It was a strange thing to be met with silence. Kaia had heard so many things, so much more than she ever wanted to. Her snapshots could be a burden, or maybe a crappy gift depending on how she looked at it.

She was getting used to them, of course. She could control when she got them for the most part, so it was easier. But still, Kaia had never asked for it. She'd always told herself that.

So she felt like a hypocrite when she attempted to see into Jack. Maybe it could give her some insight, show Kaia the truth, how he was genuinely feeling behind his mask. That's what she'd thought.

But instead...silence.

When Kaia shook his hand, it was quiet. Kaia didn't hear anything or see anything where usually there were sights and sounds. It was like numbness. There was a black hole where there should have been an entire world. Kaia wondered if this was just what the inside of Jack's mind looked like, black and quiet.

But then Kaia remember her nightmares, and she knew that he wasn't anything like that. There was so much more to him than anyone could guess just looking. Kaia wanted to know. Everything.

But when she touched him again after they got into the car, there was that silence once more. And Kaia knew that it hadn't just been a mistake or a shortcoming on her part. For some reason, Jack was quiet.

"Listen, Kaia, I know that you're starting to learn about the full extent of your capabilities," Jack said after a stretch of silence much too long for Kaia to be comfortable. Though it wasn't as if comfort was something she'd expected from her time with this man. "And I want to help you do that, but honestly, child, if you try to peer into my head one more time I won't help you."

He knew, then. He hadn't underestimated Kaia as severely as she'd hoped; still, she could make this work. "Help me? Help me do what?" Kaia asked.

Jack sighed and looked at her, his eyes telling Kaia that he held secrets; it was like he was dangling them in front of her. Catch them if you can. "Understand yourself. What you can do."

Kaia frowned, "And how do you suppose you can do that? You don't know anything about me?"

His first response was a light laugh, a sound that made the air buzz. And then his face darkened and he turned in his seat so that his eyes could stab directly into Kaia's heart. "I'm a very well informed man, Kaia. I know everyone's secrets, including yours."

"I don't have any secrets."

"Don't lie, Kaia. Not to me. Everyone has secrets," he said, relaxing back into his chair, "You let me inside your head, Kaia. All I had to do was take a quick stroll through your memories, and I knew everything there was to know about you."

The thought made Kaia's stomach roll and her palms sweat. Having this man, a murderer, see her most profound, most treasured memories? Letting him see her soul, touch it all he wanted? It was revoltingly invasive and so much worse than unwelcome. "I don't believe you," Kaia said.

Jack smiled, "No, you do. You don't want to. Would it help if I told you your biggest fears?"

Kaia's mouth went dry. "No, I-" She didn't need to hear them. She didn't want to know what they were. But that didn't stop him.

"Losing the rest of your family," he said immediately, not looking at her, "That's your biggest fear. Not losing your own life, but losing them."

He finally turned to look at Kaia, and when he did, his face had changed. His eyes were dark, the previously startling blue turning to a stormy whirlpool of grey. His voice didn't betray his emotions, but Kaia knew that there was a spark of hate in his words. "Just like your mother."

"Is that why you killed her? Because she loved her children?" Kaia said immediately. Despite how terrifying he looked when he didn't have that charming mask on, Kaia couldn't stop herself from asking. She wanted to know everything, and only this cruel man could give her the answers.

But, Kaia realized, he had a horrible habit of keeping them to himself. He ignored her question. "Your second greatest fear is a bit juicier, I think. Because honestly, it says something quite interesting about your character and your life."

"I don't need to hear it," Kaia said, looking out the window. She watched the trees whiz by, wondered where the driver was taking her. She thought of what Kaleb was doing that very moment. Had he gotten her message to Cole? Had Cole had understood it as she'd hoped? She had a time limit, she knew. She had to get Jack to take a walk in his past somehow; but how was she supposed to do that when he avoided questions about Kaia's mother like they'd be the death of him?

"Your second greatest fear is what you claim to love so much," Jack said. Kaia froze. For some reason, she became suddenly aware of her heart beating. "Lycanthrope."

Kaia started, her head snapping towards Jack, "I'm not-"

"I thought we agreed not to lie, Kaia?" Jack interrupted, his expression peaceful. "You're afraid of lycanthrope because you don't understand them, because of how strong they are and how different they are from you. Which, unfortunately for you, includes the man you call mate."

"The Prowlers are different," Kaia said quietly, "Kaleb's..." Kaia remembered the first time she'd encountered lycanthrope, how terrifying that wolf had been, how mysterious and confusing. She remembered the attack at the hospital. She remembered fighting to protect Kaleb from Grayson.

