Killian’s POV.
I dragged my heavy feet into the palace, heading towards my chamber, traces of dried tears coated on my cheeks.
Taking a turn towards my room, I came across my mom.
“Oh my goodness, what the hell happened to you?” She panicked.
“Elena was innocent the entire time, Mother, she never committed the crime,” my voice came out extremely low, I could barely even hear myself.
“What?”
“It was a setup, everyone conspired against her, what’s her offense? Did she make herself an omega wolf?” I lamented bitterly.
“Oh child,” she quickly pulled me into her arms, engulfing me in a warm embrace. “I’m so sorry,”
“I failed her, Mother, I couldn’t trust her, I couldn’t believe her, I pushed her away, I’m a monster,” I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, I let them flow freely down my cheeks soiling her dress.
“No, you are not a monster, this is not your fault Killian, you got caught up in the whole mess,” she stroked my back soothingly.
“No Mom, she pleaded with me to believe her, she cried for my help but I ignored her,” I continued.
“How do I even forgive myself?”
“You’ll be fine child, everything will be fine, I promise you,” she held me in her arms as I poured out my wounded heart.
**
I strode towards the pack meeting hall, my footsteps, heavy and sounded through the woods alerting the rest of the pack members who hadn’t left their chambers yet the danger of a minute late arrival.
I had called for a gathering and sounded a heavy warning against lateness, the grief I was harboring in my heart craved to be uncaged and it was only going to take an unfortunate fellow who’d step on me to let it all out.
It seemed they had all gotten a whiff of my misery seeing how everyone was already gathered and waited quietly as I stepped in.
I stood facing them, not muttering a word, my gaze shifted from each of them to the other, the look on my face already sent out my intended message before I said a word.
“The pain you all have collectively caused me because of your sheer hatred for my mate will forever be inscribed in my memory,” I began, standing up taller to assert my dominance over them.
“This is an open announcement that my mate, Elena Salvador was wrongly accused of the murder of a number of wolves, she was innocent and yet suffered a cruel punishment because out of hatred, you all bore false accusations against her,” I shifted my gaze from each of them to the other as I spoke.
“I do not owe you an explanation as to how I discovered the truth, all you need to know is that I’ve gone in search of her but it’s too late, I’m afraid she might not have survived outside the pack, she’s dead and it’s on all of you who bore false accusations against her, including me, for not trusting her enough to believe her innocence,”
“Now while I’m still scouting for the real culprits, I’m going to sound a rigid warning across to every one of you,” I stopped to let my words register in their heads before continuing.
“It is because Elena is an omega wolf that you all stepped on her and easily banked for her downfall, therefore henceforward, no omega wolf will be treated any differently from the rest, they will not be bullied or used as slaves, anyone who defiles my orders will be subjected to a horrible sentence that is worse than death,”
The meeting hall went cold silent, I glanced over at my mother and she flashed me a warm smile, the soft look in her eyes conveying strength and compassion.
“Now with that being said, you are dismissed,” I turned around and headed out.
*
I spent the rest of the day wandering through the woods, I was avoiding my chambers as it brought nothing but memories of the moments Elena and I spent together, downed in each other’s arms.
Her timid, yet magic kisses, her soft moans as I ravished every bit of her body, the warm feel of her soft hands all over my body.
My heart tightened within my chest as every memory of her brought me closer to tears, and despite how hard I tried to block them away, they came streaming down my cheeks.
I found it awfully hard to believe she’s really gone… Forever.
I’ve truly lost her.
After what felt like forever wallowing in my pain, I headed back home.
I noticed a strange aura wash over me as I walked into my room.
I stepped further into the room vigilant of the strange presence, I suddenly came to a halt as my eyes fell on a half-naked woman sitting comfortably on my bed.
Aria.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you, Alpha Killian, I can imagine the pain you are going through right now and I’m here to share in your sadness and make you feel better,” She smiled at me seductively, standing to her feet and approached me.
“Do not come…”
I suddenly trailed off as I beheld the figure inching towards me. It was no longer Aria but Elena looking as beautiful as ever, she had an adorable smile on her face as she drew closer to me, there was no trace of the bruises on her body from the torture she had undergone before her banishment, her skin glowed mercifully in the dark.
I quickly stepped forward, closing the space between us, and pulled her into a tight hug.
Somehow I felt a strange feeling of unease, it wasn’t the usual way I felt with Elena, something seemed off.
My wolf which always roared to life anytime it sensed Elena remain numb this time.
I paid no attention to how I felt, I had Elena in my arms and that is all that mattered to me. There’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight ever again.
“I’m sorry I failed you,” I breathed out.
She smiled. “It’s okay, I knew you’ll definitely realize that,”
“I’m truly sorry, I would never let you go again, ever,” I leaned forward and captured her lips in an intense kiss.
Again, it felt nothing like the kisses we shared, but as long as she was here with me, I was totally okay.
We pulled away from the kiss panting heavily.
“Thank you for coming back to me,” I flashed her a sweet smile scooping her into my arms and headed towards the bed.