Kairos
I found myself standing at the foot of the bed, observing the slow rhythm of her breath, the tranquility that sleep had bestowed upon her.
I had ensured she was deep in slumber, her body still, her mind lost in the labyrinth of dreams induced by the special tea I had given her.
I didnât harbor guilt for using the tea to lull her into sleep. It was a necessary measure when dealing with a woman of her intellect.
I knew I couldnât dissuade her, couldnât make her see reason, couldnât even deceive her. She was too clever, too resilient for me.
Thatâs why I had to do this. If I couldnât protect her, I at least needed to ensure I wasnât an obstacle in her path.
I dressed in my training attire, carrying with me only the bare essentials.
Memories often served as a conduit for pain, and lately, my emotions had been a mystery to me. I couldnât decipher my feelings, but pain⦠pain was a language I understood.
I chose to embrace that pain. Because pain was what etched itself most deeply into our memories.
I moved to her side of the bed, her face illuminated by the moonlight. Her wedding ring, a simple band of gold, rested on the nightstand.
I removed the chain from around my neck and threaded her ring onto it. I seldom wore chains.
They werenât practical when I shifted. But perhaps Iâd start wearing it if it meant preserving her love in that tiny piece of metal.
I packed a small bag with the essentials Iâd need for the long journey ahead.
With each step I took away from that room, a voice inside me wished for her to awaken. To chase after me, to hold me back, to convince me that staying was the right choice.
But that was a mere fantasy. I made my way to my study. I left my bag by the door and approached my files. Every individual who had crossed paths with this pack was documented.
I pulled out my file. It contained everything about meâmy deeds, my principles, my family. I took it all.
I fetched my metal trash bin and tossed everything in, setting it all ablaze. I was doing everything in my power to erase my existence from history. I scrutinized every document that bore my name or signature.
Then I found the most significant one: the one I had signed on my wedding day. The day Murrell became Garcia.
She was never truly a Garcia. And she wouldnât be one on paper either. Before I threw it into the fire, I tore off a piece. On it, in elegant print, was ~Adelie Garcia~.
I tossed everything else into the fire and brought the remaining piece to the table. I needed to convey to her that she was free in every sense of the word, that she was no longer a Garcia.
I took a red pen and crossed out my last name, a clear indication that she was her own person again.
I tried to burn everything. Even if something remained, it wouldnât be substantial. And in a few years, everyone would have forgotten about me. There would be no trace of my existence.
I even destroyed every photograph I had, anything that linked back to me.
I left everything in disarray. I needed Adelie to understand what I had done. She was intelligent, and I knew she would quickly deduce what was missing.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and descended the staircase. I remembered how as a child, I would race up and down these stairs, ignoring my motherâs warnings that I would trip. And trip I did. Many times.
But even then, pain didnât faze me. I wasnât one to shed tears. I didnât allow myself to cry.
I glanced at the corner, where the memory of Raphaelâs body still lingered, knowing he would have been the one to dissuade me from this. And as always, I would have listened. If only he was still here.
He could have knocked some sense into me. Or restrained me to prevent me from leaving. My friend, who didnât impart enough wisdom. The one who left too soon.
But it wasnât sorrow I felt. It was guilt.
I didnât hasten my actions, but I needed to leave before everyone awoke. I stepped outside, not daring to look back. Until I reached the woods.
Second chances at love were a rarity for wolves. Yet, I had been granted more than just a second chance, more than just a partner to share my life with. If I had been given any less, perhaps I wouldnât have had to walk away.
I was aware that my departure would cause her pain, but I also knew she would eventually forget. As the days turned into weeks and months, she would move on. I might not, but I would put on a brave face for the world.
Only in the darkest hours of the night would I allow myself to remember. Iâd torment myself with memories of our happiness and the potential of what could have been.
Standing at the forestâs edge, I cast one last glance at what used to be mine, my once envisioned utopia of joy and the mighty pack I could have led. I had once dreamt of establishing my own dynasty, but now, I was leaving it all behind.
No one had asked me to leave. But love had demanded too many sacrifices here. There was only so much sorrow and pain one could endure before losing their sanity.
She was beautiful, intelligent, and kind. She would find enduring happiness. With someone worthy of her sacrifices. Someone who inflicted less pain.
A fresh start for her, where she was her own master. I wouldnât stand in her way.
With a heavy heart and a resolve as hard as stone, I hoped I would never lay eyes on her again.
Adelie
I woke up feeling utterly drained. I must have overslept. I stretched out in my now vacant bed, feeling every bone in my body crack.
Sitting up, I noticed Kairosâ boots were missing. I yearned for the return of our normalcy. Waking up alone wasnât ideal, but it was our routine.
He was always up and about by the time I woke. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and reached for my ring, but it wasnât there.
I glanced at the floor, thinking it might have fallen. I moved the bedside table, but the ring was nowhere to be found.
