Chapter 82
Kane's POV
I woke from the bed, dull pain spreading through every fiber of my being, as if crushed beneath a thousand-pound boulder.
I sat up slowly, mind flashing back to that lightning bolt tearing across the sky—the moment I summoned heaven's wrath against the shadow witch Uma, a memory that still left me shaken. When that violent force pierced through my body, I thought I'd be reduced to ash, never expecting Blaze to shield my heart at the last moment.
I braced myself against the bed frame and stood, walking to the window. Through the glass, I saw the Silver Moon Pack carrying out methodical reconstruction—collapsed walls being rebuilt, charred trees cleared away, wounded warriors recovering under the witch doctors' care.
The crisis appeared to be over.
I drew a deep breath, a dull ache throbbing in my chest. That battle had changed so much, and I myself was no longer the foolish wolf who knew only the pursuit of power.
"Kane."
I turned to see Julian standing in the doorway. He wore a slate-gray suit, golden hair combed immaculately, complex emotions swimming in his blue eyes.
The warrior beside him bowed respectfully: "Alpha."
I froze.
Alpha—the title I'd once coveted above all else, now bestowed upon Julian.
I swallowed the indescribable bitterness rising in my throat and lowered my head, addressing him with respect: "Alpha."
The atmosphere turned awkward. Julian stepped inside, his gaze lingering on me briefly: "How are your injuries?"
"Nearly healed." I rolled my shoulders, bones cracking softly. "Blaze says I'm lucky to be alive."
Julian nodded, his expression growing serious: "Come with me. Father and Luna Jenna want to see you. There are things you need to know."
My chest tightened. Such solemnity meant this was no trivial matter. I followed him out of the room, through the corridor, to Walter and Jenna's chambers.
The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Walter seated at the bedside with Jenna standing behind him, both wearing relieved smiles.
"Kane, you're awake." Walter's voice was hoarse yet gentle. "Come, sit."
I settled into the chair across from them, my heartbeat inexplicably quickening.
Walter looked at me with an expression I'd never seen before—guilt, compassion, and deep paternal love.
"Kane," he began slowly, "there's something I've kept from you. About your origins."
My entire body went rigid.
"Your mother, Chloe Flores," Walter said with gravity, "my marriage to her was also a political alliance. At the time, Chloe was the Alpha's daughter from a neighboring pack, and as heir to the Silver Moon Pack, I was required by the old Alpha to marry her to consolidate relations between our peoples."
He paused, gaze drifting into the distance. "But by then, Jenna and I had already given our hearts to each other. And Chloe—she already had her own mate, a rogue wolf who had left his mark on her neck."
My breathing stopped. The mark on Mother's neck... wasn't left by Alpha Walter?
"To conceal this truth, and under pressure from the old Alpha, I performed the Luna ceremony for Chloe." Walter's voice carried regret. "Chloe's mate had gone to an extremely dangerous place on a mission, his fate unknown, and her original pack had been conquered by the Blood River Pack through war. Grateful for my protection and discretion, Chloe settled in the Silver Moon Pack and gave birth to you..."
My fingers clenched the armrest, knuckles white.
"Your mother's death," Walter said, meeting my eyes with pain, "wasn't caused by any betrayal. Most likely, that rogue wolf met with disaster, perhaps even death. The severing of a mate bond brings unbearable torment. Your mother... she left because she couldn't endure that agony."
The room fell into deathly silence.
I felt the entire world spinning. Mother wasn't killed by betrayal? I wasn't Walter and Jenna's biological son? All those years I spent seeking revenge, trying to reclaim what I thought was my rightful inheritance—all of it built on a false premise?
"No..." I murmured, voice trembling. "That's impossible..."
"Kane." Jenna approached, gently taking my hand. "Your mother entrusted me with your care before she passed. She said you were her only concern in this world."
I looked up to see tears in Jenna's eyes.
In that moment, I suddenly realized how foolish and cruel my years of coldness and hostility toward her had been.
"That pack..." I forced the words out. "What was it called?"
"Lightning Wolf Pack." Walter said. "Their former territory now lies entirely within Blood River's domain."
Lightning Wolf Pack... I repeated the name silently, an indescribable emotion surging in my chest.
That was my true root, my mother's homeland, and I knew nothing about it.
"I need to go to Blood River territory." I stood abruptly, voice firm. "I need to find the truth about my origins."
Julian frowned. "We just repelled the Blood River Pack. Going into their territory under a false identity—isn't that too dangerous? Why not stay and help rebuild Silver Moon?"
He paused, genuine sincerity in his tone. "I truly admire your abilities."
I looked at him, complex gratitude welling up inside. This brother I'd once envied and resented was now asking me to stay.
"Thank you, Julian." I drew a deep breath. "But I must go. For too many years, I've chased after things that never belonged to me, pursued vengeance for grievances that never existed. I need to find my true self, discover where I really come from."
Julian fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "I understand. I'll prepare supplies for your journey."
I turned to Walter. This man I'd once hated now gazed at me with pure paternal love. He rose and opened his arms, embracing me tightly.
"No matter who you are," his voice trembled in my ear, choked with emotion, "you will always be my second son."
In that moment, I could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down my face.
I returned his embrace fiercely, voice shaking: "Father..."
This was the first time I'd truly spoken that word, without resentment or calculation, only pure emotion.
After releasing Walter, I approached Jenna and slowly knelt before her.
She looked at me in surprise as I lowered my head, voice thick with guilt: "All these years, I misunderstood you, held prejudice against you. I'm sorry for my foolishness and cruelty."
Jenna crouched down, gently lifting my face, eyes full of compassion: "Child, I never blamed you."
Her forgiveness finally lifted the burden from my heart.
I stood, drew a deep breath, and prepared to leave the room.
"There's one more person," Blaze suddenly spoke in my mind. "Are you going to say goodbye?"
Ella.
My steps faltered. Her face materialized in my mind—those amber eyes, that defiant expression, and her form transformed into a fire goddess on the battlefield.
"No need." I said quietly, indescribable bitterness rising within. "I owe her far too much to ever repay. There's no need to see her again."
"You're running away," Blaze said.
"Perhaps." I gave a bitter smile. "But I've lost the right to appear before her."
I turned to Julian, looking at the man who would become her mate.
Golden-haired, blue-eyed, gentle yet resolute—everything I could never be.
"The Moon Goddess has given her to you," I said, a hint of acceptance in my voice. "Protect her well. I owe her too much to ever face her again."
Julian studied me, his expression complex. After a moment, he nodded. "I will."
I took one last look at the room, then turned and left. Sunlight streamed through the corridor, falling upon me, bringing long-absent warmth.
Lightning Wolf Pack, my mother's homeland, my true origin—I would go there and find my real self.
And Ella, the only woman I'd ever loved yet hurt most deeply, let her remain with Julian and find the happiness she deserves.