25

Koa's POV

I had Valentino head home before me and get ready for the meeting. The rest of breakfast went smoothly, except for the fact something didn't sit right with me and with Allister.

Khelani going off for hours and days at a time? Something was wrong and I was going to find out.

I told Kona and Kendall to meet me outside so we can talk out of complete earshot to our parents. Because what I was about to suggest...well let's just say they wouldn't like it. Not one bit.

"What is it you want to talk about?" Kendall asked as she shivered slightly. Fall was upon us and I personally couldn't be happier. I loved the cold.

"We need to track Khelani." Both the girls looked at me with confusion.

"Why? She's fine." Kendall scoffed and started walking back toward the house.

"No, something is wrong I feel it. Don't you?" I directed my question toward Kona, knowing that she would agree.

"He's right. I think we should track her. Just for today and if she isn't doing anything wrong, then at least we know." Kona chimed in as Kendall looked between the two of us.

"You guys are insane." She yelled out and rubbed the back of her neck. "If she finds out--"

"She won't. We are stealthy. I already caught her scent." I told her reassuring. "What if she stumbles across some rogues? And she is all alone?"

"You both have been gone, for years. Khelani is not the same little girl she once was. She is strong, and she trusts me. So if she finds out that I had anything to do with this..." Kendall sighed.

I could see in her eyes that she was conflicted. But knowing Kendall I knew she was going to give in. This was important. This was our sister.

"We will take the fall and tell her this had nothing to do with you. I promise." She looked deep into my eyes to make sure I was telling the truth and I wholeheartedly was. I knew they had a close relationship which of course was formed while we were away, and I wouldn't want to ruin that.

"Okay fine, let's make it quick." She rolled her eyes and began walking toward me.

I took a deep breath and found her scent. Lemons and mint. I followed it and it went straight into the woods and followed it. It was faint meaning she was getting further away so we had to move quickly.

"You got it?" Kona asked.

"Yeah, I got it. Let's go."

We all began to sprint, but seeing as we were lycans even without shifting into our half form we were faster than werewolves. As we ran we got closer to the edge of the territory which caused my heart to pick up pace in fear.

The closer to the territory line, the more likely the rogues.

I could smell them too. It was mixing in with her scent and it was worrying me. The trees flew past us with ease. And her scent got stronger until it slammed into my nostrils which caused me to stop. Kendall and Kona copying.

She was close.

I looked around the woods to see if she was laying down, and the smell of rogue was faint here which eased some of my fears.

I heard a faint crack of a branch and I turned my head and in the distance, I could see Khelani standing in a clearing. She looked anxious. Like she was waiting for something.

I looked at the girls and made a gesture to have them hide in the trees. I found the biggest tree and jumped up as softly as I could and maneuvered myself within the branches to where I was hidden but I could still see her.

The girls instead joined me in the same tree, and I first I was annoyed but if anything were to happen, at least we would be close to one another.

We waited for what seemed like twenty minutes and nothing had happened yet. I was close to leaving and letting it be. But then the stench of rogue hit my nose. And it was getting closer. I wanted to jump down and save her, I could feel Allister's anger seething through my body. And just as I was about to run out and kill whoever was approaching my sister, Kona set her hand on my arm.

'Wait, look.' She spoke through the mind link. She pointed to her face and I saw Khelani get up and adjust her dress as the smell got closer.

There was something in her eyes, longing, hope? Maybe even excitement?

What the hell is going on?

Not only was my question answered, but I was also punched in the gut with the answer.

Before me stood the man that made me spend years away from my mate and my family. Cristoff.

Here he stood steps away from my sister...and she looked at him with adoration.

Fuck.

They're mates.

My breath was caught in my throat. The only thing I could do is sit and watch this unfold. This is the most perfect opportunity to kill him and end it all, but if he is what I think he is. Then I can't do that to Khelani. And this changes everything.

"I told you, it's dangerous for you to be here." His voice was stern, but there was something behind it.

Khelani ignored it and walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. He immediately embraced her. His long blonde hair covered the top of her curly head.

"I know I'm safe with you."

"If he finds out you're here..."

He? Is Cristoff not in charge? There was someone else? Is someone more in control?

"He won't. I haven't told anyone about us. And I never go further than this spot. I promise." She looked up at him, and I could feel her agony.

"Come back to the pack with me. We can explain everything to them, then we can be together." Khelani pleaded, but it just caused Cristoff to pull away from him.

"Khelani, please. We can't keep doing this. You know we can't be together." I could see the tears streaming down her face at the statement. I wanted nothing more than to run to her and hug her.

"Stop saying that." She whispered.

"I'm doing it for your safety. He doesn't even know he is back yet. If he finds out I had been lying these past two months, I'm dead."

This must have just changed, the alpha. Whoever it was is more powerful, strong enough to knock down Cristoff to be a call boy.

"I can't believe you did that for me. Let him take your place." Khelani sighed.

"He was going to kill you, I had to give him what he wanted to keep you safe and I would do it again." He pulled her back to his chest and they rested there for a minute. "I didn't believe that I would be blessed with a mate, but the goddess must have a sense of humor. To give me the one thing I desire and make it where I can not have it. No matter how badly I want you, we cannot be together."

"Stop it, Cristoff. Be quiet."

"I know you can't see it now, but I would do anything for you to keep you safe and alive. You cannot come here again. And I won't either." He pushed her off of him, and I could tell it was ripping him apart to do it.

"Cris--"

"No, I will not come here again. I can't see you again. Go home with your family. Protect them. But we can never be, even if I wish for it not to be true." He began to back away and Khelani went to reach her hand to him but he backed away even further.

"Cris." She called in between sobs.

"I'll see you in another lifetime, Lani."

Khelani fell to the ground and sobs came from her mouth and waves. And no matter how badly we wanted to run out and grab her. We had to stay put.

She slowly picked herself off the ground and then sprinted back the way that was towards the house.

We all jumped down in silence and we stared at each other. Waiting for one of us to say something. Probably me.

"Koa, what do we do?" Kendall asked me.

"Fuck if I know."