Rise of the Warrior Queen (Kaia and Silver) novel Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

KAIA’S POV

I sighed as I walked toward the pack house, holding the folded papers in my hand. It was barely afternoon, but I already felt drained. Between the rescue mission last night and barely sleeping, I could hardly keep my thoughts straight. And now I was stuck with the task of facing Gareth this morning to get these stupid papers signed. The world does not love me.

I was so deep in my head that I didn’t notice someone coming down the stairs until I walked straight into a solid chest.

Strong hands caught me before I could fall back. “Whoa,” the familiar voice laughed. “Hello, Kaia? You’re always in a rush, aren’t you?”

I looked up to see Everett smiling at me. The kind–hearted soul that Gareth stupidly stripped of the Beta position just because he was desperate to please Laura and her family. The things he’s done for that throne of his, I tell you. I’ll never be able to fully wrap my head around it.

I let out a tired chuckle and brushed some hair behind my ear. “Sorry. I wasn’t looking.”

He let go of me, taking a step back. His head tilted slightly, and I saw concern in his eyes. “You okay? You look more stressed than usual.”

I gave a tired shrug. “Just tired. Didn’t sleep much last night.”

He nodded slowly. “Oh, yeah. I heard about the guy your team rescued. That must’ve been rough. Especially for the female squad.”

I nodded, not saying much. It had been rough–more than he knew. “Yeah.”

His eyes drifted down to the papers I was holding. “What’s that?”

“His discharge forms,” I answered. “I need Alpha, Gareth to sign them so the hospital can officially release

him.”

“Ah,” Everett said, nodding again. Then his face lit up like he remembered something. “Oh! That reminds me–l

packed some clothes for him. Figured he’d need something clean to change into, so I took a few of mine. Hope they fit.”

Traised an eyebrow. “Oh. That was thoughtful of

you.

He turned and waved for me to follow him. “Come on, they’re in my room.”

I followed him down the hall and into his room. He went straight to the side of the bed, grabbed a duffel bag. and handed it to me. There you go, I already have them packed. There’s a pair of sneakers in there too. Again, I hope they fit.”

“You’ve got a good heart,” I said with a small, genuine smile.

Everett rolled his eyes but smiled too. “It’s not a big deal. If I were in his position, I’d hope someone would do

the same for me.”

I nodded and slung the bag over my shoulder. “Thanks, Everett, Really. I’m sure he’ll make good use of them. He’s actually doing better than expected. Even Dr. Grayson seemed surprised.”

CHAPTER NINE

That’s good to hear.” He nodded.

For someone who just lost his Beta position to someone else not even two months ago, he was doing quite well.

We stood there in a short silence. Then Everett spoke again, his voice softer this time. “And… how are you doing?”

My smile faded just a bit. I already knew what he meant. I looked away for a moment.

Why is everyone asking me the same question all over the world, for goodness‘ sake?

“Not this again,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

He didn’t say anything right away. Just waited, watching me with that same look of concern I’ve been getting from everyone for weeks whenever they brought this up.

“I’m fine,” I added quickly–probably a little too quickly. “It’s in the past, Everett.”

“Doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt,” Everett said gently. “It’s okay to feel things, Kala. You don’t always have to

be strong.”

I looked down at the floor, then back up into his eyes. “I just want to move forward from all of this, Everett. I don’t need people feeling sorry for me.”

“I’m not pitying you, Kaia,” he replied. “I just… happen to relate.”

I didn’t respond, but he could probably tell I heard him.

I didn’t want to give him the chance to say anything else about the matter, so I quickly turned towards the

door.

I heard him sigh heavily behind me before he followed.

We stepped out of the room together, only to bump into Donovan–Laura’s older brother and Gareth’s new

Beta

He was standing a few feet away in the hallway

His arms were crossed, and his eyes locked onto us like a hawk. He glanced at me, then at Everett, and then at the door behind us.

I stopped in my tracks, and so did Everett.

There was a long pause, and then his eyes narrowed.

“What were you two doing in there?” Donovan asked. His voice was low and full of suspicion as he gestured with his head toward the door of Everett’s room.

Everett frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Donovan’s jaw clenched. “I asked what the two of you were doing together in your room. Why was Kala alone in the room with you, Everett? What are you two up to?”

I blinked, trying to get my head to catch up with what was happening. The way he said it–it wasn’t a question. It was an accusation.

“Excuse me?” I said, my brows furrowed. “That’s out of line, Donovan,”

He didn’t back down. His eyes were still locked on me as he asked, “Does Alpha Giareth know you’re messing

around with his former Beta?”

The words hit me like a slap.

Oh no, he didn’t. There’s no way he just said that to me.

Heat rose to my face, not from quilt or embarrassment, but from anger

“I’m not “messing around with anyone,” I snapped. “And just so you know what I do or don’t do with my life is none of your damn business.”

Donovan’s glare darkened. He looked like he had more to say, but I didn’t wait to hear it. I stepped forward, brushing past him on purpose as I walked away. My shoulder hit his arm, but I didn’t stop

He seemed to have misplaced his manners this morning. Too bad I had no idea where I dropped mine either.

Asshole.

Behind me, I heard Everett’s low and angry growl. “You better watch your mouth, Donovan. Just because I’ve

limits.” kept quiet for this long doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you. Stay within your

I kept walking, deciding I didn’t hear whatever was going on behind me. I didn’t need this, Not from anyone.

I had more important stuff to do with my time. My emotions? I’d deal with those later.

But even as I walked away, I could still feel the anger pumping in my veins. Not just because of what Donovan said, but because I knew exactly what it meant.

Gareth. He still had eyes on me.

He still watched me. Still judged me. Still doubted me for a bunch of stupid reasons I didn’t even know.

And part of me hated that it still hurt.

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