Chapter 73: Chapter 73

KAIROS

Maeve and I were in my study, catching up on the latest developments. The rest of the team was in the library.

“Alpha Archibald’s pack has sent over twenty fighters,” Maeve informed me. “But if Madeline breaks free, it won’t be a walk in the park to restrain her.

“We can rotate them in shifts of ten, allowing some to rest while others keep watch,” she continued. “Meanwhile, the doctor and Esty are gathering as much information as they can.

“Members from our pack and Alpha Archibald’s are also investigating, but so far, no useful leads have been found,” she added.

I appreciated her efforts, but she looked worn out. Dark circles under her eyes and a paler complexion than usual.

“Are you okay, Maeve?” I asked, concerned.

She had been working tirelessly, despite her recent transformation into a vampire.

She avoided my gaze, her eyes now a startling red. “I’m as okay as I can be,” she replied, unconvincingly.

Maeve was never one to ask for help. She was stubborn that way.

“When was the last time you fed?” I asked, knowing full well I wasn’t referring to her last meal.

“I…I haven’t,” she admitted, avoiding my gaze.

“Didn’t Helen bring you a bag of blood?” I asked.

She stared out the window, focusing on a distant point. “She did,” Maeve confirmed, her struggle evident.

She was afraid to give in to her new instincts. But there was no escaping her new reality. I could tell she didn’t want to be a vampire, but it was too late for regrets.

I walked over to a small fridge I had installed in the cabinet for this very purpose. I took out a bag of blood and tossed it on the table, hoping to catch her attention.

She was clearly fighting her urges. The longer she resisted, the more harm she would cause herself. I poured the blood into a cup and slid it across the table to her.

She shook her head. “I…I can’t,” she said, her voice strained. Her hands were clenched into fists and her shoulders were rigid.

“Maeve, you can’t change what you’ve become. It’s hard, I know, but you’ll adjust in time.

“If you fight your instincts, they’ll only grow stronger, making you a danger to everyone. Feed regularly and you’ll learn to manage your urges.

“You’re the only one who knows your body’s needs. You’re a new vampire. You need blood to adapt to your new life.

“I need you to be healthy and safe. If you have to force yourself to drink, do it. Until you get used to blood, you won’t be able to control your urges.

“You’re smart, Maeve. I expect you to act accordingly,” I said, gesturing to the cup.

She hesitated, but eventually gave in. As soon as the blood touched her tongue, she drained the cup. It was a difficult sight to witness.

I found it hard to stomach, but I needed to support Maeve.

“Now that that’s settled, I need you to continue overseeing things while I make some calls to potential allies,” I said.

She interrupted me as I reached for the phone.

“Actually, Alpha, while you were away… I’m sorry, but I took the liberty of making some calls. I thought it would be best to act quickly.”

Her initiative surprised me, but under the circumstances, I wasn’t about to lecture her on house rules.

“So what was their response?” I asked.

“Michael is on his way, but the others didn’t have much to offer. They didn’t want to come without knowing how to assist,” she clarified.

I gave her a nod. “Thanks,” I said, then headed to the library where everyone was engrossed in research and discussion.

I noticed Esty and John were huddled together, seemingly in a heated debate. I approached them, my eyes never leaving Esty.

I didn’t trust her. She was here solely to retrieve Adelie.

“What’s happening? What have you discovered?” I asked, interrupting their silence.

Esty glanced at John. “Go ahead, let’s see how he reacts to our idea,” she said, her lips forming a slight pout.

“What idea?” I inquired.

John hesitated before he began to speak.

“I’ve been around for a while. My back pain can attest to that,” he attempted to joke, but his laughter was short-lived.

“During my training in the east, I learned many things that I’ve never had to use. They trained us with the most unusual and complex cases imaginable.

“All I’ve ever needed were the standard healing arts—nothing as exotic as this.

“I was taught about every stage of a werewolf’s life, from birth to first shift to death, when the werewolf soul departs the body,” he said, licking his dry lips.

“So, you have a solution? How can we bring her back?” I asked.

He glanced at Esty, but she was avoiding eye contact. John tried to meet my gaze.

“Alpha… I believe there are other options we should explore first, leaving this as a last resort,” he said.

This wasn’t promising. If even a doctor like him was hesitant, it couldn’t be good.

“What’s your plan?” I asked, needing to know the worst.

He looked around nervously, as if he was about to reveal a monumental secret.

He leaned in closer and cleared his throat. “Remove her wolf entirely,” he said.

I didn’t understand why that was so terrible.

“She lived like that before and was fine. I don’t think that’s the worst-case scenario. It could be much worse,” I said.

John looked at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to understand something that wasn’t clicking.

“Alpha…” He hesitated, seemingly afraid to continue. “It wouldn’t just mean removing her wolf form. That’s not possible.

“But we can take away her entire werewolf. Completely strip her of the wolf soul…and it would mean in every conceivable way. Alpha…she wouldn’t be a werewolf anymore,” he said.

Why would that upset me so much? Her wolf would be gone…her wolf soul would be gone. If she wasn’t a werewolf, she couldn’t have a mate.

She wouldn’t recognize me as her mate, and I wouldn’t feel our bond. There would be no bond. It would be love like…humans.

I always thought humans were unfortunate, living lives where they often don’t know who they love until it’s too late.

We werewolves had an advantage. We know our soulmate, the one for whom we would endure anything.

If we weren’t mates as wolves…we would still love each other, right? I couldn’t fathom a life where I didn’t love her. But what if she felt differently?

“If it’s the only way—as long as she returns healthy and whole—I don’t see why we shouldn’t do it,” I said, then left without another word.

I wasn't truthful. There were countless reasons not to proceed, and perhaps the majority of them were purely self-centered. But how would she react to such a decision?

We'd be stripping her of something without her consent. She might end up despising me for making such a choice. And yet, it was self-centered of me to worry about her resentment.

How was I supposed to break it to Madeline? Just thrust her into the situation? I couldn’t bear to.

But what if we were left with no other options?