Chapter 51: Chapter 51

ADELIE

The doctor had obviously mind-linked with Kairos. How else would he have known?

“I’m okay,” I insisted, my back still turned to him.

His footsteps echoed in the room, growing louder as he approached. He stopped just behind me, close enough for me to sense his presence.

“Adelie!” His voice was stern, commanding. “Where did you get it?” he asked again. I remained silent, unable to form the words.

He moved again, and I glanced over to see him standing before Maeve. Oh no. Maeve knew the truth. She was loyal to her alpha, obedient.

I rose to my feet, catching Maeve’s eye over Kairos’s shoulder. Her gaze flickered between us. I shook my head at her, mouthing, “Please.”

“Maeve, explain. What happened?” he demanded.

Maeve’s gaze dropped to her feet, and my heart sank.

“It was pouring rain. She slipped in the mud, fell on her back, and something stung her. We didn’t see what it was,” she said. Relief washed over me.

Kairos turned to me, his expression skeptical. He didn’t believe her, and the weight returned to my chest.

“Give me and Luna some privacy!” he ordered. The doctor practically sprinted out of the room, Maeve trailing behind him.

He approached me slowly. I kept my gaze lowered, my hands nervously clasped behind me. He was so close now that I could see his training boots.

He reached out, gently lifting my chin to meet his gaze. “Tell me,” he said, his voice soft but firm. It felt like a demand, like he was irritated by my lie.

My heart pounded in my chest. “I guess I’m just clumsy,” I said, forcing a laugh.

“I slipped. It was really wet out there. I don’t know if you noticed the storm…” My voice trailed off under his intense stare.

His eyebrows furrowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. His eyes began to glow.

“Does our promise to be honest with each other mean nothing to you?” he asked, his voice weary.

“Everything was perfect. Our life was perfect. And now you’re keeping secrets. Again,” he said, releasing me and walking away. He looked up at the ceiling, rubbing his face with his hands.

I felt a lump in my throat, my lips trembling as I fought back tears. Kairos watched me from across the room.

“Am I a bad mate?” he asked. “What have I done”—his voice cracked—“that makes you not trust me? Tell me the truth.”

I shook my head quickly. “You’re the best mate I could ever hope for,” I said, my voice shaky. I didn’t want him to think I was betraying him. I wasn’t.

Or was I?

“Then why? Why don’t you trust me with your secrets?” he asked.

“Would you want me to keep things from you? When you’re getting hurt and I have no idea why?” he asked, his voice rising.

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “You wouldn’t understand or approve,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

I knew I had just confirmed his suspicions. There was something I was hiding. Something big. Something that forced me to lie to him.

He slammed his fist on the table, making me jump. “Am I too stupid to understand?” he yelled. “Am I untrustworthy? Unsupportive?” But he was none of those things.

“Adelie, we vowed to face battles together, to always be a team.” He halted abruptly, as if time had frozen for him—like a sudden realization had dawned on him. “You took up their offer, didn’t you?” he asked.

“You saw that message, didn’t you?” I was hoping he’d forgotten about it. He’d never brought it up before.

“Adelie, what are they demanding from you?” he asked, but I remained silent. “You can’t let them manipulate you. No one who does that can possibly mean well.”

His panic was evident as I stood there, absorbing his frantic words. I knew he was worried. I didn’t want him to be, but I knew I’d react the same way if our roles were reversed.

“If you saw that message, then you know Raphael’s death was my fault?” I asked, holding his gaze. His jaw clenched.

“It wasn’t your fault, Adelie. They’re twisted, trying to pit us against each other. You can’t accept their offer!” he ordered, as if I was seeking his permission. As if he had a say in it.

This was my life. I was born to safeguard others, to heal others.

I let out a cynical laugh. He was trying to shield me, but he didn’t understand that this was the right thing to do.

“This is my decision, Kairos. I’m doing what I can to protect our pack, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.

“Even if you lock me up, I’ll find a way out. I’m choosing this path, and I’m not asking for your approval.”

I stormed out of the hospital, anger fueling my steps. Naturally, he chased after me.

“Adelie!” he called out. “Tell me what’s going on.”

I could tell him I was about to receive my wolf, but how would he view me then? That I was risking my life just to gain a wolf form? The wolf that everyone speaks so highly of?

How enchanting it is to transform into another creature, your other half. Yes, it did sound enchanting, but I would never endanger myself just for a wolf.

“You’ll sleep better not knowing,” I told him, leaving him standing alone in the darkness.

It’s easy to say trust each other, but what if that trust blinds them?

I didn’t want him to be solely concerned about my safety. I was given an opportunity to save our pack, and I would do so or die trying.

KAIROS

She just walked away—left as if nothing had transpired. How long could she keep up this charade? How long could she smile at me, pretending everything was fine?

I knew. I knew she was doing it for a noble cause. She was shielding others, so no one else would suffer like Raphael did. And I knew she was doing it for me, so I wouldn’t lose anyone else.

But what if I lost her?

I couldn’t protect the pack, so she stepped in. Only the Moon Goddess knows what she’s gotten herself into.

Something so grave that she couldn’t even disclose her deal to me, but I was determined to find out.

ADELIE

Kairos didn’t return home. Even when I woke up, he was still gone. My shoulder was healing, but I hadn’t slept all night and would have heard if he’d come in.

It was time for training, and I hurried to get ready, aware that I’d overslept. We’d had a disagreement the previous day, but nothing had changed: I still respected him and followed his rules.

Training time was sacred, and everyone had to participate. I was no exception.

I knew he wouldn’t want me training with my injured shoulder, but I wouldn’t let his concern hold me back. I’d already confessed to deceiving him and going behind his back.

I dashed downstairs, bumping into Helen on the way.

“Luna, your breakfast is ready,” she said, but I gave her a quick smile and hurried off to the training grounds.

The training grounds were silent, everyone was engrossed in their own routines. I was the only one aimlessly wandering around.

How would it look, the Luna herself not adhering to the training schedule? Especially in front of the women from Silver Moon Pack who had never trained before.

I hurried towards the clearing, but as I felt eyes on me, I slowed down. I put on a facade of confidence, holding my head high and my back straight.

I didn’t meet any outright stares, just fleeting glances due to my tardiness. I tried to keep my focus straight ahead.

But my resolve faltered when I locked eyes with Kairos. His gaze was icy and quickly slid away from mine.

So, he was giving me the silent treatment. I had it coming, but that didn’t mean I liked it. How long would he stay mad at me?

I moved to a secluded spot, away from the crowd to start my own training. When my root creature emerged from the ground, no one was taken aback. It had become a routine sight.

It might seem like it didn’t require much training, but the more I practiced, the easier it got.

I could still feel eyes on me—judgmental stares. If I had been injured and late, no one would have batted an eye. But I looked perfectly fine. There was no excuse for me to miss training.

I could almost hear their thoughts. The young Luna, already bending rules for herself.

I stretched my neck, which was oddly sore. Perhaps a side effect of the thorn wound. I did a few warm-up stretches to loosen up.

I took my stance, feet firmly planted on the ground. I shook out my shoulders and let out a breath.

I concentrated all my energy as I always did. The ground began to shift, and I heard it crack, a sign that my creation was free and standing.

I looked up and was taken aback. Kairos was walking towards me, his eyes wide and mouth agape as he looked at something behind me.

“Since when can you do that?”