Moonlit Bonds

chapter five : secrets in the dark

The Lupine Highlands were shrouded in darkness, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. The once lively clearing was now deserted, with only the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl breaking the silence. The pack members had retired to their lodges, and the night seemed to stretch endlessly, wrapping everything in its cold embrace.

Kai's lodge was on the outskirts of the pack's territory, nestled against the dense woods. It was a modest structure, much like the others, but to Kai, it felt more like a prison than a home. Inside, the dim light of a single lantern flickered, casting long shadows on the walls. Kai sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the wooden floor, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

The evening's events replayed in his head—the conversation with Luca, Lily's concern, the unspoken tension that had lingered between him and Luca throughout the night. But now, as the weight of the night settled in, Kai's thoughts turned to his family.

The door to his lodge creaked open, and Kai's father, a stern-looking man with graying hair and a perpetual scowl, stepped inside. His presence was imposing, a stark contrast to Kai's leaner, more agile frame. Behind him, Kai's mother and older brother followed, their expressions equally hard and unyielding.

"Kai," his father's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a knife. "We need to talk."

Kai didn't look up. "What is it?"

His father's gaze was cold as he crossed the room, towering over his son. "I hear you've been spending time with that Alpha, Luca. Is that true?"

Kai's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression neutral. "What does it matter?"

"It matters because it's a distraction," his father snapped. "You should be focusing on your duties to the pack, not fraternizing with Alphas who think they can control you."

Kai's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice calm. "I'm not fraternizing with anyone. We're just talking."

"Talking?" his mother interjected, her tone dripping with disdain. "Is that what you call it? He's trying to manipulate you, Kai. Just like all the others."

Kai finally looked up, his eyes cold and distant. "He's not like the others."

His father's hand slammed down on the table beside Kai, causing the lantern to wobble. "You're a fool if you think that. You've always been too soft, too trusting. That's why you're nothing but a burden to this family."

Kai's face remained impassive, but inside, a familiar pain twisted his gut. He had heard these words a thousand times before, and each time they cut just as deep. But he had learned long ago not to show it.

His older brother, a broad-shouldered man with a permanent scowl, leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Father's right, Kai. You're too weak to handle someone like Luca. You should stick to what you know."

"And what is that?" Kai asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

His brother's smirk was cruel. "Staying out of the way."

Kai clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain calm. He had perfected this façade over the years, a mask of indifference that hid the turmoil inside. He knew better than to argue, knew that nothing he said would ever change their minds. So, he did what he always did—he shut down.

"Is that all?" Kai asked, his tone flat and emotionless.

His father studied him for a moment, searching for any sign of defiance, but Kai's expression was a perfect mask. Finally, his father shook his head in disgust. "You're hopeless."