Lycanthrope, Kaia admitted to herself, were dangerous. They just were. She'd known that their world was darker than she'd ever experienced before. But the moment she met Kaleb, it had become her world, too. She'd thought she'd accepted it, that there were dangers around every corner. But was she still somehow afraid of them?

Kaleb had always made her feel safe, but...

For some reason, Kaia heard the snap of Grayson's neck again. It echoed in her ears, a ghost of a sound. It was distant, but there...haunting her, whispering to her every time she tried to ignore it. Kaleb's a wolf, too, it hissed.

"Why are you telling me this?" Kaia asked, trying to mask her frustration, but failing. She'd almost managed to forget about what had happened. Somehow. But now...

"Because, believe it or not, I've taken it upon myself to care for you. No one else can understand you as I can," Jack replied.

"What does that mean?" Kaia snapped, "Can you please just tell me something for once instead of talking in vague puzzles."

Jack smiled, "Fine. The reason why I'm convinced you'll stay at my Pack is that I have much to teach you about your gift." Kaia waited for more, and it came eventually.

"Because we come from the same place, you and I."

☾

"Don't worry about it," Lionel said for the millionth time. No matter how many times Lionel repeated it, Cole was still uncomfortable. The Hunter had wanted to hang back while Kaleb and Lionel went to the Pack Mansion, but Kaleb had pointed out that if they wanted the best cooperation between the two factions, it would help to show Cole's face. 

Besides, Kaleb, as Alpha, had the power to grant Cole entrance to the mansion. It wasn't anything to worry about, but Cole had probably grown up under the presumption that all werewolf Packs were too dangerous or at least off limits. That seemed like something their father would have told Cole. 

Now that Kaleb thought about it, Cole was remarkably level-headed for someone who'd had such an unstable father. But, then again, maybe Kaleb was judging things he didn't fully understand. Kaia had never talked much about her childhood aside from her mother. That realization was another stab of pain; Kaleb had to remind himself that he knew Kaia, how beautiful her heart was, even if she had yet to share the smaller details with him. 

"How can I not worry about it? In case you forgot, Hunters and Wolves used to kill each other," Cole grumbled. He and Lionel were sitting in the back seat together, so Kaleb had to watch them through the rearview mirror. 

"And apparently, still sometimes do," Lionel mumbled right back. Kaleb glanced in the rearview mirror again and saw that their standard positions had reversed. Lionel was looking away, and Cole was staring at Lionel, his face red. 

"In case you'd forgotten, Kaleb's still alive," Cole shot. 

"Not for lack of trying," Lionel said. His voice sounded calm, but Kaleb knew him well; if Lionel sounded calm, it meant he was anything but. 

"What do you want from me, Lionel?" Cole asked. He was starting to let his frustration show. It was like Kaleb wasn't even in the car any longer. It might as well be mysteriously driving itself. So Kaleb cleared his throat to remind them he was present. Whatever business the two had, it was none of his. 

"Maybe you should talk about this later," Kaleb offered. 

They spent the rest of the drive in silence. Kaleb was a bit worried for his friend, but he had so many problems of his own that he barely had enough room in his skull for it. 

Kaia was in everything he did, but he felt her most with each beat of his heart. Kaleb had given it to her, the memory of the Lunar Ceremony fresh in his mind. He'd had such high hopes for what would have come next. He still hoped...but he had to get her back. 

He felt more confident now that he had something somewhat sturdy to stand on. Even if he didn't know every part of Kaia's plan, like how she intended on bringing this man to the location, he knew something. He knew of Kaia's gift. He knew whatever she could tell him about the man she was going to confront. And that was better than nothing. 

"We've got to tell them, Kaleb. We rushed off once already without telling anyone anything. There are whispers," Lionel said as they walked up to the mansion. "Jaeda's worried enough that she got in contact with me. I'm glad Kaia's found a home so quickly in the Pack, but it means there are an awful lot of people who are worried about her."

"I know," Kaleb said. He was tired, though. He didn't want to have to deal with being Alpha. All he wanted was Kaia. And that was part of what scared Kaleb so much about Kaia: it wasn't impossible that he would shun his duties as Alpha because of how much he loved her. 

He was confident, now, that he did love her. Kaleb loved Kaia more than anyone else in the world. Watching her leave had made that clear. 

Except...he'd never told her that. It could've been pain or anger or maybe even fear that filled the hole in his chest, but instead, it was like it cold, hard cement filled his heart. The hole was still there, still ached, but he had found a temporary solution. Kaleb filled it because he had to. To help Kaia, he couldn't wallow in self-pity or let hate and fear corrupt him. Kaleb had to be stable, so cement it was. He would tell her, and he'd do anything to be able to. 

"Alpha!" Kaleb looked up immediately to see a girl running towards him. She had bouncy black hair, dark skin, and innocent eyes. It was Jaeda if he remembered correctly. "Where's Kaia?" 

