Rise of the Warrior Queen (Kaia and Silver) novel Chapter 16

< CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

KAIA’S POV

I stood in the middle of my room, staring down at the necklace in my hand. The same necklace Mia and the warriors had found deep in the woods. The same necklace I had brought home, even though I still had no idea who it really belonged to.

I hadn’t felt comfortable with this necklace since I brought it home yesterday.

Something about it just didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was the strange way my mother looked at it when she first saw it. Or maybe it was the way the necklace had been found in the first place–but something about it had me on edge.

At first, I thought maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe my brain was just tired or stressed out from everything that had happened over the past few days–especially the unpleasant parts. But no. I refused to keep believing that. I refused to keep letting that thought deceive me into thinking everything was okay when I could already feel deep down that it wasn’t.

I wasn’t imagining things. There was something different about this necklace. Something strange.

Last night, it kept glowing.

And I don’t mean just a little shimmer–this thing lit up like a firefly on steroids. Even though I kept it tucked away in my drawer, the light still poured out, spilling into my room like it was trying to wake me up on purpose. I must have opened that drawer at least three hundred times to check if it had stopped glowing, but each time, it was just as bright.

And then there was the presence.

I know how that sounds. Crazy. I know. Like something out of a ghost story or a scary movie. But I swear, someone or something–was in my room last night. I felt it. That prickling sensation along the back of your neck, like you’re being watched. It wasn’t just nerves. It wasn’t paranoia either. It was real. I know it was, no

matter how crazy it may sound.

I’d been asleep, deep in a dream I don’t even remember now, when I suddenly woke up. My eyes just snapped open, like something had pulled me out of the dream. My heart was racing, and I could feel someone standing right behind me, right over my bed. In that moment, all my years of training kicked in. The warrior in ΠΕ came alive and didn’t hesitate. My hand shot under my pillow, grabbed the dagger I always keep there, and I turned fast, ready to strike.

But… no one was there.

The room was completely empty. Everything was quiet and still. There was no one–just me. I sat up slowly. breathing hard, as I looked around. Maybe it had been a dream. But I wasn’t so sure. Just to be safe, I climbed out of bed and searched every inch of my room. Then the hall. Then downstairs. I even snuck in my parents‘ room to check.

But there was nothing. No sign of anyone. Nothing looked out of place.

And still that feeling stayed with me.

I didn’t sleep again after that. I just watched the glow of the necklace from where I sat on the edge of my bed.

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

It kept pulsing like it had a heartbeat of its own. Almost like it was alive.

And maybe it really was. Maybe I hadn’t brought home just a random necklace like I thought I had. Maybe what I brought into this house–and into my room–was something else entirely. Something that really was

alive.

But the strangest part of it all was that just as the first rays of sun crept into the sky, the light dimmed. It faded slowly until there was nothing left but a necklace. Like nothing had ever happened.

Now, in the morning light, I held it again, wondering if I was losing my mind. What had I brought home? Why

did it feel… off?

A knock on my door made me jump, and I spun around to face it.

“Kala?” It was my dad’s voice. “Come on downstairs, honey, Breakfast is ready”

“Coming.” I called out, quickly tucking the necklace away again and closing the drawer.

I took a deep breath to calm myself, grabbed my jacket, and left the room.

Downstairs, the smell of food greeted me–eggs, toast, and something sweet. Mother was already in the

kitchen, setting up the table. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.

“Morning, dear,” she greeted.

“Morning, Mom,” I replied as I walked over to help her, taking plates from the counter and placing them

around the table.

We worked in silence for a bit, until she spoke again.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, glancing at her. “Why do you ask?”

“You just seem off,” she said with furrowed brows.

I let out a groan. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”

She raised her eyebrows, not looking amused. “Because it’s true, baby. You’ve been overworking yourself lately. I think you should really consider taking some time off. You look stressed.”

Take some time off my duties and then do what instead? Wallow in my misery and the lack of something meaningful in my life? Yeah, why not.

“I’m fine,” I insisted, grabbing a fork. “You all worry too much.”

“It’s not about worry. It’s about paying attention.” She gave me that look–the one moms give when they know something’s going on, even if you’ve already decided not to say it. “You’ve been acting strange lately, Kala. Sleeping less. Zoning out. You didn’t even hear your phone ring last night.”

I blinked, “It rang?”

She nodded. “Mia called. Twice.”

Right. Mia.

