Chapter 57: Chapter 57

ADELIE

“I need a minimum of fifty of you here,” he declared, causing my head to whip around in surprise. “More would be ideal, but I’m not sure of your numbers yet.”

He’d initially wanted no one here, but now he was requesting at least fifty. How would the pack react to that many vampires? They’ve never been our allies.

What had Maeve said to him to make him want more of them here?

Even Irene couldn’t help but laugh. “Aren’t you pushing it a bit, Kairos?” she questioned.

“I have my reasons, as do you. What better way to show vampires can be trusted than to have more than ten living here?” he responded, his mood surprisingly light.

She moved a step closer to Kairos. “Aren’t you scared?” she asked, her tone serious.

“Should I be?” he retorted. What was with his sudden playful demeanor? From despising vampires to now inviting more in.

“No,” Irene replied instantly. “I suppose we have formalities to discuss now?” she inquired.

Kairos nodded. “Indeed, let’s head to my study.” He turned to me. “You won’t be needed with me now. But could you kindly inform the other pack members of the news?”

He was asking me to do the one thing I didn’t want to. I doubted anyone would be happy to hear this. I didn’t want to be the bearer of such news, but what other option did I have?

“Alright,” I responded simply.

“Nathan and Maeve will assist you,” he said, glancing at them before departing with Irene to go upstairs. At least he didn’t mention Riley, even though she was the beta.

At a time like this, when the alpha would need her most, she was absent. It seemed like she was the one afraid of vampires right now.

I finally stepped outside into the fresh air, Nathan and Maeve at my side. I turned to Maeve. “What was that all about?” I asked, my tone almost accusatory because I still didn’t understand why she had done that.

She had gone behind the Alpha’s back—the one person she had always respected and obeyed.

“I’ve sorted everything out with the Alpha. It’s in both our best interests,” she said, but I found it hard to believe that Kairos would just let it slide when Maeve had gone behind his back. There was more to it.

I didn’t get a chance to probe further before I was interrupted by the task at hand.

“People won’t be pleased about this,” Nathan said from my other side. “Vampires in our pack, the ones we use to scare children from venturing into the forest alone.

“My father used to frighten me with tales of vampires biting me if I strayed too far when I was a kid. Now, the children’s nightmares will be living among us.”

He seemed to be talking more to himself. He was more frightened than he was letting on.

We all walked to the center of the pack, where the stage-like podium stood. People were gathering around, and I started to ascend but noticed that Nathan and Maeve weren’t following me.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked them. They exchanged glances before looking back at me.

“You’re the luna, the peacekeeper. We don’t hold your rank.” Nathan was the one to respond, yet another person emphasizing the importance of rank.

I just wanted someone to stand with me up there. I shook my head, took a deep breath, and climbed onto the podium.

People were still arriving from all directions, curious about what was so important that the luna herself was making an announcement.

I started to hope that they would spread the word anyway. “Night Walkers Pack!” I called out with the strongest voice I could muster, the only authoritative voice that my soul possessed, my luna voice.

“A decision has been made. As we speak, Alpha Kairos is finalizing all the formalities.”

Their attention was snagged. Maeve and Nathan’s brows knitted together, their faces etched with concern. I could feel the room buzzing with confusion and hushed whispers.

“I’ve agreed to allow vampires to reside within our pack,” I announced. The murmurs instantly amplified, punctuated by sharp gasps and shocked expressions.

“This is purely for our protection. They’ve pledged to coexist peacefully and safeguard us.”

An elderly man approached the podium. “How can you trust them to suppress their true nature?” he questioned.

“They feed on blood. Do you really believe we can coexist without them attacking when they’re hungry?” His anger was palpable, his words felt like an accusation. As if I was the vampire he was referring to.

“We’ve struck a deal. They won’t harm us. It’s in everyone’s best interest,” I tried to reassure them. But a woman stepped forward, her lips pressed into a thin line, shaking her head in disapproval.

“Since when did we become your guinea pigs? You expect us to let our children roam freely knowing vampires are among us? Not all of us can conjure a creature to fight for us.”

