Chapter 72: Chapter 71

Chapter 71–The Kiss

the your cont de re when worte crippled incide–John Lennon

Af lead the Ferris Wheel didn’t stop like in three cheesy movies, the stew and tranquil ride relaxed both Sterim and me. We both cat together in cur cabin, gradually ascending trewards the indige sky. The near full miem bathed me in its scintillating light, smiling down on me as I reciprocated one back.

My connection to the men hand strengthened since the awakening. Before, it was an ally, a helper to me. Now it we material falt Selene’s predection as the mom shome down on us and i wished I could see her again.

I Even though I credidn’t, I knew the was always there watching cover me, watching over us all.

Even en was watching the I felt his eyes on me as I watched the sky.

“I live I

ke the view was never good at initiating conversation. “The last time I had been this high up was on a

“Vous trated?” Neron asked, intrigued.

“Yes. My parents took me to Paris tme day on their spontaneous trips before I started college. It was the first time I ever framled cartside of my home, let alone the country. I was so scared, but they reassured me that everything wrand be okay” Memories of my trip played in my head like an old movie, bringing warmth to my chest. “Vacatioming in Paris ended up being one of the best moments of my life. I hope to go back someday,” I turn to him. “Have you ever traveled tnt of Nevada?”

“Here and they No place near as exciting as Paris though, that’s for sure.” Neron chuckled. “I’ve traveled to other states to speak with other Alphas, form alliances, and talk business, I wouldn’t call it a vacation, but it fest god to bethathe in different air”

“Pandite placer

“Hmm. Miami. Very nice with fantastic beaches. I did business with the Alpha of the Sunstone Pack, but there was veething about Miami that called to me. I wish I could spend more time there when I had the

His warm smile did things to my heart because it began picking up speed. “You said Paris was one of your best moments. What was the best

1 myp My voner mand mercilessly murder the mood. But he asked. I shouldn’t withhold the truth. What happened won for the best became it freed me from hurt and tyranny. “When I broke my bond with

And like that, the mood died. Neron’s smile vanished into a forlorn frown, his eyes losing their shine. “Oh. I…”

“Krye, here did you survive the fall? Nerom shifted in his seat, fully facing me. Our knees brushed each other Wently there’s no one conner un feed a drop like that, human or werewolf.”

survived

“I didnt evere, Here? His eyes widened in shock as I continued. “I died that night. I drowned. Correction, Hama cred

“But…you’re still her.”

“Neron, there are reasons I wanted to separate myself from my past. I’m not her and never would be again.”

“I apologize.” He whispered. “How are you here now?”

“Selene was merciful,” I brush my fingers through my teddy bear’s sandy pelt. “I died before my time. After some conversation, she sent me back to Earth for another life. She said I have a purpose to fulfill.” I laughed. “I guess she meant this avatar stuff, huh?”

“Goodness…” Neron buried his face in his hands, shielding his eyes. As if he didn’t want me to see his physical shame. “Kiya, I want to know. I want to know what happened after you survived.”

“Why?”

“So, I could truly understand how my actions fucked up your life, and how your pack gave you the life your deserved.” He suddenly looked at me, his eyes brimming with intense emotion. “Tell me how much I and my pack failed you.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

Neron got what he asked, albeit with some hesitation. From my grueling recovery to mental health counseling to getting back in school to where I am today, I told all. Neron listened in silence until I finished but failed to keep a neutral expression. Emotions were easy to read on his face, I could read him like an open book.

I saw sadness. Shock. Frustration. Anger. Guilt. Substantial guilt like a dark storm cloud. It rained on him and added more weight to his shoulders. Neron looked as if someone shot him in the chest and the pain hasn’t registered in him yet. I spared no detail. I wanted him to imagine how hard my life was. How hard my recovery was and still is. Many times, in the past five years I wanted to give up and end it all, but it was only with the support of my friends and family that I was alive today.

He had to know that. I could go on and on about how Zircon Moon destroyed me. But that’s not the focus. At least talking about it would help Neron reflect on his past actions. Maybe he feels like he hasn’t done enough? I don’t know.

In a flash, I was pulled into a hug. A tight one. Neron’s trembling body swallowed me whole, jerking with every silent sob. Hot tears rained like acid rain on my bare shoulder, blistering and powerful. He buries his large head in the crook of my neck with the atmosphere of the cabin thick with intensity.

It was overwhelming. I didn’t know what to do, it even conflicted Artemis whether to comfort Onyx, who was also howling deep in shame. I couldn’t hug Neron back, mostly because my arms were trapped in his hold like

a boa constrictor.

“You went through so much, and I did that to you. You shouldn’t have gone through it. I’m sorry. I’m deeply, incredibly sorry, Kiya. I’m sorry for hurting you. For forcing you to choose to end your life. I’m happy that you found your place and have people that love you deeply. They did the job that I and my pack should have done. Goddess…”

“Neron, I’m scared,” I confessed to his shoulder. He releases me, pulling me back cautiously.

“Of what?”

“Of this…whatever the hell this is.” I motioned to the space between us. “I can’t afford any of this happening.”

“I’m not sure I follow.”

