Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
43
Kai
Laughter and chatter made the house lively and full of energy. Ivar’s birthday party drew the entire pack together, and it felt good to see everyone enjoying themselves. As I scanned the house, I found Nevea standing at the bar, engaged in conversation but not entirely present. It didn’t matter, I was glad that she came.
Nevea was probably tired. She had been busy these days with work, and Ivar mentioned she was not in the mood for a party. But here she was. That was Nevea – always doing the right thing and putting others before herself.
“Hey, Alpha Kai!” Claire called, pulling me from my thoughts. She looked at me with those hopeful eyes.
“Could you please help me with these prawns and crabs? I can’t peel them with
45% 14:10
1/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
my arm like this.”
I hesitated for a moment because I thought of talking to Nevea. I glanced at her, and she was still talking to one healer. I would talk to her later. I couldn’t leave Claire hanging.
“Sure,” I said, moving to sit beside her.
“Thanks! You‘ re a lifesaver,” Claire responded with a bright smile.
I picked up one prawn and crab and began peeling them. This part of being an Alpha sometimes could suck, but it was a good thing that I needed to do this with Claire. Other members sometimes could be demanding.
“You‘ re always so kind to me, Alpha Kai. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said, leaning at me.
“It’s nothing. Just doing what I should.”
As I continued peeling, Ivar joined us, holding two drinks in his hands. He
45% 14:10
2/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties.
my arm like this.”
I hesitated for a moment because I thought of talking to Nevea. I glanced at her, and she was still talking to one healer. I would talk to her later. I couldn’t leave Claire
hanging.
“Sure,” I said, moving to sit beside her.
“Thanks! You‘ re a lifesaver,” Claire responded with a bright smile.
I picked up one prawn and crab and began peeling them. This part of being an Alpha sometimes could suck, but it was a good thing that I needed to do this with Claire. Other members sometimes could be
demanding.
“You‘ re always so kind to me, Alpha Kai. I don’t know what I’d do without you,”
she said, leaning at me.
“It’s nothing. Just doing what I should.”
As I continued peeling, Ivar joined us, holding two drinks in his hands. He
45% 14:10
2/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
handed one to me and shot a knowing glance at Claire.
“You really know how to make a guy feel useful, huh? What a gentleman,” he teased.
I chuckled and handed another peeled prawn to Claire.
“Just helping a pack member who needs it.”
Ivar leaned against the table and glanced at Nevea, standing alone now. She had been holding her drink since she came, and it remained untouched.
“Hey, Kai, why don’t you peel some prawns and crabs for Nevea? I’m
sure, she would appreciate that, too.”
I frowned. I didn’t come here to be peeling plates of seafood. Nevea could easily do it by herself.
“Nevea’s fine. She’s just taking a break,” I said, trying to convince myself.
-455% 14 10
14:10
3/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
Ivar raised an eyebrow.
“You really think so? She doesn‘ t look so happy.”
“Of course, she’s fine. She understands. I’m here for Claire because she’s hurt. It’s not a big deal,” I said with a forced smile while glancing at Nevea, who looked irritated.
Claire darted her gaze between us. She looked more concerned and worried than
earlier.
“I hope I’m not causing trouble between you two. I wouldn’t want Nevea to feel like I’m coming between you. After all, she is your mate, Alpha Kai. She also deserved some attention from you,” Claire said softly.
“No, you‘ re not,” I replied quickly, but doubt crept in. I caught Nevea‘ s eye, but she quickly looked away.
“She knows I’m just helping.”
45% 14 10
4/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
I felt an odd tension as I handed some crab
meat to Claire,
“You‘ re such a good Alpha, Kai. It’s nice to see you take care of your pack.”
I shrugged, dismissing the praise.
“It’s just what I do. You‘ re part of the pack, Claire. It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone is okay.
Claire looked at me, smiled, and leaned close again.
“Still, you make it look effortless.”
I couldn’t help but smile, but my gaze went to Nevea. She had moved away from the group and crossed her arms as she watched us. I felt a pang of unease but brushed it off. She had to understand this was just part of being Alpha.
As the main course was served, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with Nevea. She had never been this angry this much. She behaved differently, and I
45% 14 10
5/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
couldn’t understand why she made things difficult.
“Nevea, want some prawns?” I called out, trying to break the ice.
She looked up, her expression neutral.
“No, I’m good, thanks,” she said, her voice steady but distant.
Before I could respond, Ivar chimed,
“Come on, Nevea. You can’t just stand there! Join us. Kai‘ s practically the seafood king over here!”
Nevea smiled politely but shook her head.
“Really, I’m fine. I think I’m going to head home,” Nevea insisted.
“Already? It’s still early” I asked, surprised.
“I’ve got work tomorrow. Tell Ivar happy birthday for me,” she replied. She looked at me, but her eyes lacked that warmth they used to.
45 14 10
14.10
6/8
- ))
43
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
“Wait, let me walk you out,” I said, immediately standing up.
“There’s no need. I’ll be fine,” Neveal said quickly, her voice firm.
I felt a tightness in my chest.
“Nevea, come on. We barely got to talk tonight. Can’t you stay a bit longer?”
“I can’t. I really need to go,” Nevea said with a hint of frustration.
And just like that, Nevea headed towards the door without looking back. I watched her leave and felt my stomach twisted. What was going on with her?
Claire looked at me still with worry and concern that she looked like she was about
to cry.
“She seems upset. Are you sure everything‘ s okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” I replied, but my voice lacked conviction.
45% 14:11
7/8
Chapter 4 Misplaced Loyalties
“I can’t help but feel like I’m causing problems. I’m sorry that I had another injury yesterday. I didn’t mean to come between you two. I’m sure she was deeply hurt that your mating ceremony got canceled. I would feel the same way, too.”
“You‘ re not. Nevea knows that. It’s just… she’s tired, I guess. I’ll just text
her.”
I pulled out my phone and quickly typed:
“Nevea, let me know when you get home. We need to talk.”
I hit send, but the message wouldn’t go through. I frowned and tried calling Nevea, but it went straight to voicemail. I stood there, staring at my phone in disbelief. Nevea blocked me.
