Chapter 190: I Took Kael Away

I held Kael close and said, "I'll take you with me."

The iron chains binding Kael were no obstacle for me. With a little effort, they snapped like paper, breaking into pieces. I removed every last chain from his body.

Behind me, Magnus's voice rang out. "You two really are close, aren't you?" His tone carried a hint of amusement, as though he found the scene entertaining.

"Seraphina, didn't you hate Kael the most? You loved me, remember? Or have you forgotten?" Magnus chuckled as he spoke.

Suddenly, as Magnus's words reached me, the scene before me seemed to shift. In my memory, Kael became someone I utterly despised. He had bullied me, hurt me, and pushed me to the brink of a breakdown. It was Kael's constant torment that had driven me into the asylum.

Magnus, on the other hand, had been tender and warm since I arrived. He cared for me, comforted me, and brought me peace. I liked him. He liked me. And Kael? He was the reason I ended up in the asylum.

The thought made me turn to look at Kael. His deep brown eyes locked onto mine, and I saw my reflection within them. We were so close, yet the sadness I felt moments ago began to morph into hatred. Unfiltered loathing surged through me, and I could feel it radiating outward.

"Wait, Seraphina, don't listen to him!" Lyra's urgent voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me out of Magnus's influence.

"What now? Magnus knows everything. I don't think I can get Kael out of here," I said, panicking.

I wanted to kill Magnus. But I knew I wasn't strong enough. He was the real danger, and my inner wolf had only just awakened.

Magnus's voice came from behind me again. "What are you waiting for, Seraphina? Kill him already."

For a moment, a dark idea flashed through my mind, and my hand moved to Kael's chest. Memories of that night came rushing back-Kael had taken me to his villa, and we had shared the most intimate moments together. It was the happiest day of my life.

And yet, the next instant, I had driven my claws into his heart.

The thought made my eyes widen in horror. No, I couldn't hurt Kael. My body froze; I couldn't bring myself to act. Luckily, with my back to Magnus, he couldn't see that I was still in control of myself.

"Lyra, please help me stay calm and clear-headed. I need your voice to drown out his," I pleaded.

"Understood, Seraphina. Magnus is lying. He's a liar and a manipulator-don't listen to him," Lyra replied, her words hammering into my mind and pushing Magnus's influence away.

I stepped toward Kael. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes as I placed my hand over his chest.

"Don't do this, Seraphina," he said.

"Kael, I hate you. You made me sick. You're the reason I ended up in the asylum." My voice was cold and cruel.

Behind me, Magnus laughed softly, clearly pleased by our turmoil. He was a monster, hiding his twisted nature behind a mask of kindness. I clenched my teeth in frustration, wishing I could wipe that smug expression off his face.

"Lyra, how do I take Kael with me?"

"As long as you're in physical contact, I can help you. But Seraphina, I've just awakened within you, and my power is limited. I can only get you a short distance away."

"That's enough," I said. Escaping this suffocating space was all I needed.

I wrapped my arms around Kael. He seemed drained of all energy, simply staring at me without moving.

"Seraphina, you didn't listen to Magnus, did you? You're still yourself," Kael's voice echoed in my mind. But his lips hadn't moved.

"This is a mental connection, Seraphina," he explained. "Every werewolf has it."

Fascinated, I tried responding in the same way. "Yes, Kael. I'll take you away. Are you ready?"

Without waiting for his reply, I felt a sudden surge of wind gathering around us. Magnus's furious shouting echoed behind me, and then-pain. A searing, ripping pain tore through my back, as though I was being ripped apart.

But the world around us had already begun to shift. The spinning stopped, and when it did, we were no longer indoors but surrounded by trees. Just as Lyra had said, I couldn't take Kael far. We were still within the asylum grounds, in the nearby forest.

Pain overwhelmed me. My strength left me, and I collapsed into Kael's arms.

"Seraphina!" Kael called out, his hand pressing against my back. The pressure made me inhale sharply as waves of agony shot through me. My body trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face. I didn't understand how it could hurt so much.

"Seraphina, you're injured!" Kael exclaimed. He pulled his hand back, and I saw it was covered in blood. He turned me, cradling me in his arms as I lay face down against him.

"I'll help you," he said, placing his hand over my wound. Warmth radiated from his palm, offering brief relief before the pain returned, sharper than before.

"Hold on, Seraphina. I'll get you out of here. You need treatment immediately," Kael said urgently.

I heard his words, but my body was too weak to respond. The pain was unbearable, and my consciousness began to fade. Darkness swallowed me, and I slipped into unconsciousness.