Chapter 12: Adelie's Prophecy

Kairos

I was waiting for Adelie by the fireplace. She entered the room, looking a bit better than before, but still visibly worn out and unwell.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the room. It was Adelie, carrying a steaming mug in her hands.

She placed the mug on the table before me. I noticed a few purple petals floating in it.

I had once suffered a burn from a wolfsbane flower. It wasn’t an experience I was eager to repeat, but I was told that Adelie had been helping everyone who was injured. I wondered if she had given this tea to all of them.

“It’ll only dull the pain a bit, but it’s better than nothing,” she said. I shifted to the side of the couch.

“Sit,” I told her. Without a word, she complied. Perhaps she was too exhausted to argue.

A silence fell between us, broken only by the crackling of the fire. I picked up the mug and took a sip.

The tea was tasteless and did little to alleviate the pain. Any relief it provided was so subtle, it was almost imperceptible.

“The doctor mentioned you’ve been helping others,” I said. “He didn’t elaborate. He said I had to see it for myself.”

Adelie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I can show you, if you’re willing. I can take some of the pain away,” she said, gesturing towards my aching shoulder.

All I wanted was for the pain to stop. I couldn’t remember ever being in such physical agony. The pain in my shoulder was radiating throughout my entire body.

I knew Adelie had done the right thing by giving away those two antidotes. Not many would choose to save others at the expense of their mate’s suffering.

Perhaps Adelie didn’t feel as strong a bond between us as I did. But how could she not?

I turned to face her. She moved closer and took a shaky breath.

Adelie began to unbutton my shirt. It felt like we had never been this close before. It was as if our shared kiss had already faded from my memory, and I was yearning for a reminder.

She gently pulled my shirt down from my right shoulder, her touch as light as a feather. It was as if she was afraid I would shatter under her touch. And perhaps I would.

She placed her hand on my wound. Even her gentle touch caused pain, making me wince.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. My wound throbbed under her touch, and my heart pounded in my chest. She was too close.

Adelie closed her eyes and something shifted. It felt like a string being pulled from within me, drawing the pain away. My wound seemed to glow, and with each passing second, the pain lessened.

I glanced at Adelie and saw tears streaming down her face. I quickly pulled her hand away from my wound, inadvertently pulling her closer to me in the process.

I liked this closeness. I could fully take in her scent, the fresh smell of lilies. I wanted to stay like this, but she seemed more scared than comfortable, so I released her hand.

“Didn’t it help? It should have... I...” she stammered, but I cut her off.

“It did help, but...you were crying...”

“I’m sorry if that upset you. I won’t cry anymore,” she said, wiping her tears away. “I’m just a bit tired from all the healing and... and it hurts and...Let me try again. I can...”

She reached for my wound again, but I stopped her, grabbing her wrist.

“You absorb the pain others are feeling?” I asked. She nodded. “Are you feeling the same pain I am right now?” She nodded again.

The thought of her experiencing the same pain was unbearable.

“How long does it last?” I asked.

“Until the injury heals itself. I don’t have the wounds on my skin, but I endure the pain for those I heal,” she explained, her wrist still in my grasp.

“You’ve healed the entire pack, Adelie,” I managed to say, my throat tight with emotion. She must be in excruciating pain right now. “How can you seem so okay, despite everything you’re feeling?”

She didn’t look like her usual self, but if she was in such pain, I would expect her to be writhing in agony.

Adelie just shrugged. “It’s what I do... if you’d let me.” She extended her hand again, and I pulled her closer, disregarding her discomfort.

“I can’t let you suffer for me. I’ll get through this. You’ve already done too much. I won’t let you hurt if I can help it.”

I held her right hand steady and wrapped my left arm around her waist. It felt too good to be true. I could feel her body tense under my touch, her breath quickening.

If anything could alleviate my pain right now, it would be her. But I knew she was hurting far more than I was, so I let her go, turning back to the fire.

Adelie stood up abruptly. “If you want me to leave the pack...” she began, and I quickly looked at her.

“Why would I want you to leave?” I asked. How could she even suggest that?

“It’s my fault. They attacked because they wanted me,” she admitted.

“But you also helped them.”

“Alpha, I’m a threat to this pack. They could attack again.”

I stood up and yelled, “No! I need you here...” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I’d go insane without her.

She looked shocked, but her eyes were still filled with tears. “You don’t need me,” she said, laughing bitterly. “If you needed me, you would love m...” She stopped mid-sentence, covering her mouth with her hand.

She didn’t need to finish. I knew what she was going to say. I had been anything but a mate to her. We were meant to love each other.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out. I couldn’t even maintain my usual bravado in the face of this pain. “I want to love you in every way possible, but I can’t let my guard down.”

I walked away. I did the most cowardly thing possible and left before I could see her face again.

Adelie

I understood what he meant when he said he needed me. When mates are separated, they go mad without each other. But I wanted him to need me in a different way. I wanted him to love me without any obligation.

The next day, the pain had lessened slightly, but it still hurt like hell. It was early morning, and I went downstairs before Helen could bring me breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, and I didn’t want Helen to make unnecessary trips.

At the top of the stairs, I noticed people there and decided to turn back. I didn’t want to interrupt anything. But I was spotted.

“Luna Adelie,” Beta called out to me. He was finally back. I had no idea where he’d been all day.

I had no choice but to turn around. “Let her go. She doesn’t need this anymore,” Alpha said to Beta.

“Oh, but I would like to meet her,” said the woman standing in front of Alpha. She looked to be in her thirties, and she was stunning.

Her hair was a golden brown, and her matching golden eyes were captivating. She was truly beautiful. She wore a knee-length black skirt, a dark blue blouse, and modest heels.

