Alpha's Second Chance Nymph Book 3
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Toria Blue
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Chapter 77
Adelie
His touch was a warm caress on my upper thigh, firm and comforting. Iâd been waiting for this moment, and finally, his lips traced a path down my leg, like a gentle stream of the softest water you could imagine.
It was a sensation that seemed to float over my skin, tender and soothing. He paused at my feet, positioning himself between my legs. His hands, rough and strong, gripped my thighs and pulled me towards him, crashing me into him.
He leaned in, his weight pressing against my lower abdomen as my legs wrapped around him, pulling him closer. His lips journeyed from the center of my rib cage upwards.
Only after heâd savored the crook of my neck did he lift his face to meet mine. But just as he leaned in for a kiss, I held his head back.
The face that met mine was unfamiliar. I didnât recognize the man who was looking down at me. Iâd never seen him before.
Confusion washed over me, and then suddenly, I was falling.
I woke with a start, the early morning sun streaming in through the window. For the past week, my sleep had been plagued by nightmares.
Sleep was elusive, and when it did come, it was filled with dreams that left me feeling as if I hadnât slept at all.
One week. It had been one week since Madeline was gone. One week since I lost my werewolf. One week since I lost my sense of self and purpose.
Iâd always believed that my werewolf side was insignificant, that it didnât play as big a role in my life as my nymph side, or even my death angel side.
I couldnât shift, and my wolf senses were limited. I only had my wolf soul. I thought I had so little. But it was only after I lost it that I realized its importance, how much I truly had.
Now, I felt incomplete. Something was missing. There was a void, and a million little things made me feel less, both emotionally and physically.
My entire being felt as if it had been transported to a different universe, a different time. I didnât know where I was. It was hard to remember how Iâd lived before.
And then there was Kairos. My husband. He was just my husband now. We were mates first, and then all the other labels followed. When asked, we were each otherâs mates.
And we felt it when we said that. But now, we were just husband and wife.
In the human world, when you choose to marry someone, youâre not certain that person will love you forever. You rely on the emotions of the moment.
You carry on with that until you die, in the best-case scenario. Or you discover that your other half wasnât your half at all, but only pretended to love you.
Kairos was already downstairs, probably waiting for me at the breakfast table with a cup of coffee.
Why did I feel worse when he was in the room with me than when I was alone? When he was near, all I felt was another pair of eyes on me.
Weâd done so much together; we were so much together. But now, it was all gone. He was a mate I used to have, a mate I would never have again, and for now, he was just my husband.
I felt awful when I was with him. I felt guilty. I was distant because I didnât know how to react or what to say.
For the past week, weâd followed the same routine. I woke up alone in our bed, went to breakfast, and said little.
After that, we went about our separate lives. Then we went to bed and slept. We hadnât even kissed since then. We hadnât even touched since thenâŠ
I made my way downstairs. All the windows were already open.
It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining and birds were singing, but somehow it didnât feel so wonderful when my eyes met the dim dining hall.
It was empty. There wasnât even any food. I looked around and Helen approached.
âGood morning, Luna Adelie, Alpha asks you to join him for breakfast on the terrace.â I nodded at her with a quick smile.
A silver lining appeared as I stepped onto the terrace, approaching our petite, white table. Kairos, clad entirely in black, was reclining in his chair, eyes shut and face angled towards the sky.
âMorning,â I greeted him. He stirred, straightening up in his seat.
âMorning,â he echoed back. Our gazes briefly locked before we both quickly averted our eyes.
It wasnât until I took my seat that I noticed the tableâs true size. At our regular breakfast spot, we sat side by side, maintaining a comfortable distance.
Now, we were seemingly seated across from each other, but it felt too close. So close that he might pick up on my uneven breaths and the pounding of my heart.
I didnât know where to direct my gaze. My eyes darted everywhere, avoiding Kairos.
A week had passed without any physical contact. Even in bed, we maintained a gap wide enough for two more bodies. Not a single word about our dissolved mate bond.
We acted as if everything was normal, but I couldnât meet his eyes, guilt gnawing at me for not feeling the same way about him anymore.
âHeading to training?â Kairos inquired. Iâd been skipping it, avoiding leaving the house altogether.
âHavenât decided yet,â I replied, offering him a weak smile before returning my focus to my tea.
âI might head to the forest. Itâs been a while.â I admitted, feeling my strength waning.
He nodded, beginning his breakfast while I left my food untouched. His proximity was overwhelming. I never imagined feeling so alienated from Kairos, who once felt so familiar.
âWhen will you return to training?â he asked, finishing his scrambled eggs.
Kairos seemed to have no issue looking at me. It felt like he was constantly observing me. Only when our eyes met briefly did he look away.
I pondered over what was keeping me from training.
Admitting it out loud was daunting. I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
âPeople stare,â I confessed. âThey wonât stop staring at me. Thatâs why I left the one time I tried to return. Their stares are unsettling.â
I could feel my cheeks warming. âI canât be there if theyâre going to pity me.â
âDo you want me to address it?â Kairos offered.
