Chapter 29
“Kayla, you don’t understand what you’re asking. You think determination alone will get you through Lythos? That place has claimed the lives of stronger wolves than you. Even Alphas who thought they were invincible never returned.”
Kayla met her gaze without fear.
“Supreme mother. They failed because they didn’t believe enough. A journey is possible when someone embarks on it with determination.”
“Kayla, you don’t understand the dangers of the quest you want to embark on.
You are determined, I can see that. But determination alone is not enough when the odds are set against you.
Lythos is not just another place you can travel to with sheer will.
Many have tried when they were older, stronger, and unburdened by pregnancy, yet they all failed.
Do you know what happened to them? They never returned.
Their bodies were never found. Lythos is a death trap, Kayla. It is a mystery!”
Helena leaned forward and continued talking in a low tone.
“And even if you somehow survive the frozen wastelands, the cliffs of Orpheus are impossible to climb. Those jagged edges have claimed the lives of warriors, Alphas, and rogues alike. They will not spare you just because you are brave. And that’s not even the worst part.”
“Supreme Mother, I’m determined. I have to do this!” Kayla insisted.
“Determination won’t keep you warm when the cold sinks into your bones. It won’t stop the ice from cutting through your skin like blades. And it won’t protect you from the beasts that roam the cliffs of Orpheus, waiting for travelers to stray.”
“I will be careful. I will find a way. What is the worst part?”
“Here is the worst part. Even if you survive the journey, you must pay a price. No one receives help from the Alchemist of Lythos without sacrifice. And you, you are with a child. What if he demands the life growing inside you in exchange for Zayron’s mind? Would you give up your own child?”
Kayla stiffened, her hands instinctively moving to her stomach.
The thought alone sent a chill through her, but she forced herself to remain strong.
“I will not let it come to that.”
“You don’t get to decide that. The Alchemist does. She demands a huge sacrifice. And what if one life is not enough? What if he asks for something greater? Lythos is not a place for a lone wolf, Kayla. The quest is not meant for one.”
“I am still going, Supreme mother.”
Helena searched Kayla’s face for any sign of doubt but found none.
Kayla’s resolve was ironclad.
A slow, heavy silence filled the room before Helena spoke again.
“If you insist on seeking an answer, perhaps there is another way. Before you risk your life and your child’s, why not seek guidance from your aunt Seraphina?”
Kayla’s eyes flickered with hesitation.
“Seraphina?”
“Yes. Your aunt has made predictions in the past, and they have all come true.
Thirty years ago, she warned us of the betrayal within the pack.
After two years, it came to pass. She predicted Zayron's birth and even my husband's death. Kayla, if anyone can tell you whether this journey will bring salvation or doom, it is her.”
“Seraphina has always spoken in riddles, her words half warnings, half mysteries. But she has never been wrong,” Helena added.
Helena leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm.
“See her first. Let her tell you what awaits before you throw yourself into the unknown. You owe yourself that much.”
Kayla exhaled slowly.
Helena was right about one thing.
If Seraphina could offer her a clearer path, she had to take that chance.
Finally, she nodded.
“I will go to Seraphina.”
Kayla rose from her seat, and Helena’s gaze followed her, filled with silent worry.
Kayla turned to her.
“Since I plan to leave tonight, I’d like to see my aunt this morning.”
Helena nodded and waved dismissively.
“Go meet Seraphina now.”
Without hesitation, Kayla moved toward the door.
But Helena’s gaze remained on her, heavy with emotion.
She loved Kayla like a daughter.
Now, as she watched her walk away, a deep unease settled in her chest.
Even though she had given Kayla permission to meet Seraphina, she had other plans.
Just as Kayla reached the door, Helena stood abruptly.
“Wait.”
Kayla halted and turned to face her.
Helena grabbed a piece of parchment, her fingers trembling as she wrote, her tears falling onto the paper.
Once she finished, she pressed her golden seal onto it and handed it to Kayla.
“Give this to your aunt the moment you see her,” Helena said, her voice thick with emotion.
Kayla took the letter without question, giving Helena one last glance before stepping out.
At the entrance, Ana stood waiting.
As soon as Kayla emerged, Ana fell in step beside her, matching her stride.
“You do realize the path to the Alchemist of Lythos isn’t one you take by car, right?” Ana started talking. “It’s a lonely path, meant for wolves in their true form. You can’t exactly drive up there.”
Kayla kept walking, unbothered by Ana’s attempt to dissuade her.
“How do you intend to drive up there?” Ana pressed.
“I don’t need a car,” Kayla whimpered.
Ana scoffed.
“You can’t even shift. How do you intend to get there? Or did you plan on walking all the way?”
Kayla gave her a sharp look.
“I have speed equivalent to any wolf’s. Or have you forgotten? Oh, you think pregnancy has taken away that ability from me?”
Kayla smirked.
“Don’t mistake me for someone weak.”
“Fine,” Ana conceded. “Then tell me, how do you plan to climb the cliffs in human form?”
Kayla kept walking.
“I’ll figure it out.”
Ana rolled her eyes.
“You’ll figure it out? That’s your plan? You do know why Alpha Remus and his warriors arrived unclothed when they returned from Lythos, right?”
Kayla didn’t respond.
Ana answered her own question.
“Because they went in their wolf forms. No bags. No supplies. Nothing but their instincts to guide them.”
She paused, then threw in another.
“What will you do when you reach the chasm? Leap across it on faith?”
“If I have to,” Kayla responded nonchalantly.
Ana gave her a long, measured look.
“You’re impossible.”
They walked in silence for a moment before Ana spoke again.
“You really won’t reconsider?”
“I have to do this, Ana. Stop discouraging me.”
“Then you’re either the bravest person I know or the most reckless,” Ana said dismissively.
“Both, maybe.”
Ana snorted but didn’t argue further.
However, deep down, she was looking for a way to stop Kayla from embarking on the journey.
When they reached the door to Zayron’s chamber, Kayla stopped and turned to Ana.
She pulled out the sealed letter from Helena and held it out.
“You said you won’t accompany me to Lythos,” she said. “But will you at least come with me to see my aunt?”
Ana sighed, exasperated but not giving up.
“Fine. Let’s say you can keep up. How do you plan to climb the cliff to Lythos in human form?”
Kayla shot her a sidelong glance.
“You think I haven’t considered that?”
Ana shook her head, frustration evident.
“And the rogues that lurk in the valley? Or the storms that roll through the mountains without warning? Do you have a plan for those too?”
“I do.”
Ana scoffed.
“Of course, you do.”
Kayla smirked but said nothing more.
She had already made up her mind, and nothing Ana said would change it.
As they reached the door to Zayron’s chamber, Kayla stopped and turned to Ana.
She held out the letter Helena had given her.
“Since you’ve made it clear you won’t accompany me to Lythos, will you at least come with me to see my aunt?”
Ana hesitated.
She didn’t take the letter.
Instead, she crossed her arms and studied Kayla carefully.
Then, in a quiet but firm voice, she said, “Before you go anywhere, step inside and tell Zayron where you’re planning to go. Tell him you’re going to Lythos. See what he has to say about it.”
Kayla met Ana’s gaze but none of them said anything.
Finally, without another word, Kayla turned toward the door and reached for the handle.
Ana watched her, waiting to see what would happen next.