Chapter 32

"How is he?" I asked Gabriel in a worriedly fashion as we Skype on my laptop.

He sighed first and his countenance wasn't helping either.

"Bad." He muttered, his disappointments evidently blaring in his tone. "Very bad, Claire. Kevin has returned to his former self. He's getting worse day by day." I gulped down my saliva trying to hold back my worries from showing. But I failed horribly at it. I could feel it in our mate bond. Kevin was in so much pain.

"You have to come to Greenville." His words tousled my thoughts. And in his eyes, they pleaded for me to yield.

"He misses you."

My lips parted but only for air to escape. I was waiting for the right word.

"I'm not sure he's ready to see me nor am I sure, I'm ready to see him either. He's in so much pain and he's still dealing with the ugly truth behind his father's death. And I," I pursed my lips as my eyes lowered to the keyboard. "I'm still dealing with mine too.

Maybe we just need some time apart."

"I know you guys are going through a lot, but I also know another thing," he pursed his lips. "This time apart is eating you guys up. I mean look at you, you look sickly and—" his voice trailed off.

I heaved a sigh whilst pulling my pink hooded sweatshirt sleeves up my fingers.

"We'll be fine, Gabriel." I mumbled but my words lacked the conviction they needed.

"I hope." He mumbled too. "So, I have to go now, I'll call tomorrow."

"Thanks for calling and my regards to Rose." I wore a smile that barely lived for a second while he nodded. And so, he ended our call. I stared blankly at the screen before closing the laptop. I trailed to my King size bed where I had dropped my mother's portrait.

As I ran my fingers along the beautiful smile carved on her face, my mind wandered to that day. Two weeks ago, a day my mate had almost killed my Father.

And for the first time, I couldn't judge him for his act. It was his Father after all, his Father's demise had changed his beautiful life drastically. I didn't even know who to blame just to comfort myself. Was it my Father who killed my mate's Father? Or Alpha Jason who killed my mother?

I was lost. Struck in a limbo. On one hand I missed my mother and on the other, I missed Kevin. But I couldn't comfort him, I didn't even know how to. How could I even comfort him when I still had my own burden to bear.

"Seriously Claire," Blake chorused from my door side. How he had gotten there I didn't know but I didn't want him here either. I already had enough pain to bear and not some twin brother arguments.

"You're still at it. You've barely eaten any good food for two weeks now nor have you left your room or spoken to anyone. You're the Lycan's daughter for goodness sake not some pathetic lady crying for a worthless guy whose family killed our mother."

"He isn't worthless." I stated while a tear dropped on the portrait.

"That bastard injured scores of our men, sent Beta Conrad unconscious with one blow, broke my back and almost killed our Father. So yeah, he his worthless!"

I faced him with the deadliest glare my face could morph into.

"Don't you ever in your life call my mate worthless." I scolded as my eyes flashed a threatening shade of golden yellow. He gulped down his saliva and his eyes twitched as he leaned against the wall.

"I don't blame you. You don't have a mate, so how could you possibly understand?" I returned my gaze to the picture.

My door quietly opened but I didn't bother checking. I already knew who it was.

"So, this is how you comfort your sister?" My Father quoted in a highly dissatisfied tone. My brother tried to argue but my father raised his hand, signaling him to retain silence. He joined me by the bedside, smiling sadly at my mother's portrait.

"You know, I was once like Kevin." He mumbled and I couldn't help but stare at him. He nodded just to ascertain his words.

"Filled with rage until I met your mother." He pursed his lips as he inadvertently ran his fingers along the picture. He was reliving those beautiful moments he shared with her again. His eyes embattled tiny tears and in them, I knew he wished she hadn't left us.

"When she died, my world died Claire." He muttered. "That rage that was long gone returned. Mason was a friend, but my devilish instincts took the better part of me and I slayed him. But deep down, I knew he was innocent, yet I still did it. I killed an innocent man just to comfort my loss."

He pursed his lips.

"And for twenty years, that guilt has been my burden. Now see how the moon goddess has decided to use to punish me." He held my gaze. "Mating my daughter to his son."

Tears freely dropped from my eyes. He gently stroked his palm against mine, wearing an endearing smile.

"You two are made for each other, Claire, I know it. He's your soulmate and I couldn't wish for a better mate for my daughter. The both of you, are destined for greatness." My heart leapt for joy for a second. At least I was happy, he was in support of us.

"And now I can finally pay for my crime." His endearing smile drowned into a sad one. I frowned, wondering what my father was planning.

"I am going to relinquish my position as the Lycan."

