Chapter 84 Chapter 84
_Leah’s POV_
Morning came too quickly.
Sunlight poured into the dining room like nothing bad had ever happened. The long table was already set. Plates clinked softly. The smell of fresh bread and tea filled the air.
But inside me, everything still felt uneasy.
Athena was quiet. Watch carefully today, she whispered.
“I will,” I murmured.
Kayden walked in first. He looked calm and composed, like the Alpha everyone respected. Natasha followed behind him a moment later. She looked bright and relaxed, as if yesterday had never happened.
I forced myself to smile.
We all sat down together.
Kayden cleared his throat. “Natasha, I want to apologize to you.”
My heart tightened.
He continued, “On behalf of Leah and for everything that happened yesterday. You did not deserve that.”
Natasha shook her head gently. “There is no need, Kayden.”
She glanced at me with a soft smile. “Leah and I already talked last night. All the differences between us have been resolved.”
Kayden looked surprised. “Really?”
“Yes,” Natasha replied warmly. “We understand each other now.”
I nodded slowly. “Yes. Everything is fine.”
Kayden relaxed. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Breakfast became lighter after that. Kayden asked Natasha how she had slept. She answered politely. They talked about small things. The weather. The pack. Plans for the day.
Then Natasha said, “I didn’t bring many clothes with me. I need to buy a few things.”
Kayden nodded. “Of course. We can arrange that.”
He turned to me. “Leah will accompany you. You can go shopping together.”
My stomach dropped.
I opened my mouth to refuse. I really did not want to spend hours alone with Natasha.
But then I saw the look on Kayden’s face.
He wanted this. He needed to see that I was trying. That I regretted my behavior.
Athena sighed. Choose peace for now.
So I smiled.
“That would be great,” I said. “We can go shopping together.”
Kayden looked pleased. “Good.”
After breakfast, Fred drove us to the town shops.
Kayden stayed behind. He was busy with pack matters and meetings. That meant I was alone with Natasha.
The streets were lively. Shop windows glittered with dresses, shoes and jewelry.
Natasha pointed excitedly at everything.
“Look at that bag,” she said. “And those shoes. They are lovely.”
I smiled and nodded, pretending to be interested.
But my mind was somewhere else.
Who had she spoken to last night?
What plan was she talking about?
Was her husband Ray even real?
Athena whispered, Do not trust her smile.
“I won’t,” I thought.
Natasha suddenly stopped in front of a shop.
“Oh look!” she said. “That emerald green dress is beautiful.”
The dress hung in the window. It was elegant and bright.
“I want to try it on,” she added.
“It would look good on you,” I replied politely.
We went inside.
Natasha tried on the dress, but it was too small. The bigger sizes were out of stock.
She looked disappointed but quickly moved on to the accessories section. There were necklaces, bracelets and rings displayed behind shining glass.
One necklace caught my eye.
It was simple but unique. The pendant had a delicate curved design, like a tiny silver moon wrapped around a crystal drop. Something about it pulled me in.
Natasha noticed.
“You like that one,” she said.
“It’s pretty,” I admitted.
“Try it on,” she encouraged.
I nodded and placed it around my neck.
It rested nicely against my skin.
Natasha tilted her head. “You can’t see its true beauty with your other pendant in the way.”
She smiled. “Take off your amulet. I can hold it for you.”
Athena growled instantly. No.
“I can’t take it off,” I said firmly.
“It will only be for a few seconds,” Natasha insisted. “Don’t worry. I will keep it safe.”
She kept pushing gently.
Finally, to avoid making a scene, I agreed.
“Just for a moment,” I said.
I removed my amulet and handed it to her.
Athena felt tense inside me.
Hurry, Leah.
I admired the vintage necklace in the mirror, but quickly took it off.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, “but I don’t need it.”
Natasha handed my amulet back and even helped me put it on again.
Then she moved on to bangles, trying on several before choosing one with white stones.
We continued shopping for a while.
Then Natasha said, “I’m hungry. Let’s have lunch.”
I agreed.
We went to a nearby restaurant that served Chinese food.
The place was warm and busy. The smell of spices filled the air.
We ordered several dishes.
Natasha chatted easily.
“This food is amazing,” she said while tasting a dumpling. “I have not eaten like this in so long.”
“Yes, it’s very good,” I replied.
“We still need to visit the underwear shop,” she added casually. “And buy some new pajamas. I really need them.”
I nodded politely.
Athena remained alert. Stay focused.
We were halfway through eating when Natasha suddenly looked toward the counter.
“Oh look,” she said. “It’s Kayden.”
My heart jumped.
“What?” I asked.
“He’s there,” she said, pointing. “At the counter.”
I turned.
A tall man stood there with his back to us. He had dark hair and broad shoulders. From behind… he really did look like Kayden.
“That can’t be him,” I said slowly. “He’s in a meeting.”
Natasha insisted. “Go check. I’m sure it’s him.”
Something about her eagerness felt strange.
But I stood up anyway.
I walked closer to the man.
When he turned around, I realized immediately.
It was not Kayden.
Just a stranger who happened to look similar.
I returned to the table.
“It wasn’t him,” I said.
Natasha sighed. “Oh. I really thought it was.”
She smiled again. “Anyway, we need to finish eating and continue shopping. I love shopping with you, Leah. You have such good taste.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
I went back to my food.
I felt thirsty, so I picked up my juice and took a long sip.
It tasted a little strange.
Maybe it was because of the strong spices.
I drank more anyway.
A few minutes later, my head started to feel odd.
The room seemed warmer....it was too warm.
Athena stirred. Leah…I don't feel well.
I blinked.
The lights looked too bright.
My hands felt heavy.
I took a sip of water.
But the strange feeling only grew.
The sounds around me became distant.
Voices turned blurry.
“Leah?” Natasha asked. “Are you alright?”
“I… I don’t know,” I whispered.
My vision doubled.
The table in front of me seemed to move.
Athena’s voice turned urgent. Something is wrong.
“I feel dizzy,” I said weakly.
Natasha reached across the table. “Maybe you ate something bad.”
I tried to stand but my legs refused to listen.
The room spun violently.
I grabbed the edge of the table.
“Natasha…” I murmured.
Strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind.
At first I thought I imagined it. My mind was already foggy. My body felt strange....too heavy.... too slow. I tried to turn my head but it was like moving through thick water.
My fingers trembled against the table. The sounds around me began to blur. Plates clinking. People talking. Natasha’s voice. Everything mixed together into one distant noise.
Something was very wrong.
My chest started to feel tight. Each breath became harder than the last. I opened my mouth to speak but only a weak whisper came out.
“I… I don’t feel good,” I tried to say.
The room spun again. The lights above me stretched and twisted like they were melting. My heart pounded fast, too fast, as if it was trying to escape.
Athena’s voice rose sharply inside me.
Leah! Stay awake!
I wanted to fight.
I wanted to scream.
But my body would not obey me. My arms felt numb. My legs felt like they did not belong to me anymore. Even blinking became difficult.
My breathing grew shallow. Air wouldn’t fill my lungs properly. Panic started to rise inside me.
No… no… this can’t be happening.
The arms around me tightened, holding me upright as my strength drained away.
The restaurant faded in and out. Faces became shadows. Sounds became echoes.
Athena shouted again, desperate now.
Leah, don’t close your eyes!
But my eyelids were already too heavy.
The world tilted.
Voices drifted farther and farther away.
Cold darkness rushed toward me like a wave.
And then… everything went black.