The Survivor ( #2 Eastern Werewolves Pack Series)

Kaya stood there, watching the fire engulfed Dave’s body. Her heart shattered as she had to witness this once more. She couldn’t believe that someone was willing enough to swap his body with someone else before his funeral. Despite his body had to suffer, Kaya made sure he would get the proper farewell. At least, his daughter had the chance to say goodbye to him. Kaya didn’t care that he lied to her for her whole life. All she cared that he was the man that made her fell in love. He made her smile, laughing and happy. He cared for her well-being. He did his best to protect her and their daughter. Kaya forgave him for his lies. She understood he did that to protect them. It didn’t change the way she loved him. To her, he was everything she ever needed. He could have killed her on the first time they met. He had endless opportunities to do it. But, he didn’t. Kaya wasn’t sure what to feel about it before. Now, she was sure how she felt about it. Dave betrayed the people he had sworn to serve so that he could protect her and their daughter.

Kaya’s eyes found Jaxon who stood next to other Alphas on the opposite direction as her. All the Alphas and Enforcers stood still. They paid respect to a man they didn’t personally know.

“Farewell, old friend,” Colin said. He stood next to her with his eyes fixated on Dave’s burning body.

“I’m sorry about your mother. I shouldn’t have let her—”

“It doesn’t matter,” he cut her off. “She did her duty to protect you and Camilla.”

“How did you know Dave?”

“Dave Smith...I know him as Alaric Konstantin, one of the most respected warlocks in the world. He was a brilliant scholar. Alaric’s expertise was creating new spells. My mother worked in his household before the previous Councillors assigned him to kill you. I grew up in his household. He taught me many things. When the Council assigned him to kill you, I followed him. They knew only Alaric could stop the power you had. After he learned that you weren’t born with the power, he decided to find out more. Turned out, someone cursed your family. Your biological family gave you away to your adoptive family because only your adoptive family could help to control the curse from killing you.”

“Killing me?”

He nodded. “When the time came, the curse would kill you unless you let it absorbed other people’s lives to spare yours. That was why when you used the power, the witches and warlocks were affected by it. Your adoptive parents put that mark on your wrist to contain the curse from bursting out.” he pointed to the mark on her wrist. “Thank the Goddess, the Angels had lifted the curse from you.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Take care his household and protect his family.”

“Colin, you didn’t have to protect us.”

“A blood oath cannot be broken without a repercussion, Kaya.”

“I guess I have no choice.”

“Besides, Camilla needs a dream walker to train her.”

“You’re a dream walker too?”

He chuckled and nodded. “I’m a dream walker. There isn’t many dream walkers left in this world. I will train Camilla not to use her ability when she’s drawing.”

“Right...”

He was right. They couldn’t risk Camilla to open another portal to the other world through her drawing. If anyone could train her not to use her ability when she was drawing, it would be a big help. And it wasn’t like she would give up drawing any time soon.

Kaya rubbed her hand on Camilla’s back, trying to soothe her daughter. She couldn’t imagine the sadness that Camilla had to experience. Enough with the long duration stuck in the other world. Now, she had to say farewell to her father.

After the funeral, Kaya tucked Camilla in bed in the administration building. They had to stay there until their safety was assured. Once Camilla fell asleep, Kaya came out and left the building to have a fresh air. The past days had been crazy for her. She didn’t expect her life to turn this way. She couldn’t get a good grasp on what had happened.

“It’s cold outside,” Jaxon said from behind. He draped a jacket around her shoulders. “Why are you here?”

“Just need a fresh air,” Kaya replied, securing the jacket around her. “Thank you.” Her eyes narrowed to the bag that he held with his left hand. “You’re leaving?”

Jaxon tucked his right hand inside the pocket of his jeans. He nodded. “I...need to rediscover myself.”

“When will you return?”

“When I’m ready.” he turned to her and caressed her cheek. “You have a lot to go through now.”

“I’ll wait.”

Jaxon’s eyes met hers. “Kaya…”

She shook her head. “I’ll wait until you return. You saved my daughter. Jaxon, I know it might sounds desperate—”

Her sentence was cut off when he kissed her abruptly. Kaya’s arms curled around his neck and pulled him closer. Although it felt wrong to kiss someone while her husband’s funeral was just a few hours ago, Kaya couldn’t stop herself. As much as it felt wrong, it felt right at the same time.

“I know what you’re trying to say, but I can’t ask you to wait for me,” he said after the kiss. “I wanted to be selfish for once, but you deserve someone who could protect you.”

“Is it wrong for me wanting you even though you thought you’re a failure?”

“Kaya…”

“You deserve someone who loves and cares for you. I might not be her, but I wanted to try my best for you.”

“You don’t have to be her. I want you to be yourself.”

“Then, I’ll wait until you come back—until you are ready to have someone loving you for who you are.”

He chuckled. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”

She wanted to show him the beauty of love because he was torn by love.

“If that’s the only way to convince you.”

He wrapped his arms around her. Kaya rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. They might meet in just a few days, but it didn’t stop her from feeling pulled towards him. She owed him her life.

“I will return,” he whispered.

She smiled against his chest. That was good enough. He didn’t promise, but he assured her that he would return.