#Chapter 188: The Imposter

Kayla & Nicholas Kayla My heart cracked open in my chest. “They probably just went somewhere to talk,” Emma offered gently, reaching for my hand. I nodded mechanically, not trusting myself to speak. Talk. Yes, that made sense. Nicholas loved me. He wouldn’t… he couldn’t… “Kayla?” Jade’s voice seemed to come from far away. “Are you alright? You’ve gone pale.” I forced myself to breathe. “I’m fine. Just tired.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. “I should go find Nicholas. He’ll want to know that Emma’s awake.” Before any of them could stop me, I turned and pushed my way back through the crowd, my eyes scanning desperately for any sign of Nicholas’s tall frame or Anna’s flowing dark hair. The celebration continued around me, seemingly oblivious to my panic, couples dancing and embracing in the red glow of the moon. “Looking for someone?” A female voice spoke from behind me. I turned to find a member of the pack I vaguely recognized—one o