Kara jumped back from Zane, bumping into the window. His words echoed in her head. Future Luna? Chosen? None of this made sense.
"I think you've made a mistake," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "I just came home because—"
"Because of a dream about your dead sister?" Zane's cold smile made her shiver. "Strange how things work out."
Before Kara could answer, footsteps sounded in the hallway. Caden emerged in the doorway with a tray of food.
"Zane," he said, sounding shocked. "I didn't know you were back."
Zane's eyes never left Kara's face. "Just welcoming our guest. We'll talk more tomorrow, Kara."
He walked out, brushing past Caden who looked worried.
"What did he say to you?" Caden asked, setting the tray down.
Kara's mind was spinning. "He said I'm going to be the future Luna. That can't be right."
Caden's face went pale. "He told you already? That wasn't meant to happen until the council meeting."
"So it's true?" Kara sank onto the bed. "But why me? I'm nobody here."
"You're the Alpha's daughter," Caden said, sitting beside her. "Even if your father is stepping down soon."
"But Luna means..." Kara couldn't finish. Luna was the Alpha's mate. The thought of being tied to that cold-eyed man made her stomach turn.
"Eat something," Caden said softly. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
After he left, Kara picked at her food, too upset to eat much. She watched the window, hoping to see the face again, but there was nothing.
Sleep came in fits and goes. She dreamed of Sasha, of the river, of cold blue eyes watching her.
Morning came too soon. Kara washed her face with cold water, trying to look stronger than she felt. She had just finished when her door burst open.
A girl about her age stormed in. She had bright red hair and angry green eyes.
"So you're the lost princess," she snapped. "Not very impressive."
Kara straightened up. "Who are you?"
"Lena Blackwood. Your second cousin. And until yesterday, I was supposed to be Zane's Luna."
Kara's eyes widened. "I don't want to be anyone's Luna. You can have him."
Lena laughed, but it wasn't nice. "It doesn't work that way. The council has made their pick. But don't get comfy. You won't last a week here."
She turned to leave, then looked back. "By the way, breakfast is in ten minutes. Everyone will be watching you. Try not to embarrass yourself."
After Lena left, Kara wanted to hide under her bed. Instead, she took a deep breath and headed downstairs.
The eating hall was huge, with one long table. At least thirty pack members sat eating, talking, and laughing. When Kara entered, everyone went quiet.
She froze in the doorway, feeling their eyes on her. Some looked curious, others angry. Zane sat at the head of the table, watching her with those cold eyes. Her father was nowhere to be seen.
"Kara! Over here!" Caden waved from the middle of the table.
Grateful for the friendly face, Kara hurried over and sat next to him.
"Where's my father?" she whispered.
"Council business," Caden said. "Here, have some eggs."
As Kara ate, the whispers started again.
"That's her..." "Can't believe she's back..." "After what she did..."
A small group of teenagers about her age kept watching and giggling. Lena sat with them, grinning.
"Ignore them," Caden said. "Most of them don't even remember you from before."
An older woman with gray-streaked hair stopped by their places. "Kara Blackwood. My, how you've grown."
Kara didn't recognize her. "I'm sorry, I don't—" "Martha Rivers. I was friends with your mother." Her smile seemed kind, but her eyes were careful. "You look just like her."
"Thank you," Kara said, shocked. No one ever talked about her mother.
"Such a shame about your sister," Martha continued. "The pack lost two bright lights that day."
Kara's fork clattered to her plate. "Two?"
Martha's eyes widened. "Oh dear. I thought you knew."
"Knew what?"
But Martha was already backing away. "Nothing, child. Old woman's mistake. Enjoy your breakfast."
Kara turned to Caden. "What was that about?"
He shook his head. "Not here. Too many ears."
After breakfast, Caden took her on a tour of the house and grounds. Some pack members nodded politely. Others turned away when they saw her.
An old man tending the yard actually spat on the ground as she passed.
"Don't mind Old Pete," Caden said. "He's bitter about everything."
They reached a small area in the woods behind the house. Caden checked to make sure they were alone.
"Now we can talk," he said. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything," Kara said. "Why am I going to be Luna? What happened to my father? And what did Martha mean about losing two lights?"
Caden sighed. "After you left, your father changed. He became hard, cold. The pack started to turn against him. Now Zane's father is pushing him for Alpha position."
"And they want me to be Zane's Luna? Why?"
"It's tricky. There's this old prophecy about the Alpha's daughter giving great power to the next leader. They think that's you."
Kara shook her head. "I'm nobody special."
"There's more," Caden said, looking awkward. "After Sasha... after the accident, your mother disappeared."
Kara stared at him. "What? Dad told me she died when I was a baby!" " She ran away the night of Sasha's funeral. No one knows where she went. That's what Martha meant - the pack lost Sasha to death and your mother to... whatever happened."
Kara felt like the ground was moving under her feet. Her whole life had been built on lies.
"I shouldn't be here," she whispered. "This was a mistake."
"Don't say that," Caden grabbed her hand. "The pack needs you, even if they don't know it yet."
A twig snapped nearby. They both turned to see Lena standing there with her friends.
"How sweet," Lena sneered. "Cousins reunited."
Caden stood up. "Leave her alone, Lena."
"Or what?" One of the boys with Lena stepped forward. "You'll fight us, Caden? For her?"
"If I have to," Caden said, but Kara could see he was overwhelmed.
"Stop," she said, standing up. "I don't need anyone fighting for me."
Lena laughed. "Of course not. You're too good at running away."
The words stung because they were true. Kara had run away once. Part of her wanted to run again.
But something new was burning inside her now. Anger. Determination.
"I'm not running," Kara said, moving toward Lena. "Not anymore."
Lena's smile faltered. Before she could reply, a howl rang through the forest - the signal for a pack meeting.
"Saved by the bell," Lena said. "Come on. The council's ready to decide your fate."
As they walked back to the house, Caden whispered to Kara, "Stay strong. Whatever happens in there, don't show fear."
The pack gathered in the great hall. Chairs were set in a circle with five empty seats at the front - for the council members. Kara's father sat in the center chair, looking tired and grim.
Zane and his father sat on one side, two adults on the other. The rest of the pack filled the empty seats, with some standing along the walls.
Kara was led to a single chair in the middle of the circle. All eyes were on her.
Her father stood. "We are gathered to decide the fate of Kara Blackwood, who has returned after ten years absence."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"As Alpha, I should make this decision alone," he continued. "But given the... circumstances, the council will vote."
Zane's father stood next. "The girl abandoned her pack once. Why should we welcome her back?"
Voices called out in agreement.
"Furthermore," he added, "there's the matter of her sister's death. Does she even deserve to be here?"
Pain shot through Kara's heart, but she remembered Caden's words. Don't show fear.
"I was eight years old," she said, her voice stronger than she expected. "What happened to Sasha was an accident."
"Was it?" a new voice asked.
Everyone turned. A young woman stepped forward from the dark at the back of the room. She had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
The same face Kara had seen at her window.
The crowd gasped. Some people stood up. One woman screamed.
"This is impossible," Kara's father whispered, his face white as paper.
The young woman smiled. "Hello, Father. Hello, Kara. Miss me?"
Kara couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. This couldn't be real.
"Sasha?" she whispered.
Her sister's smile widened. "In the flesh. And I'm here to tell everyone what really happened that day at the river."
She pointed directly at Kara.
"The truth about how my dear sister tried to kill me."