Kelly POV

It's the next day, and Jarred and I have been alternating between walking and running in both our human and wolf forms. Right now, we're taking it easy on foot to give our wolves a break. However, Jarred has been getting on my nerves all day. All I want is to return to my pack and my mate.

"Stop your whining! I swear I should have just left you there for my father to deal with you!"

"Fuck you, Jarred! Did you think I'd be all happy-go-lucky that you saved me? Ha! Not a chance! I can't stand you! You're a spoiled, stuck-up, arrogant ass who only cares about yourself!"

"Like you're any better? You're a killer, Kelly. You're lazy, and I'm so glad you're not in the pack anymore!"

I stopped in my tracks, facing him. My anger boiled over, and I did the only thing I could—I punched him square in the jaw, a satisfying crack echoing in the air.

"Don't you dare call me a killer! I didn't kill my baby sister or my father! Do you have any idea what actually happened? Do you know how much this has affected me? No, you don't! You only heard what happened from my mother and your father!"

"Okay, tell me your side then!"

With that challenge, I poured out everything that happened that day. By the time I finished, my anger had subsided, and tears streamed down my face.

"Now you've heard the truth! So stop saying I killed them!"

"Wow, Kelly. I... I didn't know. I'm so sorry for how I treated you."

"I don't need your sympathy. I just need you to get me back to my pack and never call me a killer again! Also, don't call me lazy when I was the one doing all the chores in the pack, even after suffering abuse from you and everyone else!"

I started to walk away, but Jarred caught up to me.

We walked in silence for the next four hours until we stumbled upon an abandoned house.

"Kelly, stay here. I'll go in and check if it's safe for us to stay the night," Jarred said.

Before he could open the door, he froze, tilting his head as if he sensed something. Suddenly, the front door swung open, revealing a beautiful girl with medium-length brown hair, bright blue eyes, and tan skin.

She stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Jarred. In that moment, it hit me—they had both found their mate.

"Mate!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Well, this is unexpected. Can we move this inside? I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you both want to get to know each other," I said.

"Umm, sure, I guess. Come on in," the girl replied, stepping aside to let us in.

We followed her into the living room.

"So, what are you both doing out here? There are no packs near me."

"Well, that's a long story," Jarred replied.

"It looks like we have all night. Why don't I make us something to eat while you share your stories?"

"Umm... okay. I'm Kelly. What's your name?"

"Nice to meet you, Kelly. I'm Faith. And what is your name, mate?"

"Jarred, beautiful," he said, and I noticed Faith's cheeks turn as red as a tomato—a cute sight.

"You're cute when you blush," Jarred teased as Faith moved to the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes, not at Faith, but at Jarred. It was unusual to see him act this way with anyone.

Faith prepared us steak, mac and cheese, dinner rolls, and green beans, setting three plates on the wooden table along with glasses of ice, juice, and Coke. We poured our drinks and began eating.

"Jarred, how old are you?"

"I'm 19. And you?"

"17. What about you, Kelly?"

"I'm 17 as well. What pack did you come from? I'm guessing you're a lone wolf now."

"I didn't have a pack growing up. I grew up here with my parents, who were like lone wolves. They never told me about their pack, so I'm not sure. I'm an only child. My dad taught me self-defense and hunting, while my mom taught me how to cook, clean, and homeschool me. I've never left these woods, but I'd love to meet new people and try pack life. But, you know, packs don't like outsiders."

"Why don't you come with us? Jarred is taking me back to my mate's pack. He's the Alpha, so that makes me the Luna. I can make you an official member if you want that," I suggested.

"What pack would that be?"

"The Blood Night."

"Wow, are you serious? That would be amazing, Kelly! I'd love to be a part of the most incredible pack! Jarred, are you part of the pack too?"

Faith looked at Jarred with hopeful eyes, and I watched with curiosity to see his response.

"Well, not exactly..." he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What does that mean? It's a simple question."

"I'm from the Skylight pack."

"Okay..."

"Kelly, should I start or should you?"

"Go for it, bud. I'm going to sit back and watch how this unfolds," I chuckled, genuinely enjoying seeing him regret everything and fear rejection.

"Well... umm...You see... we kidnapped Kelly."

"What!" Faith exclaimed, nearly choking on her steak.

"Why? Whose we? Please tell me everything from the beginning!"

"I can share my side, but you need to hear Kelly's first before I reveal the major parts."

"To answer your question, it was me, my father, and Kelly's mother."

I cringed at the mention of my so-called mother, while Faith's eyes widened in horror at his statement. I could only imagine how she would react to the entire story.

"I think she can handle it. I get a good vibe from her, Kel," Jarred reassured.

"I do too, Athena. Now, shh so we can listen."

"No need to be snappy," she replied.

"Shhh!" I insisted, and Athena finally quieted down.

"Kelly, should you jump in now, or should I continue after you tell her where it all began?"

"Faith, what I'm going to tell you will be tragic. Prepare yourself, okay?"

"I can handle it, Kelly. Just tell me so I can stop being confused."

I chuckled. "My life took a turn for the worse when I was eight years old."

I began recounting the day I lost my sister and father, detailing everything that occurred. By the time I finished the beginning, tears streamed down Faith's face as she moved her chair closer to me, grasping my hands in comfort.

"Why would they accuse you of being at fault for your father's and sister's deaths? That's not right. How can a mother blame her only living child? Kelly, I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie," she said, pulling me into a hug. I embraced her back.

I continued sharing my past, revealing the beatings I endured from the age of eight until the day I left with Dom. Anger flashed in her eyes as she absorbed my story.

"Kelly, no one should endure that much pain and suffering. Did you even have time to grieve the loss of your father and sister?"

"No, I didn't. But I'm sure I will one day. Right now, I need to focus on getting back to my mate and pack."

"That reminds me, Jarred, I think it's time for your side of the story. I want to know why you treated Kelly that way, why you never stopped any of it, and why you kidnapped her."

Jarred looked like a deer caught in headlights at Faith's question. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded and began to speak.

"First, can I say, Kelly, I'm so sorry for everything I put you through? I didn't know the truth. It doesn't make it any better, but please hear me out, both of you."

"Okay," Faith and I said in unison.

"Start talking," I said to him as I glared at him.