“You can feel the bond and so can 1,” I explained, running a hand through my hair. “That’s the most irritating thing right now. You’re apologizing and doing so much for me, and I hate it. Over this past month, it’s becoming harder to hate you. I am terrified of opening my heart out further because I’m afraid you’re going to turn around and crush it. I’m afraid this is all some trick. Many have taken advantage of my heart and I’ll protect it, always.”

“Your second chance mate deserves your heart, Kiya. They are out there and-!”

“They aren’t,” I whisper. “I asked Selene not to give me one.”

Neron looked at me, aghast. “Why the hell would you do that? You deserve a mate, Kiya, one who hasn’t N

you as I did!”

hurt

“Because you never know what would happen with second chances! How do I know they won’t hurt me? That they’ll uphold their promises of love and security? It was too much of a fucking risk and I’m sick and tired of being hurt! I rather have natural love, not the love of a stupid bond!”

“You’re afraid of love.”

“No, I’m afraid of falling into that same dark hole I fought tooth and nail to get out!”

Neron sighed, the vein in his neck throbbing in frustration. An internal battle rages on within him, opposing forces shaking his limbs. “You deserve someone. Someone better than me. I love you. We both know that. I’m slowly realizing that you’ll never love me back. How could I? I ruined your chances of having a healthy relationship with someone else.”

“It’s not that!” I shout, standing away from him. “I’m never going to get a fucking relationship because who the hell wants me? You don’t understand what I see when I look in the mirror. I see this damaged doll everyone threw away. Under this tough exterior, I’m still terrified! I always think everyone is out to hurt me because of what you and your pack did to me. You ruined me, Neron!”

“Then reject me!”

Silence. Suffocating silence. D–Did he…

“W–what?”

“Reject me. Cut our bond. I’ll accept it.” Neron looked broken, but he was also calm like he accepted his fate without a struggle, “If rejecting me means freeing you from the pain, then do it. You shouldn’t be tied down to me by force. You can find love with someone worthy of your heart. I’m not and never would be. I don’t know why Selene paired us together, but that means nothing if you’re in pain being with me.”

“Neron, I can’t reject you.” I shake my head. “Rejection is a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone, not even you.”

“Why are you hesitating, Kiya?” Neron’s fists balled up as he fought back Onyx’s objections, eyes shifting from blue to gold, back to blue, “Do it! End our bond and free yourself from me!”

“No! I can’t!”

“You must!”

“Not”

“You’re damning yourself for not rejecting me, Kiya,” Neron barked, running a hand through his unruly hair. “I can’t reject you. Not again. I don’t deserve you and I’ll take the pain. Give it to me. Please, I want you to be happy.”

Say the forbidden words, and it’ll all be over, I’ll never have to feel anything for him again. But the words. They refuse to come out. Why couldn’t I grant myself this favor? I don’t love Neron, right? And the pain of rejection is so mind–numbing that I killed myself soon after. Only a few were strong enough to withstand the pain, and Neron will.

So, why? Why couldn’t I do it? An eye for an eye! It’ll be the ultimate revenge! He could suffer like I wanted him to. He’ll fall and writhe as I did. The deep–seated pain would eat him up and I’ll have the last laugh.

It was my chance. My only chance.

…and I didn’t want to take it.

“I won’t Neron… Hot tears began to pool in my eyes from the emotional turmoil, “I won’t reject you.”

In the end, I’ll always be a weakling, Odessa was right. No matter how much pain I’ve been through, there was not a bone in my body that would wish that pain on someone else. Even someone like Neron.

Neron stared at me, unmoving. We’re slowly descending on the Ferris wheel, the ride ignoring our conflict. The two of us stood watching each other for the slightest waver. Who would falter first?

oddamnit, v

You’re driving me crazy.”

It happened. No warning, no preparations–nothing. Neron’s lips engulfed mine in a deep, hungry kiss, taking my breath away. His arms locked around my waist, pulling me against his hard body.

This was sinful.

Yet, I didn’t want it to end.

I locked my arms around his neck and kissed back, eager to be closer to him. I felt his tongue lick my bottom lip for entrance and when I parted my lips, his tongue and mine battled for dominance, our growling echoing between us. Time around us stopped, we descended deep into the simmering heat of our bond. We were bound for hell, and we didn’t care.

We kissed heavily until the end of the ride, silently venting out our frustrations and emotions through our lips.

Unknown

“Lucien. It’s time.”

My servant gave me a look of fearful astonishments. Deep chuckles erupted from my throat to see my

normally composed servant falter. Swirling the red liquid in my glass, I arch an eyebrow, prompting him to say what he wanted to say.

“Are you sure, my Lord?” He asked hesitantly. “I think it’s much too early to send the hunter.”

“I think it’s a perfect time to send the hunter.” Insulted by his insinuation, I growl. “The longer My Moon is out there, the more valuable time I waste. My plans must go on and she needs to be here for it.”

“And of the other avatars?”

ut

i

“Get them along the way. The more we have, the better the outcome. But my Moon is strictly for me.”

Lucien sighed, battling with his next actions. He knew that he should exercise caution when speaking to me, one wrong word and I’ll snuff out his life. The yells of protests from outside did nothing to irk me, for their submission was inevitable. I cannot afford rebellious puppets within my midst, not when the key to my victory was within my grasp.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“It is time to unleash Cerberus.”