Chapter 159
Kai POV
I shrugged.
“But it’s true, Kai,” she turned to face me. “I still don’t understand. If all of these happened, why did that part of memory had to be suppressed p>
I closed my eyes, letting the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. “Because it was necessary. Mother had Healer Odin block my memories after I went completely mad under the curse’s effect p>
“What happened p>
“I nearly killed three pack members in a blind rage. They were young wolves who had simply wished me well on finding my ’true mate.’ The curse twisted their innocent words into perceived threats, and I I swallowed hard, the shame still fresh despite the years. “Mother found me covered in their blood, laughing maniacally. They survived, barely, but she knew something had to be done p>
Celeste’s face paled. “So she had Odin suppress your memories of Serena p>
“Not just Serena. Everything connected to her—the curse, the ice coffin, the truth about what she was. It was the only way to keep me functional, to prevent the curse from driving me completely insane p>
“But wait,” Celeste said suddenly, her brow furrowing. “If Serena is in the ice coffin, then who was the girl you rescued during that rogue attack? The one who looked like her p>
I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s where it gets even more complicated. The girl we rescued wasn’t Serena—it was her sister p>
“Her sister p>
“Twin sister, actually. They were identical in appearance but opposite in nature. While Serena was a hybrid witch-wolf consumed by power, her sister Mia or Maya – I can’t remember which of the names but she was purely wolf, gentle and kind p>
Celeste sank into the chair beside my bed, her expression stunned. “So when you rescued Mia from the rogues p>
“My wolf recognized the familiar features and scent. The residual effects of Serena’s false mate bond made us think Mia was our first mate. That was why I was so confused and I realize now that that act alone nearly destroyed my relationship with Lily p>
“What happened to Mia p>
“Mother asked Healer Odin to kill her. She never wanted her to recover because she was scared that what happened before might repeat itself. She was trying to protect me p>
“Yeah,” Celeste nodded, her brows arching into a contemplative look. “But why did Mia come all the way to our pack p>
“I wish I knew,” I sighed. “I wish I had my memories when she was still alive. Maybe she could have answered a few questions p>
Celeste shook her head in bewilderment. “Still, the question remains, why would a hybrid witch impersonate being your mate? What could Serena possibly gain from such deception p>
“Maybe power,” I ventured. “I know Alpha werewolves are repositories of immense magical energy. By creating a false mate bond, she could tap into that power continuously. She was literally feeding off me, growing stronger while I grew weaker p>
“And the curse p>
“Insurance. She knew that eventually I might discover her deception. The curse ensured that even if I escaped her direct influence, I could never find happiness with another p>
“I don’t think a witch would risk her life, travel all the way from her coven and pretend to me your mate when she can get this supposed energy from any other Alpha Male. There must be a reason why she chose you. When we understand that, it would be easier to know how to break the curse p>
“I’ll try to find out.” I said quietly.
We remained quiet for a few seconds before something else flitted into my mind.
“There’s something else,” I said, remembering another crucial detail. “The assassins who attacked me on the way to rescue Lily. I don’t think they were random p>
Celeste’s eyes narrowed. “You think someone sent them deliberately p>
“Someone who knew I’d be weakened after fighting Lucas. Someone who knew exactly when and where to strike.” I met her gaze meaningfully. “Someone from within our own pack p>
“Kevin,” she gasped. “He showed up right after the attack, didn’t he p>
“Too conveniently,” I confirmed. “And he’s been pushing for more power within the pack hierarchy for months. With me out of the way p>
“He’d be next in line for Alpha,” Celeste finished. “That treacherous bastard p>
“We can’t prove anything yet,” I cautioned. “But we need to be careful. If Kevin is willing to hire assassins, there’s no telling what else he might do and he could be working with someone else p>
Celeste nodded grimly. “I’ll start investigating quietly. In the meantime, we need to focus on breaking this curse. The pack needs its Alpha at full strength, and Lily needs her mate p>
As if summoned by her name, I felt a surge through my wolf, Hud. Lily was awake, and she was looking for me. Hud howled with the need to go to her, to comfort her, to claim what was rightfully ours.
But I couldn’t. Not yet. Not while Serena’s curse still held me in its grip.
This time around, there was something to protect and it was our bond. My mind flitted to Lucas, I wanted to ask Celeste what happened to him afterwards but I didn’t want to bother myself with a lot of information that would keep me worrying all day.
My family was with Lily, that was all that matters now. They would keep her safe and I would too.
“Go to her,” I told Celeste. “Tell her I’m awake, that I remember everything. And tell her I swallowed hard. “Tell her I’m sorry. For everything p>
Celeste squeezed my hand once more before standing. “I’ll tell her. But Kai? Don’t give up hope. We’ll find a way through this. I promise p>
“Yeah, I know. If mom is at the hospital, could you tell her to come to my room first? Let me see if I can get some answers from her p>
As she left the room, I lay back against the pillows, exhausted both physically and emotionally. My memories had returned, my body was healing, but my heart remained cursed. And somewhere in this hospital, my true mate waited, unaware of the dark magic that kept us apart.