"What?! No Father!" I exclaimed with my frown deepening, but he wriggled his head in denial. His mind was already made up.

"No Father, there has to be another way!" I protested, gripping his palm, and dearly hoping he would yield to my request.

"My decision is final Claire. Besides, I'm not getting any younger." He replied but I wriggled my head, more tears gracing my eyes.

"Who's going to be the new Lycan?" I asked in a whisper.

"Me of course!" Blake interjected with pride filling his voice. I gulped down my saliva hoping my fears would be swallowed alongside but it didn't. It was no news; my brother was unfit for such responsibility. Our flourishing world my father had built will only collapse.

"You won't be the next Lycan, Blake. You will never be." My father stated through gritted teeth.

"What nonsense are you saying? I'm your only son, the rightful heir to the throne!" Blake protested as he neared us. His gaze ferocious like a hungry predator.

"You're not the heir to my position!" My father blared, his tone easily commanded silence. "You're proud, uncompassionate, weak and above all, lack wisdom and knowledge!"

"So, who will be the new Lycan?" He retorted. "Will you pick your daughter again?" He pointed at me in disdain.

"No." He heaved a sigh. "The Wolf of Justice, Alpha Kevin will be the new Lycan."

I gasped while my eyes widened in awe.

"Never! Never!" Blake stomped his boot against the ground. "That bastard will never be the Lycan over me. Not in a lifetime will that being be Lycan!" He swore.

"Kevin is the new Lycan and my decision is final!"

"Then you're obviously mad!" Blake retorted. My father glared at him with his predatory golden yellow eyes.

"Get out." He ordered in a growl as he rose to his full height. Blake easily lost his tongue and after several hesitation, he quietly left my room.

"Father, I implore you to rethink your decision." I said while he turned to me, his predatory look already replaced with care and admiration.

"Kevin never wanted to be Alpha let alone be Lycan. I'm not sure he's the right—"

"He is the Wolf of Justice, Claire. The moon goddess chose him for a reason, and this is it."

He pursed his lips.

"Kevin is going to be the new Lycan."

########

KEVIN

As I stared into my full-length mirror with a nervous smile while my mother adjusted my neatly cut hair even though it needed no adjustments.

"You're nervous." She stated once she finally turned to the mirror, reflecting her smile of admiration.

I was and I should be. I was going to pay a surprise visit to Moonsville. To my Mate. For the sake of love, I had to forget my revenge. And if I was being honest, it felt so good. That emptiness intertwined with darkness was gone. This time, for good.

"Maybe." I finally answered while I checked my outfit again, a brown long-sleeved shirt and a smart white perfectly fitting chinos trouser complemented with polished black shoes.

"Your Father was once like you too, you know." She replied and my eyebrows arched upwards.

"When we first met and those times we fought. He was usually nervous and never for once was he good at hiding it." She chuckled and I smiled. Then silence reigned amongst us for minutes, I stared at the mirror reminiscing on good old memories.

"You should leave now, you don't wanna be late."

She finally broke the silence and I nodded. I carried my Jacket from my bed before easing through the door. I walked briskly across the hallway and down the stairs only to be welcomed with smiley faces of my family. Aunt Flora, Uncle Walker, Gabriel, and Rose. Mother had definitely broken the news to them behind my back.

"Looking splendid, Alpha." Rose was first to comment. I rolled my eyes while Gabriel approached me with his smile still retained.

"Thank you." He mumbled. "For doing the right thing for once."

"For once?"

I frowned.

"Yes, we all know that many a times you've done nasty, stupid, rebellious things." He chuckled.

I looked at Uncle Walker and my Mother for support, but they seemed to agree.

"But I've done good things too!" I tried to protest.

"Yes but only because we forced you to." My mother remarked.

"Oh, come on guys." I whined while they laughed.

"Just go get our Luna back." Aunt Flora muttered and I nodded slowly.

"I will."

My mind already entertaining the look of surprise that would be on Claire's face. And in oblivion, mother came to hug me for a brief moment. And then Uncle Walker, who only gave a fatherly tap by my arm.

And with their warm support, encouragement, and a heartfelt goodbyes, I was in my vehicle. And throughout my lonely journey to Moonsville, I wondered what kind of state she was in. She was worried, I could confirm from our mate bond. But to what extent? This question only made me trot at an incredibly alarming speed. I thirsted to see her. My other half. And this time, I wasn't going to let anything separate us ever again. I wasn't going to lose her for anything.

Unfortunately, this resolve of mine ended abruptly when I was refused entrance into Moonsville.

"Let me in, Boston." I muttered as I alighted from my car. His guards took a fierce position instantly even though fear reeked off them.

