Rise of the Warrior Queen (Kaia and Silver) novel Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

SILVER’S POV.

I walked alone on the narrow forest path, now on my way back after Kaia and I finally parted. She went back

I

home while I headed for Dr. Grayson’s. The moon was already out, but the moonlight barely came through the thick tree branches above, which meant most parts of the forest were still covered in shadows. It was quiet- too quiet–but my thoughts were loud.

I kept thinking about what the female elder said. Her words replayed over and over in my head as I walked.

“You think you’re here just by chance? You’re not.”

What did that even mean?

Was she saying I was part of this twisted story from the start? That something had called me here? I didn’t even know who I used to be. How could I be important to anything–let alone some creepy tale about a forgotten king hiding in shadows and soul–binding blood oaths?

It just didn’t make any sense.

I played with the idea of going back there to pay her a visit tomorrow. I mean, I probably should.

From what I noticed in the little time I spent in her presence, she seemed like quite a wise and powerful person to me. Not to mention, she came across as someone who knew more than she was letting on. So if I could tell her about my situation, then perhaps she could help. Perhaps she could help me remember something.

I kicked a stone out of the way and muttered, “Does this even get any worse?”

A crunching sound caught my attention–like someone had stepped on dry leaves somewhere behind me.

After a second, I heard footsteps approaching from behind, and I smirked. “You miss me already, Princess? Couldn’t stay away for five minutes, huh?”

No answer.

I turned around, expecting to see her trying to sneak up on me with that same irritated look she always gave me when I teased her.

But no one was there.

The forest was quiet.

I frowned and looked around, scanning the trees. “Kaia?” No answer.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “It’s okay, princess! You can come out! No need to be embarrassed. We all have our weaknesses, right? I’m quite honored to be yours.”

At this point, I was pushing it. But I couldn’t help myself. I just wanted to see her reaction.

I expected her to come storming out, calling me out on my bullshit and putting me in my place like een her do to others, a few times since I got here.

But I waited a few seconds, and she was still nowhere to be found.

“Kaia!” I called again, but still, there was no answer.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

I frowned. Huh Could’ve sworn I heard something.”

After a moment, I turned around and kept walking, shaking my head. Must’ve been a rabbit or come in

But then the sound came again..

Crunch… crunch… crunch.

Footsteps again. And this time, they sounded even closer than the first time.

Okay, that was no rabbit.

I spun around fast.

Still nothing.

My jaw tightened, and I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation, letting out a slow breath.

Alright then, fine.

Someone was definitely trying to play

ames with me today. Too bad I don’t scare easy.

“Look,” I said, raising my voice as I stared into the shadows, “I may have lost my memory, but I didn’t lose my fists. Just because I don’t remember who I used to be doesn’t mean I forgot how to wipe the floor with cowardly bastards who lack manners and basic courtesy.”

The woods didn’t answer.

“Either come out and fight me like someone with a backbone,” I said, my voice growing harder, “or stay in the shadows and pray I never find you. Because if I do, you’ll wish you stayed hidden.”

Still no answer.

I stood still for a few more seconds, then turned and kept walking. But this time, I stayed ready.

Let them come.

Whoever–or whatever–was following me had better be ready to do more than just sneak around in the shadows. I know I am.

When I got to the house, I raised my hand to knock–but the door opened first.

Daphnie stood there.

Her long hair was down, and she wore another tight dress. My stomach turned uncomfortably as memories of last night flashed in my mind. Memories of her sneaking into my room, getting too close for comfort, and saying things I didn’t want to hear.

I gave her a small, forced smile, not wanting to be rude. “Hi.”

“Silver,” she said sweetly, her eyes slowly looking me up and down. “I was wondering when you’d be back. Where have you been all day? Missed me?” She leaned against the door like she was actually waiting for me to answer that.

No chance.

Just then, Dr. Grayson’s mate, Dawn, walked into the room behind her, drying her hands with a

en towel.

Her face lit up when she saw me. “Silver! Just got back?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly, stepping past Daphnie and whatever the hell she was up to. She moved out of the way

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

with an annoyed sigh, as if she actually believed Dawn had interrupted some nonexistent moment.

“Hey, Dawn. Doc back yet?” I asked as I walked toward her, figuring it might be wise to keep her talking and distracted so she didn’t pick up on the tense atmosphere..

“Oh, no,” Dawn said, shaking her head, “he’s not home yet, but I think he’ll be soon.”

Then she surprised me by reaching out and pulling me into a warm hug. The action caught me completely off guard. I stood still for a second, then slowly hugged her back.

“Why don’t you freshen up,” she said as she broke the hug. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

I nodded and went upstairs.

Once in the room, I locked the door. Twice. And if I had access to some padlocks, I would’ve used them too. Because there was something about that girl Daphnie that just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to take any chances of her sneaking back in here like she did last night. I already had enough going on as it was.

The last thing I needed was more.

I did a double–check to make sure the door was properly locked before I took off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water helped wash away the dirt–and the stress of the entire day.

When I was clean and dressed in a fresh pair of clothes, I was about to open the door and head back downstairs when something caught my eye through the window.

Lights.

There were lights flickering somewhere out in the woods–like someone was signaling.

