Chapter 96
–Kaia–
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When I woke up after a few hours, my body was surprisingly not in pain anymore. I didn’t even feel weak at
all.
My limbs ached and my stomach finally wasn’t ripping itself apart.
Strangely, I thought I was going to die earlier.
Thank the goddess, I don’t feel like I’m being crushed to death anymore.
My throat felt dry. I stretched my hand to get the jug; I needed to drink water.
But, I couldn’t reach it so I tried to stand up, I staggered and almost hit the floor.
“Hey, Luna!” Maliya shouted from the door. “What are you doing? You should be in bed resting”
“Maliya, I told you not to call me that, didn’t I” I said, returning to sit on the bed.
“You did, but I can’t bring myself to keep calling you by your name when you’re going to become the Luna soon” Kaia looked at me, admiration etched on her face.
“Still, I’m telling you, just call me Kaia” I urged. “If you call me Luna when it’s just the two of us again, I will punish you” I fake-threatened.
“What,?” Her eyes popped out. “I mean yes Luna…No, Kaia”
“That’s much better,” I smiled at her. “What is that?” I asked, pointing to the tray in her hands.
“Oh this,” Maliya lifted the tray to me. “I brought you dinner, you haven’t had anything to eat the whole day. You can’t heal if you don’t eat”
“You’re so thoughtful, Maliya,” I beamed.
“Thank you, my lady,” Maliya smiled. “It’s my duty to take care of you, please let me do it”
Maliya put a cloth on my lap and set the tray in front of me.
I picked up the spoon and took a few bites.
When I raised my head, I saw Maliya looking at me like a mother watching her child eat, I was touched.
I cleared
it?”
my throat. “Maliya, I realised we don’t know much about each other. Would you like to talk about
Maliya’s eyes glinted at hearing this. “Of course, my lady. What would you like to know about me?”
“Everything,” I said excitedly. Then, I stopped myself. “I mean anything you’re willing to tell me”
18:46 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 96
(6L)
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“There is pretty much nothing interesting about me though,” Maliya informed me, lowering her head.
“It doesn’t matter, right? We are what we experience. Good or bad, we can’t change it, we can only share the story”
“If you say so,” Maliya nodded. “When I was eight years old my parents died in a rogue attack on their way back from a trip,” she breathed, looking at me. I could almost see pain in her eyes. “My grandpa raised my little brother and me, he was poor and surviving on menial jobs which weren’t enough to make ends meet. In the end, he took loans from some loan sharks to raise my sister and me. When he couldn’t pay back, the loan sharks harassed and beat him up until he wa bedridden with broken bones.”
“Still, they didn’t stop coming to ask for their money. I couldn’t watch my grandpa going through that after everything he did to raise my brother and me. When I turned eighteen, I took up menial jobs to repay the loan but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the angry thugs”
“One day, I applied to the pack to work as an assistant. Alpha Theo hired me to work as Lady Elara’s assistant. It’s been three years now, the loan is almost repaid and my brother is in college”
When she finished talking, she had tears in her eyes and I could understand everything she went through.
“You are a strong person, Kaia” I stood her hand and patted it. “Nobody could do what you did for your family. You stepped up when you didn’t have to, I’m proud of you”
“Thank you, my lady. This means a lot” Kaia said.
“So, how was working with Elara like?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Lady Elara was very difficult to work with,” Maliya muttered. “She would scream and hit us over little mistakes”
“What?” I remarked, shocked. “Did you tell the alpha about this?”
“No,” she looked serious. “Lady Elara had everything under her control, if we reported her to the alpha, she would lie and get the person who dared to snitch fired. I didn’t want to lose my job, I had a brother and grandpa depending on me”
“This is not okay,” I was seething with rage. “How could she abuse her powers like that”
“It’s nothing, just another day of being a glorified maid. Haha,” she chuckled, trying to make light of the
situation.
“You know?,” I began, looking at her. “I didn’t grow up with parents either. I don’t even know who my parents are, where they are, or why they abandoned me. My grandma raised me all alone, selling herbs and treating people. I worked hard to rise from my ashes to become the person everyone envied. I topped the warrior academy ranking and represented my pack. I didn’t realise falling after rising so high would be this awful”
Maliya grabbed my hands, comforting me.
“Did you say you topped the warrior academy ranking?” Kaia asked, her eyes glinting. “Did you know Alpha Theo topped it as well?”
18:47 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 96
“What?,” I said. “What are you talking about?”
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“I’m telling the truth, Kaia,” Maliya firmly said. “Alpha Theo was at the warrior academy and topped the ranking, sharing it with someone he wouldn’t name”
“Wow, really?” I still looked shocked. “I had no idea Theo was at the academy.”
“That’s fine, it happens sometimes. No need to beat yourself up” Maliya
“I will ask Theo about it when he comes back” I muttered.
“That’s a great idea,” Maliya nodded.
Just then, we heard a voice murmuring outside the door.
“What’s going on?” I muttered to myself more than to Maliya. “Would you take a look please?”
Maliya went to check, and when she returned, Elara was with her.
Maliya excused herself, pretending to go get water from the kitchen.
When she left, the room became pin-drop quiet.
Elara walked in, her eyes widened in exaggerated shock.
“Oh! Kaia, you’re awake.” Her voice was a little too bright, too smooth. “I came as soon as I heard what happened. I was worried.”
I froze. Why was she here?
She stepped further in, hands clasped in front of her like some delicate, concerned angel.
Worried about an old friend. We are not friends so I don’t know where this is coming from.
“You fainted, right? They said Maliya found you collapsed. What happened? Are you feeling any better?””
Her eyes flicked over me like she was checking for cracks.
A strange prickle ran through my spine.
“I… I’m alright now,” I managed. My voice sounded a little weak and cracky.”Just stomach pain. I think I overworked myself.”
Elara tilted her head with a soft smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Overworked? During a festival arrangement? Kaia, you should take better care of yourself.”
Her tone was gentle, but something about it made my muscles tense.
I swallowed. “I will.”
18:47 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 96
As soon as she shut the door behind her, the breath rushed out of my lungs.
I didn’t realise I’ve been holding my breath, that woman was bad news, I can’t stand her.
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Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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