Chapter 22
Kayla turned to leave the arena, but Ana quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“I know what’s going through your mind,” Ana said, her voice calm but firm. “You want to help him, but you feel too weak. You’re exhausted. And it’s natural, people always feel like backing out of a quest when it messes with their emotions.”
Kayla swallowed hard and looked away.
“Zayron was my strength, Ana. And now, now I feel like I have nothing left.”
Ana shook her head.
“That’s not true. You are your own strength, Kayla. You always have been. You’ve handled cases that tore at your heart before. You took over the Silver Mountain Pack when everyone thought you wouldn’t survive. You’ve fought battles that others ran from.”
Kayla let out a breath, shaking her head.
“That was then, Ana. I wasn’t pregnant then. I had full control over my body. Now, every challenge I face drains me more than the last. Do you know how hard it’s been?”
Ana’s eyes softened, but she didn’t back down.
“I do. And I know how much you’ve sacrificed. But Kayla, think about it. You’ve saved so many people, people who weren’t even your blood. And now your mate needs you. Will you abandon him now?”
“I’m not abandoning him and I will never.
I just, I’m tired, Ana. Since I got pregnant, I haven’t had a moment of rest. Not one.
I haven’t even made it to a single doctor’s appointment because there’s always something.
The pack needs me. The coronation preparation.
And now, in nine days, I have an appointment with the Great Southern Council.
They want to set a new date for the coronation of the Regent in the Central Region.
Tell me, Ana, if a new date is fixed, who will reign with me? Who?”
“You’re speaking like you don’t believe the potion will work, Kayla.”
“Not that. I just, I know Zayron. He’s very stubborn. Getting him to drink the potion will be impossible.”
“Not when we come up with a good plan,” Ana responded.
“A good plan would work, but my mind isn’t thinking straight right now. No idea is coming to me.”
Ana took Kayla's hand and guided her toward a seat.
“Then sit. Let me think. My mind is thinking straight.”
Kayla hesitated for a moment before slowly sinking into the chair.
Every muscle in her body ached, and a dull throb pulsed in her head.
She had faced countless challenges before, but this one felt like the hardest of them all.
She drew in a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
But just as she exhaled, the distant rumble of engines cut through the silence.
Her head snapped up.
Cars rolled into the courtyard, one after another, their dark bodies gleaming under the moonlight.
The doors opened, and more than ten he-wolves stepped out.
Kayla’s heart clenched.
“Who are they and what in the name of the Moon Goddess are they doing here?” Kayla muttered under her breath.
“I have no idea,” Ana whimpered too.
Kayla straightened and wiped her face.
Without another word, she pushed herself up and walked quickly toward them.
Kayla’s steps were firm as she approached the group of unclad wolves.
Her stomach twisted, but she held her head high.
Beta Axel and Cross were making their way toward the gathering as well.
The air was tense, thick with unspoken words and hidden motives.
One of the guards who had let the strangers in stepped forward and spoke in a hushed tone.
“One of the Alphas has come up with a solution to the Alpha's problem,” he said carefully.
Kayla’s eyes narrowed.
“Which problem?” she asked sharply.
The guard hesitated before bowing quickly.
“I apologize, Luna,” he murmured and stepped back.
Kayla let out a frustrated sigh before turning to face the strangers.
She had no patience for this.
A tall Alpha stepped forward, his posture confident.
His deep green eyes held a glint of something unreadable, and in his hand, he lifted a small bottle filled with a swirling, silver-blue liquid.
“I am Alpha Remus,” he said, his voice smooth. He held up the bottle. “And this, this is the only solution to Alpha Zayron’s problem.”
Kayla barely glanced at it before pointing to the exit.
“Take your leave immediately,” she said coldly.
The strangers exchanged glances.
Beta Axel stepped forward quickly.
“Kayla, wait. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
Kayla’s expression hardened.
“I’m not letting anyone try any nonsense on my mate.”
Axel sighed.
“Listen to me. Moon Lord, the head of the Great Southern Council, has made a promise. Whoever finds the cure for Alpha Zayron’s condition will take his position. That means every powerful Alpha is searching for a solution right now.”
He gestured to Alpha Remus.
“Perhaps he really has it. Let’s at least hear him out.”
Kayla had no trust left to give anyone.
Zayron was in a vulnerable state and she wouldn't let anyone seize that as an opportunity to harm him.
She crossed her arms and fixed her eyes on Alpha Remus.
“Fine,” she said. “Let’s say I believe that what’s in that bottle is a miracle cure. You know Zayron is refusing to take anything. So leave and when people ask you why I told you to leave this pack, give this to them as a reason.”
Alpha Remus took a few steps forward, his green eyes gleaming with ambition.
“Kayla or whatever your name is, I didn’t come all this way just to be dismissed like a fool. Do you think I would waste my time if I weren’t certain this potion could save him?”
He lifted the bottle higher, his fingers gripping it tightly.
“Do you know the hell I went through to get this?”
Kayla didn’t answer. She just stared at him and folded her arms.
Remus scoffed.
“I traveled across three continents looking for answers. I fought creatures you wouldn’t believe existed.
I lost men, good warriors who followed me into the unknown because they believed in me.
I spent two days in the frozen wastelands of the North, where even the strongest wolves freeze to death in their sleep.
I climbed the cliffs of Orpheus with my bare hands because no horse, no wolf, no beast could make the journey. ”
“And when I finally found the alchemist who could create this potion, I paid for it with my own blood. My own pack questioned my sanity. My Beta begged me to stop searching. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.”
“Do you know why?” Alpha Remus asked.
Kayla shook her head.
“I don’t just want to save Zayron. I want the Moon Lord’s position. That seat belongs to the strongest Alpha, the one who can do what no one else can. And I have done it.”
“I don’t care what you went through, Alpha Remus. If you don't leave now, I will force you.”
Remus clenched his jaw. His warriors shifted behind him, their muscles tense, waiting for his command.
“You’re being unreasonable, Kayla,” he growled. “This is the only way.”
Kayla shook her head and pointed at the gate again.
“Get out. Now!”
Remus exhaled sharply.
“Fine. I’ll contact Moon Lord and tell him that you refused help for Zayron. When he hears that, don’t expect his mercy.”
“I don’t need his mercy,” Kayla shot back. “I need to protect my mate.”
Remus studied her for a moment, then gave a sharp nod.
“So be it.”
He turned to his warriors.
“Let’s go.”
The Alphas moved toward their cars, and within moments, the courtyard was filled with the sound of engines starting.
Kayla didn’t look away until the last car disappeared beyond the gate.
A heavy silence settled over the night.
Kayla turned and caught her breath.
Zayron stood behind her, his arms folded over his chest.
Kayla wondered why he masked his scent. What was he up to?
The courtyard’s dim light wasn’t enough, but Kayla didn’t need more light to see the expression on Alpha Zayron's face.
Anger. Confusion. Terror.
Kayla shuddered.
A strange chill ran down her spine, but she refused to show she was scared of this strange Zayron.
The pack members who had been standing around only seconds ago had vanished.
They were scared of their Alpha now more than their enemies.
Now, it was just Kayla and Zayron.
As Zayron took deliberate steps toward Kayla, she stood her ground, refusing to move back.
But tears were welling in her eyes.