Kaida's eyes seemed to glaze over as she began to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I was Ryker's mate," she said, the words dripping with pain. "We were young, in love, and invincible. Or so I thought."
Kaida's gaze dropped, and Ava saw the faintest glimmer of tears.
"Ryker was different back then," Kaida continued. "He was kind, gentle, and loving. But the pack didn't accept me. They saw me as an outsider, a threat to their way of life."
Ava's heart went out to Kaida as she spoke of the pain and rejection she'd faced.
"Ryker fought for me," Kaida said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "He fought for us, for our love. But in the end, it wasn't enough."
Kaida's eyes flashed with anger, and Ava took a step back.
"The pack turned on us," Kaida spat. "They attacked us, and Ryker...Ryker was forced to fight back. He became the monster they accused him of being."
Ava's mind reeled as she pieced together the story. Ryker's past was more complicated than she'd thought.
"And then I was cursed," Kaida said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Left to rot, to live in the shadows. And Ryker...Ryker moved on. He found you."
Ava saw the pain and the anger in Kaida's eyes, and she knew that Kaida's actions would be driven by a desire for revenge.