Alpha's Hidden Precious Luna-Chapter 103

Lily POV

I arrived at the café a few minutes earlier than the time I told Beta Liam.

The café bustled with afternoon activity, but I barely noticed, as my heart was pounding with a mixture of nervousness and determination. I chose a corner table near the window, hoping the soft natural light filtering through the glass would calm my nerves.

I went to the counter to place an order for tea before settling in my chair. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries wafted through the air, but I wasn’t paying attention to it. Soon, the waitress dropped my tea.

My fingers traced the rim of the cup as I tried to focus on the steaming cup of chamomile tea before me, rehearsing the words I wasn’t sure how to speak. I sipped the tea slowly, letting its soothing warmth settle my jittery thoughts. The question I was about to ask had kept me awake all night. I had to know the truth about the mysterious she-wolf in the hospital and the role she played in Kai’s life.

The bell above the café door jingled, and I looked up to see Beta Liam entering. He wore a light sweater and jeans, dressed casually—just as Kai would. His commanding presence drew eyes from the other people in the café.

Beta Liam scanned the room until his eyes landed on me. He nodded in acknowledgment and made his way over, a small smile on his face.

“Lily,” he greeted warmly, pulling out the chair opposite mine. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”

“Not at all,” I replied. My voice was steadier than I felt.

Immediately, he flagged down a waiter and ordered black coffee. Once the waiter left, he turned his attention back to me, his expression curious.

“So, what’s on your mind? You sounded so urgent on the phone. Is everything alright?”

I felt a lump settle in my throat as I traced the rim of my teacup again.

“I’m not fine, Liam,” I tried not to cry. “I’m going crazy. If I don’t get the answers to these questions soon...” I trailed off, wringing my fingers.

“Liam,” I looked up at him again. “I need to ask you something, and I hope you’ll be honest with me.”

His brows furrowed slightly, his casual demeanor shifting to one of caution. “Of course. I’ll do my best.”

Taking a deep breath, I looked him straight in the eye. “Did Kai have a mate before?”

He froze. His hand was halfway to his coffee cup, but then it stopped as a shadow crossed his face.

“Why are you asking that, Lily?” he said with a carefully guarded tone as he reached for the cup.

“Because I want to know. Kai never mentioned it to me, and I’m curious.”

“Lily, I don’t think...”

“I already know,” I cut in. “There’s no point in hiding it from me, Liam. You know about the she-wolf he spends time with; I heard she might be his mate from the past or something. I can’t tell because no one is telling me the complete story. But I need to know. I’ve seen the way he acts around her, and I’ve heard enough to piece some of it together. I just need you to confirm it.”

He exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable.

“Alright,” he said after a long pause. “Yes, Kai had a mate before.”

I felt a pang of sadness in my chest, as though hearing the confirmation made it more real. I tightened my grip on the teacup to keep my hands from trembling.

“What happened to her?” I whispered, trying to maintain the brave smile I have on my face. “Who was she?”

Liam shook his head. “I don’t know all the details, Lily. Although I am Kai’s Beta, but he’s been private about that one thing in his life and honestly, most of us didn’t even know he had a mate until much later. He kept it a secret from almost everyone.”

I frowned. “Why? Why would he hide something like that?”

“I heard it was painful for him,” Liam sighed. “Whatever happened between them, it left him deeply scarred. And, truth be told, no one knows exactly what happened during that time except for Kai himself and his mother, Luna Helen.”

My thoughts raced. I had hoped Liam would provide clarity. But his answers only deepened the mystery. “So, all you know is that something happened while Kai was away on a trip?”

He nodded. “That’s right. Years ago, Kai went on a journey — something about strengthening alliances or exploring potential territories. He was gone for several months. When he returned, he was... different. Quieter, more distant. That’s when the rumours started to spread, but Kai never confirmed anything, not even to me. And I’m his Beta.”

I bit my lips, trying to process this new information. “And Luna Helen? Does she know the truth?”

“Whatever happened during thos4e months, only two people know the full story—Kai and his mother, Luna Helen,” Liam admitted. “But good luck getting her to talk about it. She’s protective of Kai, as he is of her.”

Luna Helen had made it clear what she thought of me. I couldn’t imagine the older woman opening up about something so personal.

Liam leaned forward, his expression softening. “Why are you so concerned about this? Are you worried about the woman in the hospital?”

“Yes,” I admitted with a sad smile. “I love him, Liam, but if feels like he’s getting away from me every single day. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s connected to Kai’s past life or even his mate. I just don’t understand it all. And the way he’s been acting lately—distant, secretive—it makes me feel like I’m losing him.”

Liam sighed, giving me a sympathetic gaze. “Kai cares so much about you, Lily. I see it in the way he looks at you. But he’s also a man carrying a lot of pain. Sometimes, that pain clouds his judgment. I can’t tell you what’s going on in his head, but I know this: Kai doesn’t let go of people he loves easily.”

I nodded. I drained the last of my tea; the chamomile doing little to calm the storm inside me.

“Thank you for being honest with me,” I whispered. “I just... I needed to know. And...” I paused a bit. “Does the name Maya mean anything to you?”

He stared at me for a few seconds before shaking his head. “No!”

I nodded. “How about when exactly did he take this trip? The one that he had disappeared for months. How long ago was that?”

His expression darkened. “Five years ago. Right after the Blood Moon Festival.”

Then he reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand over mine. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more answers. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

I offered him a faint smile. “Thanks Liam. That means a lot.”

Just before we parted ways, Liam caught my wrist. “Lily,” his eyes were serious. “Be careful. Some wounds never truly heal.”