I frowned and stepped closer to the window to get a better look. The lights blinked on and off again. It wasn’t fire or lightning, so I figured it might be torchlight.

“It’s probably border patrol,” I whispered to myself.

But even with that, something still felt off. I watched for a few more seconds, then finally turned away and

went downstairs.

I found Dawn in the kitchen, still cooking.

“Need help?” I asked as I approached her.

She looked up, surprised. Then her eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Oh! Sure. I mean, if you’re up for it.”

She handed me a spoon and pointed to a pot. “Stir this. Slowly. Clockwise.”

I nodded and started stirring, even though I had no idea what I was doing.

Daphnie was in the corner, cutting vegetables. She didn’t say a word, but I could feel her staring. I could feel

her eyes on me–and that was still not okay.

I pretended I didn’t notice and focused on the soup.

“So, Silver,” Dawn called with a smile. “How was your day, dear?”

“Busy,” I said. “Went to the training grounds.”

“Oh? That’s great. So how did it go?”

I chuckled, shaking my head as the memories came back. “Almost got hit. Apparently, I entered through the

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< CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

wrong way and ended up walking into flying daggers.”

She gasped. “You’re joking!”

“Nope,” I shook my head, letting out a chuckle. “One flew right past my ear and the other nearly took off my

nose.”

She looked shocked, then let out a small laugh. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “I’m fine, Dawn. Just a close call.”

I proceeded to tell her about the rest of my day–how I went into the woods with Kaia, how we found Mia, who had been missing, and the state she was in when she appeared. I left out the part about visiting the old library and the elder’s place for now.

“We carried her to the hospital,” I said. “Then the alpha stormed in all angry and breathing fire for reasons I’m still trying to understand.”

She leaned closer. “Alpha Gareth?”

I nodded. “Yeah. According to him, my presence in this pack is what’s attracting trouble, and that’s how the

girl mysteriously got hurt. He came storming in with so much anger, and the next thing I know, I’m catching a

punch in the face.”

From the corner, Daphnie snorted. “I knew it! That man is just bad news. Alpha Gareth’s a jerk. I keep saying

1. it. I’ve never liked him, not even a little.”

Dawn arched a brow at Daphnie. “You mean after you tried to seduce him and he turned you down?”

My movement faltered, and I almost dropped the spoon.

Daphnie’s mouth dropped open, her eyes darting between me and Dawn. Then she shook her head. “Aunt, it

wasn’t like that. I told you, that’s not what happened at all. That man twisted the whole story to make me

look cheap and desperate. He was the one who kept following me around and trying to get me into his bed.

He’s just bitter because I refused him. I know the kind of man I want, and he is so not it!”

Dawn shook her head in disappointment and sighed. “I tried having this talk with your mother so many times

before it turned into this. Goddess knows I tried.”

With that, she shook her head sadly and turned back to the stove.

At this point, I had already asked myself a thousand times how I ended up here.

Talk about an awkward moment.

Dawn turned to me and shook her head. “Do me a favor, Silver. Next time he lays a hand on you, hit him back. That man’s got issues, and he needs someone to sort him out.”

I let out a chuckle and nodded. “Noted.”

We kept talking while cooking. Dawn gave me instructions, and I followed them. It felt… nice. Like being part of a family. Even though I still didn’t know if I used to be part of one before whatever happened.

The whole time, I felt two kinds of stares.

Dawn’s were kind and curious, almost like a mom watching.

But Daphnie’s–that was the problem. Hers made me so uncomfortable I had to bite down on my tongue to

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

keep from asking what her problem was.

Just as we finished setting the table, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Daphnie said and rushed out.

I turned to look at Dawn.

“That’ll be him,” she said, smiling.

Daphnie came back with Dr. Grayson behind her. He looked tired and exhausted, but when he saw his mate, his whole face lit up. He walked over and pulled her into a hug, whispering about how much he missed her.

As I watched them, I felt this funny feeling in my chest. I thought I’d love to have that too one day. Someone to go home to–someone who could take the stress off with just one smile.

Unless I already do and I just don’t remember her.

I shook my head and sighed. This whole not–having–my–memory thing was starting to get really frustrating.

I could have people waiting for me somewhere–family, friends, maybe even a mate. And yet, I couldn’t even

remember them.

“Dinner’s ready,” Dawn said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

We all sat at the table. Daphnie sat across from me, still watching me too much for my comfort, and I did my

best to ignore her.

“Doc, how’s Mia?” I asked.

“She’s better,” he said. “She’s healing well too. She’ll recover soon.”

I nodded. “That’s good.”

We talked about light stuff–food, chores, funny stories. I laughed a bit, but my mind kept going back to those lights in the woods.

If I was being honest, they didn’t look like patrol signals. They looked… strange.

After dinner, I helped clean up. Daphnie disappeared–thank the moon for that.

“Thanks for helping, Silver,” Dawn said warmly.

“Anytime,” I replied.

Just as I turned to go upstairs, Dr. Grayson said, “Silver?”

“Yes, Doc?”

He hesitated for a moment before he spoke again. “Do you have a moment, son? There’s something I’d like to

discuss with you.”

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