Chapter 35: Death

Adelie

Kairos was carried all the way back to the pack. I was repeatedly reassured that he was still breathing, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread. How could he be okay when I couldn’t heal him?

We were nearing the pack, our return journey significantly faster due to the urgency of getting Kairos to the pack doctor. Everyone had shifted into their wolf forms, including me, riding on Nathan's back to hasten our pace. Raphael had also reached out to other pack doctors, who were now rushing to our aid.

We finally arrived at our pack. Everyone shifted back, retrieving their clothes that had been discarded earlier. I started walking towards the house where Kairos was already taken, but Alpha Archibald intercepted me. “He’s alive, Adelie,” he tried to reassure me.

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “Then why can’t I heal him?” I asked, my voice choked with emotion.

“He had a heartbeat, Adelie. His breathing was faint, but he was breathing,” he said, trying to comfort me. “Several doctors are on their way to examine him. They’ll help him.”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. “Can they do what I was supposed to do? Heal him? I couldn’t do it when it mattered the most.”

Alpha Archibald grabbed my arm as I tried to walk away. “I need to see Kairos. Let me go,” I pleaded, but I was too weak to break free. No amount of energy from the plants could help me now.

“This isn’t your fault, Adelie,” he said, the one thing I didn’t want to hear. I didn’t want to discuss it. I knew it was my fault. If I had acted faster, if I could have healed him, he would be okay now.

I didn’t respond. What could I say that would make him admit the truth? That it was my fault and only my fault?

“He will get better. I know he will,” he said, but I had a sinking feeling that he was wrong. I hated myself for thinking that way.

“You’re probably right,” I said, forcing a smile. Alpha Archibald released my arm and I continued my walk towards the house where Kairos was being examined. The hospital was already filled with pack members, so they brought him here.

I entered the house through the grand door. The living room was filled with people waiting anxiously. I noticed Kairos’ sister, Fala, watching me. She looked as miserable as I felt, her eyes red and puffy.

I walked over to her and hugged her tightly. She returned the hug, burying her face in my neck. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “He’s all I have.”

“It will be okay.” It’s funny how easily we lie to each other when we’re hurting. I wanted to believe he would be okay, but the pain in my heart was too strong. My mate's weakness was a reflection of my own heartache.

I decided to go up to Kairos’ room. I let go of Fala, gently stroking her cheek. “I’ll go check on him,” I told her, and she nodded.

Each step felt heavy, a cold shiver running down my spine. I heard voices from around the corner where Kairos’ room was. “You can’t ask her that. If it doesn’t work, you’ll only hurt her more,” a man’s voice said.

“The Luna has healing powers. If she doesn’t try, we’ll never know. If she doesn’t try, he’ll remain like this. She might be able to save him, but it might be too late,” another voice argued. That was all I needed to hear.

I rushed around the corner. “I’ll do it... I mean, I’ll try,” I said, interrupting their conversation. They both looked at me, shocked and embarrassed by their discussion about me.

“Get out of here, now,” the doctor with the beard commanded. He flung the door open and darted inside, with me hot on his heels. Kairos was sprawled out on the bed, lifeless. “His condition is worse than we anticipated,” the doctor confessed. “He’s still breathing, but this might be the most life you’ll ever see in him. If you can’t do anything, he’ll remain like this,” he warned. If this was the peak of his vitality, it wasn’t much of a life at all.

I approached his bed and perched on the edge, facing him. His chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. To the untrained eye, he might as well have been dead already. Tears streamed down my face, unchecked. I placed my hands on his chest, trying to summon any healing power I had, but it was futile.

It felt like my first time trying to heal. I couldn’t help but crumble under the weight of my failure. “I can’t,” I sobbed. After a few moments, I tried again, focusing all my energy. I attempted to transfer my life force into him, but it bounced back, rejected.

“We’re sorry, Luna,” the doctor murmured, before exiting the room.

“I’m sorry, Kairos. I’m so, so sorry,” I whispered, gripping his hand tightly. “If there was anything I could do, I swear I would. If only I knew what to do,” I confessed. But something nagged at the back of my mind. Anything... I would do anything... I would do everything to save you if only I knew what... Kairos is alive... he’s alive... he’s not dead...

“I’ll be right back,” I promised Kairos, as if he could hear me. I bolted from his room, leaving the door ajar. I sprinted past the doctors, bumping into one. “Luna, is everything...” he began.

“I hope it will be,” I managed to reply, before continuing my mad dash. The crowd downstairs stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. I headed straight for the pack’s hospital, where the wounded were being treated. In the aftermath of a brutal fight, death seemed to linger there.

I reached the hospital in record time, but I didn’t need to step inside. Death was already waiting for me. I rushed up to him and wrapped my arms around him. “I’ve missed you so much,” I confessed.

“I’ve missed you too, my love,” he replied, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“I’ve been looking for you because...” I began, pulling away from the hug. But he cut me off.

“I knew you’d come looking for me,” he admitted. I was taken aback. “I heard about Kairos,” he added, his face impassive. “And I know what you’re about to ask me,” he said, his tone grave.

I’d never seen him so serious with me, except when my mother died. He knew I wanted to use my death wish on Kairos. Was he upset about that? If there was anything I’d want to use my wish on, it was this.

“Are you mad that I want to do this?” I asked, feeling a twinge of offense.

“Adelie, this wish is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Some people never even get the chance. You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you,” he reasoned. His use of my real name, instead of his usual endearment, didn’t sting as much when he explained it like I was a child asking for a small piece of happiness.

I took a few steps back. “This isn’t about what I want. It’s about what I need,” I asserted, as he watched me intently. “I need him in my life, and I would give up a thousand other wishes if I had to. Right now, this is what matters most to me. I won’t change my mind,” I declared.

He nodded at me. “I hope he realizes how lucky he is,” he said, pulling a small dime from his pocket and handing it to me. “Make a wish.”

I clutched the dime tightly in my hands and closed my eyes, picturing Kairos and everything returning to normal. “I wish Kairos was cured,” I whispered. The dime disappeared into thin air, and so did Death.