KAIA'S POV
"Kaia!" My father's voice booms across the room as he rushes in, his face glowing with excitement. "Is it true? Did the Alpha really mark you?"
My stomach drops. Of course someone told him. In a pack house, news travels faster than wildfire.
"Papa," I say carefully, not taking my eyes off Ronan. "What are you doing here?"
"Answer me," Papa says, practically bouncing on his toes. "Is it true? Are you marked?"
I touch the tender spot on my neck, feeling the raised skin where Ronan's teeth broke through. There's no point in lying now.
"Yes," I say simply. "It's true."
"OH MY GOD!" Papa shouts, throwing his hands in the air like he's celebrating a victory. "My daughter! Marked by an Alpha! I can't believe it!"
"Papa, calm down," I say, but he's not listening.
"This is incredible!" he continues, pacing around the room. "This is the best thing that's ever happened to our family! We'll be connected to the most powerful pack in the region!"
I look at Ronan, who's watching this scene with obvious discomfort. Good. He should be uncomfortable.
"Papa, it's not what you think," I try to explain.
"Not what I think?" Papa laughs. "Kaia, you've been marked by an Alpha! Do you know what this means?"
"It means I didn't have a choice in the matter," I say quietly.
But Papa either doesn't hear me or doesn't care. He's too caught up in his excitement.
"The marking hurt, didn't it?" he asks suddenly, turning to look at me with concern. "I heard it can be painful the first time, especially if you're not prepared."
"Yes," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "It hurt."
Papa waves his hand dismissively. "That's normal! It always hurts at first. But the pain will fade, and then you'll feel the connection. The bond between mates is supposed to be the most beautiful thing in the world!"
I want to scream at him. Want to tell him that there's nothing beautiful about being marked against your will. But I can see the joy on his face, and I don't have the heart to crush it. Not yet.
"Has he asked you to be his mate yet?" Papa asks eagerly.
I look up at him sharply. "How did you know that?"
"It's normal for the Alpha to do that since he's already marked you," Papa explains. "The marking is usually followed by a formal mating proposal. It's tradition."
So this is all just tradition to him. Just another step in some predetermined dance.
"Well?" Papa prompts. "Has he asked?"
I glance at Ronan, who's standing perfectly still, waiting for my answer.
"Yes," I say finally. "He asked me to be his Luna."
"HIS LUNA!" Papa shrieks, and I swear his voice goes up three octaves. "Kaia, you're going to be a Luna! My little girl is going to rule a pack!"
"Papa, please—"
"When's the ceremony?" he interrupts. "We need to start planning immediately! There's so much to do! We need to get you proper dresses, and flowers, and—"
"There's not going to be a ceremony," I say firmly.
Papa stops mid-sentence, staring at me like I've grown a second head. "What?"
"I said there's not going to be a ceremony," I repeat. "I'm not going to be his Luna."
"What do you mean you're not going to be his Luna?" Papa asks, his excitement fading into confusion. "Kaia, he marked you. He asked you. Of course you're going to be his Luna."
"No," I say simply. "I'm not."
"But... but why?" Papa stammers. "This is everything we could have hoped for! This is our chance to rebuild our family's status! Our chance to have power and influence again!"
"Is that what this is about?" I ask. "Power and influence?"
"It's about survival!" Papa says desperately. "It's about making sure we never have to live in poverty and exile again! It's about honor and respect and—"
"It's about revenge," I interrupt.
Papa falls silent, staring at me with wide eyes.
"What did you say?" he whispers.
I take a deep breath, knowing that once I say this, there's no taking it back.
"The mark was a mistake," I say clearly. "And I'm not going to be his Luna."
"Kaia, you're not making sense," Papa says, his voice pleading. "Why would you refuse such an incredible opportunity?"
I look back at my father, the man who raised me, who protected me, who loved me even when we lost everything.
The man who doesn't know the real reason I hate the Duskmore name.
"Because the Duskmores killed mother and Kelly," I say quietly.
The words hang in the air like a death sentence.
Papa's face goes completely white. He stumbles backward, reaching out to steady himself against the wall.
"What?" he breathes.
"You heard me," I say, my voice stronger now. "The Duskmores killed our family."
Papa's knees give out, and he slides down the wall to sit on the floor. His face is ashen, his eyes wide with shock.
"That's impossible," he whispers.
Papa stares at me in horror, finally understanding why I've been so resistant to this whole situation.
"My God," he whispers. "If what you're saying is true..."
"It is true," I say firmly.
Papa stumbles backward against the wall, his world crashing down around him just like mine did five years ago.