Kaleb froze. Jaeda must have been waiting at the door for them to return, eager for news. How did she know Kaia exactly? Kaia must have made herself more at home than Kaleb had realized, and that caused pride to swell up inside him. "I, uh-"

Her eyes went wide, and she covered her mouth, her voice muffled, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't speak out of turn. I'm just worried." 

"Jaeda is close with Kaia," Lionel explained, then whipped out his best charming smile, "We know you're worried." 

Jaeda shook her head, "I think Kaia is fiercer than anyone thinks she is, but I'd like to know where she is." 

Kaleb smiled. Of course, Kaia had already gotten to work at charming the Pack. She'd already earned their respect by saving their Alpha's life. Respect in hand, Kaia meant to win their love. It seemed she'd already achieved that with Jaeda. "She's not here," Kaleb said, trying to keep his voice level so as not to give anything away, "But I'm handling it." 

Jaeda's eyes softened, "Of course you are, but I'd like nothing more than to help. Whatever it is, I'm in. I know you have a plan." 

Kaleb nodded, "You're on patrol?" Jaeda nodded. "I'll be mobilizing the patrol force as soon as possible. Are you one of Elias's?"

"Regrettably," she mumbled. 

Lionel laughed, "He's a hardass, isn't he?" 

Jaeda smiled widely like she was getting excited that someone finally saw it the same way she did, "The hardest." 

"Well," Kaleb interrupted, "Tell him to wait for me in the great room. I'll be there soon, but I have to give the Pack a watered down version of the truth." 

"What are you telling them?" Cole asked. 

Jaeda stared at Cole while Kaleb answered, "I've been on rocky ground with them recently so I won't tell them everything." 

"You can't have them seeing you as weak," Cole added, nodding, "I understand." 

"Our Alpha's not weak," Jaeda said immediately, "What do you know?" 

Cole looked surprised that such a tiny person was talking back to him. He looked down at her and frowned. "Jaeda, you don't have all the details, either. So, if you could, would you go and fetch Elias for us?" Lionel said. 

He looked utterly content, with his hands resting in his pockets and a lazy smile on his face. That just came naturally to him. The frost that crept around the edges of his voice wasn't usually there, though. Lionel had been acting unpredictably lately like his mind was elsewhere. 

"Thank you, Jaeda," Kaleb added to lessen the blow Lionel had just dealt. Jaeda gave Kaleb a weak smile, not meeting Lionel's eyes. When Jaeda was gone, Kaleb turned to Lionel, "What are you doing?" 

Lionel blinked, "What?" 

Kaleb sighed, "You're acting... I need my friend right now. Please, whatever it is... solve it as soon as possible so that I can have you back." 

Lionel's expression cracked for a moment. "I..." Lionel nodded, a look of determination crossing his face. "Ok." There was a ripple of a connection between them when they met eyes, and then Kaleb nodded. He took a breath and headed for the stairs. 

"Call everyone for me, Lion." 

When Kaleb reached the top of the steps, the marble shining up at him, he stood where he always did. He felt the burden of being Alpha weigh his shoulders down. Sometimes it was too much, and he felt his back would snap in half under the pressure of his responsibility.

But today, he thought of Kaia. He thought of what she was doing right that second. Where was she? Was she ok?

There was very little, Kaleb knew, that could force Kaia into anything. He'd suspected this the moment he remembered the look of desperation on her eyes, but maybe, just maybe, she did it for the Pack. She did it for him. She did it for her family. She did it for herself. 

He trusted her. He knew she was smart. The evil man who had started this all probably thought he'd trapped her. Kaia could break free of any cage. If she allowed herself to remain trapped, it was because she needed the bars to trick her enemy into believing he was safe. She would get what she had left to find. Kaleb couldn't see Kaia's fierce, brave heart ever failing. 

Kaleb didn't know much of anything, but he knew what he had to do. He had to bear this burden for his Pack as he always had. But this time it was even more important...because he had to endure it for Kaia, too. 

There were so many walls between them--Kaleb's lycanthropy, her family, their different worlds, their pasts--but Kaleb was starting to feel that they could surmount them. 

A shudder of a realization passed over him. Kaleb wasn't afraid of Kaia, he was scared of love, of himself. No matter how he hated to admit it, love changes people. And change, even if it's for the better, is intimidating. But still, he clung to hope even in his fear. 

He had to believe that he could love his mate and not forget his Pack in the process. 

Leave me a comment and a vote if you liked it. I love your lovely word and shiny stars. 

(Also, thanks so much for 15K views! It feels like yesterday that I was thanking you guys for 0.5K haha...what even happened?)