Paige seethed in anger. She shoved Ara behind her and then she glared at Kaizan as her hands rolled into fists until her knuckles were white. "Kaizan!" she shouted. "I have had enough of this nonsense. Every time Ara wants to talk to you, you insult her like she is a nobody. But Ara is my partner. You better learn to behave in front of her and respect her. I have never ever insulted Olivia, have I? Then how dare you misbehave with Ara?"

Kaizan was… stunned. Paige hardly ever burst on him and this was one of those rare days when she was fighting with him. His gaze slid past her to where Ara was standing and he found her smirking at him. It enraged him further. "She was—"

Paige cut him off. "I don't want to listen to your useless, baseless insinuations. It seems that just because I am in love with Ara, the entire family is against me? Just because Ara only talks about my welfare, is it difficult for all of you to gulp it down? As a family, do you all even love me or not? While Ara here is demanding what is right for me, all of you are only questioning her intentions? I am fed up with all of you. If you hate me so much then why should I even stay here?" 

"Are you fucking mad?" Kaizan growled. "You are fighting with me over someone who is clearly trying to create a rift between us?" 

"Rift?" Paige asked as her breath became shallow with fury. "With Ara I came to know how much she loves me and how much do you all hate me. She is standing by me all the time, taking my side, but you all—" her gaze went to her father and mother who had rushed into the main hall hearing all the commotion, "—but you all are against me. Yesterday when Ara rightfully demanded my share of property, you denied her saying that she isn't my mate. Where will I find my mate? Mates are so rare. And until I find my mate, am I not supposed to fall in love? Am I not supposed to settle with someone I love?" She turned to face Ara and then held her hand and squeezed it. "She is the only person who understands me. I will not tolerate any nonsense against her." She looked over her shoulder to face Kaizan. "You, of all people, have been my worst enemy." Her voice dipped low. "Ara is so fragile and delicate." She rubbed her hand with her thumb in a caress. "She is so depressed about the way her brother had treated her. I brought her here so that she gets out of her depression, so that she gets a new start. But— but I didn't know that society can be so cruel to someone who is already a victim of circumstances." She gazed at Nate and said, "If you can't give the share of my property, it is fine. I intend to take Ara away from here as soon as possible. You will not hear from me after that." 

Ara's eyes flew wide open. She was sniffling when Paige was talking to her family, but the moment she declared that she was taking her away from here, she stopped sniffling. "But Paige, why will you leave? This is your house too."

Paige shook her head. She gave Kaizan an accusatory glance. "See? This is what love is all about? Even after you have insulted her so heavily, all Ara is thinking is about my welfare." She turned to look at Ara and said, "No Ara, I will not stand to see you being insinuated all the time. You are such a wonderful person. It hurts me when they don't treat you well." 

"No Paige," Ara said in a soft voice. "I really don't want you to suffer emotionally anymore. We are going to leave this place." 

Nate crossed his arms as he watched the entire drama unfolding in front of his eyes. Ookashi was standing right next to him but she looked helplessly at Paige. What had happened to her daughter? She was such a bubbly, outgoing and wonderful person. But now… now she had become like a shell. Her life was focused on saving Ara. While Ookashi wasn't averse to helping Ara, she was sucking the life out of Paige. Everyone in the family could clearly see that. Why couldn't Paige? Was she so blindly in love with Ara? Her lips curved down and she longed to have Paige in her arms. Without thinking much, she walked to her daughter and hugged her hard. 

Paige was taken by surprise. "Mother…" she said in a soft voice as she hugged her back. 

Ookashi whispered in her ears, "Don't fight so much, Paige. We all love you." That was all the reassurance Ookashi could give to her daughter. Her eyes stung at the back as her gaze went to Ara. And she found Ara glaring at her. Ookashi ignored her and removed herself from Paige. "Calm down," she said. "Maybe you and Kaizan should sit together and have a conversation. Maybe you should go out for a few days, calm your mind and come back. You will be able to view things objectively." 

"What do you mean?" Ara intervened. "With me out here, Paige is unable to think coherently?" 

Ookashi let out a sigh. She didn't reply to Ara and after patting on Paige's shoulder, she went to her room. 

Paige softened in her mother's embrace. She murmured, "No Mother. Reconciliation is difficult now. I will leave with Ara." Saying that she strode back to her back with Ara on her heels. 

"Paige, Paige!" Ara called her from behind as she hurried up to be with her. "We are not leaving. This is your house too. You can't leave just because of me. If you want, I will leave."

Paige stopped. "Oh, Ara…" She hugged Ara. "You are not going anywhere. You will stay with me. I am capable of supporting you." Paige walked further. 

"Paige!" Ara called her again as blood drained from her face. "But—" The two strode out of the room. 

Kaizan was exhausted emotionally after the fiasco. He didn't know that Paige would actually fight with him because of Ara. Why couldn't she see the reason? What had she thrown her logic out of the window? With his head in between his fists, he sat down on the sofa. He lost his appetite, but he was glad that Olivia wasn't here. In fact, now even he wanted to leave and go. 

"Kaizan." 

Nate's voice pulled him out of his reverie. 

Kaizan took a deep breath as he rested behind. He shook his head. "I am sorry, Father…" 

"I want all the information on Ara," Nate said curtly. "Every single detail." 

Kaizan raised his eyebrow. Half smile came on his lips and exposed his dimple. "I am already on it." 

"Good. We need to act fast," Nate said and then left the room waving air in front of him. The sickening mint smell of Ara was overwhelming. No werewolf smelled this strong. 

--- 

Ara watched Paige going to the bathroom. She couldn't believe that her plan backfired. Paige was… an idiot. Lots had to be done quickly.. She turned the knob of the bathroom. 

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