CHAPTER 6

MONA

"What does Kaid want from you?" Archer inquired as we headed back to my apartment that night after the engagement party. It had been just a small and quick party since Archer knew I wasn't a fan of attention.

I glanced at him. "He keeps saying something about a cure."

Archer raised his brows in realization. We both fell silent and continued our steps until we got to my door.

"Are you going to give him the cure?" he asked just before I could open the door.

I shook my head. "I'm not sure."

"You shouldn't give it to him. Kaid doesn't deserve it," Archer added in a stern tone. I couldn't tell if he was saying it out of concern or just his rivalry with Kaid.

I forced a small smile. "Goodnight."

Archer pulled me close and dropped a kiss on my cheeks before I waved him goodbye and walked into my house.

Everywhere was still so dark and quiet and just then...

"Mona!" A voice called from behind me almost causing my heart to jump out of my chest.

"You're such a scaredy cat," Daphne teased, tapping my back and then switching on the light.

"What were you doing in the dark?"

Daphne didn't say anything, instead she just pulled me into a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so happy for you," she said. "I'm so glad you accepted Archer's proposal."

I pulled out of the hug. "Where are the kids?"I asked, swiftly changing the topic. I knew Daphne wouldn't stop talking about the engagement, the excitement was all over her body but I wasn't in the mood to talk about that, I had other pressing matters.

"They're in Logan's room. Tell me, how did Archer suddenly propose? Was it romantic?" Her smile broadened as she returned to the couch and I massaged my temples. Of course, Daphne would never stop talking about it but no matter what, I still loved my best friend.

We had lost contact for over a year after I was banished from the bloodcrest pack, but then, she had met Archer's beta at a neighbouring pack's party one day and they had immediately recognised each other as mates and fallen in love.

It was actually a forbidden relationship as the bloodcrest and Willowbane packs were enemies, but they'd dated secretly, love had conquered all and Daphne was also banished from the pack, thankfully, she didn't get other punishments. They got married and Daphne became a Willowbane pack member just like me. I couldn't be more happy and our friendship picked up from where we left it. And now, Harold and Daphne have a beautiful daughter.

"We had dinner together and he proposed."

She arched an eyebrow. "Just like that?"

I adjusted my sitting position. "I saw Kaid today."

Her eyes widened. "Kaid?...You mean Alpha Kaid?"

I bobbed my head, my brain immediately switching back to when we met at the golf course and how he had looked at me. We had both been surprised to see each other and my heart had immediately recognised who it beats for. But my head had immediately taken over and henceforth, it would still be in the lead.

"How? Where?"

I dragged my fingers through my hair. "Apparently, he has been trying to meet me for months and he finally got a chance through an investor."

She squeezed her face. " What does he want? Why is he looking for you?"

I shrugged. "He needs a cure for something. Seems like his pack is suffering from an illness or something and he thinks I have the cure to it. Do you know anything about this?"

She pursed her lips and rested her head on her palm for a few seconds before talking.

"I've heard about them suffering from a mysterious illness. I don't know if it's a curse or something but everyone's wolf has become dormant and they're not having new pups anymore. They're slowly becoming human."

My face scrunched up. " How is that possible?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Probably the moon goddess curse or something. I told you the pack was never the same after you left. A lot of things kept happening."

I let out a sigh. "But why?"

"Maybe the moon goddess is fighting for your injustice or punishing him for choosing Greta over his fated Luna," she teased, throwing me a wink and I rolled my eyes.

"No wonder he's so desperate."

She nodded. "So, are you going to help them?"

My lips pressed into a thin line. "I haven't decided yet. I'm still mad at Kaid and I don't want to have anything to do with him."

She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I understand you. They actually deserve what came for them. But, not everyone in the pack is horrible."

I nodded in agreement. I was still confused about what to do. Relating with Kaid was definitely something I didn't want at all. I didn't want him near me and I definitely didn't want to go back to the bloodcrest pack. And Kaid doesn't even deserve my help.

"What the hell!" Daphne screamed, her voice breaking into my thoughts.

My face morphed into a frown as I turned to her. "What's wrong?"

"Have you seen this?" She pointed her phone in my face and my brows creased.

"What?"

She pushed the phone close to me. "Read it."

I collected the phone from her and noticed it was a blog post. I wasn't in the mood for any pack gossip but as I read the post, I took a glance at Daphne and my blood started boiling.

'Effective immediately, Alaris Biotech shall fall under temporary Council oversight until Ms. Mona Grayson presents the Moon Serum to Bloodcrest. Refusal to comply will be deemed an act of treason against the Lycan Accord.'

"Did Kaid report me to the council?" I asked, raising my head to Daphne whose expression masked the anger bubbling inside me. He had only tried to get through me today and in less than twenty four hours, he had decided to go the legal way by forcing me?

"Obviously. Guess he realized he couldn't get through to you so he decided to call the council."

My fingers wrapped around the phone tightly. I'd always known Kaid to be horrible but I didn't think he would be so thoughtless and cowardly.

The vibration of my phone beside me brought me out of my reverie and Daphne immediately collected hers from me while I picked up mine.

And it was a message from the council.

'By decree of the Seven, you are ordered to appear before the Council in two days. Refusal will be considered a breach of pack law under Article 15 of the Lycan Accord'

"What's wrong?" Daphne tapped my shoulder and I swung my gaze at her.

"I'm being summoned by the Council."

Her face fell. "What! Why is he taking it this far? He didn't even give you the chance to think about it and he's already cornering you?"

I shook my head. For a second, I almost thought Kaid had changed but he was still the same arrogant and entitled Alpha.

And that sparked my temper.

The battle line has just been drawn.