Chapter 84: Chapter 84

Adelie

I woke up alone, but I hadn’t had such a restful sleep in ages.

Kairos was nowhere to be found, which was unusual.

I walked into the training ground, dressed in my usual gear. Everyone else was already in full swing.

The sight of two packs and hundreds of werewolves, all striving to be their best, was awe-inspiring.

I was part of this. I didn’t possess their strength, but I didn’t need to. If I were to face any creature in these woods, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

That’s why I needed to improve my form, to protect myself.

I didn’t want to be a hindrance. I wasn’t sure how to train alone, because I didn’t know what I was doing.

The training ground was a vast meadow, with more than enough space for everyone. I kept my distance from the others.

I began with what I knew. I summoned my Bloom. Each time, it got easier. I knew what I wanted and how to achieve it. It just took a bit of practice.

My Bloom looked the same and obeyed my commands. I’d thought it would feel more satisfying, but it was rather anticlimactic.

My Bloom was here, doing everything it was supposed to. So, what next?

I dismissed my Bloom and watched the others train and spar. They were all so engrossed, but I felt lost.

Then it started to rain. I knew Kairos wouldn’t cancel training for a little rain. Only a storm, a tornado, or perhaps a blizzard would stop him.

I held out my hand, catching a few raindrops. The rain was getting heavier, but no one seemed to care.

It was as if they didn’t even notice the rain. Even Kairos remained unfazed as he instructed someone from Archibald’s pack.

As I approached, I noticed a few women from Archibald’s pack showing slight discomfort.

Kairos glanced at me as I stood before them. He said something to his trainee and walked over. I spoke first. “Don’t we have an indoor gym?” I asked.

“Not big enough for everyone, so why favor someone?” He replied, a playful tone in his voice. He seemed to be in a good mood. “Why? Afraid of a little rain?” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes, crossed my arms, and walked back to my spot. But I stopped when I noticed a small root protruding from the ground.

It was small, but big enough to trip someone. I effortlessly pushed it back underground. It didn’t belong above ground, anyway.

I placed my foot where the root had been, lost in thought.

I knelt down to be closer to the ground. With both hands on the wet grass, I felt the roots reaching out to me.

The trees, both near and far, seemed to rejoice, growing towards my touch. There were so many of them.

With my eyes closed, I visualized us all standing together and created a mental map.

A roof over our heads - no cracks. Supported by sturdy wooden poles, the sides left open for light to filter through.

The rain was still pouring, but not on us.

“Hey, Luna!” Someone called out, soaked to the bone. “Ten minutes earlier next time!” he joked.

I couldn’t help but laugh. How could I not? I had created something so grand.

It felt like anything was possible.

I heard a few cheers, and some clapped, congratulating me. They were happy for me. They praised me for what I had done. What else could I do?

Then I looked at the one person whose praise I truly wanted. The only one who mattered.

Kairos joined in the applause. He bit his lower lip, which threw me off and made me look away, blushing.

I was buzzing with energy after that. I couldn’t even concentrate anymore.

Delilah approached me, her arms folded across her chest. “Are you planning to use your current abilities? For the good of the pack, I mean. It should be your last resort,” she declared.

Her long sleeves couldn’t hide the purple bruises that marred her skin.

“What do you want, Delilah?” I asked, my tone flat.

“I’m just trying to engage in a conversation with you. Just trying to offer some support for your impending Luna takeover,” she replied.

“I’m not taking over anything,” I retorted. I was taken aback by her assumption. I had no plans of taking over anything. Why would I?

“Adelie, I’ve been Luna for a long time. If you don’t step up, things could get ugly. Alphas have this notion that they can lead alone.

“They need us to be the puppet masters, orchestrating their solo performances.”

“So, you’re saying you’re making your mate believe he’s delusional?” I asked, incredulous. She spoke about it as if it was the most normal, ethical thing to do to her partner.

“I’m aiding my mate in his leadership. What are you doing for your husband and his pack?”

“Why the sarcasm?” I asked, my voice rising. “I didn’t ask for your advice. I didn’t ask for anything from you. Why do you feel the need to meddle in my affairs and destroy every bit of happiness I have?”

She just smirked at me. “Because you allow me to. You have a gift, Adelie. Regardless of its limitations, there must be something more you can do for the pack…and who knows?

“Maybe your gift extends beyond this pack.”

Delilah was a peculiar woman.

Peculiar in the way that someone might offer you a new dish to try, and even though you didn’t like it, you didn’t want to hurt their feelings so you described it as “interesting.”

That was Delilah. I couldn’t quite grasp her thought process.

She always had a snide comment about everything I did, but now it almost sounded like she was complimenting me. Did she even understand what she was implying?

I returned to my house, went into Kairos’s study, and dialed Michael.

I told him everything that had transpired. He was the only one I knew who understood the ways of the nymphs.

“Your abilities are more extensive than anticipated. I can’t guide you in what I don’t understand. No forest nymph possesses what you have. I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Michael admitted.

