Chapter 79 CHAPTER 79

Chapter 79 CHAPTER 79
ΚΑΙ

I was panicking. The entire night I spent pacing back and forth, replaying everything that had happened between Alina and me. The way her eyes had looked so hurt when I didn't defend her, the way she stormed out with her mother-angry and disappointed. And now, she hadn't come back. I gave her the night, thinking maybe she just needed some space, but when she didn't return the next morning, panic surged through me.

What did I even expect sending her out? Of course she wouldn't be back trying to beg me to come back in the palace. That wasn't the type of person she was. And it was all my damn fault. I couldn't focus on anything else. I had a meeting scheduled with the new elders I appointed at the Black Water Pack, but my mind was elsewhere-on her.

Even as I sluggishly got ready, everything felt out of sync. When I finally made my way into the meeting room, I could tell everyone was already waiting, but I couldn't muster the energy to care. My thoughts were consumed by Alina. Where was she?

I took a deep breath and tried to focus. I needed to get through this meeting. The Black Water Pack was vital to our plan to finally get the end of this ordeal. Now that I knew witches could actually kill skin walkers, I knew that they were the key to all of my problems.

So I couldn't afford to let my personal problems get in the way of protecting my people. When I entered the room, the alphas and the queen of the witches greeted me respectfully, though they probably noticed the distant look in my eyes.

I nodded to each of them as I took my seat at the head of the table. " Thank you all for coming. We have a lot to discuss," I began, trying to mask the tension in my voice.

The queen of the witches, Thalia was seated in the middle, her eyes sharp as ever. I knew this wouldn't be easy. Even though I had taken the pack for myself, I knew that I needed them to fully support me in this. They cannot fight for me when they are scared of me and hated

me.

We needed the witches to be fully on board with our plan to fight the skin walkers, but merging werewolf packs with lycans witches, that was no simple feat. That was where I expected the issues to arise from.

"I'll get straight to the point," I said, leaning forward. "We need to merge our packs. The witches are the only ones with the knowledge and power to kill the skin walkers. Without you, we're vulnerable. This union is essential for all of us."

Thalia raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed over her chest. "And what exactly are you offering us in return? Witches don't serve without benefit."

I expected this. "In return, your people will have full protection under my pack. You'll have autonomy, and I'll ensure that your way of life isn't interfered with. My pack will provide resources, safety, and integration into our society."

Thalia frowned, clearly not satisfied. "Protection isn't enough, Kai. Witches have been oppressed for centuries. We're not just going to hand over our power and lives because you say you'll protect us. We need guarantees."

"What guarantees do you need?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Thalia leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "We want representation on your council. A seat for the witches so that we have a say in all matters. And we want magical autonomy. No one in your pack can dictate what spells or rituals we practice."

I hesitated. "I agree with the council seat, but magical autonomy? There has to be some oversight. Some spells are dangerous, and I can't have anyone practicing things that could harm my pack."

Thalia's lips curled into a smirk. "Isn't that the point of this merger? To trust each other? If you can't trust us, why should we trust you?"

I clenched my jaw. "I'm not saying I don't trust you, but there has to be a balance."

Thalia shrugged. "Then there is no deal."

I sighed, feeling the tension rise in the room. The other alphas were silent, waiting for my response. I knew I couldn't afford to let this slip away. I had to find a compromise. "Alright," I said after a

moment. "We'll give you autonomy, but there will be guidelines. If anything threatens the safety of the pack, I will intervene. Agreed?"

Thalia studied me for a long moment before finally nodding." Agreed."

The rest of the meeting went on, strategizing our fight against the skin walkers and discussing how we would integrate the two packs. We came to a common ground, but I was distracted. My mind kept wandering back to Alina. As soon as the meeting ended, I couldn't wait any longer.

I stood abruptly, dismissing the alphas and Thalia before I hurried out of the room. I needed to find her. I couldn't function like this, not knowing if she was okay or if she was still angry with me. I had sent two kings guards after her last night but what if they faltered in their job? I knew she was perfectly capable of getting self to safety but I still couldn't ignore it.

"Find Alina," I told my guards as soon as I stepped outside. "Check the city. She might have checked into a hotel nearby."

It didn't take long before one of the guards returned with information. "She's at a hotel just outside the palace walls," he reported.

Without wasting another second, I mounted my horse and rode there myself. When I reached the hotel, my heart was racing. I went to the room where Alina was staying, my stomach in knots as I knocked on the door. When she opened it, relief flooded me. She looked tired but otherwise unharmed.

And standing behind her... was her mother.

I swallowed hard, guilt settling in the pit of my stomach. I had thrown them both out of the palace, hurt Alina, and now here I was, asking her to come back. "Alina," I said softly, stepping inside, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let things get so out of control. I was wrong. I should have backed you... I should have trusted you."

Alina didn't look as angry as I'd expected. She was calm, maybe a little distant, but not furious. She gestured for me to sit with her and her mother, which took me by surprise.

Her mother, Amara, smiled gently, showing me some ancient spells, and I was impressed by the depth of her knowledge. We talked for a while, and I found myself warming up to her, understanding a bit more why Alina had gone through so much to bring her back. When the conversation lulled, I turned to Alina, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for everything I said. Your mother is welcome in the palace."

Alina shook her head, gently but firmly. "No, Kai. She'll have her own place. I don't want to risk upsetting anyone else."

I hesitated. "Are you sure? You can both stay-" I wanted her to be happy, and I knew being with her mother was going to make her even happier. That wasn't all I wanted.

She smiled softly and took my hand. "Of course I'm staying with you, Kai. I'm the Luna of this pack. But my mother needs her own space."

My heart swelled with happiness. "I love you, Alina," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My chest tightened as I waited for her reaction.

But she smiled at me, her eyes shining. "I love you too."

I felt like I could breathe again. Everything that had been weighing on me lifted, and for the first time in what felt like days, I felt like things were going to be okay. It was crazy how much those words made me feel like I was on the top of there world. Like everything was going to turn out fine after all.

Amara cleared her throat gently, standing from her chair. "It's getting late," she said with a knowing smile. "I'll let you two get back to the palace."

Alina and I rode back together, the tension between us finally easing. When we reached our room, we couldn't keep our hands off each other. Every ounce of love, frustration, and relief from the past few days culminated in a passionate night together. We had good passion filled sex. It felt like a new beginning. A promise that we would face whatever came next, side by side.