The enlightening evening had turned into a dark night.

The werewolves of this pack demanded justice for Keira while she herself only wanted peace.

I could see it in her eyes. The storm. Her mind was a mess and heart was full of chaos. 

Beta Iago looked pleadingly at Keira with tears in his eyes. "You are our future, Keira. Forgive our son and let him grow with you. Everyone does mistakes. But only some of them hold the courage to improve. My pup will improve for you."

Taria came closer and bent her knees to meet Keira's eyes. "Give him a chance, dear. Forgive him. Forgive my son," she sobbed.

I looked around in shock as everyone had silenced.

Eva wiped her eyes, readied herself for worse was coming.

"Loyalty is a choice. Confusion is not an excuse," sniffled Keira while looking at an injured Ivan. "My heart aches whenever I remember him going away with you in his arms, Eva. My skin churns at imagining him in your arms. It hurts me to realize that I will never be the first she-wolf in his life."

We all heard her sobs echoing everywhere.

Pete flared his nostrils as he looked around and closed his eyes.

"You don't want to go with your mate to his pack. You broke your mate's heart and you broke mine too," sobbed Keira while looking up at her. "I hate the very existence of you, Eva. I had always pitied the she-wolf whoever would turn out to be his mate. I never knew, it would be myself."

My eyes filled up at listening to her cries.

"You have snatched my happiness of seeing my mate for the first time. You have snatched me the moment where I could look at him with admiration. I don't have to punish you, Eva." Keira said while wiping her cheeks. "Moon Goddess will punish you at the right time and I won't even be happy about it because I am not like you. I won't forget that after everything, you are my sister."

Natalie let out a shaky gasp while Mom blinked through tears.

Aunt Kate hugged a sobbing Taria while Beta Iago lowered his eyes.

"I don't want him punished, Alpha. I don't want him to shed anymore blood in my name, Luna." Keira sniffled through tears. "I just want him to live without me. He can't be a part of my life. He will be nothing but a stranger to me just like Eva will be," she whispered shakily. "That's all I want for both of them. Out of my life."

Nirvan flared his nostrils while Thomas looked at the ground.

Keira let out a sob while Aunt Kate nodded at Pete hurriedly.

Gilbert wiped his face in helplessness and looked over at Uncle Robert's chest. "Go to brother Stephen. Get mended," he ordered his little brother. "Ivan, you too."

Pete walked towards Ivan, grabbing his arm and putting it around his shoulder. Ivan didn't look away from Keira until Pete turned themselves around forcefully.

Mom walked towards Keira and hugged her. She whispered something in her ear that I couldn't hear and made her try to stand up.

Thomas looked at Eva in disappointment while Natalie too gave her a blank look before leaving with the she-wolves into the house.

Nirvan ran towards Stephen's house while I looked at Eva nervously.

Everyone was gone but she was standing there stunned with tear-stained cheeks.

I kept looking at her, thinking if I should go to give her an empathetic squeeze on shoulder or just go inside. Both would take the guts out of me so I just stayed.

Eva closed her eyes, letting the last tears slide.

I winced at the mere sight. Imagine those salty tears burning her clawed cheek.

She sniffled slowly, lowering her eyes to the ground just where my shadow from the street light was falling. She followed the dark form on the ground to its foot and looked up at me.

My heart twisted at the sight of blood leaking out of those scratches. They seemed deep. My lips parted in nausea while my eyes read hers.

And I could see nothing but hidden  determination.

* * * *

Each day was unforgettable here. While each night, unpredictable.

Last night, like an angel, Taria managed to cook fried rice for dinner anyway. I respected people who even in sorrow, wouldn't break their routine and would find a way to distract themselves. They'd try to make themselves feel lighter.

I was alone at the table last night eating food in hope of hearing any voice coming out from Gilbert's office. Because a long meeting went down last night. Pete had returned with Uncle Robert after getting treated from Stephen. Beta Iago was there. Mom was inside the office too with Thomas and Ivan.

But not wasting my sleep time, I anyhow returned to my room and tried to lay down despite the discomfort of digesting so much drama.

Early morning, the first thing I did was readied myself for the day. Because I had planned to go to Stephen to discuss what had happened last night. But then I realized, I needed to see Keira.

