Mira woke to the muffled sound of voices. Her body felt heavy, her limbs weak as though they didn’t belong to her. The events of the previous moments came rushing back, and tears stung her eyes as she remembered the ex-Luna’s cruel words.
Kaelan sat at her bedside, his face lined with worry, his frustration tempered only by his concern for her well-being. “You’re awake,” he said softly. “Mira, please—tell me what’s wrong.”
She sat up slowly, her gaze unfocused. “It’s all true,” she murmured. “Everything she said. I’m a bastard. A witch’s daughter. That’s why my father hated me. That’s why everyone looked at me like I didn’t belong.”
Kaelan shook his head vehemently. “No, Mira. None of that matters. You’re my mate. You’re the strongest person I know.”
His words should have comforted her, but they didn’t. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. “You don’t understand,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’ve always wondered why I was treated like I was nothing. And now I know. It wasn’t because I was wolfless. It was because I was born wrong.”
Kaelan reached for her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. “Mira, look at me. You are not wrong. You are not weak. You’ve faced more than anyone else, and you’ve come out stronger every time.”
Before she could respond, the door burst open again, and the ex-Luna stormed in. “She’ll bring ruin to this Pack,” the woman spat, ignoring Kaelan’s glare. “Mark my words, Kaelan. The moon goddess will punish us for allowing her to stay.”
Mira couldn’t take it anymore. The walls felt like they were closing in, and her breath came in short, panicked gasps. She rose unsteadily to her feet, her vision swimming. “Enough,” she whispered, barely audible.
When neither of them responded, she raised her voice, trembling with suppressed emotion. “Enough!” She took a step toward the door, but her body betrayed her again. Dizziness overtook her, and the world tilted sideways as she collapsed once more.
Kaelan caught her just in time, holding her close as his mother looked on, her expression unreadable. “Leave,” he growled at the ex-Luna, his voice a dangerous rumble. “Now.”
The woman hesitated for a moment before turning and walking away, her presence leaving a bitter chill in the room. Kaelan cradled Mira tightly. No matter what anyone said, he would protect her.