Caitlyn's POV
"Then I'm afraid you don't stand a chance of winning because I'm not here to discuss; I'm here to inform you."
Kaisa was a little surprised at my defiance, but she soon regained her composure. A confident smile adorned her face, a product of years of victories, as if she was asserting that there was nothing she couldn't achieve if she set her mind to it.
"As you mentioned earlier, you're undoubtedly aware of the relationship between Talon and me. It would be one thing if I were the one seeking to end it, but if an outsider were attempting to separate me from Talon, all I can say is that it would be quite ridiculous indeed."
I let out a cold laugh before delicately picking up the tea Kaisa had prepared earlier, taking a small sip.
"But from what I gathered, it seems like during your last visit to your room, you expressed a desire to never see Talon again."
Kaisa spoke lightly, wearing a winning smile on her face.
"You spied on me?"
My eyes instinctively narrowed into a straight line at her words, acknowledging that the woman in front of me was the most formidable adversary I'd ever faced.
"You're not significant enough for me to exert such effort. The palace is vast, and conversations echo through its corridors without much effort."
Kaisa looked at me with a smile, implying that naivety was a luxury I couldn't afford in my current situation. At that moment, I recalled the maid who had led me here earlier, realizing that I was the only one without hidden agendas in this palace.
"Yes, that's what I said. I can part with my belongings, but if someone comes to steal them, I'm more than willing to let them know the price of touching my things."
"I must admit, you possess a considerable amount of resilience. Quite fitting for the mate chosen by the man I desire."
Kaisa's narrow eyes slowly tightened, her voice soft but chilling.
"You are unlike any human I have ever encountered, and you qualify as my opponent."
Kaisa nodded, gazing at me with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
"But what you should be clear about is that, as a human, even if you were outstanding that day, you're still just a human. Talon needs more than just a Mate; his pack needs a Luna who can breed powerful Alphas."
Kaisa slowly stood up, her long white dress billowing in the breeze, and a faint scent of lavender wafted through the air. Seeing that I didn't say anything, Kaisa turned to look at me with a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"Though it's a bit offensive to say so, I understand that Talon's child you were carrying was miscarried in the last fight, right?"
I could sense Kaisa's reluctance in broaching this topic perhaps due to the sympathy, which changes my impression of her to a certain extent.
"Yes, but I thank you for rescuing me then."
I pursed my lips, attempting to maintain a calm tone in my reply to her words, but it still felt a bit cold and even unsympathetic, which might have made me feel uncomfortable if I were Kaisa.
"That's not what I meant; I'm just trying to get you to recognize reality."
Kaisa waved her hand, showing no change in attitude due to my tone.
"Maybe you're young and think that all two people need to do together is love each other, but it's not that pure in the world of werewolves. It's a world that honors the survival of the fittest in terms of strength, and kindness is even more of an optional accessory. If a pack doesn't have a strong Alpha, then there's only one endgame left."
"What?"
I frowned, a little unsure why she was telling me this.
"Death."
Kaisa laughed softly before lifting her head to gaze into the distance.
"That's always been the only standard I chose my mate. They were all too weak to qualify as my mate, and it was too unfair to my people."
"You are the one who are making everything too complicated," I responded softly. However, observing Kaisa, who remained silent for a long time, I added, "What kind of future could two people have, bound together only by their packs' interests? That would be the greatest injustice to your children and your people."
After hearing my words, Kaisa suddenly burst into loud laughter, as if she had heard an incredibly amusing joke. Her laughter echoed through the garden, drawing the attention of several onlookers.
"At times, I've pondered the idea of being human," she admitted. "Caitlyn, you may believe that Talon chose you as his mate, but the reality is, even though you both overcame numerous challenges, when you suffered a miscarriage, the pressure on him within his pack must have intensified. Harsh as it sounds, that's the truth."
Kaisa's gaze returned from a distance, and she turned her head to look directly at me. "Although I currently hold no interest in Talon, I will compete with you on equal ground. I'll make him my mate, become his luna, and bear a powerful Alpha for his pack. It's destined and unchangeable, regardless of the effort you invest."
Kaisa's candidness caught me off guard. I've encountered many arrogant werewolves flaunting their lineage, asserting dominance through their heritage, but Kaisa was different.
She emphasized that, being a powerful werewolf, she sought a stronger mate to bond with—Talon just happened to be that one. It seemed neither of us was at fault; fate had placed us on opposing ends of the spectrum.
"Before I came here today, I believed Talon would be waiting for me here, and I'd bid him farewell before leaving this place forever. Your words, however, have changed my mind."
"Oh?" Kaisa raised an eyebrow, displaying a keen interest.
"I'm going to win him back. Through my actions, I'll demonstrate that love conquers all—whether human or werewolf. Love is the greatest weapon in this world."
Kaisa heard my words, her eyes showing a surprised glint as she subconsciously stared at me.