“She also texted me,” I said quickly, remembering the text I got from her before I went to bed. “We’re meeting

after breakfast”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Did she say what it was about?” Mom asked.

I shook my head. “No. Just said it was important. Which I guess it must really be, since she wouldn’t talk

about it over the phone.”

Mom gave a small frown but said nothing else. We sat down at the fable, and my dad joined us with his usual mug of black coffee in hand. He nodded at me, and I nodded back.

As we ate, my mom spoke again.

“Are you free tomorrow night?”

I paused mid–bite. I don’t know. Why?”

“Elise’s mating ceremony,” she said casually, like I hadn’t completely forgotten about it. “Margaret’s daughter. Remember?”

My fork hovered halfway to my mouth. Oh, That.

Margaret–my mom’s childhood friend who might as well have been her sister. Elise was her daughter, sweet and bubbly, and very into everything traditional. She had sent out the invites weeks ago. And I had completely

forgotten.

I put my fork down. “Right. That’s tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Mom said, already reading my expression. “Please don’t tell me you forgot.”

“I didn’t forget,” I muttered. “I just didn’t remember.”

She rolled her eyes. “Same thing.”

I sighed. “I don’t really feel like going to stuff like that right now, Mom. I’m not really in the mood for huge gatherings.”

Her voice softened. “Kaia. It’s important to them. Margaret is counting on us to be there.”

“I know, I just-”

“Please.” She placed her hand gently over mine: “One evening. For them. For me.”

I opened my mouth to argue again, but her eyes were already giving me that look. The one I couldn’t say no

10. 10.

“Fine,” I said, giving in. “I’ll try to be there.”

“That’s good enough. Thank you,” she said, squeezing my hand.

I went back to eating, chewing slowly. I should’ve felt relieved to get it over with, but all I could think about was how out of place I’d feel at a happy mating ceremony when I couldn’t even sleep through one night without thinking about how messed up my life was.

It was just yesterday that I walked in on my ex–mate and his chosen mate, and I haven’t even bee the memory out of my head yet.

Tomorrow night is going to be so awkward. More than awkward, in fact

to get

The thought of yesterday brought my mind back to a question I’d been meaning to ask, and I turned to my father. “Um… Dad, what exactly was that meeting with Gareth about yesterday?”

Please tell me it wasn’t really about all the stupid threats Laura made.

I really hoped not

My dad looked up from his plate, pausing to sip his coffee. “I really don’t know how to explain it. Don’t get me wrong–I know I’m not exactly his biggest fan at the moment after the way he treated you, and how he’s still treating you. But trust me, what I’m about to say has nothing to do with my personal feelings toward him And I mean that. But I think that boy’s finally starting to lose his mind.”

My brow furrowed. “What? What do you mean, Dad? What exactly did he say?

He set the mug down. “Alpha Gareth summoned me to talk about some strange sightings near the border Said a few patrols noticed lights in the trees–flickering, strange patterns. Some said it felt like they were being watched. Well, according to him, anyway”

My frown deepened in confusion.

Being watched? What’s that even supposed to mean?

“Did they see anything else?” I asked.

Dad shook his head. “No tracks. No scent. No sign of who–or what–it might be. But Alpha Gareth thinks something’s stirring. He asked if we’ve noticed anything unusual. Ask me why he’d choose to discuss that with me instead of any other elder, and I’ll ask you the same. I’d expect him to go to his father–in–law for important matters like this, considering those two seem to be the only people in the whole pack who truly understand each other.”

I looked down at my plate, thinking about the presence from last night.

What if he wasn’t wrong? What if Gareth wasn’t losing his mind? What if the border patrol really did see something and reported it to him?

“What is the matter, Kaia? Did you see something?” Dad asked when I was probably quiet for too long.

“No.” I lied. “Not really. I was just wondering, is all.”

He studied me for a moment, then slowly nodded. “If you hear anything… or see anything strange, tell me

right away”

I nodded. “I will.”

Except I wasn’t sure I could. Not yet. Not until I knew what I was dealing with.

Breakfast continued quietly after that, with my parents making small talk about the garden and the weather. My mind, though, was far away. Focused on the necklace. On the strange presence in my room last night. On what my father just said.

it to tell

1. me.

And finally, on what Mia might be about to

Something was coming. I could feel it.

more than just one.

And from the look of things, there was more

I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief.

And to think that everyone finds it strange that I’m looking stressed.

C