Chapter 49: Chapter 49

ADELIE

I spilled my guts to Maeve. She was in on my plan, understood my motives. She wasn’t thrilled, but she couldn’t deny it was the right thing to do.

What other option did I have—let everything crumble while I remained untouched? I’d sacrifice myself a thousand times over if it meant saving even one person.

As midnight crept closer, I found myself once again outside Kairos’s study. I didn’t bother knocking—last time, it didn’t seem to matter.

I walked in. Kairos’s eyes immediately met mine, a smile spreading across his face. He looked content, like he did before Raphael’s death, but I knew it was just a mask.

I knew he was still shattered; no one mends that quickly. That’s why I’d do anything to shield Kairos, to spare him from experiencing that pain again.

Riley was there too, seated across from Kairos. A table separated them, but she kept trying to close the distance.

I hadn’t anticipated the surge of jealousy I’d feel seeing Kairos and Riley together so often. I trusted him. It was her I didn’t trust.

They were both engrossed in some documents when I approached. Kairos’s gaze was on me, but my focus was on Riley, who avoided my gaze and didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I stood beside her, waiting for some sort of recognition while I stared her down.

Kairos was the one to break the silence. “Riley!” he snapped. “Your luna is here.”

She looked up, startled, as if she hadn’t realized I’d entered. She acted as though she was too absorbed in the papers to notice.

She rose to her feet. “I apologize,” she said, bowing her head. “I was distracted,” she added, still standing.

“Riley, please leave us,” Kairos instructed. But as Riley turned to go, I stopped her.

“It’s fine. She can stay,” I said, keeping my eyes on her. She sat back down. I didn’t want her to think I saw her as a threat. “I just needed to tell you that I’m about to perform my ritual.”

He sifted through his stack of papers. “Is it urgent?” he asked.

It wasn’t, and that wasn’t even why I was there, but I nodded anyway.

“Yes, but you don’t need to accompany me,” I said, noticing his raised eyebrow. He’d made it clear that I wasn’t to venture into the forest alone, especially now.

I just rolled my eyes. “Maeve is coming with me,” I said. But from beside me, I heard Riley snicker.

I shot her a look, and her smile quickly faded when she saw I wasn’t amused.

“I apologize, but she’s an omega. How much protection can she offer?” she asked, her plump cheeks lifting into a smug smile.

“I think Luna should be accompanied by someone of a similar rank, with all due respect,” she said, placing a hand on her chest as if she were genuinely concerned.

Why was it that every little thing she did grated on my nerves?

“That would lower your status in the eyes of others,” she added.

Neither Kairos nor I said anything. I looked at Kairos.

“Riley has a point,” he said, and I wondered if he was joking. “Not about it lowering your status, but I don’t think an omega is strong enough to guard you,” he said, completely serious.

I forced a laugh. “She’s more than capable. She’s as useful as Nathan.” I defended her. “You train everyone equally. Why isn’t she strong enough?” I challenged.

Kairos shut his eyes, a clear sign of his growing irritation. “She’s got strength, no doubt about it. She’s one of our most valuable omegas, but the higher ranks are naturally more powerful.”

“Ranking exists for a reason in wolf packs,” he added.

“So, training doesn’t count for anything?” I shot back, my arms folded defiantly across my chest. I was challenging him to prove his point that she was as weak as he claimed.

“Maybe you should tailor training programs for each rank then, since they’re not all equally strong. Why does rank suddenly determine strength?”

Kairos chose to sidestep my question. “I’ll send Nathan with you,” he said, avoiding my gaze. I knew I was getting under his skin at a time when he could do without the added stress.

The last thing I wanted was to pick a fight with him, but I had to stand my ground. I needed him to let me go alone, or at least with Maeve.

“It’s either Maeve or no one,” I stated. He just shrugged and shook his head.

“Then don’t go,” he retorted. A smug smile tugged at my lips. He’d completely misunderstood me.

“It’s either Maeve…” I paused for effect, “or I go alone.”

His eyes flicked up to meet mine as I looked down at him. His nostrils flared slightly, betraying his indecision.

