Chapter 168: Explosion

Chapter 168: Explosion
Lilac’s P.O.V

I watched Silver hurl accusations at me, adding to my guilt.

I wanted to explain, to make her understand that it wasn't intentional, that the circumstances had shifted beyond my control. But words seemed to desert me in that moment as I grappled with the weight of her accusation.

However, Krimson’s voice echoed in the room then, commanding even though weak. "Silver, it's not Lilac's fault," he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I made the decision. I took action to protect."

Silver's gaze snapped toward Krimson, her eyes filled with disbelief. "What are you saying, Krimson? You hated her, didn’t you? Then why would you risk your life to save her?"

Krimson shook his head solemnly. "No, Silver. I never hated Lilac, it was our circumstances that I hated. It felt like the Goddess had played a cruel joke on me. But I couldn’t run away from a bond fated by the goddess herself, Silver. I had caused Lilac enough pain as it is…I couldn’t bear to watch her suffer even more."

The pain etched on Silver's face seemed to shift, a mix of shock and confusion replacing the anger.

Krimson sat up with difficulty and I helped support his weight, his familiar scent, the warmth of his body, all ensuring me that he was going to be okay. That we were going to get through all of this…

"So…it was me? How could I do this to you?" Silver mused, confusion clear in her eyes as she studied her surroundings, and for the first time, I saw a glimpse of the woman who I had called my friend.

Her thirst for revenge had been overpowered by her thirst for power and now, she was finally coming out of the darkness that had seemed to control her all this time. It gave me hope for her survival.

Krimson's voice softened, a rare tenderness coloring his words, one in which I never knew he possessed.

"You were a good person, Silvia…someone with a bright future ahead of you. When you escaped the pack…I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that this was how I was going to face you once again."

Silver's features contorted in anguish, a battle raging within her between the pain of betrayal and the understanding of necessity.

I sat beside Krimson, my heart hammering against my ribs as I watched Krimson, his face contorted in pain, slowly pull the dagger from his chest. The metallic tang of blood tainted the air, a stark reminder of the brutal skirmish that had just taken place. Silver laid a few feet away, her expression torn between shock and defiance, her hands clenched into fists.

"Krimson, no!" I whispered, my voice barely audible as I watched blood gush out of his wound. I wanted to help him, to stop the bleeding, but there was nothing in the room I could use.

Krimson's voice was strained, but his gaze remained steady on Silver and I knew that whatever he had on his mind had to be very brutal.

"When I saved you, Silver, it wasn't so you'd become like them. You've crossed lines that should never be crossed."

Silver's eyes widened in disbelief, her chest heaving with emotion. "I did what I had to! They deserved what they got for hurting our packs!"

"But burning down their entire pack, hurting innocent lives in the process?" Krimson's words were a mixture of pain and accusation. "That's not the path of survival, Silver. You made the same choice as the monsters who captures us, tormented our packs…then what makes any different from them?"

Tears glistened in Silver's eyes, her voice shook as she spoke next. "I didn't mean for it to go that far. I just wanted us to take revenge for my family…for my pack, to ensure that they couldn't hurt anyone else like they hurt us..."

I felt a lump form in my throat, torn between the sympathy I felt for my friend and the undeniable truth in Krimson's words. I had seen the desperation in Silver's eyes before, the haunted look that spoke of greed and a thirst for power. No matter how much I wanted to defend Silver, say that it wasn’t her fault for how she turned out…I couldn’t.

Because Krimson was right. She chose this path…she chose to raise the wraiths. She chose her own darkness.

"You can't justify this, Silver," Krimson's voice softened, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "I didn't save you so you'd become a mirror image of those who took you. You have to atone for your sins, Silver, take responsibility for the innocent lives you took."

The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of Krimson's words hanging heavy in the air. I watched as Silver's shoulders slumped, a mix of anguish and realization etched across her face.

Silence settled over us, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind outside and the heavy breathing of those of my pack who were in the room. I wished for words to bridge the gap between us, to find a way to heal the rift that had formed but in that moment, all I could do was stand witness to the painful truth unfolding before me.

"Lilac..." Silver's voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears, a floodgate of emotions threatening to burst forth.

I could feel the pain radiating from her, the anguish of being exposed, of her intentions laid bare. Yet, it was also the anguish of self-realization, of confronting the darkness within her own heart.

"Silver, why?" My voice quivered, a mix of betrayal and sorrow lacing each word.

She struggled to speak, her voice choked with emotions which i didn't even know whether was fake or not. All the while, Krimson was quiet but I knew that he was just baring the pain that came with being pierced with a dagger. My hold on him tightened, knowing that we needed to get help soon, but before that…I needed answers from Silver.

"I... I wanted... more power. I thought... I thought it was the only way to protect... to survive."

The vulnerability in her eyes pierced through me. This wasn't just about power; it was about fear, about survival in a world that constantly demanded strength but the path she had chosen—it was the wrong one, a treacherous road paved with the same greed that had once corrupted my father.

As Silver's tears fell freely, I left Krimson in Del’s care and approached her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "There's still time, Silver. You can choose a different path. You're not condemned to follow in Alpha Keith's footsteps."

Her shoulders shook with the weight of her remorse, her tears falling down even more freely now.

"I’m sorry, Lilac…but that's not possible anymore," Silver whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the turmoil of emotions.