The Alpha King's Witch Bride
Chapter 252: _Confessions Under The Moonlight

Chapter 252: _Confessions Under The Moonlight

After Elder Davina’s funeral ceremony, I stood at the balcony of my bedroom, staring down at the pack grounds below.

I was just officially crowned the Luna Queen of North America before thousands of people watching in the pack and possibly billions around the world.

Yet... It didn’t feel as uplifting as I had expected.

Why would it? The announcement was made during the funeral procession of a woman who had been one of the only people to see past my witch bloodline.

To look beyond that and treat my mate bond with Kaelos as a blessing rather than a curse. She even accepted me when my hybrid nature was brought to light.

"And now she’s gone..." I whispered, placing my hands on the railing of the balcony as I slowly brought my gaze to the moon above.

It seemed to shine with a brighter silver light than usual tonight and was in its full phase. It was as if Elder Davina was up there, watching and shining her light one last time.

Outside the gates of the mansion, some pack members still loitered around, paying their last respects to Elder Davina’s casket, which was still in flames but had now almost burned completely to ash.

"Ma’am Odessa..." A familiar voice called from behind me, forcing me to tear my gaze from the scene downstairs.

I slowly turned around only to see Caroline walking toward me with her hands clasped in front of her stomach. My room was dark and Kaelos was busy discussing things with Layla, Marcellus and the elders of the pack in his office.

I’ve been all alone...

"Hey, Car..." I whispered, smiling weakly. "Come on, girl. Could you stop with the ’ma’am’? Pretty sure I’m not even older than you."

A smile tugged at her lips as she finally got beside me, standing calmly. She stared at the moon, breathing out heavily.

"Death is such a weird thing..." She suddenly muttered, causing me to swerve my head to her, my eyebrows raised.

The moonlight seemed to give her ginger curls a unique shine, her expression calm and at peace as she blinked slowly.

"One day, you’re talking to someone and they’re so full of life. The next... Or even the next second... They’re just no longer here." She continued solemnly. "They didn’t abandon you. They didn’t travel out only to return years later. They just... Cease to exist in this mortal plane. Forever."

I blinked once, smiling wryly.

Seems she’s going through grief.

’And she came to you seeking comfort.’ Sirena muttered in my head. ’Isn’t that cute?’

I guess...

I was just about to say something about how "I’m sure Davina is in a better place" when Caroline continued.

"I was worried about you, Odessa." She said, but she sounded like she was talking more to herself than to me. "During the mission to Mexico. The thought that you’d be so far away from my view... From me being able to see you and know that you’re safe. It was... Terrifying."

The pain and fear in her eyes were clear, and I felt a little guilt seeping in.

I shouldn’t feel guilty... But I just did.

"Oh, Caroline," I muttered, placing my right hand on her shoulder.

She slowly turned her head to face me as I smiled wryly.

"I don’t think I’m dying anytime soon. Okay? You don’t have to worry about anything."

She stared at me for a few seconds, her eyes flickering with something foreign. But I could’ve sworn she’s given me that look before.

Like she was... Hiding something from me.

But what?

"That’s the thing. Death can come at any time, in any form, for any person." She sighed, shaking her head. "I’ve shut myself off from emotions. I’ve experienced loss in my past and it’s made me... Hesitant to get attached to anyone. Until you came in..."

Oh...

My hand was still on her shoulder but the silence that followed her statement made it hard for me to look her in the face.

Why do I feel like there’s a confession of some kind incoming?

’Wait...’ Sirena blurted in my head, sounding shocked. ’Don’t tell me she...’

She what?

"I guess I’ve been in denial all this while. But this trip to Mexico and then seeing Elder Davina’s dead body has made me realise something that I can’t keep from you because you’re my friend. My only friend." Caroline slowly placed her hand on my wrist.

I fluttered my eyelids, swallowing hard as I waited for the confession.

Nothing would’ve prepared me for what I heard next.

"I’ve grown to like you beyond... The Platonic, Odessa."

My lips parted as the wind seemed to pick up at that moment.

Wait... Does that mean...?

"Yes, I have a crush on you." Caroline sighed, looking away. "Or maybe it’s love. I don’t know... But ever since the Charity Ball I’ve been realising—"

"Oh, my gosh." I interrupted, placing my hand in front of my mouth. "You’ve felt that way since the Charity Ball? Also... You’re gay?"

I felt like I had just been splashed with a bucket of water.

Damn.

It all made sense now. The prolonged looks when we’re alone.

The way she told me she: "thought I was going to say something else" when I confessed to being a hybrid.

Heck, even the dance we had during the Charity Ball. I had noticed the tension... But I originally thought it was all the emotions surrounding the mission we were in at the time.

Suddenly, she brought her gaze back to me and spoke. "I’m bi. But that’s not the point. The point is I didn’t want to live with that secret for the rest of my life, especially now that it’s eating me up so much. I’ll understand if you feel uncomfortable or—"

"Car..." I shook my head hastily, pulling her into an embrace.

She stiffened with shock at first but I ignored that as I continued. "I’m not going to see you as a different person because of your feelings. I might not be able to reciprocate them but I still cherish you as a person and a friend. Okay?"

Slowly, her body relaxed and she hugged me back, breathing into my hair.

We stayed like that for several seconds before finally pulling away.

"Goddess..." Caroline giggled, using her fingers to clean her watery eyes. "You’re too good for this world, Odessa."

I rolled my eyes, shoving her playfully on the shoulder. "Shut up."

We both laughed this time but just when I brought my gaze to the night sky again, I noticed something flying toward us.

A barn owl.

I furrowed my eyebrows as the bird perched on the railing between Caroline and me. We both blinked at each other with confusion until I lowered my head and noticed something strapped to its side.

A letter.