A Life for a Life

The drive back to the pack house was painfully quiet. Kai kept his eyes on the road while soft music played through the speakers, but neither of us spoke. Every now and then, he glanced at me, probably wondering why I had become so quiet after leaving the hospital. I simply looked out the window and watched the trees blur together.

Why?

The question refused to leave me alone.

Why did you do this to me, Kai?

Was I ever really your mate, or was I only the woman who happened to be there while you waited for the one you truly wanted?

My wolf whimpered inside me, her pain flowing through our bond until my chest ached. I pressed my nails into my palm, forcing myself to stay calm. He couldn't know. Not yet. If he had lied to me for four years without feeling guilty, then I could pretend for one more day that I knew nothing.

Kai finally broke the silence.

"You've barely said a word since we left the hospital."

I turned toward him and forced the same gentle smile I had worn for years.

"I'm just worried about Iris. The doctor looked more serious today."

He nodded once.

"So am I. We'll get through this."

We'll.

The word almost made me laugh.

Instead, I lowered my eyes and answered softly, "I hope so."

When we arrived at the Alpha house, the servants welcomed us as they always did. They bowed respectfully before stepping aside to let us pass. I smiled politely at every familiar face, but a painful thought settled into my mind. How many of them already knew the truth? How many had watched me love Iris as my own while knowing she was never Kai's niece? How many had pitied me every time I proudly called myself her aunt?

Kai loosened the cuffs of his shirt as we stepped inside.

"I need to change," he said. "Meet me in my study in a few minutes. We need to talk."

I nodded without hesitation.

"Alright."

He walked upstairs without another word, leaving me alone in the entrance hall. The moment I heard his bedroom door close, my knees almost gave way beneath me. I caught the edge of the hallway table before I could fall, closing my eyes as nausea rolled through my stomach.

No.

I couldn't fall apart now.

Not while he was still watching me.

I forced myself toward the kitchen, hoping a glass of water would settle the burning in my throat. Instead, my eyes landed on a small pink cup sitting neatly beside the sink.

Iris's cup.

The sight of it pulled me back four years in an instant.

I still remembered the afternoon Kai had walked through the front door carrying a tiny baby wrapped in a cream-colored blanket. His clothes had been stained with dirt, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. Panic rushed through me as I hurried toward him.

"Kai, what happened?"

He looked down at the sleeping baby before answering quietly.

"My brother and his mate were killed during a rogue attack. She survived."

My heart broke for the tiny child in his arms.

"Oh, no..."

I reached out without thinking, and he carefully placed the baby into my arms. She was so small that I was terrified of holding her too tightly. Her little fingers wrapped around mine, and I felt my heart surrender to her before I even realized it.

Kai smiled as he watched us.

"I knew you'd love her."

I looked down at the baby sleeping peacefully against my chest.

"I already do."

He stepped closer, kissed the top of my head, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I knew I could count on you."

At the time, I thought he was thanking me for accepting his orphaned niece without hesitation.

Now I knew the truth.

He had been thanking me for raising his daughter.

The glass slipped from my fingers before I even realized I was holding it.

It shattered across the kitchen floor.

One of the maids rushed inside.

"Luna Lyra, are you alright? Did the glass cut you?"

I looked down at the broken pieces scattered around my feet before shaking my head.

"I'm fine. It just slipped."

The maid quickly knelt to clean the mess.

"I'll take care of this."

"Thank you."

I left before she could notice the tears burning behind my eyes.

Every memory I had treasured over the past four years suddenly felt rotten. Every smile Kai had given me, every quiet thank you, every moment that once made me feel needed now carried a different meaning. He hadn't trusted me with Iris because he loved me.

He trusted me because I was useful.

When I finally reached his study, I stood outside the door for several seconds before raising my hand and knocking.

"Come in," Kai called from inside.

I pushed the door open.

He was standing beside the window with two cups of tea already waiting on the table between the chairs. He looked relaxed, as though the conversation ahead wouldn't destroy my entire world.

He gestured toward the chair across from him.

"Sit down."

I obeyed quietly.

He handed me one of the cups before taking both of my hands into his.

His touch used to make me feel safe.

Now it made my stomach twist.

Kai looked directly into my eyes.

"The doctor wasn't completely honest with you today."

I frowned, pretending I had no idea what he meant.

"What are you talking about?"

He tightened his hold on my hands.

"Iris's condition has become much worse."

Fear spread across my face without any effort because, despite everything I had learned, my love for that little girl had never changed.

"How much worse?"

Kai took a slow breath before answering.

"The blood transfusions aren't working anymore. The doctors have done everything they can, but they all agree on the next step."

My heart pounded painfully.

"What step?"

He didn't look away from me.

"She needs a kidney transplant."

I lowered my eyes and stayed silent.

He mistook my silence for shock.

"You've always loved Iris," he said gently. "You've loved her as if she were your own child, and I know you'll save her."

Not would.

Not could.

He said will.

The decision had already been made.

I swallowed hard before asking quietly, "What if I'm not a match?"

"You are."

His answer came immediately.

"You've always been the best match."

Of course I was.

That was why he had kept asking for my blood every month.

Kai gently rubbed the back of my hand.

"The doctors believe the surgery will have the best chance of success if Iris is emotionally stable beforehand."

I looked at him with practiced confusion.

"What does that have to do with me?"

He held my gaze for several long seconds before finally answering.

"They believe Iris needs both of her parents together before the operation."

The room suddenly felt too small.

I forced my breathing to remain steady.

"Both... parents?"

Kai nodded slowly.

"Yes."

I looked into his eyes, pretending I still didn't understand.

"What are you saying?"

He exhaled quietly and tightened his grip on my hands.

"I've already made a decision. It's the only way to help Iris."