After whatever happened, whoever fault it was, one thing was sure.

Keira was the victim here.

So, I went to her room with her and mine breakfast plates. I couldn't describe with words how much delighted Aunt Kate looked when I asked her if I could meet Keira. I didn't have the heart to go inside her room, not knowing if she was ready for some company or still needed solitude.

Natalie and Mom had gone for the mythology lecture. Keira didn't need to since there was no point of even volunteering for the day when she was hell upset with the fate. Plus, I was personally aware of the fact that she didn't have to worry about getting mated to Lycan too and prepare for the spy thing.

"You are too good for me, Misty. Thank you." Keira tried to smile through those beautiful blue eyes. Being newly shifted, her skin had been glowing and she looked prettier than before. Plus, the glow that comes after crying is always unbeatable. Though, no one could tell that she had been sobbing all night unless you look into her sorrowful eyes.

"Pete had told me that whoever is newly shifted, needs to be pampered by the pack. I thought I could contribute by bringing your food," I said while taking a bite of my bread. "Plus I can't eat food alone. Everyone is off to the work."

She smiled in that cozy skyblue velvet night suit. "I wish I had been too, but I don't need to go for any preparation now. My Ceremony is already done," she said shakily, passing me a smile when I stopped chewing to look at her.

"Don't say that," I complained while gulping my morsel. "There are going to be guests here. You would want to welcome them at your home. Right? After all, this chance would come back again only after six years."

She nodded slowly, giving me a tight smile. She wasn't eating her food. The plate stayed untouched. Just like I said, I couldn't eat alone, I put my plate on the side drawer of her bed and sighed.

"You don't have to smile for me if you don't want to," I said, looking in her glossy eyes. "The sooner you are done with all tears, the quicker you'll get over what happened last night."

Keira blinked rapidly to control her tears. She looked away when a tear slid down her cheek anyway. "Nothing happened last night, Misty. It all has been happening from last four years. Every fourth day, they were together. I can't get over-" she ended up sobbing hard.

My lips parted and I immediately put her plate on my chair on which I was sitting. I had got up to sit on the bed near her, to pull her in a hug.

She let out another heart wrenching sob while putting her chin on my right shoulder. "I have seen them kissing. I have seen them locking their doors. I have seen them exchanging looks of extreme content, Misty. It's just so hurtful. I can't breathe."

My heart curled up like a little mouse. I couldn't see someone crying. It was hard to listen to someone's sorrow without being weak yourself. It was difficult to gulp down the lump in my throat and be strong for her.

I rubbed her back slowly.

"It would have been better if I had a Lycan as a mate, Misty. It would have been better," she sobbed while pulling away. Her lips were curled and nose had turned red. "At least I was aware that the Lycan would be barbaric and won't love me. But here, I was taught that my mate would love me. Where is he, Misty? He is out there content with all those nights he had spent with Eva that he will remember all of his life."

I blinked in sympathy.

She sniffled hard and pointed at the window. "Just two days ago, she jumped out of her window and behind her, he followed. I was so close to him, Misty. Even if he had a doubt, he could have waited for it to clear down."

She wiped her eyes but the tears won't stop. "Misty, if I had confusion in my mind over him being my mate, I wouldn't have been ignorant. I wouldn't have taken the risk and instead, have waited for my special someone. My mate," she sobbed hard, making my throat tighten. "Is this how it feels? When someone cheats you like this?"

"Now I know how Gilbert uncle would have felt," she let it out absentmindedly. "This is the worst punishment. I don't understand how Leo can tolerate this. Because I can't. I am dying, Misty. My newly formed wolf is writhing inside me, each time I think of him. I can't get him out of my head."

"All I see is him but then, Eva appears too," she cried, her nose started leaking too.

I gulped hard, blinking my glossy eyes. I looked around and noticed the tissue box beside her bed only. Taking one, I gave it to her.

"For a moment, I feel that I could forgive him for not being a virgin. He is a male. They have needs. The males can be corrupt, it is our bloody culture." She sobbed, while looking at me. "For a moment, I feel that I can forgive him for being with Eva all those times."