I decided to get ready, confident Iâd find it later. I slipped into one of my dresses and styled my hair the way I used to. Looking at my reflection, I longed to see the young woman I once was.
I made my way to Kairosâ study, hoping heâd be there and not already out. It was late, hardly morning anymore. But I assumed he too had slept in. I hoped he had.
The study doors were ajar. I walked in with a broad smile, ready to greet Kairos.
My smile faded quickly. He wasnât there. The room was in disarray and the scent of charred wood hung in the air. I noticed the trash can in the center of the room.
A single wisp of smoke was still rising from it. All that remained was ash.
The room was a mess. Files were scattered on the floor. ~Everything~ was on the floor. I approached the table, the only thing that seemed untouched.
I picked up a piece of paper from the table and examined it.
Adelie Murrell was written over Adelie Garcia. What was this? Had there been a break-in? I needed to find Kairos. But something caught my attention, and I turned to the file cabinet.
I searched for a brown folder with a dented corner. I remembered it was the only file with such a mark. It was Kairosâ file. I looked for it, but it was missing.
I checked the spot where I had left Miaâs box. It was gone.
I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. I leaned against the wall for support. My vision blurred with tears.
I stumbled down the stairs, my long dress tripping me up. I saw people outside but their faces were a blur. I half ran, half stumbled through them. âIâ¦,â I began, but my voice trailed off. Thatâs when Maeve approached me.
She whispered a greeting. âAdelieâ¦,â she began, but was interrupted by Fala. âLuna Adelieâ¦something happened at the ceremony hall. Someone trashed itâ¦â
She fell silent, looking at me with concern. âWhat happened?â she asked.
I made my way to the ceremony hall and was met with a scene of utter chaos.
I found myself drawn to the stage where Kairos and I had been joined, back when love was still a mystery to us. It was here that I was named Luna in a ceremony, and I was still terrified of him.
On the stage, a dagger lay discarded. It was broken in two. This dagger was the symbol of our union, meant to be kept safe and then buried with us when we left this world.
I heard footsteps approaching. I picked up the two pieces and turned to face Maeve, Fala, and Esty. Their eyes fell on the broken dagger in my hands. Maeve and Fala exchanged a glance.
Esty was clueless, but she didnât ask any questions.
What would I have told her if she had?
Kairos was gone. He had destroyed his files. He had severed our marital bond.
I never thought he could hurt me so deeply, but he had.
I looked at them, my voice barely above a whisper. âHeâs not coming back,â I said, the remnants of dried tears on my cheeks. I let the dagger fall to the ground and walked past them, their pitying eyes following me.
They were looking at a woman abandoned by her mate. The mate who had professed his love for me just the day before, only to turn his back and leave.
He had lied when he said I was stronger than him. I wasnât strong at all, because I could never do what he had just done.
I made my way back to my house, locking the door behind me. I climbed into bed.
I was alone again. He had been my everything, and he had left me with nothing. I spent the day wandering aimlessly around the large, empty house. After a few hours, it felt too small.
Someone kept knocking on the door. When night fell, I finally opened it. Maeve stood there, expecting to see me in tears.
But I had pushed it all down, my teeth gritted. âIâm so sorry. But Lola,â she said, âshe wonât leave until she sees you.â
So she had come to take me to their sacred nymph land. âWhere is she?â I asked, immediately heading in the direction she pointed.
They were all there. Lolaâs face lit up when she saw me. But I couldnât muster a smile. âWe heard everything went well for you,â she said.
âIt did,â I replied quickly.
âHave you thought about our offer?â she asked. âLiving in a land with opportunities to show your true horizons?â
I hadnât given it much thoughtâ¦but now I had time. There was no one else to consider. âIâve thought long and hard about it,â I said.
I noticed some people from the pack nearby, a few dozen trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. âAnd let it be known to everyone,â I announced, raising my voice for all to hear.
âFrom this day forward, I will dedicate every bone in my body to serve and protect what I can. I will do everything in my power to make the creature strong and unbeatable!
âLet it be known to everyone that I will not rest until they fear to wrong me.â They all exchanged glances.
I turned back to Lola and her women. She looked puzzled by my words. She didnât know if they were good or bad for her.
âThere is nothing you can do for me,â I told her, watching as her expression fell. âMy time on this earth is limited. I need to get started.â
I remembered her saying that by staying here, I was giving up the chance to live forever. I simply walked back to my house. It was my fortress, and I would lock myself inside.
By the next day, I had stopped wondering. I had stopped asking. I put on the darkest dress I owned, pitch-black, and looked at myself in the mirror.
From now on, I would wear only darkness and strength. My face would be a mask to those who crossed my path. No more tears would be shed. My pain would never see the light of day again.
I had always known I was fragile. Like glass. But now the world would learn that broken glass can cut if handled improperlyâ¦
^End of Book Three^