Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Lily POV
“What are you talking about?” I tried not to sound hurt. “Kai, what’s going on? You’re scaring me p>
He took several steps back, putting distance between us. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. I just… I needed to see you. To tell you that I’m going to fix this p>
“Fix what?” I demanded, feeling frustrated. “Kai, please, just talk to me. Whatever’s wrong, we can figure it out together p>
A bitter laugh escaped him. “Not this. This is something I have to handle alone p>
“You don’t have to do anything alone,” I insisted. “I’m your mate. Whatever you’re going through, I’m here for you. Please! Haven’t you ever wondered how our relationship would have been if we were more open to each other? It wouldn’t be perfect but I know most of our problems would never exist as it should p>
“I cannot come to you because of some stupid pride or whatever, it’s something else, Lily p>
“Just tell me,” I sighed. “Does it have anything to dow with your memories? Or your first mate? Did you remember any significant memory p>
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Go ahead and spill, Kai. I’m your mate p>
Pain flashed across his features. “That’s exactly why I can’t be near you right now. Because you are my mate. My true mate p>
The words should have filled me with joy, but the way he said them—like a death sentence rather than a blessing—chilled me to the bone.
“I don’t understand p>
Kai ran a hand through his hair, a gesture to show his frustration I’d come to recognize. “There’s a curse, Lily. A curse that prevents me from being with my true mate without He trailed off, unable to finish.
“Without what?” I prompted, taking a tentative step toward him.
“Without wanting to hurt you,” he finished, his voice barely audible. “The blackouts, the mood swings, the times I’ve pushed you away—it wasn’t me. It was the curse making me act that way p>
I tried to process what he was saying. A curse? From everything I have discovered about Kai in the last few months, I knew his memories were erased by his mother to wipe out an unpleasant event about something that had to do with his first mate.
I didn’t have all the information but from tidbits of everything I and Celeste was able to gather, there had being mentions of a curse but I still didn’t understand that part but hearing him say this, it sounded like something from a fairy tale, not real life.
“Who would curse you? Why p>
“It’s a long story,” he said, glancing at the door as if expecting someone to burst in. “One I don’t have time to tell completely. But the short version is that my former mate—she wasn’t what she seemed. She was a hybrid – part witch, part werewolf and she placed a curse on me that makes it impossible for me to truly love another without violent impulses taking over p>
I went completely still, not knowing how to react to this revelation. All those moments when Kai had turned cold, when anger had flashed in his eyes for no apparent reason—it hadn’t been him at all, but magic working against us.
“Why would she do that? Did you do anything to offend her p>
“Nothing that I can remember. Acrroding to my memories, I was good to her. I loved her so much. So, I don’t understand why she would do that to me. Anyways, Celeste is going to help me investigate that p>
“There has to be a way to break it,” I said, refusing to accept defeat. “Every curse has a counter-curse p>
“That’s what I’m trying to find,” he confirmed. “Celeste is helping me p>
“Let me help too,” I pleaded. “I could research, ask around p>
“No,” he cut me off sharply. “The fewer people who know about this, the better. Especially now, with Kevin’s betrayal to deal with as well p>
“Kevin?” I frowned. “What does he have to do with this p>
Kai’s expression darkened. “He sent the assassins who attacked me on my way to rescue you. He’s been plotting to take my position as Alpha p>
My head was spinning with all these revelations. Curses, assassins, betrayal—it was too much to absorb at once.
“This is why I need to stay away from you,” Kai continued. “Every minute I spend in your presence makes the curse stronger, more volatile. If I lost control again p>
“You won’t,” I said with more confidence than I felt. “We’ll find a way to break this curse, Kai. I won’t lose you to some vindictive witch’s magic p>
For a moment, something like hope flickered in his eyes. Then the door opened, and Celeste burst in.
“Kai! What are you doing here?” She looked between us in alarm. “You said you wouldn’t p>
“I had to see her,” he interrupted. “To explain p>
Celeste’s expression softened with understanding. “Did you tell her everything p>
“The highlights,” he replied. “We don’t have time for the full story. It’s nearly thirty minutes since I sneaked out of my ward,” he murmured to Celeste. “I need to get back before the nurses start looking for me.
She nodded, then turned to me. “Lily, I’m sorry about all this. But we’re going to fix it, I promise p>
I looked from her to Kai, these two siblings who had suddenly become co-conspirators in a battle against dark magic I barely understood. “Just… be careful. Both of you p>
Kai’s gaze met mine one last time, full of longing and regret. “Stay here. I’ll make extra arrangement for your safety, okay p>
“Okay,” I nodded. “But Kai? Come back to me. When it’s over, when the curse is broken—come back to me p>
“I will,” he vowed, his voice rough with emotion. “Nothing will keep me from you then. Not magic, not death, nothing p>
He finally left the room, with Celeste following closely behind with promises that she would come back soon leaving me alone with more questions than answers and a heart heavy with both hope and fear.