"But I can't forgive him for doing it knowingly, Misty. He knew he was confused. Instead of talking to me or my parents, he agreed to Eva. He did it. Eva is not my criminal. He is," she choked out. "I am upset with her but my life won't stop without her."

"My life will stop without Ivan," she sobbed while covering her nose with tissue and sniffled hard.

"No," I whispered. "Why would you think that way? Life stops when your body stops. Life stops when your soul is gone. But look at you," I said slowly. "You are gorgeous even while crying."

She smiled through the sobs.

"You are yet to laugh wildly while running in your wolf form with your younger brothers. You are yet to see your third brother arrive in this world. You are yet to smile wickedly at Ivan during the Ceremony when you'd be been able to overcome your sadness and nothing will remain except for new positivity."

She blinked while looking at me. Her sobs stopped.

"You know what my best friend, Lexi did when her boyfriend cheated on her. She burnt their photographs of all the dates. She put that ash on his head in front of his friends. She blocked him off on all social media accounts, watched movie with me the next day. She enrolled into the French speaking course that she was avoiding because she used to use that time to meet him. And she also told her brother about it who becomes jock whenever some guy breaks his sister's heart."

Keira smiled while wiping her tears and breathing hard.

"You know, Gran always says that no guy can be hot enough to make me forget my career."

Keira chuckled the tiniest of bit.

I squeezed her hand and nodded at her. "No male wolf can make you forget your path to Moon, Keira. I'll be so happy if you just become a trained wolf and bite Ivan on his tail hard."

While smiling, she gulped slowly. "But he is always around. He will always be. How am I going to suffer it? I don't know, Misty."

"You have said it in front of all the members of this pack. You must have thought before saying this. You know you can do it. Bring him on his knees," I said, remembering how he had taken my first kiss too. "Being confused might be an excuse. But ignoring that little hint was a choice."

She stared at the bed blankly. "Last night, the meeting happened in the office. Alpha, Luna, Beta Iago, his mate and my parents. Thomas and Pete were there too. To discuss about this phenomenon. But nothing could be concluded."

My eyesbrows narrowed. "Wait. What? They think something is wrong with the male wolves?"

Keira nodded. "Because Thomas's friends, Miku and Clover have felt the same. Axel said the same thing about Natalie. Something is wrong. Someone doesn't want our pack to grow."

I gulped slowly. "What do you mean? Ivan was telling the truth? I mean, being confused is truly a phenomenon."

She nodded. "They reported about their soul being touched by their mates' scents. But at the same time, a stir in their mindfulness erupts. The emotions scatter away while the mate bond flickers like a light bulb going out of voltage."

I gasped. "It sounds like an effect of some dark magic," I tried to joke.

She shrugged her shoulders while looking at me seriously. "Maybe, but I don't think Mystic Warriors have any problem with us. They are glad that our pack is growing. We were happy too when two years ago, they hosted the Ceremony. Their new Alpha Andre found his mate Luna Abby from the Western Pack. It all went so smooth."

"Maybe, it's Lycans?" I asked, thinking that they were the only enemies.

Keira scoffed. "Maybe, their prayers are being answered."

"Why would Moon Goddess do that to your pack?" I whispered.

Keira shook her head and flared her nostrils, chuckling humorlessly.

"She is bored."

* * * *

"Where are you going?"

I closed my eyes, biting my lip. I had tip-toed my way on the stairs, through the dining room, drawing room. But she caught me.

I had promised myself last to last night, that I won't back down this time. I would take my stand.

"To Stephen's house."

"You are going there often?" Mom tried to sound sweeter but ended up sounding nervous. I knew why. Because I was speaking so coldly as if I was talking to a stranger. Hell, I wouldn't even talk to strangers that way.

"He is sweet. Quite funny. We share some hobbies. He is like a father figure to me," I said, turning my head to observe her face.

Boy, the crease on her forehead turned plane at my words. She looked hurt.

"I am planning to make some pastries. Come sooner, I will save some for you," she said, looking innocent as a flower.

Don't melt. Don't melt. 

"Give my share to your mate, Mother. He deserves it more. Well, because he is your mate." I taunted and flashed a humorless smile, showing her that I was pissed with her all time excuse now.