“I don’t have the knowledge to assist you. I can’t delve into your mind to see what you see or feel what you feel. But whatever you do, think.

“Consider every possibility. Even if it seems absurd, give it a shot. And if it doesn’t work, that’s okay. Keep trying.

“And I strongly suggest you explore your death side more. There might be more to it as well.”

“But how will I know what to do? It always happens at the most unexpected times. Michael, I don’t know what to look for.”

“Feel. You’re so focused on your current abilities that you’re terrible at understanding yourself. Listen to yourself. I’ll visit you soon. I want to witness it firsthand. Take care, Adelie.”

“You too.”

I slumped in Kairos’s chair, my eyes closed in fatigue. I only lifted my head when Kairos walked in.

“Hey,” he greeted, his voice filled with uncertainty. He was probably just surprised to find me there. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Michael will be visiting soon. There’s not much he can do. I need someone with more wisdom in this matter.”

Kairos took the seat across from me. It felt like we were in a parallel universe. I was always the one sitting there. And now I was in the Alpha’s seat, where Kairos usually entertained his guests.

His gaze fell on my hands as I fiddled with the ring on my finger. “Where did you get that?” he asked.

“This ring was a gift from my dad,” I mused, debating whether to share more with him. It seemed like our issues often stemmed from my reluctance to open up.

What if I decided to be completely transparent from now on? Could that break our cycle of misfortune? “There’s something off with my soul,” I confessed.

His expression shifted instantly. “How off?”

“It’s okay. This ring is meant to tether him to my soul. When I lost my wolf soul, something else sparked within my actual soul.

“My dad senses it’s trying to escape my body. But he assured me that as long as he can gauge the distance of my soul, he can rectify it,” I elaborated.

“So, everything’s messed up, but it’s okay. How risky is it?”

“Dad assured me he can handle it.”

“Can I do anything? Get in touch with someone? Psychics, witches, anyone?” His concern was palpable.

I shook my head. “I think we’ve had enough of witches meddling in our affairs,” I said, a chuckle escaping my lips.

“Doesn’t this worry you?” His panic was evident. This was why I hesitated to share. He projected an image of a confident, formidable, ruthless Alpha, but underneath, he was as vulnerable and insecure as I was.

“It will if I start to feel it. For now, I feel okay. Just…if you notice anything odd about me, let me know, alright?

“Even if it seems insignificant, any slight change that I might overlook. Promise?”

“Absolutely.”

Kairos averted his gaze, focusing on something in the distance. “Is everything okay?” I queried.

He rose abruptly. “There’s a brawl near the vampire houses!” He sprinted off, and naturally, I trailed behind him.

Kairos reached the scene well before me. From afar, I could see a crowd gathering. “Don’t touch me!” a voice echoed.

As I neared, the situation became clearer, but Kairos was already intervening. He yanked a mid-rank werewolf off an Omega by his collar.

The man’s fists were bloody, as was his mouth.

The Omega lay on the ground, battered. He attempted to rise for his Alpha and Luna. I locked eyes with Kairos.

“Stay down, Eric,” he commanded, then turned to the man he was holding. “What happened?” he demanded, his tone seething.

“I won’t let some Omega assault me!” Peter retorted, glaring at Eric.

Kairos exhaled in exasperation. “Feels like a damn kindergarten,” he muttered. “Why did he hit you?” he asked Peter.

“How would I know?” Peter scoffed. “They’re all nuts.”

Kairos released Peter and crouched beside Eric. “The medic will be here soon. Can you speak?” he asked. Eric nodded. “Tell me what happened.”

I noticed Eric’s wary gaze on Peter. He didn’t seem frightened, but there was clearly some bad blood between them.

Kairos glanced back at me and I subtly shook my head ~no~.

I surveyed the crowd, noting it was predominantly mid-rank wolves. None of them were willing to speak up. Their loyalty to their rank was evident—and not in a commendable way.

Then, Maeve stepped forward.

“Eric shouldn’t be penalized. Peter is the one who treats Omegas like dirt. Eric was merely standing up for his sister.”

Kairos’s gaze snapped to her.

“What happened to Sophie?” he demanded.

Maeve looked uncomfortable. “It’s not my place to say, I can’t…”

“Maeve!” Kairos moved closer, his frustration mounting.

“Kairos!” I interjected, halting him. I knew my interruption irked him. I braced myself for the inevitable fallout later.

Maeve's gaze was fixed on Eric. “Eric…” she began.

His response was a low, menacing growl. “I want him to pay.”

Maeve moved closer to me, her words a hushed whisper. It was only when she voiced them aloud that I grasped the gravity of her statement. I never thought I'd hear such words spoken within our group.

The realization hit me hard. Things were far more dire than they seemed.

I could feel my face draining of color, my words stuck in my throat. My eyes met Kairos'. He was bracing himself for the worst, having noticed the sudden shift in my demeanor.