He rose to his feet. “I’ll go with you,” he said, preparing to leave. But I wasn’t having any of it.

“Maeve or no one,” I reiterated, stopping him in his tracks.

He shot a glance at Riley, who was observing the exchange. She quickly returned her attention to her paperwork. “So now even I’m not good enough?” he asked.

“It’s the principle of the matter!” I retorted, my voice rising. I had to resist the urge to stomp my foot in frustration.

I saw his hands clench into fists. He let out a heavy sigh, his chest deflating. “How long will you be gone?” he asked, finally giving in.

“I’m not sure, but it won’t be long,” I assured him.

He sighed again, heavily. “Fine,” he conceded, sinking back into his chair.

I nodded. “See you later then,” I said, exiting his study. My heart was pounding. I’d actually pulled it off.

Now the real question was whether the note was from Esty. My gut was telling me it wasn’t good news.

I made my way to Maeve’s house, where we’d agreed to meet. The lights were still on.

I knocked on the sturdy wooden door. Maeve’s brother James answered, struggling slightly to unlock the door from his wheelchair. I held it open for him.

“Good evening, Luna,” he greeted me with a thin smile.

Before I could respond, Maeve appeared. “James, I told you I’d get it.” She turned to me. “Good evening, Luna,” she echoed her brother’s greeting, using my title.

“It’s time to go,” I told her, and she hurried out.

James remained in the doorway. “It’s a great honor for Maeve to accompany you, Luna, to your ritual. It’s a big deal for all omegas,” he said. I smiled at him and left with Maeve.

“Why is it such a big deal?” I asked quietly as we walked towards the forest.

She glanced at me. “Omegas are meant for pack work and, in emergencies, to fight. We’re the lowest rank, doing all the work others don’t want to,” she explained.

“Humans have it different. They can choose who they want to be, regardless of their roots. But in our world, your rank is your identity. It’s everything you are and will ever be.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not griping. It’s just how things are. Could be worse.”

We strode side by side, briskly. Her expression was devoid of any disappointment. “Ever wished to be something more?” I asked.

I remembered my own time as an omega. I never complained, just did what was expected of me. So why was I questioning her contentment with being an omega for life?

Maybe it was the spark in her, her unwavering belief in things. She revered the alpha, convinced he was the best.

She didn’t carry herself like an omega. She had the aura of a warrior. She was exceptional in her training.

But it was never about capabilities; it was always about rank. Once an omega, always an omega.

“I am an omega. It’s my identity. I can’t be anything more. My rank is all I have, it’s what defines me,” she declared. But I could still see that spark in her.

Even if she didn’t voice it, I knew she had the potential to be so much more.

“It shouldn’t matter so much,” I muttered.

“But it does,” she retorted, making it clear she didn’t want to debate it. She would never complain, but it wasn’t wrong to aspire for more.

We kept walking towards the lake. I didn’t tell Maeve about the note that made me suspect Esty. I didn’t think it was relevant. I was probably just being paranoid.

Still, I couldn’t shake off my unease and kept scanning our surroundings for anything unusual.

I hoped Maeve wouldn’t notice, but she did. “Why are you so jumpy?” she asked.

“Well, we’re about to meet a witch. Know any friendly ones?” I countered. She just shrugged in response.

The only sounds were the increasingly strong winds. I noticed the treetops swaying violently. A storm was brewing.

We reached the lake. It was past midnight, but Esty was nowhere to be seen. I searched for a hint of her red coat but found nothing.

“Are you sure she said today?” Maeve asked, her hair whipping around her face in the wind.

“Yes, I don’t think she’d give me a week’s notice,” I replied. As I scanned the area, I spotted a flash of red fabric behind a tree, but it vanished quickly. I turned to Maeve, relieved. It was Esty.

“I think she wants to avoid being seen. I’ll be okay; you can wait for me at the forest edge,” I suggested. She nodded, but not before looking around warily.

“If you say so,” she said and left.

I waited for Esty to emerge. When she didn’t, I moved forward to investigate.

A sudden gust of wind blew behind me. Before I could react, a pair of delicate hands were choking me. I was certain now. This wasn’t Esty.