CHAPTER 53: AN URGENT CALL

Kaya

I peel my eyes open, but the pleasant weight of sleep still clings to my body, reluctant to let me go.

I try to shift slightly, just enough to get the blood flowing through my stiff limbs—but the moment I move, a sharp pain radiates through me, making me wince and nearly gasp aloud.I’m sore. Everywhere.So much so that it feels like I was beaten black and blue last night.

Then, despite the ache, my body jerks upright—my eyes flying open in sudden realization.I was beaten last night.I was in a training match. With Magnus.

The memories rush back in an overwhelming flood, but one detail rises above the rest and slams into me with full force—last night, I shifted again.

Magnus pushed me. Provoked me. And... it worked.

I shifted.

But then...

I flinch, my gaze darting down to my chest.Goddess—not again!I groan internally, cursing the stars and my damn fate.

He saw me naked. Again.

This is the second time. Sure, I’ve seen him naked too, but this—this feeling—it’s different. I don’t know why, but it matters that he is the one who sees me.

It never used to. My nakedness stopped being something intimate a long time ago. It became something survival-based. Detached.But with Magnus... it feels like I’m experiencing everything again, for the very first time.

And for once, I want to feel special.

Ha!I scoff bitterly at myself and shake the ridiculous thoughts from my head.

Special. As if someone like me could be special.

Damien used to call me that—special. But to everyone else... I was nothing more than a special cunt.

I sigh, catching myself in yet another round of self-pity.Stop moping, I grumble inwardly, forcing my sore body to shift under the covers as I glance toward the nightstand to check the time.

"Crap, I missed training!"

A jolt of urgency rushes through me—but it’s too late. The pack is probably already halfway through breakfast by now.

A wave of sadness and resignation crashes over me, leaving behind that all-too-familiar feeling of helplessness. I can’t seem to get anything right. And worse—I can’t help but feel weak. Over and over again.

I suppose it’s only natural. When you’re ripped out of the world you’ve grown used to and dropped into a place that feels like its opposite, of course you struggle to find your footing.

But still...

No one wanted me in Dark Wood. And no one wants me here either.

And damn it, I want to be wanted.

"There’s no helping it," I mutter with a sigh as I force myself out of bed, my sore body protesting with every little movement, the ache bittersweet and lingering. "I’ll keep trying. I’ll train on my own, then. I don’t need anyone to run laps around the training grounds."

With that flicker of determination sparking in my chest, I head to the bathroom and turn on the water.First things first—get clean. Then breakfast. Then... a new beginning. All over again.

Once my hygiene and my wild, disheveled hair are taken care of, I stand in front of the full-length mirror, assessing the results.

I look pale. Tired. Soft. Weak. I sigh, frowning at the dark circles beneath my eyes. But it’s fine. It’s not like I’m auditioning for a beauty pageant any time soon. Or ever.

I turn toward the door, ready to step out and face the day—but something makes me pause. My gaze flicks back to the mirror’s frame, and my brow furrows slightly.

Something’s... different.

A note?

I don’t like getting notes anymore. Not since that one—from Shelly.But still, my hand reaches for it almost instinctively, and the moment my eyes scan the words, they widen in disbelief.

"Meet me at the same spot tonight, at ten. Wear the training gear. Something very comfortable.

P.S. Your wolf is magnificent, Moonlight."

Heat floods my face, setting my skin on fire. My heart starts pounding so loudly it echoes in my ears, threatening to drown out every other thought.I can’t even tell what set me off more—the fact that Magnus called my wolf magnificent, or the surprisingly elegant cursive in which he wrote that new pet name.

Moonlight.

I’m completely, hopelessly flustered...And strangely?I don’t mind it.

Nice going, Kaya, I sigh to myself with a faint shake of my head. Falling for another man’s kindness all over again.

I press the note back against the mirror’s frame, where it sticks as if it belongs there, and without another second wasted, my legs are already carrying me down the stairs—straight toward the dining hall.

Given how late it is, I’m not expecting much to be left on the table. But honestly? With Ray’s unpredictable creativity in the kitchen, I’ll gladly take anything that gives me enough energy to get through training again.

But the moment I reach the first floor, I freeze.

The space is still surprisingly crowded.Not in the relaxed, lazy-morning way either.

There’s tension in the air—thick and simmering. The pack members are gathered with stiff postures, stern faces, and a silent urgency that prickles at my skin.

They’re not here for breakfast.

And then—I see him.

I can practically feel the air shift—still, heavy—as he strides through the hall. His chest is squared, movements purposeful, his jaw clenched tight with tension.Aksel marches beside him, issuing sharp gestures to a few others, signaling them to follow.

They’re leaving the pack house.And by the look on their faces, they’re not happy about it.

"Kaya! There you are!" Samantha’s voice jolts me out of my trance as she seemingly appears from nowhere. "I was just about to come fetch you myself."

"What’s going on?" I ask, my tone a little too clipped, skipping her friendly greeting. I regret it almost instantly—but she doesn’t seem to take it personally.

"Ugh," Samantha groans, running a hand through her hair, clearly just as displeased. "There’s been an urgent call for investigation. The Luna of Mistfall disappeared last night."