Whispers of the Past

Kayden - POV

I noticed Stella glancing at her phone repeatedly, her expression subdued as she typed a message.

“Missing Olivia?” I asked. She nodded. “I’m texting Julie. Olivia is under her care, and she’s close to her due date.”

As she typed, she suddenly turned the conversation to me. “What’s going on with you, Kayden?”

“Nothing,” I replied flatly.

“Come on, don’t give me that.” Stella’s tone was sharp, her eyes probing.

“What do you want me to say?” I muttered. I could tell she was trying to get me to open up about my feelings for Heather, but I wasn’t sure what those feelings even were. Part of me didn’t want to trust her, yet another part of me couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

“Really, Kayden?” Stella’s voice carried a mix of annoyance and determination. She gave me a mock pout, attempting to coax a response.

I sighed. “I’m not sure what I feel for Heather,” I admitted quietly.

“Why not? I mean, you practically give her bedroom eyes all the time. You sulk when she’s not around,” Stella pointed out with a teasing grin.

“I don’t do that,” I said defensively.

Stella sighed dramatically. “Stubborn,” she muttered under her breath. “What’s stopping you from accepting your feelings?”

I hesitated, torn between speaking up and keeping it to myself. But Stella wasn’t the type to snitch, and I knew she wouldn’t let it go.

“Fine,” I relented. “I think my omega, Merina, might be right about her.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Stella asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

I exhaled deeply, steeling myself. “I saw the raven bird with red markings speaking to Heather just after I left her room to inform her we’d be heading to Paris. I didn’t confront her about it. I wanted to, but I couldn’t bring myself to.”

Stella’s eyes widened. “No way,” she whispered. “Heather can’t be evil—I would’ve sensed it. Then again… maybe she’s good at masking it?”

“It’s possible,” I admitted. I went on to explain how the pack elder, who had visited my pack in disguise, hadn’t harmed her. Stella listened intently to every detail.

“This feels off,” she said, frowning. “Damon always hated Heather. He’s convinced she’s shady because of her ties to Rosaline—the woman who gave birth to Altair’s child. He believes Heather might be a spy for Raven.”

“What?” I stopped the car abruptly as we arrived at the cemetery. “Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?”

Stella and I got out of the car. “Damon had no proof,” she explained. “Honestly, I blame myself. I stopped him from bringing it up because I thought he was just overthinking. You seemed happy with Heather, and I didn’t want to interfere. Maybe Heather’s connection to Rosaline—or the fact they grew up in the same orphanage—is just a coincidence. But… I’m not so sure anymore.”

I stayed silent, my thoughts churning. My doubts about Heather only deepened. She was my mate, and that alone made everything more complicated.

As we approached the cemetery of Xael, I felt a sudden surge of energy ripple through my body. Power flared in my veins, forcing an unwanted transformation. My fur and claws emerged involuntarily.

“What’s happening to you?” Stella asked, stepping back as I let out a pained scream.

“It’s magic… dark magic,” I gritted out as my wolf, Odin, struggled to take control. Stella’s magic enveloped me, pulling me back into my human form. It took time, but her presence calmed the chaos inside me.

“What was that?” she asked, breathless from the effort.

“The first trial,” I whispered, still trembling. “Before we dig up the grave to find the key.” The dark magic pulsing through the area was unbearable, leaving my body wracked with pain.

“No wonder they wanted Light Selene. This place reeks of dark magic,” Stella said, her nose wrinkling as she scanned the area, her guard raised.

“I know.” My voice was hoarse. “The pain is like being torn apart from the inside.”

Stella created a protective dome of magic around us as I retrieved a shovel from the car. My wolf, Odin, was restless, barely responding to my commands.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked Odin silently, but there was no reply. The oppressive darkness seemed to disorient him.

“Work faster,” Stella urged. She was tiring, her energy draining as she maintained the defensive barrier.

I dug quickly, my hands trembling as I uncovered a wooden box buried above the coffin. When I touched the treasure box inside, my fingers burned painfully. Gritting my teeth, I opened it to reveal the key. As soon as it came into contact with my skin, the key dissolved into particles, which absorbed into my body. The agony was indescribable, as if hundreds of knives pierced me at once.

“Ahh…” I groaned, biting my lip to suppress my screams. My vision blurred, and Stella rushed to heal me, blood trickling from her nose due to the strain of her magic.

“Stop, Stella,” I whispered.

“No, you’re hurt! Let me help,” she insisted.

“Don’t waste your power. It’s not working,” I said through gritted teeth. “I have to endure this.”

Reluctantly, Stella ceased her magic. I collapsed to the ground, dizzy and disoriented.

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed in panic. “What should I do?”

As I lay there, vivid images flooded my mind.

I saw Heather, tears streaming down her face, as I approached her in the memory. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Did your parents say something?”

“I don’t like you, Alpha Kayden,” she said, her voice trembling. “I reject you as my mate.”

Her words hit me like a blow. “Why? You’re my mate!” I demanded. “I don’t believe this. You hate me?”

“I, Heather Sutton, reject you as the future Luna of the Moonlight Pack,” she declared, her voice breaking. “Accept it.”

The younger version of Heather in the memory had bruises on her face. Before I could question her further, her parents appeared, their expressions wicked. Heather looked terrified.

“I did what you asked,” she whispered to them.

Before I could react, something struck the back of my head. Kate was there, and I heard a chant—a mind block spell, familiar from years ago. Heather begged and cried in the background as Kate hit me again and injected the wolfsbane. Darkness consumed me.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Stella, her frantic voice breaking through the haze.

“Thank god you’re awake,” she said. “Kayden, something’s wrong. Damon and Heather aren’t answering their phones… I have a bad feeling about this.”