, they were able to stop by some decent hotels at night to wash up and sleep before continuing their journey in the morning. In short, the trip back to the pack was much easier, and there was less tension.

Kiara wondered if Konrad sent more hunters behind them. But they knew only these four. She wouldn’t be surprised if there were more. The hunters didn’t have families or friends. They were lonely wolves and the only ones allowed to travel to the human city. They often lived outside of the pack lands.

The pack.

All her life, she grew up bearing the hate of the pack, and now, she couldn’t even blame them. She was indeed an outsider. A human. She hadn’t shifted even on the full moon night. There was no inner wolf that called to her. It was a bummer. She tried her best to not give it much thought and just accept the reality.

But at times, it all became too much. It was the only thing she wanted all her life. But now….

She shoved the bitter thoughts aside even before they could ruin her mood. Kiara had to remind herself that Layla didn’t choose this.

Her twin…

She had a sister she didn’t even know existed. Would her life be any different if they had met any sooner?

She glanced at Layla, who continued to drive, singing along to the songs. The music was not what she was used to in the pack, but it sounded nice and catchy.

Layla was an enigma. They might have been born to the same mother, but Layla was so different. She was faster to accept Kiara than she was. Layla even sounded so excited that she had a sister. She hadn’t hesitated before showing her to her room and telling her to take anything she wanted.

“You know, I’ve always wanted a sister or a brother. When I was a child, I always kept asking my parents when they were going to give me a sister or brother to play with.” Layla grinned, dragging her to her closet. “I stopped asking after a while because it made Mom sad. Now I know why Mom always got sad when I asked her that.”

Kiara felt bad for her then. Lana couldn’t conceive a child on her own, but she didn’t know how to explain this to Layla without revealing the truth. She could only imagine how hard that must have been for the couple.

“You can have anything you want.” Layla waved around the room with a smile. “It’s yours too.”

Kiara felt so touched then. No one except Kian or Rommik had shown her such kindness before.

She didn’t know what the future held for them, but she was glad to have known Layla even for a short time.

Unlike her, Layla was also talkative and behaved more human-like than a wolf. She was also so easy to converse with. There was a lot she had yet to learn about her sister but so less time.

Kian seemed to leave them alone for the most part, but she could tell he still didn’t trust Layla completely.

“Hey, you alright?” Layla asked as if sensing her sour mood.

Kiara only nodded. “I will be okay.”

Her sister smiled. “Wanna talk?” She slanted a glance behind them. “Now that Wolfie is asleep, we don’t have to worry about interruptions.” She winked.

Kiara laughed. For some reason, they both kept butting heads, and there was nothing she could do. Layla liked to rile Kian up, and Kian reacted to everything she said or did.