Chapter 112
Lily POV
“What did you say p>
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. Celeste’s voice seemed to be echoing from far off. I wasn’t sure if I still had a smile on my face or something hideous.
“They she stuttered.
“Just lay it to me as it is, Celeste,” I murmured, giving her another expression that I truly hoped was a smile.
“They say she’s Kai’s firs mate p>
The confirmation hit me like a punch to the gut. I had suspected a mistress, an old girlfriend, a female friend, but nothing had prepared me for this.
“First mate? But that’s impossible. Kai never I trailed off, swallowing the tears at the back of my throat. “That would explain things now,” I chuckled, swiping at a tear that rolled down my cheeks. “Why didn’t he just tell me? I swear, I would have understood. Why did he make me go through all this trauma of finding out p>
“Hey, now!” Celeste placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. There’s still so much we don’t know. I am his sister, but I had no idea that he once had a mate. I swear to you, Lily. But then, look on the brighter side, he chose you. That has to count for something p>
“I don’t think I am even among the options, Celeste,” I shook my head, swiping at another tear. “He’s been distant lately and spending time with her. Maybe he regrets meeting me. I’m sure p>
“Lily,” Celeste shook her head, interrupting me. “Don’t do that. You’ll only hurt yourself further. Kai is not perfect, but he’s my brother and in these years as an Alpha, I know he’s not a flirt. He almost never talks to women and doesn’t have a new one every day in his bed. There must be an explanation p>
I inhaled deeply before turning to face Celeste, who was staring at me with pity in her eyes. I nodded, though the knot in my stomach has refused to loosen. “But why would they keep her drugged and in a coma? If she’s dangerous and would hypnotize Kai, wouldn’t it be better to send her away or… or something p>
I remembered the last conversation we had. Kai had categorically stated that he kept having flashes about her, like it felt like he knew her, but his mind was not grasping it enough. Kai wouldn’t have mentioned that to me if he knew she was his mate, too?
“Also,” Celeste called my attention. “The birds mentioned something else. They said my mother and the healer were not just drugging the mysterious she-wolf to stop her from hypnotizing Kai, but also to prevent her from breaking through whatever spell or ritual they used to separate her and Kai. They fear if she becomes fully awake, that Kai’s memories would return p>
I felt sick. “They… they erased his memories? Can that even be done p>
“With powerful, ancient magic, ye. But such spells always leaves traces – like déjà vu p>
“Kai did mention he keeps having flashes and déjà vu,” I blurted out.
Celeste had a thoughtful expression on her face now. “That means whatever happened between them was significant enough that they took drastic measures to end it. I am guessing that Kai may not or maybe he knows about his lost memories and perhaps his trying to get them back, coupled with everything—It must be confusing for him. My poor brother p>
My eyes burned with tears. “So, everything between us… was it all built on a lie p>
“No,” Celeste grabbed my hand. “Listen to me—what they did was wrong, but your connection with Kai is real. The question is, what are the answers available? Maybe there’s more to this than just the she-wolf being dangerous. Maybe she has answers they don’t want anyone—especially Kai—to know p>
The thought sent a chill down my spine. What kind of secrets could the she-wolf be hiding? And why would Luna, Helen and the healer go to such lengths to keep her silent and in a coma?
“What will you do with this information?” Celeste asked me.
I wiped my eyes, anger replacing my pain. “First, I need proof. Then I need to know why. Why would your mom do this to her own son p>
“I think you should leave that to me,” Celeste whispered. “I am not defending my mom, but my mom loves Kai so much that she wouldn’t do anything without justifiable reason. Besides, the birds mentioned that they believe they’re protecting Kai—and the pack p>
Standing, I squared my shoulders. “Can you help me gather more evidence? Something concrete p>
“I can do better than that,” Celeste smiled, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small crystal vial filled with shimmering liquid. “While I’m trying to get information from my mom, you can use this p>
I took the vial. “What is this p>
“It’ll help to neutralize whatever they’re giving the she-wolf. One drop in her drink will clear her mind for about an hour. You can ask her all the questions you want p>
I clutched the vial like it was gold. “Thank you. I’ll find a way to get to her p>
Celeste nodded. “But Lily,” her expression turned serious. “Be careful. Sometimes, truth comes at a terrible price p>
I nodded. “I still need to know, terrible price or not. For Kai’s sake and for mine p>
As I turned to leave, Celeste held my hands back, stopping me. “When memories return, they bring back more than just the past. They bring back old feelings, old bonds. Are you prepared for what that might mean p>
I paused, feeling my heart pounding in my chest. I was sure Celeste could hear it. “I’ve spent my whole life living in people’s shadows, being the fool, not knowing enough, having little information. This is my one chance to find out the truth and be at ease—I deserve that much. If it reawakens old feelings, then I guess that would be it for me and Kai, but I’ll be at peace p>
“Lily p>
“It’s truth, Celeste,” the corners of my lips lifted into a sad smile. “Right now, we’re all living in a lie, and that’s worse than any truth could be p>
Later on, when I was walking home, my mind raced, trying to come up with an excuse to visit the hospital and to be in the ward. Plus, how can I get Kai out of her side and ferret information from her?
I knew I needed to be smart about this—one wrong move and I could lose everything. But as the elders used to say. “A Wolf who knows the truth but stays silent becomes complicit in the lie p>
By the time I arrived at my dorm room, I was hatching a plan.