Chapter 112: Chapter 111

Chapter 22 – Trust

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.“– William Shakespeare

Neron

Traitor.

Someone who deliberately betrays their livelihood for something else. That vindictive word bounced off the walls of my mind as my paws beat against the dark ground. With each thump, the ringing grew louder until it was the only sound I heard.

I couldn’t hear the whistling wind or the melodies of the cicadas that scurried into their homes as I ran. As a true wolf in their habitat. Despite the angry mantra of ‘traitor‘ in my mind, I needed this run. It’s a way to calm me. The heat from today’s events pushed my beast to the front. Onyx allowed me this time.

I’m furious. I’m upset. I’m confused.

Miss Phoebe’s words are infallible. They clung like leeches to flesh. The urgency and unwavering confidence when she pointed the accusatory finger at Odessa is slowly weaving together the pieces of a greater puzzle. She’s not acquainted with Odessa, so what reason would she have to lie?

Wrapping my mind around Odessa being the traitor was easy. Out of the motives she could have, one makes sense to get rid of my mate. She hates Kiya. Her hatred runs deep. That terrifies me the most.

Anger is a hot, destructive force that pushes many to do things they didn’t know they could do. It blinds and manipulates, coiling around the heart like a slithering snake. And when it strikes, it strikes hard.

Odessa is a danger to the pack, to me, and above all, to Kiya.

And I must eliminate the danger.

But I need solid evidence that she’s conspiring with Osiris. Considering how secretive she is, it’s a problem.

The last time we accused someone without legitimate evidence, it cost us. It cost us Kiya.

And she’s mated to Darien. I’ll be forced to break two mates apart. No matter what, hearts will be broken.

But I can’t have Odessa trotting around carelessly. Skidding to a stop when the fresh scent of water tickled my snout, I open my mind–link to connect to someone I trust will get the job done.

“Tristian.”

Immediately, a deep orotund voice echoes in my head. “Yes, Alpha?”

“I have a new assignment for you. You are to document Odessa Rossi’s every move and report your findings to me before the day’s end. This will be a daily occurrence until I say otherwise. You begin tomorrow morning.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, Alpha Neron, but why do you want me to stalk your ex–lover?”

“Because she is more of a danger than I first realize, but I need evidence before I am to decide her fate. Documented proof that she is who I think she is.”

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Chapter 22 – Trust

“And if you get that proof, what will happen to her?”

I hated the answer I’m about to give, but it is what it is. “The consequence of a traitor is death. There’s no way out of it. Odessa will die.” If a traitor dies, that eliminates the chance for them to cause further harm. It’s been a rule for all werewolf packs for centuries. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“Understood, Alpha Neron.”

Closing the mind–link, I followed the freshwater scent to a place I haven’t visited in years. A place that held. precious memories of my mother.

A gentle, moonlit waterfall surrounded by a steaming hot spring. The heated mist rolled into the night sky, forming a gentle haze under the waning gibbous. Moonlight glittered upon the clear waters as the tunes of trickling water enter my ears. In the daylight, the water is a beautiful crystal–blue with the vibrant plant life around the edges. It’s full of life. At night, it’s peaceful. It rests as its colors fade.

I used to come here with Mom, especially if my training became too much. My mother had a gift of knowing whenever I needed to relax. Kids get stressed out, and she knew that. And she handled it with care. Training for the Alpha role since age ten wasn’t easy, and this secret place provided me with an escape. Neither Nuria Dad knew about this place–this was the one secret only Mom and I shared.

I vividly remember Mom and I dipping our toes in the hot springs as the heat melted away our stresses. It couldn’t have been easy for her to be a mother

did. The surrounding scents are calm, but and Luna. I could tell she needed the relaxation more than I

Black raspberry and rose,

I miss her terribly.

can’t compare to Mom’s.

