Chapter 28: Raphael's Return

Adelie

I descended the staircase, a strange sense of rejuvenation washing over me. Kairos was at my side, his body rigid with tension. He was against my meeting with Hans, but I knew arguing would be futile.

I was in love with Kairos, and he was well aware of it. As we navigated the stairs, the sound of muffled voices began to fill the air. “Kairos, you do realize…” I began, but he cut me off before I could finish.

“Yes,” he growled, his voice filled with frustration. “I know! But that doesn’t mean I have to like him.”

“Did you two have issues before?” I asked, curious about their past.

“Before, he didn’t hold such a significant place in my mate’s life,” Kairos replied. I wanted to respond, but what could I say? We had reached the bottom of the stairs and were heading outside, where the Dark Moon pack was busy loading their belongings into cars.

Hans was among them, his gaze fixed on me as we approached. I halted Kairos mid-stride. “Maybe it’s best if I go alone.” He glanced at me, then at Hans, and back at me.

“Fine,” he spat, his jealousy evident. I couldn’t help but smirk at his reaction. His attention was soon diverted by the arrival of Raphael. He stood in the doorway, locking eyes with Kairos. After one last glance at me, Kairos headed inside, disappearing with Raphael.

My curiosity was piqued, but I knew I had to let them talk first. I needed to figure out when to make my move…

I tried to distract myself from thoughts of the vampire coven. I turned to Hans, who was still standing there, watching me. I knew he was expecting me to speak with him. I slowly approached him. “Hey,” I said, my voice devoid of emotion.

“Hi,” he replied.

“Leaving so soon?” I asked, noticing him leaning against one of the cars.

“It’s not good for me to stay, and I doubt you’re thrilled to have me here,” he explained.

“I’m sorry,” I found myself apologizing. I knew what rejection felt like, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, not even him. I believed Hans was a good man. People can change, and even if they can’t alter their actions, they can change their perspective.

Hans shook his head at my apology. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said.

“The other pack members could have stayed,” I suggested.

“I wanted them to, but they… they’re not too fond of you since you rejected me. They don’t understand the whole situation. I told them, but they still think I’m innocent. Ironic, isn’t it?” he attempted to joke, but his voice was laced with guilt.

“They respect you, they believe in you. You’re a good Alpha to your pack,” I said, but he remained silent. “I don’t want us to be enemies, but I guess being friends isn’t a good idea either,” I chuckled, and to my surprise, he joined in.

“Let’s just leave it at that…” he paused, deep in thought. “I know you’re out there, happy. And you know that I’m out there…”

“Happy,” I finished his sentence for him, sensing his hesitation.

Hans nodded at me. “Hopefully someday,” he said, leaving me standing alone. I hoped the Moon Goddess would grant him a second chance. He deserved it.

Everyone seemed ready to depart, and I noticed Kairos exchanging words with Hans and a few of his pack members.

Once everyone had left, I wasted no time in approaching Kairos. “What did he say?” I asked.

His brows furrowed in confusion. “Who? Hans?” he questioned, and I responded with a shake of my head.

“Raphael,” I clarified, and his face morphed into an unreadable mask. I despised how he could do that, it was maddening.

“It doesn’t matter,” he dismissed, striding into the house. Naturally, I trailed after him.

“Doesn’t matter?” I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief. He didn’t pause, heading towards his room in the left wing, but I was hot on his heels.

“How can it not matter? He returned to give you a date. I’m guessing they arranged to meet, that’s why you’re behaving this way,” I panted, trying to keep up with him in the dimly lit hallway. He quickened his steps deliberately, but I managed to keep pace.

“Don’t I deserve some kind of explanation?” I demanded, still without any answers.

“Can you stop?” I pleaded, my frustration mounting as we neared his bedroom door. “Kairos!” I called out, but he didn’t even blink.