“Come here, child,” she said to me, taking a few steps forward. I glanced back at Alpha, but he wasn’t even looking at me, so I made my way down.

I stood in front of her. “Will you give me your hand, darling?” she asked, and I placed my palms in hers. Her hands were surprisingly cold.

She looked at me, and as she held my hands, her eyes shifted through the colors of the rainbow. I didn’t feel anything, but the moment lingered too long, and I pulled my hands away from hers.

Her smile was genuine, radiating warmth. “You’re the offspring of Death and a nymph,” she said, her gaze shifting to Alpha. He’d never questioned my identity after the attack. “You’re the legendary myth of the most powerful creature.” I hadn’t realized I was a myth.

“A myth?” I echoed, puzzled.

“You’ve done a good job of staying hidden. I was beginning to think you didn’t exist,” she admitted. “I’ve encountered your father a few times.”

I furrowed my brows in confusion. He’d told me only I could see him.

“How?”

“My name is Jasmin Barnes. I’m something they don’t have a name for. I possess witch powers and I can see things others can’t. I identify as a witch, but that’s not all I am,” she explained. “I’ve journeyed to the afterworld for many decades.”

Many decades? Was she immortal? She continued speaking.

“Your father shouldn’t have been capable of love. But then he met your mother. It’s fascinating how death was humanized. I suspect you have the same capacity for love that they did.”

I’d never experienced romantic love. I didn’t know much about passion or love. But remembering the love my parents shared, even with my father’s frequent absences, I knew I wanted that. Maybe it existed for me, hidden in this life or perhaps in another.

“His one true love is gone. Because of me,” I confessed, tears welling up in my eyes.

Jasmin gently touched my cheek. “He has you. You are his love now. Your duty is to continue the lineage, to give him infinite love,” she said.

I avoided Alpha’s gaze. The idea of having children with Alpha seemed impossible. He’d made it clear that I was here only for his sanity.

“May I see the rest?” she asked, reaching for my hand. I pulled it away.

“What else do you want?” I asked, wary.

“You’re in pain. I need to understand why,” she said, but Alpha interrupted.

“She healed everyone in the pack yesterday,” he stated.

Jasmin raised a finger to silence Alpha.

“I saw that. The pain you’re enduring is immense. You’re a remarkable healer, Adelie,” she praised. “But that’s not what concerns me. I know you’re strong, but you’d be stronger if your heart wasn’t in such pain.”

She continued.

“Let me see what’s causing your heartache,” she requested. But I knew what it was. It was Alpha Hans. My heart ached because he was so far away, and because Alpha Kairos was close but didn’t want me.

“I’d rather not,” I declined.

“I can help. I sensed that part of it is because of Kairos, but there’s someone else your heart longs for,” she said, and something shifted in Alpha’s gaze.

“Who?” he demanded, his jaw clenched.

I shook my head. “There are things I’d rather keep to myself.”

“Is there someone else?” Alpha asked again. If I wasn’t mistaken, he looked upset.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Alright, Adelie. You can keep your secrets. But you’re nineteen. You need to start training immediately,” she said.

“For what?”

“To master your powers,” she replied, turning to Alpha.

“Since I’m guessing you won’t let me stay here, I’ll need her to come with me to my sanctuary in London for a year of training. But I suppose you werewolves have your bond thing. So, I guess I’ll be staying here for a while.”

She was deliberately provoking Alpha. I could sense the tension between them. It was clear from Alpha’s reaction that he despised her.

“She won’t train,” he declared, his voice firm.

“Why? Are you going to strip her of her power because you don’t want me around?” Jasmin challenged.

“No!” Alpha roared. “She will not train. Period!”

“You can’t take her power away, Kairos,” she retorted, her voice filled with anger.

Alpha swiveled to face Jasmin. “I’m capable and I’ll do it,” he declared, his tone laced with bitterness.

“It’s her destiny,” Jasmin countered. “It’s foretold in the prophecy.”

“Prophecy? What prophecy?” I found myself asking. I wasn’t aware of any prophecy that involved me.

Jasmin studied me with a knowing look. “Oh, sweetheart. You’ve been kept in the dark for far too long,” she said. “When the greatest emerges from death and water, a truce will be forged between nature and bloodlust.”

I wanted to question her further, but Alpha beat me to it.

“Are you certain it’s her?” he asked.

“It’s my responsibility to identify the greatest, and I’ve never been more certain. But the choice is hers,” Jasmin replied. “Adelie can choose to accompany me, and I’ll help her become the greatest.”

Both Alpha and Jasmin turned their gazes to me, awaiting my response.

Everything was so bewildering. All I ever wanted was a simple, joyous life. I yearned for a happy family.

But now, I was expected to fulfill a prophecy? I was supposed to train, fight, and gain power?

“I…” I began, but before I could finish, Alpha grabbed my hand and led me to a nearby music room—the closest room with doors.

The music room wasn’t large. It boasted a high ceiling and a grand piano sat in the center.

“You’re not going with her,” he stated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

“Why not?” I asked, striving to keep my voice steady.

He simply shook his head, his eyes ablaze with anger.

“There’s a prophecy about me,” I reminded him. “It seems crucial…she said I’m the only one who can fulfill it. And if it means I can help many people, then—”

“No!” Alpha’s hands gripped my arms, pulling me closer. The mating bond made his touch feel like sparks dancing on my skin.

“I need you to stay here,” he said, his voice softening. “I want you to stay here with me.”

His gaze was so intense, it stole my breath away.

I found myself staring at his lips, and memories of our previous kiss flooded back. I remembered the sense of completeness and happiness I felt then. How his kiss had soothed my restless heart.

He leaned in closer, and my heart fluttered.

Could this be the love I’d been searching for?