Chapter 37
Chapter 37
KILLIAN'S POV
"What are you going to do?" Marcus asked.
"Send a healer to...him. There's obviously something wrong with him, and she requested it."
Marcus scoffed. "I say let him suffer and let whatever is eating him take him out. Then we don't have to let whatever is between him and my future Luna worry us anymore."
I grabbed his shirt. "Because that's the sort of footing I want to start with her. Killing someone she cares about."
Marcus squirmed in my hold, looking away. "I'm sorry, Alpha. You're right. I'll get a healer to look at him immediately."
I released my grip. "It doesn't seem like an ordinary sickness. It came on too quickly. Make sure it's the right kind of healer. Whatever he has could spread like wildfire, and we don't have the magic to contain it."
He nodded. "You're right. It's not just about him. We need to protect the pack, too."
I slapped him on the back. "Now you're seeing the bigger picture. Sickness can spread. And we must keep our Luna happy."
He grinned at me. I felt like punching him in the gut as he turned to leave and follow my orders. I ran a hand over my face. I had to be cold and uncaring to my pack, but inside, I felt terrible for the kid. Whatever was wrong with him didn't look good.
I meant what I said about not wanting to lie to Vivian. I'd just met her but knew I didn't want to lie to her or break my word. Despite our arrangement, I wanted her to want this in the end. And the first step was to make her realize I wasn't an asshole.
I was glad Sarah had run off to Goddess nowhere. The second I scented Vivian and then saw her, I knew it had been for a reason. I was meant to be mated to her.
Inside, Gris howled. I needed to shift and run off this excess energy. He was excited.
VIVIAN'S POV
I rubbed my chest. Ivy was itching to come out tonight. I sighed. I was exhausted but couldn't ignore her. It'd been so long since I'd felt her in me, and I'd felt like I ignored her.
I threw my feet over the side of the bed. I wasn't familiar with the woods here, but I'm sure they were safe enough because of the magical barrier they had surrounding the place.
I got ready quickly and ducked out of my room, heading outside. Killian couldn't be angry at me for wanting to shift. He'd have to understand that.
Jogging, I headed towards the tree line. They had forest within the gates, so it's not even like I was trying to run away. I closed my eyes and shifted. Ivy was free.
Ivy took off. Running. Running somewhere. I let her guide me. She seemed determined as if she knew where she was going even though we didn't know these woods and nothing was familiar. But then I felt it. Alpha.
I pulled back, wanting to escape our direction, but Ivy ignored me. She never ignored me when we were shifted. She kept running. Straight into a clearing, a magnificent black wolf stood, eyes glowing red.
Only then did she stop, sitting down. I begged her to get up, turn around, and take us back. But she didn't budge. I sighed, shifting back. I stared at the black wolf, knowing it was Killian. He wouldn't dare let another Alpha within his gates. "Nice to see you, Kill."
I turned around, ready to walk my happy ass back to the compound. "Wait."
I ignored him. But a hand on my shoulder stopped me, and then he spun back around. "I had someone sent to see your not-mate."
I glared. "Stop calling him that."
"Chris. His name is Chris."
"Chris. Then why won't you tell me what he really is to you?"
"He's my...best friend."
Killian stared me down. "That's what you're going with?"
I nodded. "That's what I'm going with."
"Fine. Use whatever label you want. But I did as you said, and he's being cared for as we speak. I kept my word."
"Thank you," I said in a small voice.
“Now, do you want to explain what you're doing out here?"
"My wolf wanted to run."
"Hm. Mine, too."
"Hm? Okay."
I turned to leave again. "Don't you think it's weird that yours lead you straight to me?"
I continued walking. "You're an Alpha. Not really."
He ran to catch up with me and started walking next to me. "That doesn't mean anything. Has your wolf always been attracted to Alphas?"
"I was mated to one. As you know."
"Ouch. Point taken."
"Now, if you're done making assumptions, I'd like to walk back in silence."
He sighed. "Wouldn't you at least like to get to know each other before this marriage?"
"This forced marriage?"
"Why can't you see things from my point of view?"
I stopped. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you're not seeing things from mine. I came here to learn about my past and where I come from. And to hopefully help my b... best friend. And instead, I'm swept up in some engagement with some stranger. Being held prisoner with my best friend as leverage. You tell me how I'm supposed to feel."
He gently brushed a tear that had escaped. "And what would you do if your people were relying on you to fix a problem bigger than you?"
I looked up at him, trying to imagine myself in his shoes. "I don't know. But I wouldn't force something on someone else, especially something as serious as marriage."
He blew a breath out. "It's not like I'm going to force myself on you. I do want to make you happy. I do intend to make you happy. I'm hoping you'll have feelings for me someday, too."
"For you, too? Feelings? Do you have feelings for me? You don't even know me, Killian."
He grabbed my hand, placing it on his chest. "Do you feel that?"
His heart was racing. "I can feel your heart. You just shifted. Big deal."
"My wolf knows your wolf. We're meant to be."
"You're literally insane."
I snatched my hand back and started the trek back. He called out to me. "It's only a matter of time before you realize it, too."
I ignored him. He didn't know what he was talking about. I'd already found my mate, and then I'd found my love. I'd had two best friends. Now he was talking about...whatever he was talking about. Who knew?
KILLIAN'S POV
"Tell me everything you know about second-chance mates."
Elder Maya stared at me. "Why do you ask, Alpha?"
"My future Luna has been mated before, but I believe she's my future mate," I said solemnly.
She clucked her tongue. "Our wolves can often tell before we can."
"I feel like that's what he's trying to tell me."
She turned to the volume of dusty books on the shelves behind her, running her hands over them. It took her a moment, but finally, she found the right one and pulled it down. Setting it on the table, she flipped it to the right page: "Second-change mates."
I leaned forward, eager to learn the mystery of what some would call a myth. "Yes?"
“Often, people refer to them as myths, but they do exist. They're rare, however. Some have even been said to have three, having to choose between mates."
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Oh yes, those who have the misfortune of having faced a rejection and given a second-chance mate are also cursed with the ability to bring forth another mate, forcing their wolf to choose."
"Why would that even be a thing?"
Elder Maya clucked her tongue again. "Because the wolf is dejected. Feels unwanted. And wants the power to choose. To make their own destiny. Our Goddess has enabled this out of the graciousness of her own heart."
"Then why do you call it a curse?"
"Who really wants to choose between two mates?"
My thoughts immediately went to Chris. What if I wasn't her second-chance mate and Chris was? What if I was third? Would she choose him over me?
"Thank you, Maya. You've been extremely helpful."
"Alpha, you should do something about the boy."
"I am. He's being well taken care of."
"That's not what I mean."
I narrowed my eyes. "I'll advise you not to speak of what you really mean, Elder Maya."
She lowered her eyes. "Yes, Alpha."
With that, I left. Fuck.