Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Nivaan's POV

I was taken aback when Kiara spoke those words; not because I expected her to carry the burden of a broken bond. But, because I couldn't bring myself to wrap my head around the fact that someone like Emilia had persisted for this long.

I had seen Adrian suffer under the broken bond when he refused to accept Cami's rejection. It tore him apart bit by bit; driving him partially insane. I had to use my powers as an Alpha and compel him to accept the rejection.

Maybe, Emilia wasn't the kind of person I thought her to be. A long, suffering sigh escaped my lips. Anyway, it didn't matter. She never stood a chance in front of Valence.

The thudding of the footsteps coming from Kiara's room was so loud. She was probably stewing in anger. My eyes darted to the time on my watch. I had called everyone to meet up at my packhouse to discuss the latest developments and also to formulate a strategy. Unlike what Emilia said I did care about the safety of the baby.

A loud clank startled me. It was followed by the sound of something shattering. I rushed towards Kiara's tent to find her pacing like a caged lion. She was so blinded by her anger that she didn't see the shards of porcelain scattered in front of her.

With a swift move, I closed in on her and lifted her right into my arms, "Are you crazy, Kiara? Can't you see the pieces lying on the floor? You could have hurt yourself."

"I am furious! No! I am fucking mad at you!" She growled as she struggled against my grip. I had to keep her in a firm hold until we reached her bed.

Setting her down, I said in an apologetic tone, "If you are angry at me, then take it out on me. What is the point of hurting yourself?"

Her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes darted from the shards to my face, then my feet. "How did you know that I was going to step on a sharp piece?"

My hands slipped to my side and I averted my eyes. If Kiara found out that I had regained my sense of sight, she would never let me give it up again.

She cupped my face and raised herself on her toes to reach my height, "You have gotten back your eyesight, isn't it?"

"I heard the noise of porcelain shattering...."

"If you lie to me, you will see me dead," Kiara's sharp words interrupted me.

I looked at her with pleading eyes, 'Don't do that to me Kiara... please...."

Her expression turned dark and she glared at me, "You got back your eyesight but you didn't feel the need to tell me, your sister? Do you have any idea how worried I have been about you?"

I felt guilty for putting her through so much anxiety. I understood her love for me but I just couldn't bring myself to see this world without Valence....

"Oh, Nivaan!" She exclaimed and threw her arms around me. "I should be angry with you for hiding the truth from me but... I am so happy for you that I will just forgive you."

She pulled away and asked in an excited voice, "How did you finally get it back?"

I didn't want to lie to Kiara anymore, "I shifted."

Her eyebrows knitted together and shook her head, "You did what?"

"I couldn't see Emilia being attacked by those men. So, I shifted fully to my wolf form to save her."

I pursed my lips when I saw the hurt and shock flash in her eyes. She didn't deserve to suffer with me but I was helpless. The grief of losing Valence had consumed me to a level that I couldn't see anything else.

She tore her hair and said in a pained voice, "You never wanted your eyesight back, did you?"

"No..."

"Because of Valence?"

"Yes... because I loved her more than my life."

"I still can't understand.... What about that note?"

"I lied to you, Kiara. I never gave Nivaan my eyes. The doctors were able to do a transplant from another willing donor."

She grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him up, "I have spent five years of my life feeling guilty for your sake...."

"I know.... I am so sorry, Kiara. I should never have done something like this..."

"Why did you feel the need to lie to me, Nivaan? I thought our bond was stronger than this."

"I just wanted an excuse to leave...."

"You just wanted an excuse to leave! That is the most ridiculous reason I have ever heard!"

"Kiara, please try to understand...." I tried to explain but she pushed me away. Throwing her hands up in frustration, she snapped, "This is all too much for me to digest...."

"Kiara..."

She raised her hand and stated in a firm voice, "I want to stay alone, Nivaan...."

Her words hit me hard. I knew that I was wrong but her words still hurt. I hadn't done anything to deliberately cause her pain. I hung my head and staggered out of the tent with slow, forced steps...

That day something broke inside me.... I just couldn't see the reason why I should continue dragging my meaningless life. I wanted freedom; freedom from darkness, freedom from despair, sorrow, this heart wrecking agony that seemed to have no end...

I was dragging myself down the weatherworn path when a sharp sting in my neck made me hiss. My hand flew to my neck reflexively and I pulled out the hard metallic piece. It was tiny, slightly thicker than a needle.

I looked around trying to find the source. There was a movement in the bushes and a figure emerged. All I could make out through the haze was a hooded figure with soft curves.

That is the last thing I saw before I passed out. I was kind of glad that I fell unconscious; that way I didn't have to feel anything...