Chapter 41 Hurt Too Deep
Chapter 41 Hurt Too Deep
This was bad. Very, very bad.
From the look of things, the supernaturals had been planning this for years. They had wormed their way into every sector of society and positioned themselves at the top.
If they waged war and humans refused to submit, they could shut down healthcare overnight, halt food production, and cripple transportation. Rune alone could collapse the corporate world if he wanted.
The fate of humanity was literally in their hands, and they had no benevolent plans for it.
Nova was at a loss for words. What more could she say? At this point, the supernaturals were the victims. Their homes had been stolen, their people hunted, kidnapped, dissected in labs like animals.
Suddenly, she understood. The hatred. The distrust. The way the pack looked at her, like she was something crawling in from the cold. In their eyes, she was just another human. Just another threat. Just another heartless predator wearing a friendly face.
“Nova.” Rune’s hands gripped her shoulders, his brow furrowed with concern. “Don’t panic. Everything is going to be alright.”
She met his eyes, her voice hollow. “Is it? My whole life has been a lie.”
“It’s not—”
“Can we not lie to the poor girl?” Lucien’s snide voice cut through. “She has been deceived, and now she’s caught in the middle of a war. She has to pick a side.” He straightened. “The council formally extends an invitation for you to join us in the coming conflict.”
Rune’s head snapped toward him.
“Are you insane? She’s not in the right state to make such a decision like that.”
Lucien glanced at Nova’s pale face. “Oh, forgive my negligence. But we mustn’t delay.”
Rune growled at him.
Eretria cleared her throat, her voice softer. “Despite our differences, despite your resemblance to the woman who started all this, we are willing to trust you. Your mate has vouched for you. For the changes you’ve made since arriving in his pack.” She paused. “You’re special, Luna. The Moon Goddess must have had a reason for bringing you here at such a crucial time. You, my dear, are the hinge upon which this war turns.”
Nova slowly rose from her seat, the walls suddenly closing in.
“I need some air.”
She stumbled out of the room, and thankfully, nobody tried to follow. She wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone right now, especially not Rune.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess — anger at Rune for keeping so much from her, grief that humans had slaughtered his family, confusion over why he had killed members of his pack to protect her, someone he resented so much.
She made it to her room, opened the windows, and crawled into bed before finally letting the tears fall. She didn’t know how long she lay there sobbing, and she didn’t care. It was all too much to bear.
Time blurred. She only resurfaced when her door opened, and the bed dipped beside her. From the familiar scent and the weight of his presence, she knew it was Rune.
He cleared his throat. “The sisters left.”
She didn’t answer. Didn't even turn to look at him.
“You don’t have to make a decision now. I won’t let them pressure you.”
Still nothing.
“I know you’re not asleep. I can hear your heartbeat.”
“Leave me alone,” she finally said, her voice raw.
“I can’t.” A pause. “I can feel your sadness through the bond. It’s making me sad by association.”
Nova scoffed and turned to face him, her eyes red-rimmed. “Is that why you’re here? Because the bond is making you uncomfortable?” She sat up. “When were you going to tell me about the war? When were you going to tell me about any of it?”
“You weren’t ready for that kind of information. You were barely getting used to the fact that supernaturals exist. How was I supposed to tell you about a full-blown coup? You would have gone ballistic.”
“So you thought silence was the answer?” Her voice cracked. “You even hid the fact that I look like the woman who doomed all supernaturals. Is that why you couldn’t stand to look at me all this time? Why you always kept your distance?”
Rune's jaw tightened. He didn’t answer, but the guilt in his expression was answer enough.
“Before the wedding, Maple told me to give you a chance. And despite everything, I tried. But you’ve found a way to push me away at every turn. You blame me for what happened a century ago. You hate me because I’m human.” Her voice broke. “I didn’t have a hand in any of this, but you still kept things from me. Still resented me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Then what is your truth?”
“I was trying to protect you!” Rune’s voice rose, and Nova fell silent. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face. “This isn’t easy for me either. You’re my mate. Do you think I want to drag you into a war? Do you think I want to see you hurt?” He exhaled sharply. “I didn’t care if you looked like Veronica. I tried to hide you away so that this day would never come. I didn’t want you to discover the truth like this. So heartlessly.”
He sighed. “I admit that at the beginning, I wished things had been different. I wished you had been a supernatural. But I don’t feel that way anymore. I like you for who you are, and I would not have asked for a better mate.”
He sounded sincere.
Nova bit her lip, but the hurt was too deep. “Nothing changed. You still locked me out. I would have rather known about this war from the beginning than be kept in the dark while you decided what I could or could not handle.”
“Nova—”
“Leave. I want to be alone.”
“I—“
“Get out.”
Rune stopped, his hands curling at his sides. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to argue. Then he turned and left, the door clicking softly behind him.
"I will give you space for now."
Nova collapsed back onto the bed, her chest aching. Her thoughts drifted to her friends, her aunt, and all the people she loved back home. Would they be spared if war came? Would anyone be spared?
Why did this have to happen to her? Why had the world become so corrupted?
She closed her eyes as more tears slid down her cheeks. She had to do something. She had to warn the people she cared about. It was the least she could do.