CHAPTER 9

KEVIN’S POV

I drew in a deep breath before knocking at the glass door of my father’s cabin. My heartbeat accelerated as time ticked by. When he didn’t reply for long, I knocked again; a bit louder. “Dad, did you call for me?”

“Hmm… come in…” He muttered. If it wasn’t for my extraordinary hearing, I wouldn’t have caught it.

I hesitated slightly before entering. Our relationship had become slightly strained after Kiara tipped our competitors.

The door swung open with a creak to reveal my father and Risha sitting opposite each other.

“When did you come, Rishu?” I asked, sitting on the chair beside her.

She crossed her arms and glared at me before turning to Dad. “Alpha, you have to decide right now! I can’t go to the same college as Kiara.”

I placed my hand on hers and asked, “Don’t overreact, Kiara. Tell me what the matter is… I will help you to sort it out…”

Squinting her eyes at me, she snorted, “I am overreacting… like seriously dad… he thinks I AM OVERREACTING… Kiara can go about the school sticking posters mocking me but she is innocent… I am the one who is always throwing tantrums!”

She jumped to her feet and pushed the chair away before storming out of the room before I could try to calm her down.

Massaging his head, dad said, “Your mate went too far this time. She got posters portraying Risha as a gluttonous eater and pasted it all over the school.

If it wasn’t for Cami, Risha would never have agreed to go back to college again.”

Lacing my hand in front of me I cleared my throat, “Maybe we can send Risha to Andrew’s College. It organizes swimming contests every month and you know how much Risha…”

“No…” My father’s cold voice interrupted. “I didn’t stop you when you transferred 50% of your shares in our company to Kiara rather than punishing her for betraying us…”

“Father! Betraying is a very strong word. Kiara was just trying to make some money probably because she didn’t feel like we would take care of her…” My words felt hollow even as I spoke them but I had to defend my mate.

Dad looked into my eyes and said decisively, “I know that you want to win your mate’s heart but I have to be just. It is Kiara’s fault. So, she will have to change her college…”

Exhaling deeply, I said in an exhausted voice, “I am not sure Kshe will agree to this…”

“Then take her to the packhouse… The full moon is nearing and you should get to know your mate’s wolf form… We will think about this matter after you return…”

Dad was right. Maybe if I managed to bond well with her wolf, our relationship would improve too…

My wolf swooned at this thought. I was having a hard time controlling my wolf even after years of training. To blend in with human beings, we avoided shifting while living in the city.

Every full moon, we would return to the packhouse in the forest to let out our wolves. My lips stretched into a wide smile as I tried to imagine how Kiara’s wolf would look like.

I would take her to the lake in the woods and then we could lay in each other’s arms watching the soft moonlight sparking.

I really wished that this trip to the packhouse would strengthen our bond.

KIARA’S POV

I had finished searching every nook and corner of the Gilkin’s mansion but there was nothing that would lead me to the secret.

On top of that, I was running out of ideas to keep Kevin away from me. Maybe, he was just becoming more thick-skinned in my company.

Letting out a long sigh, I typed out the daily report and attached the images I had taken; the dark underground chamber covered with cobwebs, the sparking locker with glittering gold, and the images of the shelves in the kitchen.

I added the shelves full of groceries just to add bulk. Ariana would probably just swipe the images and chastise me for not doing my job well.

After a few moments, my phone beeped with her reply. I prepared myself mentally to read the long string of threats. I just hoped that she wouldn’t get too mad and carry them out in a fit of rage someday.

( Maybe the clues to the secret are not in the mansion after all.)

I let out a sigh of relief. She finally accepted that there was nothing here.

(Find a way to go to the ‘Pack House.’ I am sure that is the place where you will find the secret.)

Bloody hell! How was I supposed to go to the packhouse now! I didn’t even know its location.

I was racking my brains to come up with a plan when Kevin walked in. His face lit up with a bright smile and he sat beside me.

He clasped my hands gently and said, “I want to take you to see the packhouse.”

“I am not…” I started refusing out of habit but halted when I heard the term ‘Packhouse’”

Taking advantage of my reluctance, he started explaining, “We have a huge mansion in the midst of lush, green forests. It is so dense that human beings rarely venture into the woods.

We can run along in our wolf forms unhindered, feeling the cool breeze. There is a huge lake next to the mansion. The reflection of the moon looks so mesmerizing on star-studded nights. You will love it…”

His eyes twinkled with joy as he described the landscape in detail. The happiness that radiated from him started engulfing me in its warmth.

I couldn’t allow myself to feel any joy. It would only magnify my grief later.

Withdrawing my hand, I muttered, “Fine… let us go wherever you want..”

He sat there stunned for a few moments before saying in a cheerful voice, “That is amazing. I will go and prepare to leave…”

“There is no need to be so happy. I agreed because I wouldn’t have to put up with your crappy sister and overbearing mom…”

I called out from behind as he trotted out of the room. He didn’t seem put out by my remark. I could still hear him singing a tune as he bustled about.

I wondered if I should be happy or sad about his indifference to my hurtful remarks.