Nathan’s POV
The early morning sun cast long shadows across my office as I pored over the battle reports. Three days without proper sleep had left my eyes burning, but it didn’t matter. Work was the only thing keping me from drowning in thoughts of her.
A sharp knock interrupted my concentration.
“Enter, I commanded, not looking up from the documents.
A warrior stepped in, his face flushed with excitement. “Alpha Nathan, good news! We’ve successfully held the western line and recaptured the coastal city!”
I glanced up, feeling a flicker of interest that quickly faded. “Has King Jason been informed?”
“Not yet, sir–I was just about to report to him.”
“I’ll find him myself,” I said, rising from my chair. “I have other matters to discuss with him anyway.”
The warrior bowed and left. I should have felt more satisfaction about this victory, but all I could muster was a hollow acknowledgment. Nothing seemed to matter much these days.
My footsteps echoed through the castle’s stone corridors as I made my way to find Jason. Passing by Tyler’s quarters, I noticed his door slightly ajar. I was about to knock when I heard my name mentioned.
“He barely eats, hardly sleeps, just keeps working,” Tyler was saying.
Victoria’s voice responded, softer but still audible. “Maybe if Nathan knew the truth, as painful as it might be, he could start to
heal.”
I froze, my hand suspended mid–air.
Tyler sighed. “I’m not sure, Victoria. If I were in his position, I don’t know how I’d react either.”
“I just want to help him. It hurts to see him like this.”
“All we can do is support him and try to help him through this time.
A soft sob broke through the conversation. “I miss her so much.”
“I know you miss Rachel. We all do.”
My heart clenched painfully at the mere mention of her name, a familiar ache spreading through my chest. God, I miss her too- more than words could ever express.
Victoria’s voice cracked. “Rachel was the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever known. It’s not fair that she’s gone and that awful Madison is still here.”
“We can’t question the Moon Goddess’s plans, Victoria.”
“Why not? Why can’t we question it? It’s cruel! I just wish… I wish…
My breath caught painfully in my throat as Victoria continued, her words revealing the devastating truth about what had happened between Madison and Rachel that night!
1/3
Chapter 95
If only we had told Nathan–or if Rachel had never overheard his plan.
Plan? What plan?
Tyler’s voice lowered. “Victoria, we’ve been through this. It’s too late now.”
“But don’t you feel responsible? If we had told Nathan she knew
“I tried. He wouldn’t listen. I thought we had time to change his mind…”
My blood ran cold. The pieces suddenly fit together, forming a picture I didn’t want to see.
I slammed the door open, my eyes flashing dangerous red. Both Tyler and Victoria jumped, turning to face me with shocked
expressions.
“How did she find out?” I demanded, slamming my hands on the table. The items on its surface rattled violently.
Tyler stood slowly. “Alpha, please let us explain. We didn’t know you were outside.”
My anger flared hotter. “How did she know? I certainly didn’t tell her which means one of you betrayed me!”
Victoria began crying harder, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Tyler rose to his feet.
“No,” Tyler said calmly. “You did.”
“What are you talking about?” I growled.
“She overheard us that night in your room when we were discussing the plan-”
“Impossible. Rachel was asleep.”
Tyler’s expression remained firm. “She heard us planning to kill her after the baby was born, Nathan. She knew what was going to
happen.”
I shouted, “No… that’s not possible.”
Victoria wiped her tears. “In her letter, she said she wanted to choose her own fate.”
Her letter. The one I’d been carrying but couldn’t bring myself to read.
“She knew?” The words felt hollow in my mouth.
Tyler nodded solemnly.. “That’s why she ran. She preferred jumping off that cliff to coming back to you.”
The truth hit me like a physical blow. Rachel knew I planned to kill her. She chose to flee, to risk death rather than return to me.
“Get out,” I commanded. “Both of you. Now.”
They hesitated only a moment before complying, leaving me alone with the devastating reality.
Once alone, I pulled the crumpled envelope from ny inner pocket. I’d carried it everywhere but couldn’t bring myself to open it. Reading her words would make her death real, final.
My fingers traced over her handwriting, feeling the impression of the pen on paper. She was terrified of me. The thought cut deeper than any blade.
2/3
Chapter 95
What have I done to my Rachel?
I’d been lying to myself, clinging to the belief that Rachel was still alive somewhere, that she would come back to me. But why would she?
In her eyes, I was a monster planning her execution. She feared me so much that leaping from a cliff seemed preferable to remaining at my side.
“This is all my fault,” I whispered to the empty room, my voice breaking as tears began to stream down my face.
A crash of thunder broke the silence, startling, me. I looked toward the window to see rain suddenly pouring down, though moments ago the sky had been clear.
The abrupt change felt like a sign from the Moon Goddess herself, my tears now matching the downpour outside.
Pain seared through my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I welcomed it, wanted to carve it into my bones so I would never forget her. This agony was my punishment, and I deserved every moment of it.
My hand reached for the whiskey decanter on Tyler’s shelf. Just to get through the night. Just to numb the piercing reality that Rachel was gone–and I had driven her away.
As I poured a glass of whiskey, my hand trembled slightly. Without hesitation, I threw my head back and drained it in one desperate gulp.
The amber liquid burned down my throat, but did nothing to wash away the crushing guilt that weighed on my chest.
I set the empty glass down hard on the table, the hollow sound echoing my emptiness.
I love you, Rachel.
Only now, when it was too late, did I understand. The realization hit me with devastating clarity – I truly, deeply loved her.
The thought of how I’d hurt her, how I’d taken her for granted, made my heart constrict painfully.
I am sorry…
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