Free Web NovelChapter 343: Stay Behind, Angel.
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Angela didn’t drag the issue with her friend any further. She was partly to blame for Renn’s situation too.
But what could she have done to fix it?
You should have told him to stay and complete his last semester, her wolf snapped.
A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought about it. Maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe she could still save him.
"We are jogging in pairs today. Choose your partner and get ready to move," Kaito commanded.
His voice still carried that effect on her, the kind that made her stomach flutter. But Angela refused to let herself fall for his charm again.
He wasn’t just a liar. He was a cheater.
"I am going with you guys."
Alex walked over and tapped her shoulder.
"Thank Goddess," Angela said with a smile. At least she would be with her friends this time. "I thought you’d go with the guys you were standing with."
"No. Kaito asked me to go with you," Alex replied.
Angela’s brows knitted together as her gaze drifted toward Kaito.
Why did he care whether Alex stayed with her or not?
"You didn’t tell him about my condition, did you?" she asked quickly.
She knew Alex wouldn’t betray her, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that he was Kaito’s beta. At the end of the day, Alex answered to him.
"Nooo..." Alex shook his head. "If Kaito knew, he wouldn’t let you be out here."
Angela released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
"I don’t know how long you plan to keep this from him," Alex continued, lowering his voice, "but you need to figure it out soon. Kaito is starting to suspect something."
"How?" Angela asked immediately, curiosity filling her face.
"We’ll talk about it later," Alex said as he started jogging after the group ahead of them.
Angela sighed and followed him. Stales fell into step behind them.
They jogged deep into the forest, relying on their primal strength as they made their way toward the caves.
By the time they got close, Angela stopped.
She needed a moment to catch her breath and make sure the baby was alright.
The boys stopped too and turned back toward her.
"Any problem?" Stales asked, gently holding her arm. "If you don’t feel good, I can carry you on my back."
"No, I’m fine," Angela replied, lowering herself onto a nearby rock. "Just a little tired."
Her throat felt dry and raw. She wished she had brought water with her.
"Can we go to the caves?" she asked. "Maybe I can get some water there."
"Will the water be good for the baby?" Alex asked.
Stales grinned mischievously. "Look at Alex already doing daddy duties."
"Don’t be an asshole, Stales," Alex hissed.
Angela chuckled. She hadn’t expected that comment from Stales.
"Let’s not argue about this. We’re going to the cave."
"Or maybe we should head back?" Alex suggested.
Angela glanced behind them. The distance back was much farther than the remaining walk to the cave. She didn’t think she had the strength to burn more energy without drinking some water first.
"I prefer the cave," she said, pushing herself to her feet.
"I still can’t believe there’s a baby in there," Stales said, staring at her stomach in amazement. "Your belly is still flat."
"I don’t think so, Stales," Angela replied. "These trousers feel tighter than usual."
"It’ll get bigger," Alex said as they continued walking. "Do you know how far along you are?"
"Not really. I’m planning to see a doctor soon." She looked at him. "Will you come with me?"
Alex went silent.
For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. Deep down, however, he felt strangely happy that she had thought of him.
"Say something, man. Did she steal your voice?" Stales teased.
"N-no." Alex cleared his throat. "I just think... wouldn’t it be better if the baby’s father went with you?"
Angela’s smile faded slightly.
"I know things aren’t good between you and your mates right now," Alex continued carefully, "but you can’t keep the baby and its father apart forever."
"But I don’t even know which one of them is the father," Angela said with a shrug. "I’ll have to do a DNA test eventually, but not now."
"When are you planning to?" Alex asked.
"I don’t know," Angela replied with a shrug.
"I knew it. You don’t want to tell any of your mates." He shook his head before changing the subject. "Come on. Let’s get you some water before you faint. You look like you really need it."
Angela nodded.
Before either of them could say anything else, she used her primal speed and raced toward the mouth of the cave.
The boys immediately ran after her.
