Chapter 311

DANE

I stumbled into my quarters after the battle, my body aching, my mind reeling. The weight of the fight still weakened me; the poison coursed through my veins, and the knowledge of my actions churned in my chest. The creaking door behind me didn't require me to look; her presence was undeniable.

She was silent for a time, then pressed closer, quietly placing a cold compress against my forehead. Her touch was soothing, but her voice was not.

"How did you recover so fast?" she asked, her tone accusing, each word dripping with suspicion. I stared at the wall, unable to answer immediately. "I managed," I muttered.

"Managed?" she repeated, her voice rising. "You were near death, so weak, and now you're wrestling with us as if nothing happened. Stop playing games with me."

Her eyes locked with mine. I exhaled; evasion was no longer possible.

"There was someone," I began, the words bitter. "Kaida."

Her hands stilled, the cloth remaining pressed to my skin. "What about her?"

"I made a deal," I said, the burden almost unbearable. "She had the antidote. She offered to save me, but there was a price."

Her eyes narrowed, her voice low. "What price?" She looked at me as if to scream, "No, you didn't!"

"She wanted a child," I forced myself to say, "and a promise that she would one day become Luna." Her hand fell, the cloth dropping to the floor with a wet thud. "You agreed to that?" she hissed, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief.

"I didn't have a choice!" I snarled, pushing myself upright despite the pain. "I was dying, and the pack needed me. I did what I had to do."

"And did you?" she trailed off, her eyes scanning my body.

I gritted my teeth. "No. I lied to her. I got her to give me the antidote first, then bound her before she could make me uphold my end of the bargain. I, and a few warriors, took her to the cell… another reason we had the upper hand in battle."

The room fell silent, her breathing shallow.

"Did you lie to her, or did you truly do it? Tell me," she said finally, her tone unreadable.

"I did what was necessary," I replied. "For us. For the pack."

"For you," she spat, her eyes blazing. "This was about your pride, your refusal to listen to anyone but yourself!"

Words that cut deep. I refused to yield. "And if I hadn't? I'd be dead, and you'd be fighting alone!"

"We're a team!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "No more secrets, no more reckless decisions, no more placing yourself above everyone else!"

Her voice rang out, echoing the turmoil in my chest.

"And what of you? You make decisions concerning the pack all the time, without ever asking for my opinion. What's the difference?"

She looked up at me. For a moment, her anger faded, revealing something softer, a vulnerability breaking through.

"Because," she said quietly, "I did, until now, and I don't know if I can again."

Those words stung more than any battlefield wound. The silence was suffocating.

Finally, I broke it. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice low. "I'll do better. No more secrets."

She said nothing but turned toward the door, saying softly as she left, "You better mean that," leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The packhouse was silent; then Kaida's shrill scream tore through the air, a sound of fury and defiance.

I jumped up, wincing as my recovering body protested. Another scream followed, louder, laced with venom.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, swinging my legs over the bed.

Aurora burst into the room, her face contorted with anger and worry. "It's Kaida," she whispered. "She's being loud in her cell."

I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the pain in my chest. "I can handle this."

She crossed her arms. "You're in no condition to handle anything right now."

I met her glare. "This is my business. Let me take care of it."

A fight seemed imminent, another scream echoing through the packhouse, quickly followed by the sounds of furniture crashing against a wall.

"I promise you," I growled, pushing past her, "chain me to the bed now; later, you'll wish you'd let me go."

Chaos erupted in the hall as wolves gathered, growling restlessly. Warrick and Piper stood at the holding area entrance, their faces a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"Luna," Warrick said sharply, "she's threatening to bring the whole packhouse down." I nodded grimly and surged forward.

I reached the cell, and Kaida's voice cut through the air like venom, razor sharp, as if she'd heard me: "Do you think these walls can hold me? Do you think you've won?"

Aurora approached the cell door, leaning against the wall. "Kaida," I called, my voice even despite my inner turmoil. Her eyes flashed to mine; a flicker of surprise, then a sneer twisted her lips as she turned to Aurora. "Ah, the mighty Luna. Come to gloat, have you?"

"No," Aurora replied, moving closer. "I came to remind you that your games are over."

She laughed, a bitter, pained sound. "You think this is a game? You think I'll go quietly?"

Aurora leaned against the doorframe, meeting her glare. "I think you need to realize your time is over. If you have more to say, I'll listen."

Kaida smirked, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Oh, I have a lot to say. But by the end, you won't be able to ignore me anymore."