Chapter 74: Chapter 74

KAIROS

I reached out to everyone I knew, even those I hadn't spoken to in years. But no one had the answers I needed—no one could offer a solution different from John's.

I was desperate for another way out, but it felt like everyone was watching me flounder. There wasn't a single hint or clue to guide me.

I found myself sifting through old case files. The previous alphas of our pack had always kept records of the most unusual and rare cases.

I searched for something, anything that might be similar, something that could spark an idea. But there was nothing.

I retreated to my study. The window was open, allowing the white silk curtain to billow inwards. The room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of the lanterns outside.

I sank into my chair, feeling the cool breeze against the back of my neck. It was the perfect setting for solitude.

The wind rustled the tree branches outside, carrying the faint sound of voices from below. It was a beautiful evening. If only you were here with me...

Why does life have to be so complicated? Why must we navigate a maze of challenges just to find something good? Aren't we, as humans, deserving of good lives without having to prove ourselves?

What have we done to deserve such trials? And what happens to a person who isn't rewarded with a good life? What would become of me if I lost Adelie? Was our time together really so fleeting?

Do I no longer deserve her? And who decides when it's someone's time to leave this world? Is it all just a cruel game of chance?

Do I not deserve anyone I care about? Was Fala the only one who would stay without any complications? Or was I tempting fate by even thinking that, daring it to take her too...

No! I couldn't bear the thought. She was here to stay. But if I was so certain, why had everyone else left?

My parents, my first mate, so many of my pack members, Raphael...

Oh Raphael, why did you have to leave me? When I needed you most, you weren't here. When I wanted you here most, you were gone. Who could possibly fill your shoes?

I hope that six feet of earth is enough to grant you eternal peace. I hope it's more peaceful there than it was here, easier than it was here.

And it's not the beta position I'm worried about filling. I need a friend. People come and go, but you planted roots here. My thoughts, my heart, everything I touch here is because of you.

You never doubted me. You saw my failures as lessons we could both learn from. And maybe I should have taken away your beta title, because you were never just a beta.

We were equals. We were brothers.

We liked to pretend that I was in charge, but in reality, you were the one making the decisions. Because let's be honest, would I ever do something you didn't agree with?

Please forgive me, Raphael. Forgive me for not doing enough, for making mistakes, for letting you go alone.

Forgive me for doubting that these walls can keep me sane. Forgive me for not knowing what to do without you.

Most of all, forgive me for ever doubting you, for making you feel less than when you were capable of so much more. I pray for you, Raphael. I pray that your afterlife is everything you deserve.

I pray that you find peace, a peace better than anything you could have imagined here. Thank you, Raphael, for allowing me to be a part of your life.

Thank you for being here, and goodbye until we meet again...my brother forever and always...

A knock echoed through my study, and without waiting for a response, he walked in.

Michael.

“You're here!” I exclaimed, standing up. I hadn't expected him to arrive so soon.

“I heard it was an emergency, but I'm not sure how much help I can be. I'm just a nymph, after all,” he said, his mood too light for the somber atmosphere.

No one was in high spirits here. Not now.

“You were the only one willing to step up, and you’re the best we have,” I admitted, realizing later that it wasn’t exactly a flattering statement.

“I guess I need to bring you up to speed on the situation,” I said as he took a seat across from me.

“No need. Maeve filled me in,” he replied. “But the only solution I can think of is to remove her wolf.”

Of course, he was aware of it. Why wouldn’t he be? He was sharp.

“I’ve considered that, but I want to explore other options,” I said. “Maybe there’s a way to reverse the shift and save her wolf.”

He gave me a skeptical look.

“Kairos, if there was another way, someone would have found it by now. I’ve reached out to my contacts; they don’t know any more than we do. This is the only solution.

“Unless, of course, you decide to let her wolf remain in that form forever. But I doubt anyone would choose that,” he added.

“There has to be a way to save her wolf. I can still reach out to others who might know more,” I said, perhaps trying to convince myself more than him.

Michael rose from his seat, smoothing out his white suit.

“You can try, but you’re just in denial because you’re afraid. Is your fear justified? Maybe, but you need to consider what’s best.

“And sometimes it’s good to explore different kinds of love,” he said with a smirk, before disappearing from my sight.

Of course, he knew exactly what was at stake.

He didn’t understand what it was like to have a mate. How does one live when love is a choice? How do you know it’s real? And how do you know it won’t fade?

I reached out to everyone I could. I read everything I could find. But I found nothing that offered a glimmer of hope for a different outcome. There was nothing.

Night had fallen again, and I was no closer to a solution. Did I really have to accept what everyone was telling me?

I needed to talk to someone. I made my way to Fala’s place, where she lived among the other pack members.

I called her out in the middle of the night. When she emerged, I could tell she hadn’t been sleeping either. Most of us hadn’t, as we were all searching for answers.

“Tired?” I asked her anyway.

She shook her head. “Not really,” she replied. With a nod, I began to walk, and she fell into step beside me. “Where are we going?” she asked, but I just shrugged.

“Nowhere in particular. I thought you might be awake too,” I said, and she listened quietly.

“I don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve tried everything. Everyone has tried everything, but nothing is working.

“How can I lead this pack when I can’t even handle my own mate’s issues?”

I was beginning to doubt whether I was cut out to be alpha. Most of the time, I didn’t know what to do. And Adelie’s situation just proved that I didn’t know enough to lead anyone.

Every thought of Adelie was tearing me apart. I needed her back.

“I’ve heard there’s a way,” Fala said, and of course, she knew too.

But could it really be considered a solution? Madeline would be gone forever. How could I accept that?

“You know, if that’s the only way, you have to do whatever it takes to see her again.”

“I’m scared,” I confessed, my voice breaking as I showed Fala my vulnerability. “I can’t lose my second chance mate. I…I need her.

“I thought when I killed Mia that I would never love again—that I would never find joy in life again—because my love’s blood was on my hands and no one would ever truly love me again.”

Tears spilled from my eyes, and I didn’t care if Fala saw my vulnerability. “I was given a second chance, Fala. She loved me—truly loved me. Even when I believed I was a monster, she still loved me.”

Fala turned to face me, her eyes questioning. “You don’t think she could love you without the mate bond?”

I shook my head, despair creeping in. “How could she? I’ve caused her so much pain. She loved me because that’s what mates do. Without that bond, she won’t feel obligated to love me. Why would she?”

I continued, my voice barely a whisper. “She’ll be fine without a mate. She could choose someone else. Maybe she won’t even want anyone.” My words were tainted with selfishness.

I wanted to find another way because I wanted her to love me. Maybe that was what made me a monster: my selfishness was driving my decisions.

Fala’s question caught me off guard. “If you don’t believe she could love you without the mate bond, why are you with her?” I was stunned into silence.

What was she implying? How could she ask me that?

She continued, her voice soft but firm. “It’s your choice. But think about it. Would you rather keep her trapped in her wolf form? Sure, it guarantees she’ll love you. How could she not? She’s your mate.

“But what if you set Adelie free? You won’t know if she still loves you. There’s no guarantee she won’t forget you. Who knows, she might not even want you around.

“But the real question is, do you love her enough to let her go?”