The packs outcast Luna (Kaia and Theo) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

–Kaia–

The air in the corridor felt colder when I stepped out of my room.

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Or maybe that was just how people looked at me now; quick glances, tight smiles, heads turning away too fast.

Like I’d suddenly become more contagious.

I tried to ignore it. Maliya said pack moods shift like weather.

But something was wrong.

I reached the infirmary door and entered.

I went to my locker, only to find it locked.

“You’re not allowed in there today,” a doctor said without meeting my eyes.

“What? Why?” I asked.

She swallowed, still not looking at me. “Queen Cara’s orders. Inventory audit. Come back… maybe next week.”

Next week?

I stared at her, stunned. She flinched-as if my presence was something to recoil from.

I forced myself to walk away calmly, even though heat was crawling up my throat.

More wolves avoided my gaze.

A pair of low-ranking Omegas whispered, staring at my back.

“She’s the same girl. Isn’t she?” One of them pointed at me.

“Of course! She’s that awful stray who’s seducing the Alpha to climb the ladder”

By the time I reached the main hall entrance, a guard stepped into my path.

“You can’t enter.”

“Why?”

I kept my voice icy. I knew better than to sound small.

“Pack dinner. Alpha’s request for all warrior-ranked members.”

He glanced down at my clothes, just a simple shirt and loose pants from work.

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Chapter 42

“You’re not on the list.”

…

A muscle twitched in my jaw.

:

I could hear laughter inside, the clinking of glasses…. Theo’s scent wasn’t close by.

But Cara’s scent drift faintly from the room.

Of course,s he was here.

This must be her idea. A plan to show me my place in the pack.

I guess it’s working.

Because Elara was here and I wasn’t.

“I see,” I said, turning away before the guard saw the rage or the hurt, blazing behind my ribs.

Maliya found me halfway down the hallway.

Her eyes widened. “You weren’t allowed in?”

I barely nodded.

“Oh Goddess…” she whispered. “Kaia, I-I think someone is doing this on purpose.”

“Someone,” I repeated.

We both knew exactly who.

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I joined Shadowclaw pack so my sanity is intact but Cara abd Elara are doing everything in their powers to drive me insane.

When I reached my room, I felt it before I saw it.

The air shifted. It felt wrong and weird.

I rushed over,my heart thundering.

I opened the door.

My things, what little I owned-were everywhere.

The brand new clothes Theo got me were ripped.

The rare herbs I had hidden away were crushed under someone’s bootprints.

Then, I saw something else.

My shawl was ripped and soaked in blood.

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Chapter 42

Animal blood.

For a moment, the room blurred.

Not from tears. From fury.

My wolf pushed up inside me, restless and wild, as I crouched to pick up the shawl.

A piece of paper sat neatly on my pillow.

Just two words written on it.

[STRAYS DON’T STAY.]

My fingers tightened around the note until it crumpled.

Someone wanted to humiliate me humiliated.

Someone thought they’d break me by doing this.

Slowly, I stood.

“No,” I whispered to the empty room. “I won’t let you win”

I turned to the shattered things on the floor,my hands trembling with fury.

Whoever dared think they could crush me so easily. They thought wrong.

“I don’t break. Not so easily.”

And if Cara wanted a stray to walk away, she should’ve thought twice… before coming for me.

Because strays bite.

***

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The next day.

I barely escaped the training grounds with my dignity intact when another blow showed up in front of me.

Cara.

Standing in the hallway like a queen waiting for a servant to approach.

I can’t deny the aura oozing from her.

She’s really worthy of her position as Queen.

She has the posture, smile and eyes of a Queen and she flaunts it in front of me.

Reminding me of what I once had.

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www

A

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Chapter 42

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No. I don’t miss being a Luna but I can’t deny how good it felt to be treated special by my pack member.

And the best part? I worked my ass off from a poor orphan to becoming Luna of Shadowclaw.

So,it was a special victory for me.

And maybe for grandmother.

“Kaia,” she said, her voice crisp. “Walk with me.”

No courtesy. Just a damn command.

I followed her into one of the side courtyards, where the plants were swaying by the breeze.

I soon realised it was the public courtyards.

Meaning anything she said would spread – fast.

She clasped her hands in front of her, sighing dramatically.

“I wanted to speak with you privately again… out of respect.”

Respect. Right.

“I heard about the rumors,” she began,acting as if she cared. Coating each word sweetly. “Such ugly, damaging things. About you and my son.”

I inhaled slowly. “I didn’t start any of it.”

“Oh?” Her brows lifted in a pitying arch. “But surely you understand how… suspiciously damaging your presence has become.”

There it was. The real dagger.

“What exactly are you accusing me of?” I asked, my voice steady.

Cara stepped closer.

“I appreciate you saving the King’s life. I truly do. But Shadowclaw cannot afford instability. And your presence is causing exactly that.”

“My presence?” My jaw clenched. “Or Elara’s lies?”

Cara’s gaze frosted over instantly.

“Kaia,” she said softly, as though speaking to a child, “Elara is a well-respected member of this pack. You… are a stray we opened our doors to. A stray who is now the center of multiple… scandals.”

I held her gaze, unblinking. “And?”

“And,” she continued, her temper finally cracking at the edges, “you will not interfere with the Luna selection.

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Chapter 42

…

Elara will take that role, as she should. As the pack needs. Stay out of the way.”

I laughed, quiet, humorless.

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“And how is that my business?” I said calmly. “I never asked to be involved. If you think I’m fighting for a title, you truly don’t understand me.”

Cara’s eyes hardened because she wasn’t expecting resistance.

“You’re bold,” she spat, “for someone who bewitched ranked-men to climb up, you shouldn’t wag your tail so much-”

“You have the wrong dea,” I cut sharply, “I don’t bewitch ranked-men. Believing your own lies is pathetic. Even for you,Queen Cara”

Her eyes widened.

Cara is evil. How could she sleep at night after everything?

“Maybe you didn’t know this,” I stepped closer, slowly. “But I didn’t have to do anything for men to fight over me,Queen Cara.”

“If you think I’m here to fight over anybody you’re wrong” I whispered. “If you have a problem with Theo getting close to me,take it up with him”

“And if you can’t do that. Sit over it and choke on it. But, I won’t let anyone walk over me for something I didn’t do”

Cara’s face resided with rage. “How dare you say that?”

She hissed and raised a hand to hit me.

“Queen Cara,it wouldn’t look good on you bullying pack members in public. Would it?” I asked, twisting my hair.

I stepped closer. Whispered to her. “Stay away from me. Or I’ll do the hitting next time we meet”

The air crackled.

Cara looked at me in shock, her face twisted with fury.

“Trust me,Kaia. You’ve bitten more than you can chew” Cara gritted her teeth. “It’s going to kill you. Mark my words”

Cara left in anger. I looked at her retreating back,annoyed.

Theo doesn’t need to do anything from now on. I will handle them myself.

It’s time, I pay them a quick visit.

I’m pretty sure, they’ll like this

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