I felt feeble admitting my fears. I was supposed to be their Luna, yet I was hiding.
âThat would be helpful,â I admitted. It had been a while since Iâd asked anything of him. Was this the beginning of moving forward?
âIâll inform them, but only return when youâre ready,â he assured me, standing up.
âCan I bring someone with me to the forest? Nathan or Maeve, if theyâre not needed?â I asked, feeling insecure without my wolf.
I couldnât go alone, and going with Kairos would be even worse.
âYouâre the Luna.â He said it to reassure me, but it didnât. Delilah had taunted me, saying I couldnât be a true Luna without a wolf form.
And now, I didnât even have a wolf soul.
After Kairos left, I remained seated, my hands clutching my now-cold cup.
Kairos
I made my way to the training grounds alone. For a week. A damned long week.
I was unsure of my own feelings. Kye had been unusually quiet, barely speaking to me. Heâd made it clear he wasnât angry, just grieving.
I hadnât had a peaceful nightâs sleep in a while. I used to sleep soundly with my mate by my side. Now⊠it was anything but restful.
I knew weâd eventually have to confront this, but I didnât know how to approach her. How would I initiate this conversation?
What could I possibly utter? What words could I form that she wasnât already aware of? I couldnât bear to gaze into her eyes and spew falsehoods. My emotions had shifted.
I knew her inside and out, yet she felt like a stranger. She had never seemed so mundane to me. She had never felt so much like just another member of the pack.
I knew there was a remnant of something. Love was still there, but it had morphed into something else.
I kept repeating to myself that she was my mate, but it felt like I was trying to convince myself.
Even though I knew she wasnât my mate, I still yearned for her presence. It was a complex situation. If she ever left, I would still lose my sanityâŠor so I believed.
As werewolves mature, the first lesson our parents impart is about our mates, because that is the purest and most beautiful knowledge we can acquire in our youth.
When my mate Mia passed away, I was utterly broken. I didnât know how I would carry on, because I lacked the strength to keep fighting.
And now Iâd lost my mate in our bond. I felt hollow. She was absent.
I didnât know how to love in this mannerâŠ
I didnât linger on the training grounds, nor did I wait for everyone to assemble. I trusted that word would reach everyone, even Archibaldâs pack.
My Alpha voice commanded their attention. âNight Walkers pack and Silver Moon pack!â They all ceased their activities and focused on me.
âIâm aware that youâve noticed shifts in this pack, shifts that are affecting all of us. If you have any queries, come to me first. Ask me anything you want.
âIf you wish, Iâll answer more personal questions about this matter.â I was certain they knew what I was referring to.
âAnd all I request is for you to understand our Luna Adelie. Iâd ask you to either keep your curiosity to yourself or direct it at me. Please refrain from bothering her at this time.â
I didnât typically plead with my pack for anything, but I needed to do this for Adelie.
âThank you,â I concluded, making my way to my Beta, Nathan.
âHowâs it going?â I inquired.
He didnât immediately grasp what I was asking him but he attempted to respond.
âWell, the pack is functioning smoothly. Our men are returning with necessities. Vampires are seldom here, but theyâre adhering to the rules when they are.â
He had overlooked something. âWhat about Maeve?â I asked. He furrowed his brows. I rolled my eyes.
âEnsure her blood bags arrive today. Sheâs still adapting to vampire habits. We are merely tormenting her if we fail to provide her with the blood. Leave training a bit early to handle it.â
I turned around, only to see Fala approaching me.
âBrother, good morning!â she greeted with a wide grin.
âFala, what can I do for you?â I asked.
âWhen is Adelie returning?â She asked the same damn question every time. I despised discussing things I was uncertain of.
I scanned my surroundings to ensure no one was within earshot. âFala, you donât even like Adelie,â I pointed out as she lowered her gaze to the ground.
âItâs not that I dislike her. We justâŠarenât friends,â she admitted.
âIâm just concerned about you two. I used to always see you together. But now when I visit your house, Adelie is alone in her room.â
She went on, âAnd youâre always in a foul mood. I just donât want you two to drift apart.â
We were already apart. âDrop it,â I retorted, walking away from her until she called out to me.
âI saw Esty,â she revealed, and I stormed back to her.
âWhere? Hasnât she done enough? What does she want?â I demanded.
âI saw her in the forest and we spoke.â
Was Fala mocking me?
âYou actually spoke to her?â I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. âHow very thoughtful of you, dear sister. I trust you two had a delightful conversation.â I didnât bother to mask the bitterness in my tone.
Fala didnât seem fazed by my disappointment, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. âWhat is it?â I prodded, sensing she had more to share. Might as well get it all out in the open now.
Despite my snarky demeanor, she responded. âShe had a message for you. She claims she can restore your mate bond.â
