Chapter 145 Shifting loyalties

Chapter 145 Shifting loyalties


Kai's POV.

We camped for three days, unable to head back to Shadowfang territory because Ophelia was still too weak to travel. Seraphina insisted that she needed time to recover from the power she had used against Morwen. 

Ophelia barely spoke, spending most of her time to rest. And while I stayed by her side, I refused to leave her alone for too long. Every time she opened her eyes, I was there. And every time she fell asleep, I watched her carefully, making sure she was still breathing.

“You don't have to keep staring at me.” She said, now strong enough to sit upright. 

“For real?” I reached for her hand. “I almost lost you, remember?” 

Her expression softened, her hand squeezing mine gently, “Hmm…” She hummed. 

Damien later approached us in the evening. I noticed him slow down before he stopped a short distance away. 

“Can I speak with you?” He asked Ophelia. 

Ophelia nodded, “Ofcourse.” 

So I stood up and stepped away for them to have their own privacy. 

I didn't go far, anyway, for I still saw them clearly from where I stood, and if possible, could eavesdrop on their conversation if I wanted to. 

Damien was quiet, but I soon heard him confess to her, “I still love you.”

Ophelia widened her eyes at him. 

“I know things have changed, especially since you're Kai's mate…” He continued, not giving her a chance to respond right away. He looked at me briefly, shifting his gaze back to her, “I’ve accepted that I'll never be the one you choose.” 

“Damien…I’m” Ophelia lowered her gaze as she uttered his name. 

“You don't have to apologize.” He gave her a small smile. 

She looked back at him, “Are you sure you're okay with this?” 

“It's fine.” He still smiled at her, a trace of sadness in his eyes. “Loving you doesn't mean I have to possess you, anyway.” He added, his words towards her making me understand something I have refused to admit. 

That his love for her had always been real. And despite everything, he had never tried to take her away from me. He had lost her whom he loved, yet still chose to respect her happiness. 

The jealousy that had been eating me up, gradually eased. I had no reason to hate him for that. 

When Ophelia reached for his hand, he held it briefly before letting go to walk away. 

●⁠●●●
Ophelia soon became strong enough to embark on the journey with us. I helped her gather her things, while she reached for her bag. As we prepared to leave, I caught sight of something on her palm. 

A faint mark it was…

“What is it?” She looked down when I reached for her hand. 

“This.” I pointed to her palm, a strange mark glowing faintly. 

“Huh?” She recoiled slightly. 

“Does it hurt?” I asked. 

“No!” She responded, her eyes fixed on her palm still. “It just feels warm.” 

I frowned, and before I could say anything again, the mark pulsed. Then it faded. Seraphina noticed it too when she approached us.

“I've never had such a mark on my palm.” Ophelia said. 

None of us knew what it meant, but somehow, I had a feeling we would find out soon enough. 

We continued heading toward Shadowfang, and by the time we reached the territory, the sun had begun to lower. I expected to see familiar faces waiting to welcome us, but Cassie came rushing toward us instead. 

She looked pale. That alone made me realize something was wrong. 

“Cassie?” Ophelia quickly moved closer to her. 

Cassie shifted her attention from her to me, “We have a problem.” She said, struggling to catch her breath.

“What happened?” I felt my body tense with unease. 

“A young hybrid girl arrived three days ago.” She swallowed hard. “She said there are dozens more survivors who need help.” 

My jaw tightened. 

“That’s not even the worst part.” She looked at us with fear in her eyes. “Some of them are still conditioned.” She added, taking a shaky breath. 

Ophelia's POV.
Cassie led us down the corridor, stopping in front of a wooden door which she slowly pushed open. The young hybrid girl stood, her hands trembling slightly as she looked at us. 

Her clothes were worn, the tired look in her eyes making me wonder how much she had been through. 

I moved closer to her, “What is your name?” 

“Iris!” She swallowed hard. 

“Iris…” I repeated softly. “Tell me what happened.” 

She lowered her gaze for a moment, finally looking up at me, “There were hundreds of us.” She said. 

“Hundreds?” My chest tightened. 

She nodded, “Yes. We were kept under the temple.” 

“How did you escape?” I asked her. 

“When the temple collapsed, the passages broke apart. Some of us found a way out.” She said, looking down at her hands. 

“And the others?” 

“Some are still down there.” Her lips shook. 

“How many?” Damien asked. 

“I don't know. There were too many.” 

“You said some of the survivors are conditioned.” Seraphina moved closer to her. 

“Yes!” She nodded. “They were turned into sleepers.” 

“For real?” I asked. 

“Yes. And that's because they look normal. They can eat, speak, and act like everyone else.” She paused. “But when they are triggered, they obey.” She added, a cold feeling settling in my chest. 

Morwen was gone, yet her influence still remained in the lives of those she controlled. 

“I guess we'll have to help them.” I said. 

“All of them?” Iris looked at me. 

“Mhm..” I nodded. 

Kai looked at me quietly, but didn't question my decision. 

Shadowfang could no longer remain only a pack territory. It had to become a sanctuary, a place where hybrids could recover without being hunted, controlled, or treated like weapons. 

Could I really do this? 

Damien approached me while I was alone. 

“I'm going back to Crestthorn.” He said. 

“You're leaving?” I stared at him. 

“Yes, Ophelia.” He nodded. “There are people there who needs me too.” He added. 

I understood…

“I'll miss having you around.” I admitted. 

“Me too. I'll miss you.” His lips curved into a sweet smile. 

Then we embraced each other. 

“If you ever need me.” He whispered into my ears softly. “Don't hesitate to reach out.” 

“Sure.” I pulled away to look him in the eye. “Take care of yourself, Damien.” 

“You too, Ophelia.” He said, turning his back on me to walk away. 

I watched him go into the distance, knowing his goodbye was so different. 

Iris found me, “Ophelia?” She gave me a nervous look. 

“What's wrong?” I turned toward her. 

She moved closer to me, lowering her voice, “There's something I didn't tell everyone.” 

My expression changed, “What is it? Please, tell me.” 

She quickly glanced around before speaking, “One of the conditioned survivors kept repeating a name in her sleep.” She said. 

“What name?” I asked. 

“Aldric!” 

“Aldric?” 

“Yes!” She nodded. “She kept repeating the name over and over again.” 

When I finally went to bed, I found myself standing in a dark room. There was a small crib in front of me, and Luna sleeping inside of it. 

As I took a step forward, I saw him, a dark-haired Alpha standing beside Luna's crib. He looked at me and smiled. Then I woke, realizing it was only a dream.