Chapter 81 Chapter 81
_Leah’s POV_
After I left Natasha’s room earlier that afternoon, the unease did not leave me.
It followed me like a shadow.
I walked slowly back to my room. My steps were quiet against the stone floor. My heart felt tight in my chest. I kept replaying her words in my mind. Her voice had been low but filled with anxiety.
“I’ll do it properly. They don’t suspect anything.”
Do what properly?
And who was they?
Athena stirred inside me.
She was hiding something, Athena said.
“I know,” I whispered. “But what?”
Natasha had smiled when I knocked. She had spoken softly...too softly. And her hands had shaken. Not the kind of shaking that came from fear alone, but from tension. From holding something back.
I sat on the edge of my bed and pressed my palms against my thighs.
“She said everything was fine,” I murmured. “But it wasn’t.”
Athena’s voice was firm. Truth leaves a scent, Leah. Even when words lie.
I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly. My wolf senses had picked up fear, anxiety.....and something else. Something sharp. Something I hadn’t expected.
I opened my eyes.
“I need to watch her,” I said quietly. “Not accuse. Not confront. Just… watch.”
Yes, Athena replied. Watch and wait.
Evening came slowly. The sky outside my window deepened from gold to amber, then to purple. The pack house grew livelier as wolves returned from patrols. Voices echoed through the halls. Footsteps moved back and forth.
Then I felt it.
Kayden.
The bond between us stirred warmly. Relief flooded my chest before I even saw him.
I went downstairs just as the front doors opened.
Kayden stepped inside. His presence filled the space immediately. He looked tired but focused. His shoulders were tense, his jaw set in that familiar way he got when his mind was working through too many things at once.
“You’re back,” I said while walking toward him.
He smiled when he saw me. That smile always did things to my heart.
“I am,” he said. “And I missed you.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead first, then brushed his lips against mine.
Athena hummed softly. He anchors you.
“How was the meeting?” I asked as we walked together toward the dining hall.
He sighed. “Long but necessary.”
That made my steps slow. “What did you discuss?”
He pulled out a chair for me and waited until I sat before sitting beside me.
“I spoke with several surrounding pack Alphas,” he said. “We discussed alliance proposals, shared patrol routes and emergency signals.”
“That sounds good,” I said.
“It is,” he agreed. “But it also means they’re sensing what I’m sensing.”
I frowned. “Tariq?”
“Yes,” he said quietly. “He has gone silent.”
My fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
“He never goes silent,” I whispered.
Kayden shook his head. “No. He doesn’t. When Tariq disappears like this, it means he’s planning something big.”
Athena’s voice sharpened. Silence is the breath before the strike.
“He’ll attack when we least expect it,” Kayden continued. “So I assigned new patrol groups. I also changed the routes and increased night watches.”
“I’m glad,” I said honestly. “We need to be ready.”
Kayden reached for my hand. “We will be.”
For a moment, I let myself feel comforted by his confidence. By his strength. By the steady warmth of the bond between us.
“Let’s eat,” he said after a moment. “I’ll go inform Natasha.”
I hesitated. “You go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute.”
He nodded and leaned in close. “Don’t take too long.”
“I won’t.”
I watched him walk away. My heart was twisting with love and worry at the same time.
The dining table was already set when I sat down. Candles flickered softly. The smell of food filled the air.
Kayden returned with Natasha a moment later.
She looked composed. She was calm and smiling.
She laughed at something Kayden whispered to her as they approached. The sound was light and pleasant. Anyone watching would have thought she was perfectly at ease.
She sat across from us. Kayden took his place beside me.
Dinner began.
The conversation was easy at first. Kayden teased me about reorganizing the pantry again. I told him he was impossible. Natasha laughed politely.
Then Natasha reached for a dish.
I gently placed my hand over hers. “That one has raw herbs,” I said softly. “It’s not suitable for pregnant women.”
Her hand froze.
“Oh,” she said quickly. “Thank you.”
She withdrew her hand immediately and smiled. “I almost forgot.”
Kayden nodded approvingly. “See? Leah is already acting like a Luna.”
My face warmed. “I’m just being careful.”
Natasha tilted her head. “Kayden is very lucky,” she said. “You’re kind. And thoughtful.”
I smiled back. “So are you.”
Athena whispered, Kindness can be worn like a mask.
Dinner continued. Natasha listened closely. She followed every suggestion I made. She avoided every dish I pointed out. She played the role perfectly.
When we finished eating, Natasha stood up slowly.
“I’m tired,” she said. “I think I’ll go and rest.”
“Of course,” Kayden replied. “Get some sleep.”
She smiled at me. “Good night, Leah.”
“Good night,” I said.
After she left, Kayden leaned closer to me.
“You did well today,” he said softly.
I blinked. “With what?”
“With her,” he said. “You’re making her feel safe.”
“I hope so,” I replied.
He smiled and brushed his thumb over my knuckles. “You’re going to be an amazing mother one day.”
My breath caught.
“What?” I whispered.
He grinned. “When you carry our baby.”
My face burned.
“You just assume I’ll agree?” I teased weakly.
He leaned in. “I plan to convince you.”
Athena laughed softly.
Kayden suddenly snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot.”
“Forgot what?” I asked.
“I asked the chef to prepare turmeric milk for Natasha.”
I blinked. “Turmeric milk?”
“Yes,” he said proudly. “It’s good for pregnant women. It contains calcium and protein. It is also anti-inflammatory.”
I stared at him. “How do you know all that?”
He shrugged. “I read it in a magazine a long time ago.”
I smiled. “You remember the strangest things.”
He leaned close. “When you’re pregnant, I’ll make sure you drink it too.”
I swallowed and said nothing.
“Actually,” I said after a moment while standing up, “I’ll take it to her.”
He looked surprised. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” I said. “I’ll make sure she drinks it properly.”
He smiled warmly. “Thank you for taking care of my cousin.”
“It’s my duty,” I replied.
I carried the glass down the hallway toward the guest room.
I knocked on the door.
Then, I heard it.
It was a sharp crack...like glass breaking.
I froze.
“Natasha?” I called softly. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” she replied quickly. “Just give me a minute.”
Something scraped against the floor.
I stepped closer and peered through the keyhole.
I couldn’t see clearly. But I saw movement. Natasha was crouched. She was wiping something on the floor and pulling the carpet.
I knocked again. “Do you need help?”
“No,” she said. “I’m coming.”
The door opened.
She smiled.
“Kayden sent this,” I said while holding up the glass. “Turmeric milk.”
Her eyes flicked to the glass. “Thank you.”
She reached for it.
As she tried to close the door, I stopped it gently with my hand.
“Kayden told me to make sure you drink all of it,” I said calmly. “So please drink it now.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded. “Of course.”
She drank slowly… too slowly, as if her stomach could not take any more after dinner.
“I’m already feeling so full,” she said softly with a small and apologetic smile. She was pausing between sips before forcing herself to finish it anyway.
I glanced down.
The carpet behind her was slightly lifted. Dark stains marked the fabric.
And the smell in the room…
Athena’s voice was sharp. It is alcohol.
Natasha handed me the empty glass.
“Good night,” she said.
“Good night,” I replied.
I walked away, my heart pounding.
She hadn’t been full because of dinner.
She had been full because she had already been drinking.
But why was she drinking alcohol?
She was pregnant.
Or…
Was she lying?
The thought settled heavily in my chest.