Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty

AUTHOR'S POV

Kaida, Thoran and Beatrice walked out of the tunnel, a couple minutes later. Tricia had fallen asleep on the Luna's back, her little snores and breaths were adorable in Kaida's ears. Kaida turned to her mate. “Sorry, I wanted to introduce her to you.”

Thoran smiled brightly at his mate. “It’s okay. We have time. She must be exhausted.”

“She is.” Bea confirmed. “It's been a while since she slept comfortably.” There was a hint of guilt in her words and Kaida placed a hand on her shoulder. “Again, none of it is your fault. Besides, Tricia seems to like you. Seems you were good to her even while under Elara's spell. You can find solace in the fact that what you did was your will, not Elara's.” I pointed out.

Bea nodded silently. She was too overwhelmed by her emotions to speak.

As they approached the pack, Bea spoke up again. “Um…” She hesitated, her voice tentative. “Would you like to see Alpha Luther? He just woke up.”

Kaida looked up, surprise etched on her face. She looked unsure as to what to do. Thoran squeezed her hand. “Whatever you decide, I'm here for you.”

Kaida's face lit up at his words which carried so much love for her. She turned to Bea. “Take me to him.” She said her earlier reluctance was nowhere to be found.

After tucking in Tricia, Bea led Kaida and her mate through the familiar halls of the pack mansion. On arriving by the entrance, Bea knocked on the door. “Come in.” The strong voice of her father answered. Hearing his voice again triggered mixed feelings in Kaida and she paused once again. She remembered how he had gone from being a loving father to one filled with so much hatred for her. She remembered how he had treated. She remembered the disdain in his eyes as he stabbed her and disowned her.

Kaida tried to remind herself that he had done all those things as Elara's puppet, not as her Father, but it was difficult. Thoran, a constant light in her darkest moments, tightened his grip on her hand once again. “Don’t let Elara win, Kaida. Focus on the good memories of your father. Focus on who he was before Elara.” He said calmly.

Once again, his words had an effect. Kaida took a deep breath and stepped into the room. She froze when she saw her father. Luther had always been a symbol of strength to Kaida. He had never faltered even in the most trying of times. However, the man that knelt before her was a shadow of his former self. Compared to his strong voice, his appearance was frail, and his eyes held a deep sorrow.

It occured to Kaida that her father had never mourned or grieved for the loss of his mate. Since Elara's spell was broken, it must have felt like he had woken up from a nightmare into another nightmare. Everything that had transpired was only catching up to him now. Even now as Luther knelt before Kaida, she could see him still trying to remain strong.

Thoran and Bea decided to give the two some space. They stepped out and shut the door behind them. However, Kaida could still sense them behind the door. “I have sinned against you and your mother. I am sorry, Kaida, for everything I did to you, for everything I said, I am so so sorry. I didn't mean any of it.” He said, his words filled with emotion. The first drops of tears fell down his cheek. Kaida’s lips had begun to tremble as she fought back tears.

“You are my daughter. My child, my pride. You and Lilian, your mother, are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He was beginning to sob now. He stared at his hands. “I can't believe I stabbed you. I can't believe I stabbed my own daughter. Lilian would be so ashamed of me.” The tremors that skittered through Luther concerned Kaida, even as she tested up. “What have I done? Lilian, my sweet Lilian. She died because of me.”

Unable to continue listening, Kaida enveloped him in a hug and they cried together. Luther continued to mutter, shifting between, “my sweet Lilian” and “I'm so sorry, Kaida.”

A long while later, when they had both calmed down, they held a proper burial for the deceased and all those they had lost because of Elara. It was a sorrowful time for the Nyx pack.

Luther sat on the sofa, his health had improved considerably after consuming the lake water medicine. Tricia had finally woken up from her slumber, she was all smiles and laid down between Kaida and her father. Her head sat on Kaida's lap, while her legs were on Luther's. Luther was petting his daughter's hair affectionately. “You seem to be having fun, Tricia.” Luther said pointedly.

Tricia laughed. “I am happy.”

Luther, Thoran and Kaida exchanged glances. “Tricia, would you like to stay with Thoran and I in the Stormhowl pack? Luther has agreed that it'll be a good idea.” Kaida had felt that living in a new environment away from where so many misfortunes had befallen her pack. They wanted to raise her as their daughter.

“What about Father?” Tricia asked, sitting up.

Luther grinned. “I need to remain here and watch over the pack, Tricia.” He explained. “But I'll pay you a visit, every week.”

“Will you really?” Tricia asked hopefully.

“Yes, I will.” He affirmed with a nod.

“Alright then. I would love to stay with you.” Tricia admitted cheerfully.

Kaida smiled warmly. “I'm happy to hear that Tricia.”

A new life was about to begin for the Stormhowl pack. As the days went by, Tricia adjusted to the pack. She seemed to bond with pack mates almost instantly. Thoran was a strong presence in her life while Kaida was the mother Tricia had never had.

—

Over the years, the pack became happier and stronger. Thoran was an amazing Alpha, not only in strength, but he really did care for all of them. He never left any person feeling left out, he always had time for everyone he wanted to talk to. His mate was a good influence on him. Kaida remained with him and helped him whenever she could. He and his Luna made a beautiful safe loving home where their packmates respected one another.

Their first daughter, Tricia was raised to be a kind and strong young woman. Becoming an example to the pack she followed everything Thoran and Kaida had ever taught her. The Alpha mates went on to have two other children. The first child was a girl who was named after Kaida's mother, Lillian; her middle name was Helene, named after Thoran's mother. The second child was a boy named after Thoran's Father, Marius.

The Stormhowl pack experienced a long period of peace under Thoran and Kaida's reign. Luther successfully returned the Nyx Pack to its former glory with Beatrice as his Beta. The pack flourished once again under his rule. He missed his mates dearly and would often visit her grave, sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by Kaida.

One day, Thoran and Kaida were watching over the pack terrain quietly side by side, he slipped his arm around her shoulder. Their friends and children stood around them. Thoran glanced around at his friends. “We've come a long way, haven't we?”

“We sure have, Thoran. We sure have.” Zarek answered.

There would be other obstacles and challenges in the future but they would face them together. Their bond was stronger than ever before and they would only continue to grow stronger.