CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 25
The car hummed beneath me, a low, constant sound that barely masked the storm inside my chest. I don’t know how long I have been driving for an hour, maybe more. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tight enough to ache, but I couldn’t stop how intense I felt.

I just needed to get away from him and his old friend. I kept driving, and I immediately realized my surroundings. I swallowed a sob when I read the word ‘cemetery’. 

I parked beside the old gate and stepped out, the night air biting cold against my skin. The grass was wet with dew, and it was dead silent. 

I used my phone as a torch and approached the fresh-looking graves, assuming that I would find his. I didn’t get the chance to attend his funeral, but maybe I can finally let him go now that I have visited his grave.

I smiled painfully through tears as soon as I saw a beautiful stone with his name on it. The small stone looked simple, but it was what he would’ve wanted. There were fresh flowers. I guess I’m not the only one who can’t seem to let him go.

I crouched down and brushed away the dirt that had gathered at the edges of his name. My throat burned, and I fought back the urge to scream from heartache.

“Hey,” I whispered, my voice trembling. The silence answered. I laughed weakly, but it came out like a sob. “You’d probably tell me to stop crying and to toughen up, right? You always did.”

The tears came faster, rolling hot down my cheeks. “I miss you so much, Kade. You were the only one who made me feel like I belonged, and now I don’t even know who I am anymore.” The words fell heavily with each one I forced out. 

“I failed you,” I said, the confession breaking free before I could stop it. “I should have stopped Lenny. I should’ve fought harder. You didn’t deserve to die like that.” A sob escaped before I could swallow it down. My hands clenched into fists against the cold earth. 

“And now I’m ruining everything else, too. Raven hates me, the pack doesn’t trust me, and I don’t even know what’s happening to me anymore. I just wish you were here.” The wind stirred, brushing through my hair, and I almost imagined him teasing me like he used to. “Aine,” I whipped my head to my right when I heard a soft whispering calling my name. 

I looked around but didn’t see anyone. The voice sounded familiar. It is possible that I am losing my mind and hearing Kade’s voice in my head. I shook my head, shaking the voice and thoughts out of my head and trying to focus on being here.

“You shouldn’t be here alone.” I turned slowly. He stood a few feet away, tall and composed, the same pale eyes that haunted my dreams gleaming in the moonlight.

I didn’t move or try to scream for help. I don’t have the energy for him today.

“You again,” I said softly, brushing my sleeve over my tear-streaked face. “Come to finish what you started?”

He sighed, the sound heavy, pained. “Aine, I’m not your enemy. I never wanted any of this to happen. I just…” His voice trailed off as he took a hesitant step closer. “I needed to see you.”

My heart thudded painfully in my chest. “Why?” He’s lying; I could feel it in me that he's just playing a chest move. Attempting to kill me first by abducting me didn’t work, but now he is trying to do it the harder way.

“Because I’ve made mistakes I can’t undo,” he said quietly. “And because I owe you the truth. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I’m asking for it anyway.”
I studied his sharp jaw and the faint redness under his eyes.

“You tried to kill me, you turned me into a monster. ” I whispered. “I didn’t try to kill you; I needed your help. The monster that you turned into is who you really are. I didn’t do anything except give you my genes.” He said as he took a step further, and I tensed up.

“What do you want from me?” I asked softly, I don’t want to keep running anymore.

“I couldn’t stay,” he interrupted, his voice low and strained. “If I had, they would’ve found you. You and your mother both. I did what I had to do to keep you safe.”

I wanted to believe him. God, a part of me did. But the ache of every scar and every sleepless night made it impossible. He took another cautious step forward. 

“I’ve watched from afar, Aine. I’ve seen the woman you’ve become. Strong. Fierce. Just like your mother.” His lips curved into a faint, sad smile. “And I’m proud of you.” I blinked back another tear, shaking my head. 

“You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough,” he said softly. “I know what it feels like to be torn between worlds, to never fully belong.” Silence hung between us, heavy.

He reached out his hand, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. “I want to make things right. Come with me, Aine. Meet your family, my brothers. They’re excited to meet their niece, meet your cousins.” I looked at his hand, pale under the moonlight, then back at his face. 

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of finally having a place to call home. I have never had that, being a girl who grew up without her parents. But now I think I finally have a chance to go home, but at what risk? My heart twisted painfully.

Part of me wanted to take that hand — to believe that maybe it wouldn’t end in betrayal this time. But another part of me, the broken one still bleeding from Raven’s words, whispered that it was too good to be true.

My hand trembled as I reached out, and I hesitated. Every bone in my body screams no, but should I miss out on family because of an intuition?