Chapter 21: Adelie & Hans

Adelie

My eyes were shut, yet I could see everything unfolding.

The fighters weren’t charging at the creature, instead, they were exchanging fearful glances. I had no intention of initiating an attack, my goal was to gauge his strength, to see how powerful I could make him.

After what felt like an eternity, Nathan made the first move. He approached the creature and shoved it, causing it to stagger but not lose its footing. I didn’t intervene.

Nathan then kicked the creature in the ribs. The sound of cracking roots filled the air. I knew I had to do something, I had to make him defend himself.

The creature let out a chilling growl and advanced towards the fighters. I didn’t want to harm them, but I needed to demonstrate some form of combat skill.

The creature lunged at Nathan, attempting to grab him. Nathan was quick on his feet. It lunged again, this time successfully grabbing Nathan, swinging him to the side and dropping him to the ground.

Nathan looked terrified. Perhaps it was because he and the others didn’t know how to defeat this creature. I wasn’t even sure if I knew how to.

Nathan remained on the ground while I directed the creature towards the others. Raphael and Damien charged at it. They tried to bring it down but to no avail. They both ended up on the ground, gasping for breath.

Adrix snuck up behind the creature and leaped onto its back. The creature let out a growl and Adrix was thrown to the ground as the creature spun around swiftly.

Now it was Alpha Hans' turn. He sprinted towards the creature and with a leap, he kicked it in the head. The creature was momentarily disoriented but quickly recovered. Alpha kicked it again, I suppose punching it would be too painful. It would be like punching a tree.

Alpha continued his assault while Adrix once again jumped onto its back, trying to bring it down. The creature stumbled backwards and Raphael tripped it, causing it to fall and crush Adrix who was on its back. Adrix groaned in pain but managed to crawl out from under it.

Alpha, Damien, and Nathan were holding it down as it struggled to break free. “Adrix, Raphael, come hold him,” Damien yelled, sweat pouring down his face.

They all held it down and it was difficult for the creature to break free, but I was determined not to lose this fight. The creature's roots were breaking as they tried to restrain him.

My frustration grew with the impending defeat, and thousands of tiny vines sprouted from the ground, ensnaring the fighters by their ankles and wrists. They weren’t strong vines, just enough to hold them down, and set my creature free.

The creature was free and rose to its feet as the fighters struggled to break free from the vines.

“Shift!” I heard Kairos yell beside me.

The fighters didn’t hesitate and soon five wolves broke free as the vines snapped. They charged at the creature, this time with anger. Their wolf instincts were taking over and they weren’t holding back anymore.

Damien and Adrix ran up to the creature and bit its legs. The creature screamed but managed to kick them away. I made sure not to kick them too hard, just enough to avoid causing any permanent damage.

Now Nathan attacked from behind, leaping to bite its neck. Alpha and Raphael both attacked the creature. With a forceful swing, the three of them were thrown away.

Then again Damien and Adrix attacked but with no success. This cycle of attack and defense continued for a while but the creature was just left with a few broken roots. Everyone was panting heavily.

I heard Kairos speak from beside me. I opened my eyes and looked at him. “What?” I asked.

Kairos glanced at me and then back to where the fight was happening. I followed his gaze and saw the creature still fighting them.

I wasn’t controlling him at that moment, he was doing what I had instructed him earlier, to fight back but not injure them. He was following my orders independently. I didn’t need to control him all the time, he knew what I wanted.

A wave of unfamiliarity swept over me. I felt powerful, more so than I ever had before. Even as the creature battled, I was able to maintain control. My newfound strength filled me with confidence, and I couldn’t help but beam at the warrior I had become.

I’d spent my entire life yearning for this—for the power to stand tall, to be the strong one. For freedom. No longer did I need to hide. I was ready to take on anyone who dared to challenge me. If they managed to defeat me, I’d accept it with honor. I was no longer the same naive, fragile girl I once was.

I was more than just a girl hiding beneath a cloak, a girl living in the shadows.

“Adelie! That’s enough,” Kairos’ voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to look at him, his face etched with worry, his jaw set tight. He must have seen my smile during the fight. It probably didn’t look as innocent as I felt. Did I hurt them too much? Did he think I enjoyed causing them pain?

I quickly closed my eyes, willing the creature to disintegrate. The ground absorbed its remains. When I opened my eyes, it was gone.

Guilt washed over me, thinking about what Kairos might have assumed about me. I wasn’t like Mia. I turned to him, “I didn’t... it wasn’t like that,” I stammered, trying to explain. But Kairos walked over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“I know. I’m sorry. I overreacted,” he said, his voice laced with regret. He had trusted and loved Mia, and she had shattered him. He was afraid I might do the same.

