Chapter 32: Here We Go Again

Chapter 32: Here We Go Again Kaya I watch Oliver carefully lay my clothes on the bed, his movements almost reverent, as if afraid he might damage them. It’s not much—just jeans, leggings, t-shirts, and hoodies—but I catch myself before scoffing at the simplicity. Saying that out loud would have made me sound spoiled. And maybe, in some ways, I am. Damien spoiled me. He knew about the hell I endured in my first pack, and when he took me in, he did everything he could to help me forget. Gifts, affection—he tried to mend what had been broken with tenderness. Even though I know it was fake. A loud sigh snaps me from my thoughts. Oliver is watching me, his gaze flicking between my face and the pile of clothes he just arranged. "How come Alpha Magnus decided to let you have your own room? Did something happen between you two last night?" His curiosity is blatant, but I don’t answer. Not because I’m embarrassed by what happened, but because I have no idea how to explain it. Magnus kissed me. It wasn’t a deep, claiming kiss—just a fleeting brush of his lips against mine. And yet, that single moment was enough to send both of us spiraling. Even now, I can still feel the ghost of his lips, still inhale the remnants of his scent lingering in the back of my mind. Every breath I take brings him closer, as if he’s standing right beside me. Even Damien, who has kissed me countless times before, never made me feel like this with just a simple touch. I shake off the haze clouding my thoughts, forcing myself to focus. Because I still don’t understand why he kissed me. And what he did next... shocked me even more. The moment our lips parted, he bolted from the room without a single word. He never came back. I waited. Hours passed. By the time the clock struck four in the morning, exhaustion finally won, pulling me into restless sleep. But when I woke to the blaring morning alarm, he was still gone. Instead, a note awaited me. A simple message, telling me I was to move into a different room. I snap back to the present, realizing I’ve been silent for far too long. Oliver is still watching me, waiting for an answer. I force a smile, shrugging as nonchalantly as I can. "Nothing happened. I guess he just realized he’s not comfortable sharing his space with someone else." Oliver narrows his eyes, clearly unconvinced. But I hold my ground. I don’t care if he believes me—or at least, I tell myself I don’t. Because what else can I do? Ever since I set foot in this pack, all I’ve done is lie. "Anyway," he says, shifting gears while I pretend to be occupied with folding socks, tucking them neatly into the dresser drawer. "I’ll be busy for the next few hours—some of the guys are going on a hunt, and I’m tagging along. Make sure you eat properly today, alright? And don’t lock yourself up in here again. I know you’re craving some fresh air." My hands still for a moment before I quietly close the drawer and turn to face him, offering a strained smile. "Thanks. I... I’ll try to do something today too." "Good." He pats me on the back before heading for the door. "I’ll keep you company when I get back." *** Once I finish organizing my new room, I take a moment to absorb my surroundings. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to move again just because Alpha Magnus decides to randomly kiss me and then vanish into thin air. That thought alone makes my lips press into a tight line. Truthfully, though, I like this room much better. It’s smaller, but brighter. The eggshell wallpaper and thick beige curtains create an airy, open feel, making the space seem larger than it actually is, while the sleek black and white furniture adds a cozy, balanced contrast. There’s also more here—more storage, more convenience—little things that will undoubtedly make my life easier. And since it’s still on the Alpha’s floor, at least I won’t have to deal with unnecessary interruptions. With a sigh, I grab the round doorknob, rolling my shoulders. "Well, nothing else to do. I need to eat." As I step into the kitchen, relief washes over me. Today, it’s nearly empty—probably because moving out of the Alpha’s room took longer than expected. Or, more accurately... because stepping out of my new room took longer than I’d like to admit. "Moon!" Ray’s cheerful voice pulls me from my thoughts, and my body tenses slightly as an old, forgotten sensation resurfaces—the lingering memory of his sandwiches. "You look alive," he teases, crossing his arms. "Why the hell did you run off like that yesterday?" I force an awkward smile, subtly scanning the counter, searching for any signs of his latest culinary experiments. "I’m sorry! It really had nothing to do with your food, Ray!" I blurt out quickly. "I just ate too much, and my stomach couldn’t handle it." His grin returns, apparently satisfied with my answer. "That’s a relief." To my slight horror, he’s already preparing something for me. "No experiments today, don’t worry," he reassures me with a chuckle. "Beta Oliver told me to give you porridge with berries. Dry toast with honey. Coffee too." I sigh, silently thanking the Moon Goddess—though, really, I should be thanking Oliver. I’ll make sure to do that when he gets back. Grabbing my food, I step away from the counter, my gaze sweeping across the room in search of an empty table. I spot one near the window, but hesitation creeps in as I notice the group of three young women sitting nearby. They’ve been watching me since I walked in, and the moment I glance in their direction, they start snickering, their whispers barely concealed. My hands tremble slightly. Here we go again. The scrutiny. The judgment. The gossip. I steel myself against the rising tide of old memories, unwilling to let the ghosts of my past pack claw their way back into my mind. With a deep breath, I manage to sit down—carefully, quietly—without spilling anything or making a sound. I try to focus on eating, but the girls deliberately raise their voices, making sure I hear every word. And then I realize why. "So, it’s her, huh?" One of them sneers, her voice thick with venom. "She’s an omega, right?" another one chimes in. "And I heard she doesn’t even shift. What the hell is she doing here?" The third girl scoffs, her tone sharp with barely concealed malice. "Don’t you guys know who she is? It’s her—" She pauses for effect before delivering the final blow. "The ’untouchable omega’ from the Dark Wood Pack." "Who?" The other two sound confused. The ringleader smirks. "Alpha Damien’s favorite. His favorite whore."