Chapter 112: Chapter 112

Adelie

We knew we had to act immediately. There was no time to waste; Kairos’ life was hanging in the balance. Despite my usual stubbornness, I found myself asking Esty to bring Burton to us.

Even though Burton and I weren’t exactly on friendly terms, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to kill Kairos.

While waiting for Burton, I had some time to myself. Kairos had made it clear he didn’t want to see me, so I decided not to push it.

In our study, I sifted through documents about Kairos’ parents. I was hoping to find something about Archibald, but there was no mention of another child. Not even a hint.

As I went to return the file to the cabinet, I noticed a crack at the bottom. I let out a sigh of frustration. It felt like everything in this pack was falling apart.

When I set the file down, it made a hollow sound. Was the cabinet falling apart on the inside too? Maybe it was rotting.

As I removed some items, I noticed a perfectly rectangular shape. This couldn’t be a coincidence.

I emptied the cabinet and saw that it was built into the wall. There was nothing supposed to be underneath it. I tried to lift the wood, but it wouldn’t budge.

So, I took my dagger and carefully hooked it under the side to lift it up.

Of course, it wasn’t empty.

Inside was a small cardboard box, covered in cobwebs and dust. I carefully removed it and placed it on the table.

My fingers were now dusty, so I moved slowly to prevent more dust from filling the air and irritating my nose.

The first picture in the box was of Kairos and a beautiful girl, standing side by side. Kairos was smiling. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the girl was Mia.

I sat down.

Was this Kairos’ box of memories?

I dug deeper into the box and found a marriage agreement. Mia and Kairos. It was like a snapshot in time. Luna Mia was written on it. It had a nice ring to it. There was also an actual ring in the box.

It was clearly a wedding ring, probably Mia’s, since it had engraved initials.

I continued to sift through the box and found more pictures and notes. I debated whether or not to read them, but curiosity won.

~‘Meet me by the big oak,’~ one note read.

~‘Same spot, 2 a.m.’~

~‘I’ll be ready at twilight.’~

These must have been notes between Kairos and Mia. But why were they hidden?

~‘Last chance.’~

~‘I warn that consequences will follow if meeting is not successful.’~

This didn’t sound very romantic…

I unfolded another note.

~My dearest mate and love of mine. If this letter finds a way to you, our bond was cut too fast. ~

~I left this letter where you first poured your heart out to me: on the balcony, under the full moon, when we were still kids but we knew what real love was. My promise remains, no matter what world I am in. ~

~My love will never fade. Please know that I never meant to hurt anybody, but I feel that my body is not mine anymore. My mind wanders where it shouldn’t. Whatever is to happen, I am not in control. ~

~But I do this because of his promise to save you from the curse. Just like you would save me, I am saving you. Without you, I have no one. And you have too much to offer the world to be taken away. ~

~I made sacrifices to save you. Once I am gone, the curse will be gone. Archibald made an oath to keep you safe and never harm your pack. But don’t beat yourself up for what I have done. ~

~It was a choice I made. A choice I made to protect what I love. And that is what I ask of you. Keep what I love on this earth safe and happy. Be happy and love again. ~

~I will not be waiting for you…not because I don’t want to, but because you will find another happiness. ~

~I beg your pardon for what lies ahead. But if it’s the price to protect the pack, I’ll pay it. The pack will remain unscathed.~

~Mia. ~

This wasn’t Kairos’ box. It belonged to Mia.

She couldn’t place the letter where it was supposed to be. She wasn’t inherently wicked. Archibald had shattered her. He had twisted her into this. But for what reason? What had he done?

A knock echoed through the room before Maeve stepped in. She spotted the box instantly, but I could pinpoint the exact moment she chose not to question it. “Everyone’s here,” she declared.

I nodded in response. Rising from my seat, I folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket. Burton was the first to arrive at the meeting. He strolled back in as if nothing had transpired.

His pride must have taken a hit to return, but he still had a soft spot for the world. Esty and Maeve stood by his side.

“Esty briefed me,” he began without any formalities. “What do you need from me? I doubt you’re planning to kill Kairos. But then, what other choice do we have?” he queried.

“No one’s killing anything,” I retorted, although we weren’t certain of that. “But we know who cursed him. That has to be the solution.”

“Do we kill the one who cursed Kairos?” he probed. “How can you be certain the curse ends there?” And that was the dilemma we were grappling with.

“We can’t,” I admitted.

He studied me for a moment before taking a seat at the table, his gaze fixed straight ahead. “You have nothing?” he scoffed.

“We have…almost,” I countered. Which was a bit of a stretch but…

“So, did you summon me here to tell me that, or…?”

I cut him off, turning to Maeve. “Could you fetch Kairos?” I requested, and she nodded in agreement. “And the doctor too, if he’s available.”

Now, back to Burton. “We’re taking action now. But Kairos needs to be informed.”

We were gathered in the library, which housed a massive table at its center. I took a seat near the end, reserving the very last spot for Kairos. After a moment, Burton joined me, followed by Fala, Esty, and Maeve.

Soon after, John entered, his bag in tow. Then I heard a flurry of footsteps approaching. Kairos was the first to enter, trailed by the guards. Nathan stepped forward. “You wanted me to gather all the guards?” he inquired.

“Yes,” I confirmed. Around two dozen more individuals filed in after my response. Who had chosen to remain in the pack after everyone else had departed?

“Find a seat wherever you can,” I instructed, and some complied. Some leaned against the wall. One was still busy removing Kairos’ handcuffs.

Once they were off, Kairos rubbed his wrists and made his way to the vacant seat at the end of the table next to me.

I kept my eyes on him and it was clear he was deliberately avoiding my gaze, but out of sheer stubbornness I refused to look away. I simply waited for him to meet my eyes.

He was aware of what I was doing, and reluctantly dragged his gaze across the table to finally meet mine. But then I averted my eyes.

I dove straight into the matter at hand. “Most of you are already aware of why you’re here. But the most crucial person in this room is not.” I gestured towards Kairos. Only now did he seem genuinely interested in me.

I turned to him. “Archibald is the one who cursed you,” I revealed. Perhaps it wasn’t the best decision to just blurt it out without any preamble.

Initially, he knitted his eyebrows together, probably thinking I had lost my mind.

He didn’t seem to believe me. “Archibald wants you to suffer, Kairos,” I clarified.

“He’s been scheming this for God knows how long. He’s made it incredibly hard to trace his actions. That’s why it’s taken us this long.”

I waited for him to respond, to react in some way. “Why? What have I ever done to him?” he questioned, still not entirely convinced.

“Ever pondered why our packs are so tight-knit? When else have you seen packs with such minimal space between them?” I hadn’t given it much thought before. I just chalked it up to a geographical quirk.

“They never bothered us, and we never bothered Kairos.” You took something from him. You claimed the Alpha’s title, because your folks chose you to lead their pack.

“Archibald is your sibling.”