Chapter 9
Max arrived at Aunt Seraphina’s house and greeted her with a respectful nod.
The old woman didn’t respond with words. Instead, she lifted her hand and pointed at a large fig tree in the yard. Its branches drooped under the weight of overripe fruit.
“Climb up there and pick some,” she instructed. “Be quick.”
Max hesitated for a moment, wondering why she was suddenly asking for fruit. But then it clicked. Perhaps this had something to do with the Continental Healing that was still going on.
Maybe Kayla needed them. Without wasting another second, he rushed to the tree, grabbed a low-hanging branch, and hoisted himself up.
The scent of ripe figs filled the air as he picked the softest ones, careful not to squeeze them too hard. Within minutes, he had gathered a handful.
He quickly climbed down, placing them in a small woven basket he found near the tree. As he turned around, he saw Aunt Seraphina already walking away.
She was heading straight for the Silver Mountain Pack without waiting for him. It was as if she already knew he had come to take her to Kayla.
Max picked up the basket and hurried after her, his feet kicking up dust as he ran to keep up.
They moved in silence, Seraphina walking at a steady pace while Max followed closely behind. The closer they got to the pack, the more uneasy Max felt.
His heart thudded against his chest, and a strange sense of urgency filled his mind.
As soon as they reached the pack’s entrance, Max rushed towards a small stream nearby and kneeled by the water. He carefully washed each fruit.
With the basket of clean fruit in hand, Max Carter sprinted toward Kayla’s chamber.
When Seraphina finally reached the door of Kayla's chamber, she pushed it open without hesitation. The sight before them made their breath catch in their throats.
Kayla was sitting on the bare floor, clutching her chest as though she were in deep pain. Her long hair fell over her face, partially hiding her expression, but Max could see the evidence of her suffering.
Tears had already pooled on the floor, their stains marking just how long she had been crying.
Her whole body trembled. The strong, fierce leader Max knew looked so fragile, like she was breaking apart from the inside.
Max stood frozen at the doorway, gripping the basket of fruit. He had never seen Kayla like this before.
Seraphina sighed and glanced at Max.
“Shut the door,” she said quietly. “No one should see her like this.”
Max did as she asked, his eyes darting back to Kayla, who sat motionless on the floor. Her shoulders were hunched, her breathing unsteady. She looked drained.
Seraphina lowered herself beside her and took the basket of figs from Max.
She picked up a fruit and held it toward Kayla’s lips.
“Eat, child.”
Kayla shook her head weakly and wiped her face.
“I don’t want it.”
“You must,” Seraphina insisted, trying again. “You need strength.”
“I don’t care.” Kayla’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Seraphina pressed her lips together, exhaling in frustration.
She turned to Max, who had been watching in silence. He hesitated for a moment before crouching in front of Kayla.
He could see the exhaustion in her face, the silent suffering she was trying to endure alone. Her arms were wrapped around herself, as though she was shielding herself from pain.
Seraphina sat beside her, still holding out the fig, but Kayla barely acknowledged it.
Max knew she was breaking. He had to do something before she shattered completely.
“I know this moment is a very difficult one for you,” Max began, his voice steady but gentle.
“We all have a time in our lives when it feels like the world is coming to an end, a time when everything we did to hold on, to fight, to be with the ones we love, seems pointless.”
Kayla didn't react, but he could tell she was listening. He continued.
“But you are stronger than this pain, Kayla. I’ve seen you stand against storms no one else could survive.
You have fought battles not just with your claws, but with your heart.
You’ve saved lives. You’ve protected those who couldn’t protect themselves.
You’ve endured betrayals, loss, and loneliness, and yet, look at you, you are still here. ”
He reached out and gently placed a hand on her arm, trying to ground her, to bring her back from the depths of despair.
“I won’t pretend to understand what you’re feeling right now, but I do know that you are not alone. You don’t have to carry this pain by yourself. I am here. Aunt Seraphina is here. And Zayron” Max paused, his voice dropping. “Zayron will be back soon, Kayla. He will return to you.”
“Are you sure?” Kayla muttered under her breath.
“I’m absolutely sure,” Max said firmly.
“Then why do I feel this unbearable pain, like something has happened to him?” Kayla whispered, her voice trembling.
“Nothing has happened to him, Kay,” Max reassured her.
Kayla's lips pressed together, her breathing uneven. Tears still clung to her lashes, but she had stopped crying.
“You once told me that fate is never cruel without a purpose,” Max reminded her.
“That sometimes, what feels like a punishment is just a path leading us to something greater. If you could believe that for others, then you have to believe it for yourself too.”
Seraphina placed a reassuring hand on Kayla’s shoulder, but she still didn’t move.
Max’s voice softened.
“You are the strongest person I know, Kay. And strength isn’t just about winning battles or standing tall. It’s about knowing when to lean on those who love you. You don’t have to fight this alone.”
He saw her fingers twitch slightly against the floor, her body responding even if her mind wasn't ready yet. He knew she needed time, but at least she was hearing him.
Max took the fig from Seraphina’s hand and held it up again.
“Come on, just a little. You need your strength, not just for yourself, but for your pup and Zayron too. He needs you as much as you need him. And I need you, Kayla. I need my sister to be okay.”
At that, Kayla’s gaze finally lifted. She looked at Max, her eyes filled with something unreadable, something raw. Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and took the fig from his hand.
Max smiled and said, “That’s my sister.”
Seraphina let out a quiet breath and nodded approvingly. Kayla may not be healed yet, but at least now, she wasn’t drowning alone. There were people left who genuinely cared about her.
“Max, I want you to think this through and give me your answer tomorrow morning,” Kayla said quietly.
“What is it?” Max asked.
“If Zayron returns, I want to go back to the Azure Moon Pack and be with him. I'm going to step down as the leader of this pack, and I want you to take over.”
“Kayla” Max started, but she quickly cut him off.
“Don't answer now. Sleep on it,” Kayla muttered.