Chapter 93: Chapter 93

Adelie

I stepped outside for the first time in seven days. I was heading toward the woods when I spotted Archibald storming in my direction.

His face was twisted in anger. I kept my expression icy, surprising myself with how well I could maintain this cold facade.

“What’s going on here?” he bellowed. “I remember Kairos saying he didn’t need to recruit from other packs.

“He claimed his pack was solid, no additions necessary. Has he changed his tune, poaching my wolves now?” he demanded.

“I’m going to make this clear. Even if we’re allies, I won’t stand here and let you accuse Kairos of stealing your pack members.

“He sought us out. He asked for our protection,” I retorted, watching Archibald’s face shift.

He nervously adjusted his collar. “Well… it’s still not right to not inform me about such a thing.”

“That’s the only thing we’re guilty of,” I conceded. His anger seemed to dissipate quickly.

He avoided my gaze. “Did he mention why he left?” he queried.

I shook my head. “Not to me. I can’t speak for Kairos, but I doubt he knew. I’m sure it’s nothing personal.”

But I was lying. How could it not be personal if Mateo asked for protection? “By the way, I haven’t seen Delilah.”

“Ah, yes, she’s a bit under the weather. She caused quite a scene in my pack, so if you hear about it, don’t be surprised,” he replied, and I nodded.

“I’ll let you get back to your business,” he said, then walked away.

It was odd that he didn’t even ask about Kairos. He never really treated me as a Luna. Had he changed his stance?

I saw my pack members in the distance, watching me like hawks. I spotted Maeve and made my way toward her. “Maeve,” I called.

I noticed some vampires had finally returned to their homes.

Maeve followed my gaze. “They just got here. Seems like they’re settling in for a bit. How’s Alpha?” she asked.

I quickly hushed her. “Keep your voice down.” I scanned the area to ensure we were alone.

“I haven’t seen Death in a few days. He said he’d return when he found something—or someone—to help with his situation.”

“It’s not a situation. His soul was consumed by some beast.” She saw the discomfort on my face when she mentioned it. “The pack despises you,” she declared.

“Good,” I retorted, a bit too quickly.

“Luna, they’re planning a revolt against you. Mostly mid-ranks, but some Omegas too.

“It’s funny how they can all communicate normally when they’re plotting something like this. They even made the Omegas feel important. The Omegas practically begged to be included,” she elaborated.

So they were planning to overthrow me sooner than I expected.

“When?” I asked.

“Not sure. They started planning about a week ago, but then Alpha disappeared and they paused. I’m sure they won’t wait much longer now that they know he’s gone.”

“You’ve known about this for a week and you’re just telling me now?” I asked.

She didn’t look remorseful. “I was mad at you…I know I shouldn’t have kept this from you. But this rebellion benefits me.

“I just realized that you need to be ready for them. For what it's worth, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But you also had bigger fish to fry.”

“Maeve!” I called out, my voice louder than I intended. I was trying to keep my frustration in check. “You need to realize that you’re the Beta, whether you like it or not. You’re not less, you’re not more.”

“You need to start acting like it. Don’t tell me I have other things to worry about. You, of all people, should know that you should have informed me.”

“And what’s your plan?” she retorted, catching me off guard. “Are you going to strip me of my Beta title? I wish you would!”

I was aware she didn’t want the Beta role. I understood what it felt like to need to hide. But she never explained why. She couldn’t give me a single reason.

“What’s so terrible about being the Beta? Tell me,” I implored.

“I just don’t want to be,” she snapped back.

“So, it’s just because you don’t want to. At first, you were talking about needing to hide. You don’t have a real reason, do you?” I questioned.

“Why are you willing to risk our friendship just to force me into this Beta role?” she countered.

“Because I see you’re on shaky ground right now. I don’t understand why you’re so against this. I want to help you, but you’re not letting me.

“Maeve, I need you as my Beta. You’re the only one here who can handle it.”

She shook her head. “You’re going to regret this.” She flashed me a quick smile, the most insincere one I’d seen in a long time.