Her face fell at my words while I turned around before I could start feeling guilt.

Walking out of the house, Eva's jeans didn't fit me well because they were tight and longer. One of the items she had lended me from Eva's cupboard on my first day here. I had thick thighs while she had long legs. But the top was fine. It had full sleeves and was yellow in color.

Keeping myself distracted by the houses that were coming in the way, I avoided thinking about giving cold shoulder to Mom.

Reaching the white-colored house, I rang the bell. I could hear the sound of approaching footsteps. A goofy smile came on my face as I thought about discussing the last night's event with Stephen.

But just as the door opened, my smile faded.

"Misty?"

I stared at the red cheeks and nose of Ivan, observing him from head to toe. He had healed finely. His eyes, they looked dull but not as sorrowful as of Keira.

I pushed through the path and entered inside. He shut the door and muttered, "Uncle's taking a hot shower. Make yourself at home."

I clenched my jaws and looked at him. "What's wrong with you?" I shrieked. "You can't be this mean!"

Ivan's face changed from normal to a frustrated one. "How is she?" He asked quietly.

"Gotten over you!" I spat. "We just planned about leaving for the city very soon and I promised to introduce her to a handsome hunk friend of mine-"

Ivan's fist was thrown into the very door he had closed and a loud growl shook me to the core. I stepped back in horror.

His glare was dark as of a beast.

"Don't you dare put such thoughts to her mind, I am warning you." My eyes widened. His voice sounded deep and rough. His eyes were a golden hue and I gulped. Was it his beast? My back chilled in disbelief. "I will kill -"

My jaws clenched and the blood boiled.

"You will kill me? By ripping my throat or by luring me into your manipulation and ask me to go the grounds in the middle of the full moon night!" I yelled angrily.

Ivan stopped moving and gave me a look of disbelief. "It wasn't to kill you!" He growled.

"My life was in danger!" I glared at him.

He glared back at me. "I had merely smelled Natalie's fear two days ago before the full moon night. I knew something was off with her. She was behaving different even at the grounds during training. Then, I explained to you how Axel might cross the borders. That was a lie."

My eyes widened in horror. "You son of a-"

"Quiet!" He growled angrily and pointed his finger at me. "I did that so you could save Natalie. I saw her sprinkling Wolfsbane powder on the cookies she gave you guys that night. Nina was weakened by the effect. But you are immune to intoxicants of it. You are human. Natalie didn't realize that. But I did."

"I could smell her arousal when a naked Axel was hovering over her. But how is it possible when she hates Axel?" He asked giving me a humorless smile, flaring his nostrils.

I flared my nostrils, mocking him. "Why does she hate him?"

Ivan gritted his teeth. "Axel had bullied Thomas once in the childhood. Natalie hates him since then."

"But Thomas is older," I reasoned.

Ivan twitched his lips in annoyance. "Axel is elder than him. He just shifted late. Maybe, it is because Thomas is an Alpha's pup."

"Yeah!" I taunted. "Eva is also an Alpha's daughter. While Keira is not."

Ivan's eyes widened as his face fell at my words. "You think so low of me, Misty. I thought we were friends."

"But you turned out to be a shameless jerk," I said while looking away in anger.

"I. . ." He sighed heavily. "I have made mistakes and I am ashamed of it. But I have never discriminate anyone on the basis of their blood or any stupid thing."

I crossed my arms angrily while he further added, "It is suspicious that Natalie was aroused while being closer to Axel. She hates him. Earlier I felt that she was actually hypnotized. But now, I feel that she went to the grounds knowingly."

I lowered my eyes as chills ran down my spine.

"I didn't tell you all those things to put your life in danger. But for you to distract her from fulfilling the task that she was aiming to do. I was sure that at your one call, we all will be there before any mishap. We did. But you saved Natalie from doing something stupid," he said, stressing on each world.

"What stupid?" I was confused as hell.

He shook his head. "I am yet to know that. But all I could do for now is mourn over the mistakes I did in ignorance. Misty, I have spent days and nights thinking about Keira to be my mate. I couldn't believe what I was thinking and feeling for her. She is too good for me. Eva is stubborn while Natalie is clever. But Keira is not corrupt. She has been clean in my eyes."

"I