Why did I come here? To think about the events that led up to this chaotic moment of my life. I sat my rear end on the grass. My tail wagged behind me as the wind stroked me like how Mom used to do. My inner child thought it’s Mom here with me. It made me happy. Goddess, if she was alive…I’d run to her for advice. I’m not ashamed to admit that as a grown man, I’d still seek her guidance.

I breathed. I allowed the memories of the past thirteen years to flood my mind, focusing on Odessa.

How could she, my friend since the 6th grade, turn into a traitorous woman? Part of me didn’t want to kill her. Foolishly, it hoped Odessa can redeem herself; that she’ll ask for forgiveness. Redemption can be her anodyne to soothe whatever pushed her to be this way, for a mistake. It still cares about Odessa as a member

It of my pack.

But the other part of me didn’t care. It’s the most sagacious out of the conflicting halves. It recognizes my duties as Alpha. An Alpha protects its pack from all threats–both internal and external. Odessa will be eliminated, no matter what. No matter the history we shared, the woman made her choice. She can prattle continuously about her love for me and regret, but it doesn’t matter in werewolf law.

And that’s the saddest revelation of them all. I’ve killed before, but never someone I once held close to my heart.

But I cannot help but believe this is, somehow, my fault.

Chapter 22 – Trust

I ran back home after clearing my head. I’ve missed dinner, but that’s the least of my concerns, Running to the tree with my clothes resting on the roots, I shifted back and got dressed.

While walking to the front steps, something caught my attention from my peripherals. I stopped. It’s dark enough for the night to hide my body, but it couldn’t hide the light from one open bedroom window.

With her elbow on her wand her other hand petting a ball of feathers, Kiya’s l*ps went from a frown

to an easy–going smile, I can hear Diana’s soft coos with my werewolf hearing. And for a moment, I watched the tender moment between my mate and her pet. Jealousy couldn’t describe how I feel towards the owl.

I want to be the one to put that smile on Kiya’s face. To make her laugh. To wipe away her tears. To fight. against everything that hurt her, even myself. The moment is bittersweet. Kiya has a lot of love for Diana and the bird is privileged enough to relish in it.

The moon fancied my mate with the way the moonlight brought out her ethereal beauty. Her skin glittered under the silver light and her hair flowed lightly with the night breeze. I suck back in a gasp when the moonlight revealed the hint of blue underneath her coffee–colored orbs..

Goddess, can she be even more beautiful?

Kiya must have been aware of my stares because when she looked up, our eyes met. Her expression hardened for a moment but quickly unstiffened. Diana’s head turned completely around–which I find creepy about owls -and boots when she spots me. She took off from the windowsill straight to me. I held up my finger so that her feet land on something sturdy.

“Hi, Diana.” I smile as she rubbed her head against my bicep. “You look lovely tonight.”

“Hoo!” She expanded her wings to show off her clean, white feathers.

Showoff.

The sound of a window clicking drew my eyes to Kiya shutting her blinds. A pang of disappointment hit my heart. I wanted to look at her longer–completely ignoring how creepy that shit sounds.

“You know, Diana,” I spoke, trekking to the front steps of my home. “You should start filing your talons down. They’re becoming sharper.”

“Hoo…” Was that a disappointing hoo? This bird has more personality than some of my members. Chuckling, I rubbed her soft head. My heart melted at her cuteness. I’m growing fonder of this bird every day.

I don’t even like birds!

The front door swung open seconds before I touched the knob, revealing Kiya in a bright, fluffy, pink onesie with cat ears on the hood. Her face held a scowl, but I couldn’t take it seriously given everything from the neck down is frightenedly pink.

“Don’t say a word.” She warned. “My mom got me this onesie, and it’s soft. I like soft.”

“Which mom?

“My real one.”

“Ashley?” She slapped her face with her palm in exasperation. “Oh, Lyra.”

Chapter 22–Trust

“Duh.” She rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry, but the onesie distracted me because it’s-”

“Don’t!

“Cute! You look adorable!”

“Good grief…” Kiya used her flooding sleeves to cover her ch*eks. Aww, she’s embarrassed!

