Chapter 40: Chapter 40

ADELIE

I stormed into my room, my feet pounding the floor in frustration. Delilah had really gotten under my skin. And Kairos, the one person who should have been in my corner, was nowhere to be found.

I reached for a fresh dress, eager to shed my training gear.

I stepped into a chilly shower, taking my time. When I emerged, towel-clad, I found Kairos perched on the edge of the bed. He must have used one of the guest bathrooms to clean up.

I knew he could hear me, but he didn’t acknowledge my presence. Not that I wanted him to. He was in the process of getting dressed, and when he finally glanced my way, I was standing there in nothing but a towel.

He quickly averted his gaze and moved to the mirror to finish buttoning his shirt.

I slipped into my teal dress, the hem falling just below my knees. I couldn’t help but notice that he was taking an unusually long time to get ready. I always noticed his habits, his behaviors. He was stalling, I was certain of it.

I didn’t call him out on it, instead, I waited for him to break the silence.

“What happened?” he finally asked, his voice heavy with a sigh. He was standing by the window, his back to me. His sleeves were rolled up in a way that showcased the veins in his arms.

I was still angry with him for not supporting me, but I needed to talk to him.

“She disrespected you and the pack. She has no regard for you,” I said, but he cut me off before I could continue.

“I don’t need you to defend me, Adelie. She’s not the first to speak ill of me, and she won’t be the last.

“My reputation is at an all-time low, but I don’t go around picking fights with everyone who slanders me.”

He finally turned to face me. “And you, of all people, should know that no one is stronger than you. You could have easily crushed her.”

“I was only trying to scare her,” I retorted, my heart pounding and my cheeks flushing at his accusation.

“It doesn’t matter! You’re the Luna of the Night Walker Pack. Your actions reflect on your image. People saw you lose control, and they won’t think less of Delilah because she’s just a wolf, but you’re much more powerful.

“By threatening her like this, you’re humiliating her, showing that you could end her life. People will fear you if you continue this way.” His voice was raised, but his eyes were filled with concern for me.

I doubted Archibald ever had such a conversation with his mate. “You think I would actually harm someone?” I asked.

“I know you wouldn’t, but they might think otherwise,” he replied, and I couldn’t help but feel hurt by his words.

I let out a bitter laugh. “So, you don’t care what people think about you, but when it comes to me, your mate, suddenly their opinions matter?”

“I’m trying to teach you how to be a Luna,” he said calmly. “I’m trying to help you. Why won’t you listen when I tell you how to behave?” he asked.

“Maybe because I’m tired of always being obedient and doing what everyone else wants. Maybe I want to do what I think is right for once. Why should I let her talk to me like that?”

I didn’t wait for his response, instead, I raised my voice to match his. “All I needed was for you to be on my side.”

He didn’t respond. Letting go of any remaining hope, I spoke in a weary voice. I just didn’t care anymore.

“You don’t care if they respect me or not. You only care if they think I’m good because you’re still afraid that I’ll disappoint everyone, just like Mia did.

“When have I ever given you a reason to doubt me or my actions?” I asked, my eyes heavy with exhaustion. I was tired, so tired of arguing with Kairos.

“Never. I don’t see you in that light—” he began, but I cut him off.

“Then prove it. Start proving that you don’t see me that way anymore.” I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

“Sure, you don’t see it. You just can’t seem to let your walls down. You can’t shake off the fear.” I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Maybe it’s a permanent thing. Just don’t feed me lies that you’re not scared of me wrecking everything,” I said, exiting the room, my hair still damp and trailing down my back.

He didn’t follow me. There was no need to. My words held truth: he would forever be wary of my actions.

I knew he loved me, trusted me. He was just wounded, deeper than I had realized. Perhaps the saying was right, the first year of togetherness is the toughest.

Descending the stairs, I was met by Helen on the grand staircase. “Good morning, Luna,” she greeted hastily, always in a rush, her hair slightly disheveled and her clothes crumpled from her constant movement.

Despite her constant hustle, she never seemed to have enough time.

“Helen!” I called out, causing her to halt and approach me. “I won’t be around for lunch, possibly dinner too,” I informed her.

She looked taken aback. “Alpha didn’t inform me,” she said.

“He didn’t have to. I’m telling you that I won’t be,” I replied. “If he asks, tell him I’m out for a walk. I doubt he’ll worry about an attack.”

“Are you certain, Luna? You’ve never missed a meal here. Pardon my questioning; I’m just concerned for you,” she said, and I genuinely believed she meant well.

“It’s fine, Helen,” I reassured her and left, unsure of my destination. I deserved a day to myself.

I headed to the nearest place: the forest, where my soul found solace.

The only downside to the forest’s tranquility was being left alone with my thoughts. My mind dredged up all the unpleasant memories, things my consciousness had buried.

I gazed up at the sunlight filtering through the trees, nourishing the greenery below. A whirlwind of thoughts came and went.

Suddenly, my wolf was all I could think about. She didn’t have a physical form. And Kairos’s wolf, Kye—I doubted I was the mate he had envisioned.

Kye needed someone, a wolf mate, but I couldn’t provide that. I was now a luna to a wolf pack, yet I didn’t possess a wolf form. What did I know about werewolves when I was barely one myself?

I despised thinking this way, feeling like I was incomplete. I was a forest nymph, an angel of death. Why wasn’t that enough? Or why wasn’t it enough for everyone else?

I strolled along a shallow river, the banks lined with trees and shrubs, enough to conceal but not entirely hide it. I sat down, dipping my feet into the water.

Why did I suddenly long for a wolf? Perhaps Delilah’s words about me being an unworthy luna without a wolf had triggered these dark thoughts.

I heard rustling behind me and immediately turned toward the noise. I caught a glimpse of a human figure in dark red.

“Hey!” I shouted, standing up. The figure was retreating. I quickly got up to pursue.

I emerged from the bushes by the lake and saw the figure darting away, weaving through the trees. They wore a red cape that billowed in the wind. I felt compelled to know who they were and why they were spying on me.

They were fleeing, and I was certain that if they had accidentally stumbled upon me, there wouldn’t be a chase.

My feet were bare, pounding against the ground. I was sure I had a few cuts, but I didn’t dare stop to inspect. The figure was making sharp turns to lose me, but I kept up.

I was quite a distance away but could clearly see the figure running until their cape got snagged on some tree branches.

Without a moment's hesitation, I stooped down, reaching out to the figure ensnared in the creeping vines that sprouted from the earth. The sharp intake of breath from the trapped individual echoed in my ears as the vines coiled around their ankles, robbing them of their mobility.

They struggled to free themselves, but their efforts were in vain. I sprinted towards them, but just as I was within arm's reach, the figure thrust a glowing hand towards me. Suddenly, I was on the ground, a sharp pain shooting through my ankle.

Lifting my head as if emerging from a dream, I found myself alone. The forest stretched out before me, devoid of any signs of life, as if no one had ever been there.

Glancing down, I noticed a hole in the ground. My foot was twisted at an unnatural angle, having fallen into it. My heart pounded in my chest, the pain in my ankle intensifying with each beat.

I attempted to sit up and examine my injury, but the mere touch sent a jolt of pain through me, my hand recoiling from the swelling.

“Darling,” a voice whispered from behind me. The sound made my heart stutter and my breath hitch in my throat.