It hurt that he could even consider that I might be capable of such a thing. Kairos pulled away from me. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. He was about to leave to join the fighters, but I stopped him, grabbing his hand.

“It’s okay,” I reassured him, but he didn’t seem convinced.

“It’s not okay. I promised to treat you right, and I can’t even trust you enough to know you won’t do what Mia did,” he said, pulling his hand from mine.

He continued, “But what’s the point? You're choosing him, aren’t you?” He didn’t let me respond. “And you should! He could treat you right, in ways I couldn’t. He’s right for you. He hasn’t hurt you as much and he deserves you more.”

“Kairos.” Tears welled up in my eyes. “You can’t possibly mean that? You said you loved me.” He had confessed his feelings for me. How could he just give up on us?

Kairos leaned in closer, whispering, “I love you too much to let you get hurt by me. I’m letting you go because I love you too much.” He turned away and walked towards the fighters. He wasn’t giving up on me. He was giving up on himself.

“Good job. You did the best you could, but I think we all know who the best fighter here is,” he said, gesturing towards me. I stood there, heartbroken and numb, as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

The noise faded into the background. All I could see, hear, and feel were two people. One of them was someone I couldn’t imagine my life without. He had been a part of my life for so long, the first to teach me what real pain was.

“Training is over. Thank you for today,” Kairos announced.

As I stood there, Alpha Hans approached me. “Adelie,” he said.

“Alpha Hans,” I responded, knowing that a conversation with him was inevitable.

“Please call me Hans,” he said, and I nodded. “Can we talk?” he asked, his smile gentle. It made my wolf leap with joy, just from a simple smile.

“I’d like to change after training. If you could find me in an hour, we could take a walk,” I suggested. Hans’ smile widened.

“Okay. I’ll find you,” he said, practically skipping away. I couldn’t help but smile down at my feet.

I headed home and slipped into my dark green dress. The thought of talking to Hans made my stomach churn, even though I'd already made up my mind. It felt like walking on eggshells, as if anything he said could sway my decision, but I knew that wasn't possible.

I was resolute, and I always had been.

An hour later, Hans was at my doorstep. As I descended the stairs to greet him, I saw him standing there with Kairos. The tension between them was palpable, but it was what it was.

Hans caught sight of me. “My lady,” he greeted, his voice laced with a British accent. “I'm looking forward to our walk,” he attempted to lighten the mood, but the elephant in the room made his effort seem strained.

Kairos wouldn't meet my gaze, but I brushed it off. I simply nodded at Hans.

We stepped outside into the brilliant sunshine. My roses were in full bloom, vibrant and healthy. The sky was a clear, unblemished blue. It all seemed too perfect.

We strolled in companionable silence for a while until Hans led us to a fountain. It was out of order, rusted over, but still held a certain charm. We sat down, maintaining a respectful distance.

Hans shifted, seeming uncomfortable. Or perhaps he was nervous.

“I... I've wanted to talk to you since I first saw you, Adelie. There are things you need to know,” he began, locking eyes with me. “That day... the day I did something I'll forever regret...”

He was referring to the day he rejected me. “Your mother was killed,” he confessed, and my heart plummeted. “I'm so sorry, Adelie,” he murmured, looking away. “I never intended for that to happen. I punished him for it, but it was too late. I couldn't turn back time.”

“I know,” I replied. “It wasn't your fault.” As I said this, Hans looked up.

“If I hadn't rejected you...” he began, but I cut him off.

“Stop! It was his fault. He's the only one I blame,” I lied. I blamed myself, but he didn't need to know that.

Hans met my gaze and moved a little closer. “If you could give me a chance, Adelie. A second chance... I would make it right this time. You would be my queen, my everything. I would worship you for the rest of my life. You would be my morning sun and my evening moon.”

His words were sweet, almost too sweet. Hans took my hands in his, and I felt the sparks, the pull of our bond.

“Let me love you, Adelie. Let me take care of you. I was a fool to let you go, and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you,” he pleaded, hope shining in his eyes. “I've fallen head over heels for you.”

He continued, “There's no one else who makes me feel the way you do. You're the most incredible woman I've ever met. You're kind, beautiful, and so much more. I want to love you, Adelie! Please, let me,” he whispered.

Hans leaned in, and whether it was the fatigue from training or the heat of the sun making me dizzy, I found myself leaning in too. Our lips met in a kiss. I was kissing him back. I was kissing my mate, as werewolves are meant to.

I pulled away and stood up, my breath coming in ragged gasps. “I'll announce my decision today,” I declared, before running back to my house.

The kiss... it felt both wrong and right. I had tasted both of my mates. How selfish could I be? I was toying with both of them now.