“You look like a fluffy pink marshmallow.” A loud cackle erupted from my chest when Kiya grew angrier.

Damnit, she’s cuter when mad.

“Neron, I swear to Selene, I’ll sew your mouth shut!”

“Alright!” I held my hands up in surrender. “I’ll stop!” Diana cooed for the last time before flying to her home in the trees. That left the two of us alone. My mate eyed me carefully while patting away the e growing embarrassment on her ch*eks. Just by the silence between us, something is weighing heavily on her mind.

“You missed dinner.” She whispers. “Where were you?”

Kiya concerned about my whereabouts? That’s heartwarming! “I went for a run. There was a lot on my mind I

needed to sort out.”

“I feel the same way. Is it about Odessa? What’ll happen to her?”

“Yes. Regardless of what happens, if Odessa is guilty, I’ll have no choice but to end her life. Traitorous behavior cannot go on under my watch. I have someone monitoring her every move. We’ll catch her, Kiya.

Then we can end this Osiris madness once and for all.”

She nods in agreement, but her eyes are unfocused. “Neron, there’s something I need to ask you.”

My heart lurched at the intensity of her command. Even Onyx stood up straight. “What is it?”

“Can I trust you?”

I blink. Was that all she wanted to ask? “Yes, you can.”

This isn’t easy for her. Putting her faith into me is like asking a child to give up their favorite toy. The reluctance. Anxiety permeated through her sweet scent, souring it slightly. Kiya is worried about the outcome. I want to reach out, to touch her, to hold her hand, but she won’t let me. Especially when she recoiled when I tried to.

“I’m sorry.” I bowed my head. “But you can trust me, Kiya. I’m here for you every step of the way. Whatever is bothering you, you can tell me.”

She sighed. Heavily. Like she’s preparing herself. After what felt like a minute, she spoke. “I found out a lot of things today with Phoebe about myself as an avatar and a connection with your family. It’s a lot to explain. Are you up for it?”

“Yes.”

I spent the last three minutes listening to Kiya’s discoveries; from the mysterious book to the speculations of

Chapter 22–Trust

how my family knew of her birth. It’s all incredible to me, but the crazy part is, I don’t doubt her. With the times my father tries to force me to mark Kiya, it all strangely makes sense.

And I f*cking hate it.

I had to sit on a stair to soak in the new information. Kiya shifted on her heels nervously, waiting for my response. But what do I even say to this?

“Have you looked into your family history?” She asks.

“Not much in recent years. No offense, but history is boring to me. It wasn’t my favorite subject in high school.”

“Well, you need to get over it and look more into it. Neron…” She huffs shakily, more of her anxiety persists. “I don’t trust your Dad. At all. If these speculations turn out to be true, then it makes me question the intentions of everyone here. Do they want me for me or just for what I can give them? Am I a person or a tool? That’s why I need to know if I can truly trust you. Because I’m scared for my future.”

I stood on my feet once again, closing the distance between us. The magnetic pull of our eyes held us in place. Behind her brown, I see the desperation for comfort and fear of the unknown. “Tell me, Kiya. What is it you want from me?”

Tears pooled. Then fell one at a time down her flawless ch*eks. “I want you to protect me. Because I’m scared of being hurt again.”

Without a word, I drew Kiya into my arms. Holding her as tight as I can. Her tears dampened the cloth of my shirt, but I didn’t care. After a moment of hesitation, her arms looped around my torso as she silently cried out her fears.

I will protect her until my last breath. Onyx growled in agreement, angry that our mate feels helpless. Kiya is more than my mate. She is a fighter, a lover, a beauty, and a wonder. She doesn’t deserve this. Odessa and my father are colossal problems. Whatever he has planned for my love, I won’t let it come to pass. Whatever he hopes to accomplish, I’ll crush it with my bare hands.

“I swear on my honor as an Alpha, I will protect you until the day I die,” I whisper into her hair, planting soft k*sses on her curly bundles.

“And I won’t let anyone stand in my way.”