Her words were laced with anger and accusation. “We have our wolves, our wolf forms. We don’t need special treatment. We just want to live safely here.”

“That’s exactly why we’re doing this,” I responded, my voice wavering. I saw Nathan whispering to Maeve. I had a feeling there was more to this than they were letting on.

“I want to hear from the Alpha!” the woman demanded, stomping her foot and seeking validation from the crowd. I glanced at Nathan and Maeve, who merely shrugged.

I was at a loss for words. They weren’t willing to listen to me. I retreated a few steps and mind-linked Kairos. ~“They’re not listening to me,”~ I told him.

His response was delayed. ~“I’ll be there in ten,”~ he finally replied.

They didn’t trust me, didn’t value my words. “The Alpha will be here shortly,” I announced, and they finally nodded in agreement. I stepped away from the podium, distancing myself from them all.

Maeve approached me. “You okay?” she asked. I managed a weak smile and nodded.

“Yeah, of course.” I forced a laugh. “I’m sure they’ll warm up to me.” I lied. I didn’t believe that. They had ample time to trust me, yet they didn’t.

Soon, Alpha arrived, with Riley predictably by his side. He echoed my words from the podium, but somehow, it was different for them.

Their trust hinged on the source of the information. If it came from the Alpha, it was credible. If it came from me, it was dismissed, as if Luna was just a hollow title.

“Regarding this situation, Luna Adelie is here to ensure peace in this pack. When she speaks, I expect you to listen and accept. Is that understood?” Kairos’s words only served to undermine me further.

“Yes, Alpha,” they chorused.

The crowd began to disperse. Even Maeve and Nathan left. Kairos approached me. “Everything’s settled. The vampires will move into some vacant houses tomorrow.”

I nodded in acknowledgment. “Adelie,” he said softly, placing his hands on my shoulders. “They’re still getting used to you. You’ve got this.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“Maybe I don’t have it. Maybe it’s okay if you’re the Alpha and I’m just your partner. Maybe it’s okay if I don’t have to deal with situations where they won’t listen. Maybe I’m okay with just being a pack member.”

“I don’t want you to be just a pack member; I want you to rule beside me,” he countered.

“Don’t you get it? I can’t just command their respect like you do. You’ve earned it in a way I never can,” I blurted out, instantly wishing I could take it back.

“You mean by doing the unthinkable and killing my own mate?” His voice was laced with pain as he stared at his shoes. “That’s not why they respect me, Adelie,” he added, his voice barely above a whisper.

“But then why? Why won’t they accept me? I’m their luna, at least in name. Isn’t that enough?”

“I’ve been part of two different packs. The luna has always been a leader, someone the pack trusts. Why can’t I be that?” I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. Panic flashed in his eyes.

He shook his head. “I’ll talk to them. I’ll make them understand.”

But there was something he wasn’t telling me.

“No, I don’t want you to talk to them. I need you to tell me why they won’t accept me.”

He was hiding something. I could see it in his eyes.

His jaw clenched. “It doesn’t matter.” He wouldn’t even look at me.

“I need you to tell me.” I tried to meet his gaze, but he wouldn’t let me.

“It’s just some stupid rumor. I don’t agree with it. I’ve tried to make them see, but they just… they don’t see what I see.”

“I’ve never thought that, and neither has Kye,” he added, and those words made me question everything.

It wasn’t about what Kairos had done to earn their respect. At least, not entirely. When it came to me, it wasn’t about my actions; it was about who I was. I just needed to hear him say it.

“Why would Kye have any say in this? Why would your wolf care?” I asked, forcing a bitter smile. “Tell me the real reason why no one here respects me as their luna.”

“Many people do respect you, Adelie. Look at Maeve and Nathan—”

I cut him off. “I’m not talking about my friends. They’re my friends. I’m talking about the people who should see me as their leader.”

My voice was weary now, pleading. “Why?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“Because you are…” he began, but his voice faltered.

I could finish the sentence for him. “Because I’m not a werewolf.”