"I won't!" Boston declared as he sauntered towards me with stern look.

"As the commander of this boundary, it is within my jurisdiction to stop you from entering Moonsville."

"I'm here to see the Lycan and my Mate, Boston. Let me in." I stated, trying to refrain my frustration from blaring in my tone.

"And I said no!"

"I am the Alpha of Greenville at least show some respect."

"I know but considering the last time you visited, you have been tagged a threat to Moonsville. You severely injured my guards, hit the Beta and the Lycan's son and above all, dared to kill the Lycan." He explained but I heaved a sigh, pinching an area between my eyebrows. Thinking of a way to convince him.

"Boston, please let me in. Whatever happened in the past was a mistake I deeply regret and hope to correct now." I said but the commander still maintained his resolve regardless.

"I won't. I'm sorry Alpha Kevin." He muttered and I rubbed through my hair frantically. I can't spend hours travelling to Moonsville only to be stopped by a guard.

"Then I'm sorry we have to do this the hard way." I bellowed and immediately their eyes twitched except for Boston who stood firm. I wasn't intending to start a fight, but I was hoping he would at least tremble. He didn't and so I took it to another level.

My eyes transformed into its beautiful shade of red and then I could finally see the fear I was looking for in his eyes.

"It is unfortunate it has to come to this then." He muttered. "Guards! Take your position!" He ordered and I grumbled within. I was the Wolf of Justice at least I should exhibit other powers apart from strength and extraordinary quickened senses.

"Last warning, Boston." I growled hoping he would resign to his fears, but he still remained adamant. I inched towards him while his guards flashed their threatening golden yellow eyes. Lupus suddenly took control of my body and rather than fight, he made a sinister smile arch on my face.

"I command you to let me in." I muttered in the thickest voice my chords could orchestrate. And like an enchanted being, Boston simply nodded. He dropped his protective stance.

"Open the gates." He ordered and I frowned just like the others. My eyes reverted back to normal and I was in control again. Then it struck me, that I had just compelled Boston with words of my mouth. With Joy, as I drove on Moonsville tarred roads, I began to wonder just how many gifts I possessed being the Wolf of Justice.

And soon, here I was standing in front of the twin doors with half of the guards compelled just by my eyes and words. Fear dawned on me again while my heart picked pace. The ugly memory replayed in my head as if it had happened just yesterday. This time was going to be different; I wasn't going to cause a mess. I was going to converse with the Lycan like two Alphas do. I was going to forgo the past and take his blessings for his daughter and me.

And so, without further thinking, I pushed the door open. My bright smile instantly vanished as I sauntered in, only to be greeted by horror. My jaw dropped and my breaths ceased as my eyes mirrored the Lycan, lying almost lifeless before his throne, in his pool of blood and his sword in his chest.

"Lycan!" I yelled and trotted to him instantly. I carried his head in my arm, tapping his face repeatedly to jolt him from losing consciousness.

"Who did this to you?!" I blared while my shirt gradually soaked his blood.

He smiled sadly at me, his eyes faint and his breaths barely touring out. Without thoughts, I removed his sword encrusted in his chest. I wasn't even sure that was the right thing to do, but I did it regardless.

"Who did this to you?!" I repeated again, tears trickling from my eyes as he placed his bloody palm across my cheek.

"I-I'm s-sorry." He stammered but this wasn't the time for him to apologize for his wrongs.

"Guards!!" I called but no one came in.

"No Lycan, you can't die! You can't!" I cried.

"B-Blake." He mumbled again, while blood toured out his mouth.

"Blake?" I called in confusion and instantly with his palm still on my face, I went into trance.

*****

"Not under my watch, will you become the new Lycan." I saw the Lycan pronounce before his throne seat. His back facing his son, Blake.

"Kevin will be the new Lycan."

"Not under my watch Father." Blake growled and briskly pulled his Father's sword from its sheath.

"Blake!" The Lycan called but it was too late, the sword was already buried in his chest.

"I'm sorry Father but I won't watch an outsider take my rightful position." Blake growled with a devilish smile imprinted.

*******

I gasped, and my eyes widened in horror. Why was I seeing this? Was it my imagination or was it one of those gifts? To see into people's memories.

"Protect Claire." He mumbled with another smile. This one endearing but his palm dropped lifelessly from my face and his eyes gradually sealed.

"No! No, you can't die, Lycan!" I pleaded but rather, the doors opened.

"Claire..." I whispered. Her smile vanished and her countenance morphed into horror. Tears instantly soaked her beautiful honey irises.

And at this point, I knew this was the beginning of another wrong turn in my life.