I hoped I wouldn’t regret it, but I also felt a sense of unease about her. She used to be someone I could trust without question, but now it seemed like there was a side to her I’d never seen before.

“If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the forest,” I informed her, and she nodded in response.

The forest air felt cleaner, more soothing, more complete. Lately, it felt like a storm cloud was following me, casting a shadow over everything I touched.

I glanced back at my footprints. It was as if my steps were scorching the earth beneath me. I doubted anyone else would notice, but I did, because I felt it. The weightiness of my movements.

And it wasn’t just because Kairos was far away. It was because I was changing. I could feel my heart hardening, growing colder with the autumn chill.

Was this what leadership required? To lead an entire pack? To become cold?

I leaned against a tree, closing my eyes, seeking solace. Nature used to bring me comfort. It nurtured me, like the parents I seldom saw now.

My father was gentle and loving, but he was rarely around. Even when my mother was still here, he couldn’t stay for long. That was the deal Mom made…

But nature wasn’t soothing my troubled heart. I stood there for what felt like forever, as if even nature was resisting entering my system. It wasn’t rejuvenating me like it usually did.

I slowly turned my head to the right and saw Esty. She wasn’t looking at me. She was picking something up from the ground, either digging something up or burying it. I couldn’t tell.

I thought I’d told her to keep her distance, but here she was. Even after Kairos had threatened her. I wondered if she cared about her daughter, who would be left alone if my pack decided to kill her.

Many believed she deserved it. I continued to watch her. I didn’t care anymore. This wasn’t my problem or my concern.

I wouldn’t even mind if she moved into my house. She meant nothing to me now.

After a while, she noticed me watching. Her face turned red, but she saw that I wasn’t bothering her. She stood up, putting some plants into her cross-body bag.

She cautiously approached me, looking around as if she was afraid I would try to trap her.

“I know nymphs don’t like to be disturbed in their habitat, yet I always seem to do that,” she said, drawing nearer.

“I’m not here to taunt you, but the resources I need aren’t readily available everywhere.” She even offered me a smile. Or was it more of a pitying look?

“Nobody’s locking you up now, right?” I reminded her of Kairos.

She lowered her gaze. “No. Something terrible happened to him. But if anyone knows about souls, it’s Death. I’d offer my help, but the gods haven’t given me any insight,” she admitted.

“You’d help?” I questioned.

“The gods are silent,” she responded. “They can only guide me when they choose to communicate. I’m sure everything will be okay,” she added nonchalantly.

What if her loved one was possessed? How would she feel not knowing if she’d ever see the person she cared for again?

“Monster or not, Kairos doesn’t intimidate me. There are far more frightening beings in your pack.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “So, you’ve heard about me too? Everyone thinks I’ve lost it, that I probably killed Kairos. Who knows? Maybe I’m plotting to wipe out the entire pack.

“Because I just can’t let everyone forget the past. I need to do exactly what Mia did. And now they’re all out to get me. Obviously, there’s no other possible explanation for my actions.

“Clearly, I can’t say anything else because anything else would be lies, and I don’t want to lie to them. I was just…”

Esty cut me off.

“I get your feelings, but I doubt you want me to be the one comforting you. And trust me, I’m not the type to get emotional,” she said, her face contorted.

I figured she wasn’t the empathetic type.

I didn’t mean to vent…I just lost control. And now it didn’t even feel like I’d spoken those words to her. It felt like I’d spoken to the void. I didn’t want anything in return. I just wanted this feeling to disappear…

But wanting wasn’t who I was. I needed to be a leader and manage my emotions.

“Anyway, I wasn’t talking about you. I was referring to your pathetic excuse for a Beta,” she added.

“What’s wrong with Maeve?” I asked, somewhat taken aback. “I can put up with werewolves, nymphs, but when it comes to vampires, you suddenly see them as evil?” I couldn’t ~not~ stand up for her. She was still my friend.

Esty shook her head. “You have no idea what she’s done or where she’s from.” She moved closer to me, scanning her surroundings. “She’s a pawn of evil.”