Chapter 79: Chapter 79

ADELIE

Without waiting for Esty to finish her sentence, I walked away, leaving her standing alone. I didn’t need her negativity. I was going to be okay. ~We~ were going to be okay.

I headed back towards the pack, crossing paths with a few young ones. “Alpha asked my dad to join him for a run. He said I could watch if I stay quiet,” one of the boys shared with his friend.

“What’s that about?” I questioned the young pup, Lucas.

They seemed surprised to see me, and even a bit scared to ignore me.

“Luna Adelie, we didn’t notice you,” the other boy apologized, lowering his head in respect.

“What were you two discussing?” I asked again.

“Alpha is participating in the Night Walkers pack’s annual run,” he informed me.

“Every autumn, during the full moon of the first month, the Night Walkers pack organizes a joint run.

“Our ancient stories tell us that this run is a way to honor the moon goddess. It’s believed that she protects us from harsh winters, helps our crops thrive, and prepares the soil for the next planting season.”

“And how does running achieve that?” I questioned. His explanation sounded more like folklore than fact. But there was something beautiful about their faith.

“The Luna always runs with us…well, I mean you would be there,” he stumbled over his words, realizing his mistake.

He didn’t need to feel guilty. I understood that people would be cautious when discussing this topic with me. “I assumed you were aware,” the boy added.

“Alpha must have forgotten to mention it,” I replied, patting his shoulder and offering a comforting smile.

I felt a pang of disappointment that Kairos hadn’t shared this with me. Did he not want me there? Was I no longer included in the Alpha and Luna activities?

As the boy left, I spotted Luna Delilah in the distance. She was engaged in a conversation with some young ones from my pack, aged between five and nine.

Curiosity got the better of me and I moved closer to eavesdrop.

“I was about twelve when I first shifted, but that’s considered quite late. Most shift around ten, sometimes even earlier.”

The children listened with wide-eyed fascination, as if she was narrating the most enchanting fairy tale. But this was their reality. I couldn’t share my reality with them.

My shift had been nothing but excruciating pain with no reward.

“I remember being terrified,” she laughed, “but once it happened, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined.

“In fact, seeing my beautiful wolf for the first time made all the pain worthwhile. I never gave it a second thought.”

She glanced in my direction before turning back to the children. “Having your own wolf is the most fulfilling experience. Don’t fear the transformation.

“You have a wonderful Alpha who takes care of such matters,” she playfully tapped their noses, “and a great Alpha who looks after all of you.”

She rose from her kneeling position. “Thank you, Luna,” they chorused before scampering off.

Delilah approached me with a smirk. “Hello, Luna Adelie.” I didn’t respond, but she continued anyway.

“Does this mean you’ll be joining us for training and participating in pack activities as Luna?” she inquired.

“Yes,” I replied. “I apologize for my absence and promise to make up for it. I can take care of my people from now on.”

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” she mocked. “From what I can see, Kairos has been managing this pack alone.

“He did that while you were out, putting us all in danger. Sure, Kairos has always been that way, even before you arrived. But it shouldn’t be like this, not when he has a Luna by his side.”

“Sadly, his Luna doesn’t contribute much.”

“This pack is an ally of mine, and I have a duty to protect it. Adelie, don’t see me as an adversary, but understand that you’re not doing anything for this pack at the moment.

“It’s high time you step up and be the Luna,” she went on. “You don’t have to be a wolf to lead a wolf pack. But if you’re not up for it, then don’t even bother.

“Wolves are courageous creatures. They never let weakness deter them from a fight.” She turned on her heel and left me standing there, stunned.

Had I really been so useless? I was always trying to contribute, but it seemed I was never truly helpful. Delilah was harsh, but she was right.

I scanned the area, searching for something, ~anything~ that needed attention. I strained to spot any sign of damage or problem, but I found none. Kairos was already handling everything flawlessly.

I saw the school in the distance, but no ideas came to mind. The education here was already top-notch. No one complained, and Kairos had always done everything for the children.

He even brought in external professors to conduct experiments in various fields.

I glanced at the hospital. We already had an excellent doctor.

I strolled through the pack, choosing the busiest route. It was common knowledge that the ranks lived with their own packs.

Every pack was divided into four main ranks. The first were the Alpha and Luna—the leaders of the pack.

The second was the Beta, the second in command. The third tier consisted of the mid-ranking wolves, who served as guards or fighters in the packs.

The last were the Omegas—the working-class pack. They handled the pack chores and, if necessary, assisted in fights. But they weren’t as strong.

And how were these ranks determined? By birth. There was no escaping it. If you were born to Omega parents, you would be an Omega.

But…it felt odd. Sure, I had been an Omega all my life, but that was because I needed to hide. But what kind of life was it when our parents’ titles dictated our own?

From the outside, the houses didn’t vary much by rank, except for the Alpha’s house.

But it was evident that the mid-ranks lived in better conditions than the Omegas. And Kairos knew it, and he didn’t do it intentionally.

It was just that the mid-ranks had the audacity to demand a better life. They knew what they deserved and asked for it.

Needless to say, Kairos would give away everything he had, even to Omegas if they asked. But they knew better than to.

Because their parents taught them to be humble and grateful, thinking it was too much to ask for more than they already had.

