Chapter 16: Chapter 16

KEVIN’S POV

I paced up and down the entrance of the packhouse. The trees cast dark shadows in the moonlight. Dad had taken over the investigation of those two strangers.

He was hosting an emergency meeting near the lake while Cami was taking care of Risha. I didn’t have the courage to face either my father or my baby sister. So, here I was wearing the tiles with my pacing.

Kiara hadn’t returned yet. I didn’t know if I wanted her to come back. I was afraid that I couldn’t handle the truth.

The faint sound of footsteps drew my attention to the path. Kiara looked stunning in the leather jacket and jeans. Her long hair waved in the soft breeze. The soft moonlight illuminated her face making her look like an angel who had descended from heaven. How could someone with such an innocent face, do something so heinous?

She came to a halt right in front of me. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something. Then, she shook her head and started walking inside.

Did she really think she could just walk inside without even giving me an explanation?

I had to find the truth. I owed this to Risha. Grabbing her hand, I closed in on her. Drawing in a deep breath, I jumped straight to the point, “Did you hire the goons that molested Risha?”

Her eyes widened in surprise almost making me believe that she had nothing to with the incident. She kept gazing into my eyes for a long time before saying indignantly, “I did… so what…”

There wasn’t even the slightest remorse in her voice; only defiance. Cami’s words flashed in my mind, ‘If you reject your mate to protect your family, it doesn’t make you a bad alpha…’

Maybe she was right. My family wouldn’t know peace or happiness till Kiara was living with us. I had to do this for their sake.

Drawing in a deep breath I said, “I, Kevin Gilkins, The Alpha of The Mystical Pack reject Kiara as my mate and the luna of this pack. This day forth Kiara will have nothing to do with my pack or family. I hereby banish her from the territory of my pack…”

The moment these words escaped my mouth an intense pain seared through me, making me drop my hands.

Kiara’s lips stretched in a weak smile as she said, “I Kiara Lovelock, the daughter of Daniel Lovelock accept your rejection. May my misgivings be your fortune. May you find love and joy…”

The pain in my chest subsided and was replaced by a hollow sensation as if my heart had been carved out of my chest. Surprisingly, Kiara seemed unaffected by the rejection. Did she never have any feelings for me?

“If Alpha allows, I would like to collect my things…” Risha’s composed voice sounded.

I nodded my head and walked away. I couldn’t bear to stay around Kiara anymore. Once in the forest, I let my wolf take over. I ran crazily through the winding paths of the forest in an attempt to leave behind the darkness that had become a permanent part of my life.

KIARA’S POV

When Kevin accused me of hiring the goons, I was going to deny it. Then, I caught the sight of Cami who was standing in a corner with hopeful eyes.

She was everything a Luna should be; kind, compassionate. She knew all the customs and cared for all the members of the Gilkins family. In short, she was perfect to be the Luna of this pack.

I could learn the customs, maybe even win the love of all the members of this family. But, how could I deny the fact that I was a murderer? I had killed three people and I was still a killing machine.

If I stayed here, I would bring only bad luck and death. So, I played along and accepted Kevin’s rejection. The only thing I could do for my mate was to free him from the clutches of my misfortunes.

I have no idea why I requested to get my things. Maybe, I wanted to see everything one last time. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw Risha sleeping. In Cami and Kevin’s care, she would soon forget all about today.

I was busy gazing at Risha and accidentally collided against the side table. The vase on the table fell and shattered into a million pieces just like my life.

Risha groaned and sat up on her bed. Rubbing her eyes she glanced at the semi-packed bag and asked, “Why are you packing your stuff?”

I sat down beside her and grasped her hand. Licking my dry lips I said, “Risha… can you promise me one thing?”

“Of course! I will do anything for you.” A shudder coursed through her and she said, “If you hadn’t reached on time god knows what would have happened…”

I squeezed her hand slightly and looked into her eyes, “You must take care of Kevin after me…”

Her eyes widened in surprise and her voice shook slightly as she said, “Why are you saying it like that?”

A weak smile spread on my lips as I said, “Your brother thinks that I hired those goons to take revenge.” I cleared my throat and continued, “Your brother… he rejected me…”

“What the bloody hell? Is my brother gone mad or something? How can he decide that you send those b******* to molest me without investigating.” She clambered out of the bed and continued in a determined voice, “I will go and tell him the truth right now…”

I grabbed her hand and tugged it, making her sit back on the bed. Cupping her face, I said, “Do you remember how those men died?”

“What does this have to do with Kevin’s rejection? Let me go and explain everything to him. I can’t let him treat you unjustly.”

“Just answer me Risha!”

“You just bit them and… Holy F***! You just bit them and froth started coming out of their mouths like…”

“Like they were poisoned… If your brother kisses me, he will die just like that…”

“Hell No!”

“It is a fact Risha. I am a killing machine… Kevin and I can never be together…”

“But, this is so unfair… you must tell everything to my brother. He will help you to find a cure…”

“Why don’t you understand Risha? There is no cure… It is the best that I leave…”

“But…”

“If you respect me even a bit, you will not talk about this to your brother…” I said, zipping up the bag.

“Hope we never meet again!” I called out as I walked out of the bedroom.

I didn’t have the energy to talk to anyone else. Afraid that I would run into someone, I almost ran outside halting only after I had exited the large, metallic gates.

I looked at the huge cottage one last time. There was nothing left for me here. Adjusting the straps of my bag, I trudged along the road.

After a while, the muscles of my legs started protesting making my steps sluggish. My lungs burned with need but I pushed myself to take one step after the other.

A loud screeching sound made my head snap upwards. My legs turned into jelly as I watched a huge juggernaut move in my direction.

The blinding flash of light made me cover my eyes reflexively. An ear-piercing horn sounded and I felt the impact as I collided with the juggernaut.

I didn’t get much chance to figure out what exactly happened as the darkness drowned me in its embrace almost instantly.