Chapter 219

Chapter 219

ASHER

My stepbrother’s face paled at the mention of Cas sandra, and his violet eyes glanced downward. He ran his hand through his golden hair and then released a heavy sigh. When he didn’t speak, I continued on.

“I guess I’ve always wondered why you became such a caring and supportive brother after she died, I said as my heart pounded in my chest with anxiety. “We were never close in our childhood. So, why the sudden change of heart? It was because of her, wasn’t it?”

Kane didn’t deny it, though I’d been expecting him to. “If you lose this battle, Asher, Cas sandra won’t be able to come back.”

King of

I remained silent for a long moment. I knew Kane was trying to redirect the conversation, but I wouldn’t allow myself to succumb. I had too many things on my mind, and even though I wasn’t currently on my throne, I was still the Alpha Wegalla. He had to obey my questions, stepbrother or not.

“How long have you had feelings for Cora?” I asked him directly.

Kane’s eyes locked on mine and he straightened his posture.

“As long as you have,” he admitted.

I shook my head. “That sounds sickening”

“It was,” he agreed, releasing a heavy breath.

I stared at him in disbelief. I had never truly understood Kane. How could I have been so foolish and not known that the brother I trusted with my life was secretly in love with my Moon-given fated mate?

As the image of Cas sandra’s beautiful face and long copper hair danced in my mind, my brain began to ponder the possibilities.

What would have happened if Cora wasn’t my mate, but Kane’s?

Though I hated the thought, I knew she would likely be living a happy and normal life, wouldn’t she? Kane was smart enough and strong enough to keep her safe, and she wouldn’t have had to suffer all the trauma and pain she’d endured because of me. Kane would have been a good, supportive mate,

But that wasn’t the life she had. No matter how many “what if’s” existed, the fact was that she had been my mate. My responsibility.

I took a deep breath. “I don’t think you should be involved in this, brother. You could get hurt. I face the same threat, though I suppose that would only work in your favor. With me out of the way, you would have your chance to be with Cas sandra. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Kane stared at me in shock for a second and then let out a loud, short laugh- a weary one. He shook his head slowly and a sad smile broke out on his handsome face.

“If only,” he remarked. “But no matter how much I’ve wished for her affection, she doesn’t return my feelings. She’s never been interested in me, not even when she was living as Cora. She’s only ever loved you, Asher. There’s no place for me in her heart, at least not in that way. We’re friends. Nothing more. All want is to ensure Cas sandra is safe and returns to Wegalla unharmed

I narrowed my eyes at him. I was admittedly territorial when it came to Cas sandra, and the thought of my mate being covered by another man, especially my stepbrother, made me feel incredibly jealous

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Chapter 219

But as I studied him, I began to wonder if there was truly no ill will between us.

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“You and Silas will need an advisor to help you,” Kane continued “The Myriad might be strong and gifted at fighting, but they don’t know much about the Packs of Wegalla. I do.”

He had a point. Kane had been traveling quite a great deal over the years, and it was indeed true that out of anyone in the royal family, no one knew the Packs as well as he did. It was only a matter of time before Oliver found out where I was, and the moment i interacted with the Alphas of those Packs, the greater the risk became

I needed a diplomat and another man at my side.

I needed Kane.

So. I nodded at my stepbrother. “Okay, brother. You can come with us. So long as you understand the risk of this endeavor.”

“Of course.” Kane replied with a firm nod.

I rose from my seat and walked toward the window. The building we were in was built on a hillside, which was practically otherwise abandoned. Kane had told me once we arrived here that he’d purchased the place from a werewolf who used to be quite wealthy but was down and out after his business failed.

It was the perfect hideout, since no one would notice it here on the hill. The sunny day and nature surrounding us seemed incredibly peaceful, but I knew in my heart that peace wasn’t going to last. Chaos was coming and my mate was far away.

Cas sandra.

The thought that I couldn’t immediately rush into Yurene and bring her back home was torturing me.

“I’m worried about her,” I admitted before I could stop the thought from leaving my mind. “How is Cas sandra supposed to make it in the North? She’s alone and unguarded.”

“Cas sandra is better than us both,” Kane insisted calmly, and when I turned back to face him, he gave me a small smile. “It was she who saved me from Kaleb’s guards. If it hadn’t been for her, I could have died in that dungeon.”

“That’s different,” I replied, though I knew that he had been through an ordeal of his own. “Cas sandra’s in the North now, in a completely different country ruled by a ruthless and cryptic king. Who knows what he intends to do to her there?”

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. I remembered Cas sandra’s letter, the one she’d left me in the house in the woods. She had said she loved me and that she’d love me forever, but I felt like she was even further away from me than she’d ever been before.

I wanted nothing more than I wanted her.

I would give up the throne at once if it meant I could have her.

But it didn’t seem the same for her. She left without a fight without fighting for us. If she loved me, would she have gone?

I knew the circumstances weren’t necessarily what they seemed, but still. My heart and head ached with the heaviness of it all.

“Before Cas sandra went to see Kaleb, I begged her not to meet him alone, Kane spoke up. “I intended to go with her, but she put a sedative in my water. I was asleep when she was taken. I thought for a while that if perhaps I hadn’t drank the water. I could have been able to stop her, but I know now that I was wrong. Cas sandra knew what she was doing. She always has.”

He took a step toward me. “She doesn’t need protection, Asher. She needs support. And you’re only able to protect her if you’re the king. That’s why she wanted you to stay in Wegalla. She wanted to protect the country and save the sick people in Wild Crawler. So, we owe it to her to fight.”

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