These ranks were meant to determine your work abilities, and no one ever complained. They accepted it.

***

As the day wore on, everyone was winding down, some fixing things, some building things. They were relaxing in the evening, catching up on gossip and simply enjoying themselves.

The path between houses was wide. Each house had a front yard; some had flowers or bushes, while others had bare lawns.

As I walked through, people began to notice me. Children were toning down their boisterous play, waiting for me to say something or reprimand them.

But they weren’t doing anything wrong; they were just being kids.

I just walked past, observing what they had. They had everything they needed. But did they have everything they wanted?

Their life choices were so limited.

If a mid-rank ever showed exceptional talent in fighting or their abilities, Kairos always supported them to reach their full potential, but what about the Omegas?

They couldn’t rise higher. Even Maeve. She did so much, yet she was only an Omega.

I paused. An elderly man stepped forward. “Can we assist you, Luna?” he asked. He leaned on a crutch, yet his smile suggested a world without pain.

I slowly shook my head, and he smiled again before turning his stooped back and grimacing as he walked away.

My powers frightened me, but I couldn’t just stand by. “Excuse me,” I said, catching his attention. “Are you hurting?” I asked.

He glanced at his leg. “Just an old war wound,” he chuckled.

“May I take a look?” I offered.

His eyes widened. “Luna, I’d never defy you. But understand, I’m old. Pain is inevitable.” His tone remained light.

I gently took his arm and guided him to a bench outside his house. As he sat, I knelt beside him. “Where does it hurt?” I inquired.

“Hurt my knee fighting that disgrace, Luna Mia. Doctors said there was no hope.

“Now, thanks to my age, I have this as a nightly companion,” he laughed, a deep, raspy sound.

It was a poignant paradox, their happiness despite the losses they’d suffered under the previous Luna, the physical and emotional scars still evident.

I softly placed my hand on his knee, feeling the compress wrapped around his leg to alleviate the pain.

Closing my eyes, I felt a sharp pain in my own knees. I’d have to endure this discomfort for a few days to heal him.

The thing with chronic conditions or injuries like this was that they returned after a few weeks, but I only experienced the pain for two or three days.

I withdrew my hand, looking up at him. “I can’t guarantee there won’t be repercussions. I’m not a doctor or a chronic pain specialist. But I can take the pain away.

“Are you willing to risk potential long-term effects?”

I asked because I knew they were aware of what happened with Maeve. I didn’t want them to feel obligated to comply with my every command.

The old man took my hand, kissing my fingers, his coarse gray mustache scratching my soft skin.

“My Luna. If you could relieve my pain for even a moment, I’d take it. I’m willing to risk whatever I have left,” he said, leaning in closer.

“Don’t fear, child. One unfortunate healing doesn’t make you a monster. Heal if you can, child. You’ve healed so many. Don’t let one incident prevent you from doing good.

“And she’s fine and well. I know she is. Don’t neglect your gifts. They’re gifts for a reason. They’re meant to be used and appreciated.”

I placed my hand back on his knee, closed my eyes, and gradually felt his pain seep into my body, stopping at my knee.

Before I even opened my eyes, I felt him stand. “Oh, blessed Moon Goddess!” he exclaimed, tears streaming down his face as he looked at me.

I quickly stood, and he enveloped me in a tight hug, lifting me off the ground.

I let out a surprised gasp at his strength. But when he released me, I couldn’t help but smile as I watched this elderly man hopping around.

The other Omegas had gathered, watching. I even spotted Maeve in the distance, smiling at me. She looked proud.

Soon, a woman approached me. “Dear Luna, could you help my daughter? Her migraine is acting up again.”

Her pleading gaze tugged at my heart. I smiled at her and followed her to her daughter.

Before long, I was helping everyone with their ailments. They were becoming more comfortable with me, offering me tea and food, expressing their gratitude for my assistance.

A few people were still waiting for me when I saw Kairos emerge from the forest. But he wasn’t alone. He was dragging Esty by the elbow.

I followed his path with my eyes. He was heading towards the prison.

“Finally caught her. She needs to pay for what she did,” a man exclaimed as everyone turned to watch Kairos.

“I’ll be right back,” I told them, following after Kairos.

I stepped into the chilly confines of the usually deserted prison, constructed beneath the ground. From the top of the stairs, I watched as he roughly tossed her into her cell.

He didn’t stop there, though. Only the gods knew what he intended to do next. “Stop!” I found myself yelling at him.

His gaze was filled with pure malevolence. Had I been viewing him through a rose-tinted lens all this while? Had I been oblivious to the predatory hunger in his eyes?

Had I been blind to the sinister undertones of his gaze? I’d seen him in a rage before, and I knew he was in the same state now. But my perception of him had shifted.

For the first time, I was seeing him for what he truly was, the danger that other packs had warned me about.

He looked like a force of destruction, capable of obliterating everything in his path. Had my wolf instincts blinded me to what was so clear to others?

I had loved him without question, perhaps that’s why I’d been blind to this side of him.

I’d been so naive. The others didn’t fear him out of ignorance; they feared him because they knew him. They knew the depths of his evil.

His monstrous behavior was a stark contrast to the man I thought I knew. His gaze had always been intense, but I’d never really seen it. How could I ever unsee it now?