Chapter 220 Not Dead

Chapter 220 Not Dead

Calhoun's POV
Before Kristen can lose her balance and fall off, I'm already at her side, steadying her to her feet. Her eyes flutter, revealing her impending faint, and her breaths come out sharply, her mouth parting.
"Kristen..." I tap her cheek repeatedly, but she's already lost consciousness. Cursing under my breath, I gather her in my arms, carrying her in a bridal style.
As I raise my head to look around, everyone stiffens. The shock in their eyes mirrors the astonishment I expected. It's been a week since they last saw me, a week of torment for Kristen and the pack.
Gregory, with eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, stammers, "Is that really Calhoun?"
I shake my head at them, my gaze hardening as I respond, "Yes, it's me. I heard everything. Trying to replace me and marry off my pregnant wife, calling me a dead man."
The elders, attempting to explain, are met with my stern silence. Raising my hand, the room falls into an immediate hush. I take a moment to look at Kristen, my heart aching. She's been through so much, yet she didn't give up on me.
"Calhoun... it's really you." Nana Joyce is at my side, holding my arm with a tearful gaze. The pack watches in a mix of disbelief and relief. It's just insane how she or Kristen didn't show up the time the curse was broken. I could tell they were too broken to come see me, unbeknownst I was recuperating on my own.
For five good days, I didn't step out of that room until I felt strong enough to do so. And the servants at Nana Joyce's were stunned to see me up, but they still told me about the gathering that involved my Luna, that was how I found my way here.
In a commanding tone, I address the elders, "Explain yourselves."
Elder Festus, the guilt evident in his eyes, stammers, " Calhoun, we thought you were gone. We didn't know what else to do."
I narrow my eyes at him, "So you decided to replace me without confirming my fate?"
Elder Gregory, still recovering from the shock, adds, " We believed the pack needed stability. Kristen was distraught, and we thought..."
I cut him off with a sharp gesture, "You thought wrong. I'm still Alpha, and Kristen is still my Luna. No one can replace that."
While still carrying an unconscious Kristen in a bridal style, I address the pack, explaining the intervention of the Moon Goddess that lifted the curse five days ago.
"The Moon Goddess didn't let the curse decide my fate. It was lifted off five days ago," I announce, the words carrying a mix of relief and astonishment.
The crowd marvels at this revelation, whispers of disbelief and wonder circulating through the gathered pack. Nana Joyce, now sobbing harder, utters a mix of prayers and expressions of gratitude.
"Unbelievable," Gregory mutters, his eyes still wide with shock. The elders exchange glances, their initial certainty crumbling in the face of this unexpected turn of events.
Holding Kristen in my arms, I give Gregory a stern look, my eyes showing disappointment and a bit of anger. The young man trembles, fear clear on his face, as my gaze focuses on him.
Turning to the elders, my disappointment is obvious. My face reflects their wrong choices, and I speak
firmly.
"I think I'll have to strip you off your positions as Elders of this pack," I grit out.
"Don't do this Calhoun."
"Indeed we're at fault here, but don't relieve us of our
duties."
"The people in this pack needs us
"We're really sorry, Alpha Calhoun," they apologize
loudly, their voices filled with fear as they avoid looking directly at me.
An hour later, I watch as Kristen stirs on the bed, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of surprise and disbelief. My gaze softens, filled with affection and
relief.
Her breath catches, and she takes a hurtful gulp before mustering the courage to ask, "Are you real, or
am I dreaming?"
Leaning in, I press a gentle kiss to her open palm, wanting to assure her of my tangible presence. Kristen shudders at the warmth of my lips aga skin, and I feel the weight of her emotions in the air.
her
Tears well up in her eyes, reflecting the intensity of
her feelings. I softly apologize, "I'm sorry for making you suffer so much."
"There's no need to apologize," Kristen replies, her voice catching with emotion. She pulls me into a bone -brushing hug, seeking solace in the reassurance of my presence.
Sinking into my arms, tears stream down her face as
she admits, "I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose you."
Cradling her head in my hands, I press a tight kiss on
the top of her head. "I'm here, Kristen. I'm not going anywhere," I reassure her, hoping my words can be soothing enough to calm her fears.
Kristen's embrace provides a comforting anchor as I begin to recount the ordeal of the past three months and three weeks.
The weight of the paralysis, the haunting darkness that enveloped me, and the utter disconnection from the world were experiences that defy easy description.
"It was tough, Kristen," I begin, my voice carrying the weight of the memories. "I couldn't recognize anything. It was a total black place, just hearing voices. I couldn't move my limbs or even speak." As the words escape my lips, I feel Kristen holding
onto me tighter, as if fearing that if she lets go, I'll disappear out of her sight. The intensity of her grip is a testament to the fear and uncertainty we both endured during those agonizing months.
"I felt helpless, Kristen. The inability to move, to see,
to communicate, it was a nightmare," I continue, my eyes fixed on a distant point as if retracing the shadowy journey I'd been through.
Kristen, her voice barely above a whisper, responds, "
I can't imagine what you went through, Calhoun. I was so scared of losing you."
I shift my gaze to meet hers, the depths of her eyes
reflecting the emotions we both weathered. "You pulled me back, Kristen. Your love, your determination, it's what brought me out of that darkness. I couldn't have endured it without you."
A small smile plays on my lips as I reach out to gently wipe away the tears that linger on her cheeks.
"I'm here now, and I owe it to you," I say, my words
carrying the depth of gratitude for the unwavering support that saw me through the darkest chapter of my life.
Holding Kristen close, I feel a lot of emotions filling me up. All those feelings I kept inside during the dark months are pouring out, and it feels good to express the love that survived the toughest times.
"I can't love you any less, Kristen," I say softly, my voice a gentle whisper in her ear. "You're everything to me, my mother, my sister, my wife, my mate, my Luna, and my best friend, all rolled into one."
As the words hang in the air, I gently hold her face in my hands, my thumb stroking her cheek. Kristen's eyes show a mix of relief and joy, reflecting the feelings I have inside me.
Leaning in, I give her a deep kiss on her lips, savoring her taste that I thought I might never get to experience again.
After the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers, our
breaths mixing together. "I thought I lost everything, Kristen. But here you are, and I can't express how grateful I am for your love."
With her eyes shining with unshed tears, Kristen
replies, "I thought I lost you, too. I can't believe you're really here."
And I wonder what I ever did to make her love me this
way, when most young women in her shoes would
have abandoned me right from the beginning of the failed ritual.
"I'm here, Kristen. And I'm not going anywhere," I
reassure her, promising more with my actions than my words.
Kristen places her head on my chest, wanting to feel the steady beat of my heart. She lets out a breathy sigh, a sign of profound relief, glad that it's all over
and I am here again.