She couldn’t help laughing. It was obvious neither of them was willing to take the chance of leaving her alone.
The cave was dark, but darkness meant little to someone like her.
Angela remembered seeing a stream inside the cave the first day she came here.
As she stepped deeper inside, the cold walls around her stirred an old memory.
Months ago, she and Kaito had stood in this very cave, arguing.
It had been a terrible fight. She had discovered that Selena was living on campus, and Kaito had lied to her about it.
At the time, Angela had truly believed their relationship was over.
She remembered the hurt, the anger, and the disappointment that had nearly torn them apart.
Yet somehow, they had found their way back to each other.
Back then, she had believed their love was strong enough to survive anything.
Now it was different.
Angela wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head as she continued walking.
The memories came one after another, refusing to leave her alone.
She remembered the way Kaito had looked at her. The way he had touched her. The promises he had made. The love she had believed was real.
Every corner of the cave seemed haunted by those memories.
The more she tried to push them away, the stronger they became.
She could almost hear their laughter echoing through the darkness.
Almost feel the happiness she had once felt here.
A sharp ache settled in her chest.
Maybe that was what hurt the most.
Not the lies.
Not even the betrayal.
But the fact that some part of her still missed the version of Kaito she had fallen in love with.
Angela covered her ears with her palms as tears filled her eyes. She did not want to hear anything. Not after what happened on Harvest Night.
Even if she found it in her heart to forgive her mates, Kaito would not be among them. He had not made a single effort to show that he was truly sorry. While the others tried to make things right, he acted as if nothing had happened.
"Are you alright?"
A cold hand touched her shoulder.
Startled, Angela quickly turned around to face him.
"Is something wrong?" Alex asked again, his face filled with worry.
"No..." Angela cried.
Before she could stop herself, she threw herself into his arms.
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. He wondered if this had something to do with the pregnancy or if something else was troubling her.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, trying to comfort her.
Angela buried her face against his chest. Despite the cold air around them, she felt warm in his embrace.
Alex found the contrast strange.
His body was as cold as ice, yet hers felt like pure fire.
"Stales will get you some water so we can head back to the dormitory. Is that okay?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Angela whispered, still crying.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Alex asked, gently rubbing her back.
"No. I’ll be fine," she said, her voice cracking as she wiped at her eyes.
"Here’s some water, Angel."
Stales returned, holding out a can of water for her.
She did not wait before taking it from him. Angela quickly drank all the water, finishing it in a hurry before handing the empty bottle back.
As soon as she was ready to leave, they raced out of the cave and returned to the West House.
She stood quietly, her eyes fixed on Kaito as he leaned against the wall. He was not talking to anyone. He kept to himself, distant as always.
Angela wondered where Taros was. Since she came back, he had been out of sight, which was very unlike him.
Was he avoiding her?
"Why don’t you walk to him and talk?" Stales asked, his eyes moving from her to the West House leader. "You miss him."
"I don’t, Stales," Angela said quickly, but her eyes betrayed her.
"Hmmm... I know what happened in the cave today and even the other day. You should try it again," he teased.
Angela sighed and shook her head. He was never going to change his ways.
By now, almost all the students were already on the ground. Kaito, along with Alex, Slade, and other representatives of the Alphas, stood together in discussion.
A few minutes later, they were done. Kaito stepped forward and spoke loudly, his presence once again commanding every attention.
There was something about his aura. He never seemed to lose it, not even for a second.
"Today there will be an assembly right before lunch. The new principal will be present, so do not be late. You never know what might happen if you come in late," he announced.
The students seemed to find the way he spoke interesting. Her? It only annoyed her... or maybe it did not.
"You may return to your various hostels and rooms," Kaito added. "Angel will stay behind while everyone else leaves."
She had already started moving with the others when she realized he was talking about her.
Angela froze.
What the heck?
Why did he have to make such an announcement? Why did he want her to stay back?
