The packs outcast Luna (Kaia and Theo) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

–Kaia–

Cara hosted a pack dinner.

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She claimed it was tradition to host the elders to celebrate after every full moon.

I wasn’t familiar with Shadowclaw’s traditions yet. So, I had no idea what to do.

Even though I was going to become Luna, I let Cara handle the arrangement.

And she was great with it too, I have to give her that.

The gathering wasn’t anything special.

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Just dinner and small talk. Something I didn’t find fun at all but I had to be there as the future luna.

I stood beside Theo, trying not to think about how many eyes were on me.

How many of them still hadn’t decided what I was to this pack?

One of the elders cleared his throat.

“Alpha Theo,” he said calmly, “There’s something I’m worried about. This concerns the pack’s future.”

Theo stiffened beside me. I felt it before I saw it.

“The Luna is more than a title,” the elder continued. “She anchors the pack strength, spiritually, and balance. She guides and supports the Alpha in growing the pack. Protects it.”

We fell silent looking at the white-haired elder.

Then his gaze shifted to me.

“Our concern,” he said carefully, “is that Kaia does not have a powerful wolf.”

A murmur rippled through the laid-out table

They all nodded, silently agreeing with what he said.

It occurred to me that they weren’t being malicious at all, it was genuine concern for the pack and Theo.

Theo’s hand tightened at my side. I knew he was about to speak.

I stepped forward, holding him back.

“No,” I muttered softly, stopping him.

Theo frowned. “But Kaia-”

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“I said no”” I repeated, shaking my head to discourage him. “You don’t need to defend on

I raised my head back up to look at the elder. However, I saw Cara’s lips curse digfarby the the’d been wanting for this

The elder studied me for more than three seconds

“This in an attack on you, child The elder continued. “It’s responsibility A Luna witout a gerential west is unprecedemed

I know what I am I said evenly. “And I know what I’m not

Theo took a step toward me. “Kaita, you don’t have to-

I looked at him then. Really looked, he stared into my eyes and or the determination banking

“If I can’t stand here alone.” I said quietly, then I don’t deserve to stand here at all

The stopped him, he didn’t say anything else.

Cars chose that moment to speak

“Pertaps,” the said sooty, “there’s a compromise to be made

I arched my brows, turning to face her

“Kats has strength Cara continued “We’ve all seen that. But strength doesn’t replace experience”

She tilted her head almost kindly.

Late training would beneft her. Guidance, structure, and preparation for what this role truly dematos

Her words sounded reasonable, and the elders at the table nodded in agreement.

Cara has a way with words and that was the dangerous part.

Theo’s jaw clenched. “She doesn’t need…”

I raised a hand again. “Ill do in”

His head snapped toward me. “Kaia”

I met his eyes.

“If the pack needs reassurance,” I said, “then I’ll give it to them. I’m capable of being a good lama to you and this pack. Undergoing training isn’t so bad”

The elder nodded slowly. “Very well. Luna training it is.”

The murmurs returned, everyone chiming in within themselves.

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Chapter 71

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Cara’s satisfaction was subtle. She locked eyes with me, smirking.

She thought she’d backed me into a corner.

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I knew this was some scheme to get me removed, but what she failed to understand was that doing this wouldn’t hurt me.

This test is nothing short of a tease for me. I have experience being Luna once. So, I was being unleashed to do something I used to love.

I wish Cara would understand that doing this wouldn’t stop Theo from making me his luna.

His mind is already made up and as far as I know Theo, he doesn’t allow others to choose his Luna for him.

I would crush whatever conspiracies Cara has up her sleeves.

Neither she nor her son will get away with setting me up.

Theo took my hand, leading me away from the table.

“Come, Kaia, let’s get you something to drink”

–Kingley–

In the middle of the dinner, Cara escorted some pack elders out.

I didn’t follow them at first.

I told myself that Cara was only escorting the elders out of courtesy.

After decades as Luna, Cara still understood protocol better than most lunas I’ve come across.

I decided to take a walk outside the dining hall when I heard laughter.

It sounded relaxed and pleased at first then it became chatters.

I paused at the corridor bend, where the voices came from.

It led me right towards Cara’s room, where she was sitting with the elders chatting and the door wasn’t properly locked.

“You handle the situation beautifully, Queen Cara,” one elder said.

Cara laughed softly. “It wasn’t difficult, was it?. The girl is proud. Pride is easy to steer.”

My hand curled into a fist.

Another voice spoke. “She agreed to the training without resistance. Exactly as you predicted.”

Cara poured wine. I could hear it and smell it from outside the door.

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Chapter 71

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“She was never going to refuse,” Cara said calmly. “She wants to belong. That makes her predictable.”

My chest tightened.

An elder hesitated. “Still, she has done a lot for the pack. Let’s not forget how she saved the children. The pack respects her.”

Cara scoffed. “Respect fades easily, dear Elder but doubts? Doubt doesn’t fade as quickly as it comes”

They all murmured in agreement with her.

“Once the training exposes her limits,” Cara continued, “the pack will question Theo’s judgment on their own. We won’t need to push.”

Push, so that was it.

She hadn’t challenged Kaia openly.

She’d arranged the dagger and let the girl walk into it.

I couldn’t hold back anymore, I pushed the door and walked in, fuming.

The moment I walked in, the room went dead silent.

Cara’s back stiffened in her seat.

“Kingsley,” she said smoothly, turning with practiced calm. “You’re finished early.”

“I wasn’t finished,” I said. “I was listening.”

One elder stood abruptly. “Alpha Kingsley, this was merely a private discussion…”

“You were drinking to a decision you manipulated,” I snapped. “In my pack.”

Cara’s eyes flashed. “You’re overreacting, honey”

I laughed shaking my head in disgust.

“You used the elders,” I said. “You used tradition to force my son’s bride into taking a training that she clearly doesn’t need. And you did it behind my son’s back.”

Her voice hardened. “I did it to protect this pack.”

“No,” I said quietly. “You did for your own selfish reasons, Cara not for this pack”

The elders shifted in their seats uncomfortably.

Cara stepped closer. “Kaia is a risk. You know that. A Luna like her will bring ruin to the pack-”

“Kaia is way braver than any of you in this room,” I cut in. “And she doesn’t deserve to be treated like prey because you didn’t get the bride you wanted”

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Chapter 71

Cara’s composure cracked. Just slightly.

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“You arranged this,” I said. “You orchestrated that questioning to ruin her image”

I saw Cara’s jaw tighten, clenching her fists angrily.

“So what if I did?” she snapped. “Someone had to challenge the mistake your son is making.”

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“You will not undermine my son again.” The elders froze. “You will not use council procedures as weapons.”

Cara’s breath quickened. “You can’t silence me.”

“I can strip you of influence,” I said. “And if you push further…” I let the threat hang.

The elders bowed stiffly and excused themselves one by one, suddenly eager to leave.

When we were alone, Cara turned on me.

“You chose her over me,” she said bitterly. “You don’t even know her”

“I chose honesty,” I replied. “Something you seem to have forgotten.”

Her eyes burned. “This isn’t over.”

I met her stare without blinking.

“For your sake,” I said, “I hope it is.”

Because if she touched Kaia again, she’d be facing me.

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