82: Confessions and war.
**Jonathan pov**
The silence that followed Killian’s words wasn’t just deafening, it was so absolute, we could have heard a pin drop in the middle of the snowy woods.
“Okay,” I breathed out, not really ready to ask the question, but still going for it simply because I needed to know. “Do you really think that war is a possibility? I mean, an actual chance it might happen?”
Alpha Killian glanced at me and sighed, “honestly? I think it’s best if we start preparing for it like yesterday. In our world, both of us know that threats and possibilities are things no one should take lightly, especially if it’s war we’re talking about.”
As his words sunk in, I froze up completely. It wasn’t that I just didn’t move, to hell, I couldn’t. My muscles and limbs went completely dead in that split second and I couldn’t think of anything to say to make this at least a little better.
I just sat there, staring into the distance as if it could hand me over some mysterious answers for the questions I didn’t know how to ask.
As the wind picked up again, I glanced towards the direction of the cabin and finally, at him. I knew he was confused, maybe even shocked, so I decided to change the topic before more was said. “Tell me more about what you’re been hearing about Alpha Bane.”
He hesitated for a moment, pulling his hands into tight fists as if he didn’t want to tell me anything, but eventually, he did. “It’s not all verified, so I can’t claim it’s facts, okay? Just keep in mind that most of the things I’ve heard are literally the whispers from terrified survivors. However, while I fully understand some of those things might be exaggerated, I also logically understand that everything I’ve heard has sounded too much alike and constant, you know?”
I nodded slowly and waited, growing increasingly more worried with every second of silence.
“They say he’s not just cursed anymore. Most of the pack members who sought refuge on my land claim that there is something that is feeding the curse. There are reports that Bane is locked down by his own men now. But again, I don’t know if it’s smart to believe those words since most sound like the rambles of someone on the verge of mental breakdown.”
I felt the color drain from my face. “But that’s not possible, Bane demanded his men to have him chained in the cells. Zion said-”
“Zion doesn’t know what that thing is.” Killian growled, cutting me off.
I nodded slowly and swallowed hard. “What else?”
Alpha hesitated again, which was very unlike him. “Some said he’s not just losing the battle but also his mind. Like, there are a few men who escaped the pack and wouldn’t stop talking about how Bane is now talking to himself, screaming and pleading with himself. No one has heard a voice answer him, but that crazed bastard still keeps talking.”
“Do you believe it?” I asked, my voice weaker than I wanted it to sound.
“I believe they believe it.” Killian said and finally turned his head to look at me. “Which is bad enough.”
I opened my mouth and then closed it. There were no words I could use to describe the madness that was going on at Alpha Bane’s pack, not to mention how little sense it made.
“Okay, if we assume those rumors are true and the King is truly involved now, we’re already dead, aren’t we?”
Alpha Killian shook his head. “No, but we’re going to wish we were if we’re not careful.”
I bit my lip, nodded and accepted his answer without any extra comments. There wasn’t much I could say to make it better anyway, only maybe prepare myself mentally for what was to come anyway.
After a moment, Killian stood up and offered me his hand. “Walk with me. Thinking of ideas is always easier while walking, makes thoughts run better.”
I placed my hand in his and agreed to follow him. What caught me off the most was how Killian didn’t let go of my hand as he started navigating the forest trails.
“So, what do we do next?” I finally asked, unable to bear the silence anymore.
“We keep Aife safe, as far away from Bane as possible,” he said simply without bothering to glance back at me.
“Okay, sounds reasonable,” I agreed. “But what about the monster? You think we can take him down?”
“No,” Killian shook his head, “but I think we can keep him away long enough for the girls to be moved again if needed.”
I frowned at the words, “that’s not a good solution - living on a run will tire them both out, even more so when the children are born.”
“You think I don’t know what?” Killian hissed, using that tone that dripped with so much finality, I knew it was best I didn’t try to argue more.
I pressed my lips in a thin line, despite wanting to push back and get more answers. So, instead, I changed the topic again. “Then what about Milly?”
Killian tensed visibly, his steps became more hurried and the grip on my head tighter.
“You said she’s been stirring trouble, didn’t you?” I tried to sound nonchalant and understanding, as if this new development didn’t bother me at all, while in reality, it really did.
“She has,” Killian growled.
“And?”
“And I’m fucking handling it,” he snapped at me.
“Alpha-” I tried to protest, but in true Killian’s fashion, he cut me off.
“I said I’m fucking handling it, Jonathan, drop it for fuck’s sake! Let me be the Alpha, it’s my job.”
I pressed my lips in a thin line and followed him in silence. When it all became too much and the realization of a possible war outbreak finally sunk in, I did something completely stupid. I confessed, mainly out of fear of never being able to do it, I just took the leap and blurted it all out in a few simple words. “Alpha, I’m in love with you.”
If the worst really came to happen in days, weeks or even months, this was my last true chance to be honest with myself and him - no more fake indifference or overly professional walls.
“I didn’t know you felt that way,” Alpha Killian stopped, turned and whispered after a moment, clearly taken aback.
I let out a bitter chuckle and kept my gaze focused on the distance, unable to meet his eyes. “Of course not. You don’t ask, Alpha, you just assume people will tell you anything. And if they don’t, you write them off.”
Deep down, I knew those words had to sting, not because of disrespect, but because of the truth they carried.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Jon.” He muttered and turned his back on me, running his hand through his hair like he did only when he was truly frustrated and didn’t know how to deal with his own emotions.
“Yeah,” I agreed and shook my head although he couldn’t see it. “Me too.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
