Chapter 23 Chapter 23
ΚΑΙ
I was outside, giving orders to some of the guards, my mind preoccupied with the ongoing issues at the pack border. It seemed like every day, there was a new problem-rebels, rogue wolves, strange reports that I wasn't sure whether to believe or not. Everything felt like it was on the verge of falling apart, and I was barely holding it together. It did not help that the lords and elders were still adamant about not collecting any order I gave.
They were growing impatient with every day that passed and recently, I had a feeling that they were already planning my assassination. Perhaps they already had someone that they wanted to be in line. I wished I could fire them all, but then that would not be smart because I knew that I was going to need them if I was able to get Alina as my luna. They have seen two generations of the alphas of the Seven Isles. They are the best.
I was mid-sentence, telling the head of security about a new patrol schedule, when I caught sight of her. Alina. She was standing at the entrance of the pack house, looking pale and shaken. The sight of her hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a second, all my thoughts scattered. Without thinking, I rushed to her, closing the distance between us in a matter of seconds.
"Alina!" I called out, my heart racing. As soon as I reached her, I pulled her into my arms before she slumped down, engulfing her in a tight hug. She felt so fragile in my arms, her body trembling slightly. I kissed her forehead, my heart aching at the sight of her tears.
I was ready to kill whoever had caused her to cry. Seeing her upset unraveled an angry side of mine that I did not think existed. "What happened?" I asked, my voice gentle even though I needed to know what had shaken her so badly. "Are you alright?" Her bright green eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked up at me, her voice breaking as she spoke. "I... I saw Xavier." The name hit me like a tidal wave, and I felt my stomach twist with anger. Xavier. How the hell had he managed to get into the pack? My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my expression calm for her sake. I was going to find them, and then I was going to kill him for having the guts to come into my pack. I wondered if the guards had started to fail in their jobs, then I remembered that perhaps they were dead. The killings have not stopped.
I tightened my grip on her now, holding her close. "It's going to be alright," I promised, my voice steady. "I'm going to take care of it."
I scooped her up, cradling her in my arms as I carried her back to her room. She needed rest, and she needed to feel safe. Once I got her back to her quarters, I set her down gently on the bed, brushing a stray tear from her cheek.
"Everything's going to be okay," I whispered, leaning in to kiss her softly. "I promise, Alina. I'll keep you safe."
She nodded, though I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. I kissed her one last time before stepping back, my mind already racing with questions. Even though I wanted to lay there with her and keep her safe, I knew I needed answers, and I needed them now. Since she started allowing me to get close to her, it has been heaven for me. It took a lot of trials and rejections, but she allowed me to give her innocent kisses now. She did not mind if I kissed her cheek, forehead, or hand. I did not mind too, as long as I was being close to her and she was comfortable with it.
Without wasting any more time, I left her room and made my way to Lily's quarters. I knew she would have the answers I needed. If Xavier had gotten in, it meant something was seriously wrong with the pack's security. We needed to get a replacement because we could not have rogues infiltrating our packs just like that. I pushed open Lily's door without knocking feeling the urgency fueling my steps. As soon as I stepped inside, I froze. Lily was in the middle of hooking up with someone, and the sight of it only added to my already frayed nerves.
"Lily," I said sharply, my voice cutting through the room. "I need to talk to you. Now."
Lily turned, startled, but quickly composed herself. She pushed the guy away and threw on a robe, her expression turning serious when she saw the look on my face. "What's going on?" she asked, sounding annoyed. I had no intention to stop her from getting laid, but it was urgent. The man she was hooking up with bowed at me before he left, and I sighed.
"Xavier was here," I said, pacing the room. "He got into the pack, and I want to know how the hell that happened. How is our border security that weak? I know with everything that is happening, but I did not think the pack security was that week that a rogue could have come in." The pack was the most guarded because it was the Seven Isles, the center and capital for all of the packs.
"I did not verify the truth, but I have heard something like that earlier. That everyone on the border was killed," she said, her tone grim. "I was going to tell you, but I hadn't had the chance yet. There's been an attack."
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her fully. "Do they have any idea who is doing this killing?" I asked. I had suggested using my private investigator, but the elders had said they did not want to accept that from me unless I was corned by the Oath Staff.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Skinwalkers."
"Skinwalkers?" I repeated, my voice incredulous. "They don't exist, Lily. That's just a myth. I can't believe you of all people would have faith that they still exist."
She shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest. "Maybe they were a myth before, but whatever attacked the guards wasn't normal. They were found eaten. The only explanation we've been getting is that these were skinwalkers."
I shook my head, refusing to accept it. "There has to be another explanation. Skinwalkers aren't real."
Lily sighed, clearly frustrated. "Believe what you want, Kai, but we need a new strategy. Whatever it is that attacked us, we're not equipped to handle it. And even if you do come up with a plan, the elders and lords aren't going to listen to you until you're officially crowned alpha."
I gritted my teeth, as I hissed under my breath. She was right. I didn't have time for this. The pack was in danger, and every moment that passed without action was another moment we were exposed.
Lily's voice softened, and she stepped closer to me. "You need to get Alina to marry you, Kai," she said quietly. "It's the only way. Once you're officially alpha, you can make the decisions you need to make to protect the pack."
I clenched my fists, feeling the pressure closing in on me from all sides. "I know," I muttered. "But I don't want to force her. I can't force her into this."
Lily looked at me, her expression softening. "You're not forcing her, Kai. You're protecting her. If she stays with you, she'll be safe. And so will the pack. I can't believe I am condoning this. Even though I was against it weeks ago, the circumstances have changed. People are losing their lives. We cannot just wait for her until she is ready."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair, "she is never going to get through with it," I said quietly, the doubt creeping into my voice. "She just started warming up with me. Marriage is not even on her agenda right now. She needs to be ready for this whole change."
"Then help her get ready," she said simply. "Show her that you're in this for the right reasons. You've already made it clear you care about her. Now, you just have to make her believe it."
I nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at me. I knew I needed to act soon, but the thought of pushing Alina into something she wasn't ready for felt wrong. Still, the pack was at risk, and I couldn't let it fall apart while I waited for the perfect moment.
"Thanks, Lily," I said, my voice quiet but grateful. "I'll figure it out."
"You always do," she replied with a knowing look.
I left her room, my mind still buzzing with everything that needed to be done. Xavier, the border attack, the alleged skinwalkers there was too much happening all at once. I felt too overwhelmed by all of this because I have never had this many things going on for me and I did not have a way out for them. And on top of it all, I still had to figure out how to get a girl who perhaps still hates me to trust me enough to marry me. I was cooked, and that was an understatement for it.