There was no answer. He only stood there, staring at her like he did not understand a single word she had said, and that look made something snap inside her. The confusion on his face felt fake, and it angered her more than shouting ever could.

"You shouldn’t just stare at me, Kaito," Angela said, holding his eyes. He flinched, just slightly, and that small reaction told her everything. Her chest tightened, a dull ache spreading as fear and anger mixed together. "Who is she?"

"Why are you asking me this now?" Kaito asked, clearly caught off guard. Of all moments, this was the one she chose, and he looked unprepared for it.

"When exactly was I supposed to ask you?" she shot back, her voice sharp with anger. "You should have thought twice before hiding her from me."

"This is not the place or the time," Kaito said with a tired sigh, slipping his hands into his pockets. He glanced around, checking to see who was watching. Too many eyes were already on them.

"Don’t start, Kaito," Angela hissed, turning her face away. "You will only make me angrier." She had feared he would react like this, and now her fear was coming true.

"We can talk later," he said quietly.

"No. I want answers now. Why must everything wait till later?" she demanded.

"You sound really upset," he replied. "I am not cheating on you, if that is what you are thinking."

She looked at him, doubt clear in her eyes. He knew that look too well. They needed to talk before the announcements started. He exhaled slowly. "Fine. Let’s go."

"To where?" Angela asked, confused.

He took her hand and led her through the crowd toward the house. They did not go inside but moved behind it, away from most people. He looked around to be sure no one was close, then faced her.

"What is this sudden focus on that name?" he asked.

Angela let out a bitter laugh and pulled her hand free. "You think I am obsessed?" she said. "I am angry because you failed to tell me about your past. You lied to me, Kaito, and I do not even know how deep that lie goes."

"What past?" he asked, his voice tense. "What do you think you know?"

"Kaine," Angela said firmly. "Who is she?"

"I will explain," he started.

"I do not need a fucking explanation, Kaito. I need to know who she is," Angela insisted. Her tone was rough, but she did not care anymore.

"No one," he said quickly. "She is no one."

Angela let out a bitter laugh and nodded slowly before stopping to face him. "You are lying. I saw a photo of you and her. You say she is no one, yet there she is beside you. Is that how you plan to talk about us too?"

"We are mates, for goodness sake," Kaito said, brushing off her fear. "You are going to be my wife, and everyone will know that."

"So easy for you to say," Angela replied. "I saw a photo of you and Kaine in your diary."

"In my what?" he asked, staring at her as if he had not heard her clearly.

Angela took a step back when she saw his expression change. The air around him felt heavier. She knew she should not have mentioned the diary yet. Hailey had warned her. It was going to make him angry.

"That is not what she meant," Hailey’s voice cut in. They hurried over when they saw Angela and Kaito walk past them earlier.

"Yes," Seraphina added quickly, forcing a small smile. She hoped he would not explode. They had planned to stop Angela before the diary came up, but they were too late.

"So your friends know about it too?" Kaito asked, clearly shocked. He let out a short laugh and shook his head. "Then why ask me, Angela, if you already did your own digging?"

"No, Kaito. I stumbled on it while I was looking for what to wear," Angela corrected at once. She did not want him thinking she had picked up the diary on purpose and started reading it. "The photo just came up..."

"It is not a problem," he said calmly. "You do not have to explain yourself."

"Are you going to answer my question?" she asked.

Kaito’s lips parted, but no words came out at first. He stared at her for a moment before finally saying, "She is no one. Trust me."

"You are still not answering me," Angela snapped. "You say her name over and over when you are unconscious or asleep, yet you stand here telling me she is no one. Does that even make sense to you, Kaito?"

"She is in the past," he replied. "Did I really mention her name while sleeping?"

"Yes," Angela said firmly. "That means you have not forgotten her. She is not in the past, and I will not stand here while you lie to my face." She slammed her foot against the ground, anger burning in her chest.

"You should get your answers from the diary," Kaito said quietly.

Angela stared at him in disbelief. "Are you seriously trying to push this back on me?"

He was hurting her with every word. She could not understand how he could say he loved her and still protect another woman. The thought twisted painfully inside her.

"No," he started.

"That is exactly what you are doing," Angela shouted, her voice shaking with hurt and anger.

"We are both angry, and I think we should postpone this topic," Kaito said, trying to sound calm.

"I am not doing that," Angela snapped. "You have to tell me who the fuck Kaine is, Kaito." She pushed him with the little strength she had, not expecting it to work. He only took a step back.

"Angela," Seraphina rushed to her side and held her arms. "Stop this."

"You should be telling him to stop lying to me all the time," Angela cried, struggling in her hold.

"Just tell her who the girl is, Kaito," Hailey said carefully. He looked nervous, knowing he was stepping into a fight between an Alpha and his mate.

"Exactly," Angela shouted, tears filling her eyes. "I have asked you this question again and again." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"You still do not get it, do you?" Kaito said, his voice low and tight. "If I do not want to talk about Kaine, then you should understand by now that I will never say a word about her." He clenched his jaw, fighting his anger. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. A message from Taros. He sighed. "I have to go."

"Seriously?" Angela asked, her voice breaking as tears spilled over.

"I am sorry, amor. I will make it up to you," he said, stepping closer.

She turned away from him and buried her face in Seraphina’s shoulder, hugging her tightly. It was clear she did not want him near her.

"Go to your Kaine," Angela said through her tears.

Kaito said nothing. He turned and walked away, leaving her with her friends. They would talk later, he told himself. This was not the right time.

"I hate him," Angela sobbed, holding on to Seraphina. Her heart felt like it was tearing apart. Him walking away felt like a choice. To her, it meant he chose Kaine over her. He would rather see her cry than tell her the truth about Kaine.

"Y you should," a familiar voice chuckled.

The girls turned sharply toward the sound and found Miss Valois standing there. She wore her usual black outfit, a matching hat pulled low on her head, her smile calm and knowing. "Those boys are not fit to be your mates. I have told you that many times."

Angela took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She was not in the mood for this woman today. "I do not want to hear you talk about my mates," she said firmly.

"You see me as the devil," Miss Valois replied, her smile widening, "but those boys are monsters. Cold blooded killers."

Angela pulled herself out of her friends’ arms and faced the principal. Her eyes burned as she stared at her. "They are not evil like you," she said, her voice shaking with anger.

"Exactly," Hailey added, stepping forward despite her fear. "I would rather stand with them than with you." Her anger toward her sister was still fresh.

"You do not believe me, do you?" Miss Valois said calmly, turning her attention back to Angela. "Do you remember when they all hid the truth about me and Renn? Who was the one that told you the truth?" She smiled proudly. "It was me. I risked everything to tell you."

"You did it for your own gain," Angela replied. She knew she should not listen, yet something in her twisted. "Why did you call my mates murderers?" she asked, despite herself.

"Because they killed Eliza," Miss Valois said softly, watching their faces closely. "And buried her body in the forest."

The words hit them like a blow, heavy and cruel, leaving the air thick with shock.