Chapter 28

BENJAMIN

It’s hard. It’s so hard to know that you are dying slowly but that you can’t do anything about it.

My wolf, Salazar, hasn’t talked to me for over twenty years. No one knows this, but I haven’t shifted since Clementine was a baby—when Sofia blackmailed me into killing Kalisto and marrying her.

Clementine was the only reason I stayed with Sofia. I wanted her to have a normal life, but when she didn’t ever shift into a wolf, things got worse. Sofia always hated her, but I messed up big time by not loving her either.

It’s true that I was scared Sofia would kill Clementine like she tried to kill Kalisto, but I also ignored my daughter because she reminded me so much of her mother, who I couldn’t be with. I ignored her because I didn’t want Sofia to reveal that Kalisto was a witch, tarnishing the pack’s memory of her.

I’m a coward, I know.

I didn’t want Sofia’s kids to know how insane she was, either. Especially Alex. He’s not my son, but I’ve always loved him like he was my own.

As I walk around the pack house, I think, ~It’s all my fault, and I will never forgive myself. I know Clementine said she forgives me, but I don’t know how she ever really could.~

I can’t take this any longer. I miss Kalisto. I miss Salazar. I miss the life we could’ve had with our daughter.

“Father?” a familiar voice calls, halting my movements. “What are you doing up so late?”

“Nothing…just wanted some fresh air.”

“Are you okay?” Alex asks, coming closer.

“I am,” I reply. “Why are you up late?”

“I’m thinking. A few hours ago, I got a letter from a lady who claims that she’s a witch. She is proposing an alliance with her coven.”

“An alliance? What is the name of the coven?” I ask.

~What if it’s Kalisto?~

“She didn’t say.”

“Did she mention her name?”

“Yes. She said her name is Carmela.”

~Carmela… I’ve heard that name before.~

~Wait…~

“Is she the witch we caught a few months back? The one who Clementine asked to set free?”

“Fuck,” Alex says, remembering. “Yes, she is. I forgot her name was Carmela.”

“What should we do?” I ask.

“We should speak with Clementine, but I’ll never have witches as my allies,” he spits angrily.

“Don’t you think it’s time to stop the war?”

“Stop the war?” he growls. “The witches have been killing us for years now. I think it’s time to go on the attack.”

“Violence is not the answer, son.”

“What happened to you?” Alex asks. “Ever since Mom died, you’ve been different. Especially toward Clem. Not that I’m not happy that you’re finally acknowledging her, but what happened?”

I sigh. “Believe it or not, but your mother was not exactly a good person.”

“I know that, Dad, but what changed with you?”

“She died. That’s what changed. There are a lot of things that you don’t know about, but I’ll tell you one day.”

He nods.

One thing I like about Alex is that he is disciplined. He knows when to stop pushing and when to resume. He’s empathetic and respectful, something I don’t quite understand because his mother was the opposite. Her “charms” worked on Joana, but not Alex.

~Oh, Joana… It was too soon. You died because of your mother.~

I bid Alex goodnight and walk to my room. Outside the door, I pause, hearing a heartbeat and footsteps. Salazar may be gone, but my senses aren’t.

As I slowly open the door, I make out a figure sitting on the chair in the corner. I can’t see their face in the darkness, so I flick the lights on.

“Hello, Benji,” my mate says.

***

“Kalisto?” I whisper, tearing up.

It’s been more than twenty years since I’ve seen my mate, and she looks different. Different, but still fucking beautiful. My heart flutters, and butterflies fill my stomach.

Best of all, I can feel my wolf stirring inside me—ready to shift and claim her again, just like I did the first time I saw her. ~He’s back. Salazar is back.~

“I have missed you, Benji,” Kalisto says, crying, as she attacks me with a bone-crushing hug.

I bury my face in the crook of her neck and sniff her like the animal I am. She smells exactly the same.

~Fuck, I’ve missed her scent.~

My heart threatens to leave my body every time I sniff her, but I feel alive again. My vision is clearer, my breathing less shallow.

Still, I can’t look her in the eye—I’m too ashamed. Ashamed that I didn’t leave the pack when Kalisto was threatened. Ashamed that I didn’t take care of our daughter. I was too selfish.

“Kalisto…,” I say again in disbelief. “I’ve missed you too.”

When we finally break apart, I ask, “How did you even get here? Did anyone see you?”

She giggles like she always does when she’s nervous. “No offense, but security is terrible here.”

Neither of us talk for a few minutes. We just look at each other, too scared to make a move.

“So…,” she starts awkwardly, “does anyone here know about Clementine being a witch?”

“Really? After all this time, that’s the first thing you ask?” I roll my eyes, though I’m truly happy that she cares about our daughter. “No, no one but me knows.”

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

I give my mate a weak smile. “Like old times?”

“Like old times.”