Kairos opened his bedroom door just wide enough to slip through. He clearly didn’t want me there, but I wasn’t about to let this go. I nudged Kairos aside, catching him off guard, but his reaction made me second guess my decision. His jaw was set in anger. “You need to leave,” he commanded.

I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t sting.

“What?” I stammered, taken aback.

“Did I stutter? I don’t want you in my room, ever,” he snapped. I had assumed our recent interactions had nullified this rule.

This wasn’t the Kairos I knew, the Kairos I loved. I was certain Raphael’s return had something to do with it. “Kairos, what did Raphael say?” I pressed.

“Nothing! You need to leave. Now!” He yelled.

“Kairos, stop! I’m not going anywhere,” I retorted. As I spoke, Kairos lunged towards me, but I held up a hand. “Don’t you dare touch me!” I warned, and he recoiled.

He buried his face in his hands before looking back at me. “It’s better if you leave. For your own good.”

“How can that be for my own good?” I challenged.

“Adelie, please!” He pleaded.

“No! Tell me what Raphael said and why you suddenly want to push me away so badly?” I demanded.

“I’m leaving tomorrow night,” he confessed.

“Oh,” I murmured, taken aback.

Kairos turned his back to me. “They say not many come back. I don’t want to hurt you if I don’t make it. I know what that does to mates. It’s best if you start distancing yourself from me now. I don’t want any tearful goodbyes, just go back to your room and... brace yourself for the worst,” he advised.

I’ll have to leave sooner than I anticipated. Kairos was mistaken, so mistaken. If he dies, I’ll be the one to hurt him. When your mate dies, you die with them.

“I thought we’d have more time,” he admitted. “I’ve been selfish with you. I should have kept my distance, thought about you, but I didn’t. All I do is hurt you.”

“You might come back,” I suggested, clinging to that hope. I don’t want to die on him. It would shatter him, but what other choice do I have?

“I hope so,” he murmured, sinking onto the edge of his bed.

“So you think avoiding me is the best solution?” I questioned him. Was it selfish of me to want to spend my potential last hours with Kairos? If this was the end, I wanted him by my side. He didn’t realize that I was the one being selfish here.

Kairos didn’t respond. “Do you want me to leave?” I asked him, and he finally looked at me.

“Not at all, but what good would it do? I might be leaving, possibly never to return.”

His words stung, but I moved closer to him and sat by his side. “Don’t say that.” The thought of him not coming back, or me not being there when he did, was unbearable.

My thigh brushed against Kairos. I was still in my training gear from earlier. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light being the small bedside lamp.

Kairos turned towards me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I would never want you to leave,” he said, his voice husky. “But I’m doing everything I can to ease your pain.”

“What if our roles were reversed?” I asked him.

“If you were the one facing death, I’d want to spend every last second with you. Because life without you would be meaningless. I know you’re stronger than me. You’ll get through this. I know you will.” His thumb gently stroked my cheek.

Kairos pulled away, but I wanted him. I needed him. I held his face in my hands and kissed him. “Adelie,” he warned. My left hand stayed on his cheek while my right hand moved down to his chest, feeling his muscles tense under my touch. “Tell me to leave, and I’ll go right now,” I said. Kairos responded by kissing me forcefully, his hands gripping my sides. He stopped, resting his forehead against mine.

“I want you. I want you here,” he said, kissing me again with a desperation I’d never seen before. It felt like I’d been waiting my whole life for him to tell me he wanted me. Kairos moved his lips to my neck, to the place where his mark was.

I couldn’t help but moan his name. I felt him smirk against my skin. Overwhelmed by a rush of adrenaline, I climbed onto his lap, straddling him. I wanted him in every way possible. We kissed breathlessly, and I could feel Kairos growing more tense.

“Adelie. Are you sure?” he asked, pulling away.

“Are you not?” I teased him.

Perhaps this wasn’t the most sensible decision, but there was no turning back now.

Kairos didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled me down onto the bed, and we became one in every sense of the word. He was mine, and I was his.