Chapter 4
1006 Words
Kahlan
The room was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The soft glow cast gentle shadows that seemed to dance with the memories that haunted me. I sat on the couch, my eyes distant. I was lost in the painful recollections of that night when Sheldon had rejected me for Larissa.
"I just couldn't believe it, Shota," I started.
"I had stood there that night, my heart shattered into pieces as I watched Sheldon choose her over me. I felt humiliated, like I didn't matter at all," I said painfully.
I don't think I'll ever be able to get over that pain. As much as I felt pain because of what could have been, I felt more pain because of how unfair life was.
I would have been Luna, regained my pride of place among the pack, atoned for the killing of my parents. Lawdddd.
Life was just so unfair.
I had been talking to myself all this while.
Shota, who had been patiently listening, reached out and gently squeezed my hand. Her touch was always gentle and comforting, soothing even.
"It must have been devastating, Kahlan. I'm sorry you had to go through that alone. So that was why…?"
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to continue.
"I left the pack that night, blinded by pain. I didn't even know where I was going, but I just had to get away."
Shota's empathetic eyes never left mine. It provided a comforting anchor as I relived the torment of that night.
"And then... I ended up in the house of ... I don't even know why I did it, Shota. I swear I had no idea why I did what I did that night."
The words hung in the air, heavy with regret and shame. Saying it to Shota again felt better, although I just kept feeling stupid.
Just as I was about to continue, Shota's voice cut through my turmoil.
"Hey! Relax."
I turned to see her standing in the doorway, her amber eyes filled with concern. Her presence alone was a soothing balm to my wounded soul.
"Shota, I... I am so sorry I have to keep burdening you with all of this."
Shota walked over and sat beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.
"You don't need to apologize, Kahlan. I want to be here for you, to listen. I want to support you through whatever you're going through."
For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel completely alone. I burst into tears.
"Thank you, Shota. Your kindness means more to me than words can express," I kept saying between sobs.
"We all carry our pasts, Kahlan, and our share of regrets. But what's important is how we choose to move forward," Shota said matter-of-factly.
It felt like a weight was being lifted from my shoulders. Shota was a source of comfort and understanding. I was grateful for her presence in this moment of vulnerability.
"Kahlan, I can't even begin to imagine the pain you've endured."
"But I have to ask, what are your feelings for Sheldon now? Do you still have a bond with him?" Shota asked, her genuine curiosity taking over.
I sighed. My emotions swirled in a turbulent sea of confusion.
"Shota, I don't really know. Part of me hates him for what he did that night, for how he humiliated me. But another part of me... I still feel that bond, the connection that the Moon Goddess forged between us. It's complicated, Shota."
Shota nodded in understanding, her expression empathetic.
"I can't pretend to know what you're going through, Kahlan, but it's okay to have conflicting emotions. You've been through so much."
"Heck, I don't think I'd even be able to go through so much myself.
I appreciated Shota's understanding, and I continued to confide in her.
"The bond still holds, Shota, but it doesn't mean I can't be mated to someone else. It's just... it's all so complicated."
"I understand, Kahlan. Life is rarely straightforward," she added, chuckling.
Just as our conversation seemed to be settling, Shota dropped a bombshell that caught me completely off guard.
"By the way, Kahlan, the Lycan King, Jahaerys, is due to arrive in our pack tomorrow."
My eyes asked the silent question; "Why was he here?"
"He's searching for a mate, and he's going to choose one from the Luigi pack. Everyone is supposed to be there, and I think you should come with me."
I blinked in surprise, my mind racing to process this turn of events. Jahaerys, the powerful Lycan King, was coming to our pack in search of a mate? Oh wow! I never knew.
"Jahaerys is coming here to choose a mate?" I asked incredulously.
I had only ever seen Jahaerys once. He was a tall and commanding figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His fur was a deep, rich brown, and his eyes were a piercing indigo blue. He had a strong jawline and a ruggedly handsome face.
But I thought he had a mate before. I still remember that from that night at Lucania.
"I thought he had a mate?" I questioned.
"What happened to her?"
"I don't know, Kahlan," Shota said, shrugging her shoulders.
"I don't even know him".
"All I know is that it's a must for everyone to be in the clearing tomorrow. "
I shuddered.
"I know, I know," Shota acknowledged.
"But you've got no other option, literally. What's the worst that can happen?"
I couldn't deny that Shota's words had piqued my curiosity. Jahaerys's arrival could potentially change everything. Despite my reservations, I found myself considering the idea of attending the gathering.
"Alright, Shota. I'll go with you to the meeting tomorrow. But I can't promise anything beyond that."
Shota's smile was filled with gratitude, and I felt a glimmer of joy for this wonderful soul. I would put up my best behavior and show up tomorrow. I mean, as she said:
What's the worst that can happen?
- Writer
