Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Kevin’s POV

As I ventured into the forest I realized how far I had come that day, I must have walked at least twenty miles in my drunken state. I could have taken my car but I felt like I needed this walk to sort out my thoughts.

Cami had agreed to marry me to keep the morale of the pack high but I couldn’t help but wonder if I was being unfair to her.

I wondered what would happen if I ran into Kiara someday. Would she think less of my love because I married someone else…

“Hey, buddy!” A familiar voice sounded drawing me out of my thoughts.

My lips stretched into a smile automatically when I saw Adrian. The journey to the camp was a pleasant one. By the time we reached the camp, we both knew each other’s life history like the back of our hands.

I found out that Adrian’s mate had rejected him at their first meeting. So, he decided to spend the rest of his life at the camp, helping others. Maybe i could follow his example and spend the rest of my life looking after the welfare of my pack…

He led me to a blue-colored tent that was located much deeper into the forest.

“Nancy likes to stay alone most of the time. She hardly speaks to us leave alone strangers. I had to work my ass off to get this meeting arranged… just so you know.” Adrian said with a somber expression making me chuckle.

“Thank you for your hardwork, your highness…” I said with a mock bow as we reached the entrance of the tent.

“Nancy is still mad at me for talking her into meeting you. I would rather avoid her vicious claws…” Adrian called out as he turned on his heels and trotted away.

My heart pounded against my ribs. I was surprised to find that my hands had become clammy too. I was just here to meet a doctor, why was my body acting up?

I found the answer to my question the moment I entered the tent. Dressed in a simple white T-shirt and a pair of jeans was none other than Kiara. My breath caught in my throat and my head started spinning as I forgot to breathe.

Hadn’t I come to meet Nancy, then why was Kiara here? Were they the same person? No! That was impossible. Nancy and Kiara were polar opposites. How could they be the same person?

“Come on in… you are here to talk about the antidote right,” Kiara said without looking up from the file she was engrossed in.

I wanted to say so many things to her. I wanted to apologize for rejecting her. I wanted to tell her how much I missed her but it was as if my mouth was stuffed with sawdust. I couldn’t bring myself to utter a single word.

When she didn’t get any response for a long time, she raised her and looked at me. Her eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. The file in her hand slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a thud.

Her jaws hung open as she openly gaped at me…

I don’t know what came over me, maybe some sort of demonic frenzy. It was as if I had lost control of my body.

The next thing I know I was standing mere inches from her with my teeth buried near her collar bone. The surge of energy and feelings that enveloped me was intoxicating. I wanted to spend my entire life just like this.

I staggered as I was pushed away by Kiara. “Ouch…” I muttered as my right hand flew to my cheeks. Kiara had slapped me. This jolted me back to reality and I looked at her with a hurt expression.

“What the hell did you do, Kevin.” Her horrified voice sent a shiver down my spine.

“Nivaan! NIVAAN! Adrian! ADRIAN! Come fast! Where is everyone when I need them…” She ranted as her eyes flitted between me and the entrance.

She tore her hair and licked her lips before pushing me to the chair, “You… you should sit here… no you should lie on the bed… Gosh! I don’t know what to do… why did you bite me Kevin… why…”

My heart ached when I sensed the pain, grief, and apprehension in her voice. But, I had no idea what I could do to help her.

Kiara ran to the entrance on hearing the footsteps approaching.

“Adrian, bring the antidote NOW.” She shouted and then rushed in dragging a tall, handsome man behind her.

I clenched my hand into fists as a strong surge of jealousy coursed through me. Was he the reason, Kiara didn’t want me to mark her.

I gnashed my teeth and the hands of the chair creaked under the strain of my grasp when I saw the man place his hands on Kiara’s shoulders. I would have ripped his hands off but the next words made me halt.

“Baby Sister, Take deep breaths…” So he was her brother… Their facial features were indeed similar…

Some color returned to Kiara’s face as she followed his instruction. I knew he was her brother yet… I couldn’t help but feel jealous. How easily Kiara obeyed him.

“Now calm down and tell me why you are trying to blow off the roof of this tent…”

She looked at me with a panicked expression and said in a shaking voice, “ Kevin…he…he marked me…”

“Holy F***!” He exclaimed and lunged at me. I expected him to hit me or punch me but all he did was grasp my wrist. He seemed genuinely concerned about my health.

“Will someone tell me what the problem is?” I asked with a bewildered expression.

Kiara’s thoughts flooded my mind making my head spin. She was thinking too fast for it to make sense. It was just like the honey bees buzzing. Damn! The mating bond must be working. Drawing in a deep breath I put up the mental barrier.

Right at that moment, Adrian came running and handed a syringe to Kiara. Her hands shook as she tried to draw the medicine from the bottle. When I saw the tears roll down her cheeks, I couldn’t restrain myself anymore.

I jumped to my feet and threw my arms around her. Rubbing her back gently, I said, “It's okay, Love… just tell me what happened and we will sort it out together…”

We stayed like that for a while. My heart that had been hollowed out when she left started thrumming again. The warmth and bliss that coursed through my veins in her embrace was exquisite.

She muttered something like ‘Something is not right’ and pushed me away abruptly. She checked my eyes, then my pulse, then again my eyes…

When she was about to take my pulse for the third time Nivaan grasped her hand and said, “You can stop now, Kiara. I don’t think he got poisoned…”

Everything finally clicked into place… My eyes widened in horror as I gazed at her…

“You guessed it right… she is one of the poisoned wolves…” Nivaan said in a serious tone.

Before I could ask him anything further, he said, “This is Kiara’s story to tell… We will leave you alone…”

Then, he went away; dragging a bewildered Adrian with him.

I looked at Kiara hopefully. I didn’t want to invade her thoughts to know the truth unless she left me with no other choice…