3 / CHAPTER THIRTY CHAPTER THIRTY KAIA'S POV I stood in my room , staring at the dress laid out on my bed like it was my enemy . Which , I guess , it was at this moment . It was pale blue , long , and way too flowy for my liking . It even had sparkles , Sparkles ! Can you imagine ?! Just looking at it made me groan . I wasn't the kind of girl who wore dresses . I preferred joggers and boots , or jeans and a shirt . Something I could move in without feeling like I was sweeping the entire world behind me . Something that didn't make me feel like a stiff , uncomfortable doll . But no . Tonight was Elise's mating ceremony . And apparently , I had to " look the part . " I swear , mothers never know when to stop . I sighed and rubbed my face in frustration . Why me ? My body ached all over . My legs felt heavy , and my arms were sore . I had been up since before sunrise , running around the training grounds , barking orders , and handling every single responsibility Mia usually managed - plus my own . But Mia was still in the hospital , recovering from her injury , and that meant her work had fallen into my lap . I didn't even get a chance to sit today . Not even for five minutes . And I'd barely had anything to eat all day because there was simply no time . I kept switching between the training ground and every other place you could possibly think of . By now , I'm pretty sure I'd already toured the entire pack grounds in just one single day . If I wasn't out running errands , I was dealing with the trainees - and if not that , then it was something even more stressful . And now this . A freaking mating ceremony that I didn't even remember until breakfast yesterday . Don't get me wrong - I liked Elise . She was sweet and kind , and she deserved a beautiful night . But I didn't have to be part of it . Not like this anyway . Not when I could barely keep my eyes open . Not when my body just wanted to crash and get some much - deserved rest . My eyes shifted to the drawer where the strange necklace still lay , and I sighed . I seem to have gotten the hang of it after it slept in my room for two nights straight . It glowed again last night and then went back to normal as soon as the sun came out . So , if my observations are right , then the necklace only glows at night . I'm thinking maybe it reacts to moonlight or something - because as soon as the moon is out , it starts glowing , but as soon as the sun starts to rise , it returns to normal . There was definitely something up with that necklace . And whatever it was , I don't think it's safe not knowing what . I walked to the window and pulled the curtains aside . The sky was already getting dark . The ceremony would start soon . " Ugh , fine , " I muttered to myself . " Let's get this over with . " Dragging my feet , I went into the bathroom , peeled off my training clothes , and took a fast shower . The hot water helped a little . It made my muscles relax , even if just for a moment . I didn't war jet out , but I forced < CHAPTER THIRTY myself to . Back in my room , I dried off and pulled the dress on . It clung to me in places I didn't want it to . I tugged at the straps , frowning at my reflection in the mirror . " This is ridiculous , " I muttered . " Why do dresses always feel like a trap ? " I opened my closet and searched the bottom shelf . My silver heels sat there , gathering dust - just like they had for goddess knows how long . I hadn't worn them since the last formal event .. whenever that was . Probably a year ago . Or maybe even more . I picked them up , looked at them like they were weapons , then sat down and strapped them on . The second i stood up , I regretted every life choice that brought me to this point . " Ow ," I muttered , wobbling a little . " Why do people pretend this is normal ? " I grabbed a silver clutch bag - not because I needed it , but because it made the outfit look more ' finished . Whatever that was supposed to mean . I took one last look in the mirror before heading outside . My parents were already waiting in the front yard . The second my mom saw me , her face lit up . " Oh my moon ," she said , grinning . " Would you look at that , darling ! Our daughter is actually wearing a dress ! " My dad turned around and burst out laughing . " Are those heels ? Who are you , and what have you done with my daughter ? " I rolled my eyes . " Very funny . " Mom gasped dramatically . " She speaks ! And she didn't punch anyone yet . That's progress ." " You two are impossible ," I said , walking past them . " You look beautiful , honey , " my mom added , nudging my shoulder . " That she does , " Dad agreed . " Even though you look like you're about to stab someone . " " That's just my resting face ," I muttered . They both laughed again as we climbed into the car and headed toward the ceremony venue . As we drove , I leaned against the window and let my thoughts wander . The moon was just rising above the trees , and the place was quickly growing dark . The roads were quiet , and the wind outside seemed calmer than usual . It should have been peaceful , but I was too tense and tired to enjoy it . My mom turned in her seat to face me . " You okay , sweetie ? You've been working yourself to the bone lately ." " I'm fine , " I replied without looking at her . " You sure ? You've been carrying too much ever since Mia got injured ." I frowned . " You said that like it's been forever . That was just yesterday , Mom ." Silence filled the car for a moment . Then my dad spoke . " Just don't forget you're allowed to rest too , Kaia . We're proud of you for stepping up , but don't burn yourself out . " I gave a small nod , not trusting myself to speak . I didn't want to seem weak . 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