Episode 9
Jaqin had been tricked, and the realization. left me shaking my head in disbelief. He had been too trusting of his cousin, which made the betrayal all the more frustrating. I couldn’t help but sigh. Families belonging to the higher echelon always seemed to thrive on endless drama. It was nothing like the peaceful, simple life I came from.
For nine generations, my family had been blessed with only a single child. Then camer me and my brother, breaking the streak. Ast the eldest, Kirst naturally inherited the role of family head. Not that I minded. I had. zero interest in shouldering those responsibilities. I was more than happy to take the backseat, spending money while Kirst dealt with the hard work.
That night, seeing I was worn out, Kirst told our father, the Alpha, that we’d head home early. Dad didn‘ t protest. He gave
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me one of his usual warm hugs, then firmly reminded Kirst to drive carefully before letting us go.
The drive back was quiet. I stared out the window, watching the glowing lights of shops and buildings blur past. The calm was interrupted by the sudden ring of Kirst‘ s phone. I glanced at the screen.
Damien‘ s name flashed on it.
Kirst, focused on navigating a turn, handed me the phone and asked me to answer it. I hesitated but eventually put it on the speaker.
Damien’s voice came through, urgent and strained. “Kirst, is Thalia back yet?”
Kirst‘ s brows lifted slightly in surprise. He gave me a quick sidelong glance before. replying. “Yeah, she’s back. How’d you know?”
There was a pause before Damien said, “Can I talk to her? Just for a moment.”
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Kirst looked puzzled, glancing at me again, his expression asking silent questions. I hadn’t told Kirst about my years with Damien or that he was the reason I’d come home. Kirst hadn’t pried so far, though I knew he suspected something.
“Why do you want to talk to her?” Kirst asked, his tone sharp now.
“Please, Kirst. Just let me speak to her,” Damien said, his voice unusually soft, almost pleading.
Kirst’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he mulled it over. “Fine. She‘ s here. Talk.”
“Thalia,” Damien said hesitantly, “could we speak alone?”
The intimacy in his voice made Kirst‘ s expression harden. His protective instincts. kicked in immediately.
“What’s so private that I can‘ thear?” Kirst‘ s voice was low and challenging. “Actually, I think we should talk about
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Episode 9
Kaia. Didn’t she just return to your pack?
Looks like you‘ re finally getting the chance to win her back.”
Damien sighed audibly. “Kaia’s in the past, Kirst. I’m not trying to win her back.
“Right,” Kirst said sarcastically. “Sure.”
There was silence for a moment before Damien’s voice returned, softer now.
“Thalia, please. Just a few minutes. I need to explain something to you.”
Kirst slammed on the brakes, pulling the car to a sharp stop on the side of the road.
“That’s enough,” he snapped. “Damien, I don‘ t know what’s going on, but you need to back off. I’ve treated you like a brother all these years. Don’t ruin it by dragging my sister into whatever mess you’re in.”
Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and tossed the phone into the console, ignoring the repeated calls that followed.
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Kirst turned to me, his frown deepening. “What’s going on between you two? I thought you barely knew him.”
I sighed, realizing there was no avoiding the truth anymore. Slowly, I explained everything–the years I’d spent with Damien, the secrets, and the heartbreak. that brought me back home.
When I finished, Kirst‘ s face was flushed. with anger, his hands clenched into fists. Then, after a moment, his expression softened, and he pulled me into a hug.
“It’s not your fault,” he murmured. “I just made a poor choice in friends. I
should‘ ve warned you about Kaia. You
wouldn’t have fallen so deep into this if I had.”
I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “No, I was the foolish one. After all those years of him hiding me from his world, I should‘ ve known better.”
Kirst ruffled my hair, a rare gesture of
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affection. “Don’t worry. Things will be better now. Jaqin’s a good guy–I’d trust him with my life.”
I thought that would be the end of it. Damien was proud, and after Kirst s outburst, I doubted he‘ d ever show his face again.
But the next morning, while we were gathered for breakfast, a servant announced someone was at the door asking for me by name.
When I stepped outside, there he was, Damien. He stood tall, dressed in the suit I once told him was my favorite. A bouquet of roses was clutched in his hands, and his smile was warm, almost apologetic.
“Thalia,” he began, his voice low, “I‘ ve thought about everything. I was wrong to hurt you and to act the way I did.”
I said nothing.
He stepped closer, his eyes pleading.
“Please go back with me, Thalia. I am
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