36

[Jade’s pov]


As Kaldir continued to speak, my mind was in turmoil and I couldn't believe the information he was revealing about Ragnar and my true identity as a lycan's mate. It felt like the ground beneath me was shaking, and I struggled to make sense of it processing all of that.

"You can't expect me to just accept all of this without any proof," I retorted, trying to cling to a sense of normalcy amidst the emotional chaos. "You could be making all of this up to manipulate me into accepting you. This all could be untrue and you would be lying about this nullified bond too."



My mind was in turmoil as I still tried to process all the information Kaldir spoke about after I had yelled my piece. The revelation that my brother Zilver, the alpha of the Grimclaw pack, had been keeping crucial details from me about my true nature and the dual bond which shook me to the core. The emotions were overwhelming, and I felt torn between the life I had known with Ragnar and the enigmatic world Kaldir was presenting to me.


"I don't know what to believe anymore. How can I trust anything you say? You are the one who abducted me and now you expect me to swallow everything you say, huh?" I wiped away the tears from my cheeks, trying to regain some semblance of composure. The weight of Kaldir's words threatened to crush me, and I needed time to sort through everything. Especially knowing that I had to leave alpha Ragnar.


Kaldir's expression softened, and he reached out, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "I understand that this is a lot to take in, Zillah. I am not asking you to trust me blindly or so suddenly, not at all. Take the time you need to process this information, and if you have any doubts or questions about me, I will do my best to answer them. However, one thing I cannot guarantee or grant you is the permission to go away from me."


Kaldir's expression softened even more as I could see concern in his eyes, and the words he spoke made me fear him despite the fact that he had not hurt me. "I understand your scepticism, but I can prove everything I have said, I know you can feel the bond with me. The connection between us is real, you know that too the moment when you linked your wolf with mine and once you embrace your lycan nature, you will feel it too despite carrying his child."

His touch sent a strange sensation through me, a tingling warmth that I couldn't ignore. As much as I wanted to deny it, a part of me was intrigued, wanting to deny the bond we had which we knew was true. "And don't worry I accept that child and would not force you to kill it. I shall give the child love and care like his biological father would."


Part of me wanted to dismiss everything he was saying as a ploy to manipulate me into accepting his claim. Yet, I couldn't ignore the sense of truth in his words. Deep down, I knew he wasn't lying, and the connection I felt with him was undeniable. How could I accept things so easily without any further investigation?


"You mentioned Ragnar going after my brother. I need to know if they both are safe." My concern for my family outweighed everything else which was happening with me. Regardless of my complicated situation, my brother and the safety of my loved ones was of prime importance. I knew if my brother hid anything from him then Ragnar would have definitely harmed him. "They both are safe!"



"And what about Ragnar? What will happen to him if our bond becomes null?" I asked, my heart torn between loyalty to my previous mate and the inexplicable pull towards Kaldir. I had no clue what to do with both alphas.


Kaldir nodded, understanding the urgency in my voice. "I assure you, your brother and your family are safe for now. Ragnar is unaware of the truth about us right now, and I will ensure he remain unscathed until you are ready to face him to reject him officially."


"Ragnar will have to accept the truth after you reject him and his wolf." Kaldir replied firmly. "Once he realises that you are destined to be my mate, he will have no choice but to respect that bond. We lycans take our mates seriously, and he will understand that."

It was hard to believe that my life had taken such a drastic turn. The idea of being mated to someone else felt disgusting to me, and I felt like I was betraying Ragnar, who had been by my side all this time. But a part of me knew that I couldn't ignore the connection I felt with Kaldir.



I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. The reality of my situation was slowly sinking in, and it felt like the ground beneath me was shifting. "And what happens if I accept this bond? What does that mean for both of us, especially as this child is not yours?"


Kaldir's expression grew serious, and he hesitated before answering. "Accepting our bond would mean severing your connection with Ragnar as I spoke earlier. As your rightful lycan mate, my claim would supersede his, and he would no longer have any hold over you. But since this child is not mine but as my first heir or heiress, the power to the throne will be the child's."


His words were like a double-edged sword, offering both freedom from Ragnar's love and loss of the life I had known. It was a difficult choice, and I didn't know if I was ready to face the consequences. "I need time to think. This is all so overwhelming," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Please give me some space." Kaldir nodded in understanding, giving me a reassuring smile.


"Of course, Zillah. Take all the time you need. The mails will assist you and will be nearby if you need me." With that, he rose from the bed, giving me one last look before leaving the room. I was left alone, grappling with the weight of my decisions and the newfound revelations about my dual mates. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear that I needed to find the strength within myself to face the choices that lay before me. To pick one!