Caitlyn's POV
After chatting with Talon for a while, we finally resolved the misunderstanding between us. Talon assured me that he would fulfill his duties as a mate in the future. In return, I had to reassure him that I would distance myself from Zed.
Observing him with such seriousness made me feel like we came back to the time we spent in the small town before.
"Caitlyn."
As Talon and I went our separate ways, I was heading back when I heard a familiar voice from behind. I turned around to find Kaisa standing just around the corner, waving at me affectionately.
"Um... Kaisa, is there something else?"
I nodded at Kaisa politely. Since the last time we faced life and death together, I sensed that our relationship had changed a bit. Nevertheless, Kaisa was still my love rival, so logic dictated that I maintain a proper distance.
"Do you have time? There's something I want to talk to you about."
Kaisa pursed her lips, appearing hesitant.
"Now?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah, if it's not too much trouble for you."
"Then... that's fine. Go ahead."
Seeing my inclination to agree, a hint of delight appeared on Kaisa's face.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go to my room."
Kaisa looked around warily, signaling with her eyes. Indeed, there were a few discreet figures watching from a corner not too far away.
"Hmm."
I nodded and carefully followed Kaisa's lead, soon entering her place. After responding to several rounds of greetings from the others on the way, Kaisa took me to her room, and I could sense a hint of shock in the eyes of the members of Kaisa's pack.
After all, my presence here as Kaisa's love rival seemed to be a dramatic event in itself.
"Would you like some coffee?"
Back in her room, Kaisa appeared visibly relaxed.
"Yes. Kaisa, just now you mentioned..."
I nodded, recalling what Kaisa was about to say earlier.
"By the way, I have a request for you," Kaisa suddenly said with a serious expression, causing my heart to tense as I awaited her follow-up words.
"At the ball, I would like you to request the king's presence to witness the wedding between you and Talon."
Sensing the shock in my eyes, Kaisa paused slightly before continuing, "I know you must be wondering why I'm suggesting this, especially considering what I have done towards Talon before."
Kaisa said, giving a small smile.
"Then why now..." I looked up at Kaisa, puzzled.
"I've been reflecting on your words since our last conversation, and upon introspection, I realized that Talon's influence on my heart might not be as profound as I initially believed."
Kaisa spoke while turning her head to gaze out the window, the gentle wind blowing through the tips of her hair, revealing a different kind of beauty.
"That's why, since returning from the hunting match, I concluded that I shouldn't be the one standing in the way of your happiness."
"But didn't you make the decision for the future of the pack?" I recalled Kaisa's previous statement; after all, in the werewolf world, strength is paramount, a sentiment widely acknowledged by everyone.
"That's true, but it's also because of that," Kaisa said, her eyes appearing a little misty, as if reminiscing about something from her past.
"When I first encountered Talon, something stirred in my heart because he brought a sense of familiarity. It reminded me of when I was young; I once ventured deep into the forest out of curiosity, got lost, and spent three days and three nights alone. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a werewolf appeared in front of me."
Kaisa's words quickened my heartbeat, and I found myself asking almost subconsciously, "Is it Talon?"
A hint of surprise flickered in Kaisa's eyes, and she seemed to hesitate before gently shaking her head. "Honestly, I'm not sure, but when I first met Talon, there was a scent about him that I could identify."
"So you chose Talon because you felt he had been the one who had saved you?" I asked in astonishment. I never could have imagined that Kaisa and Talon shared such a relationship.
"But I've figured it out now; there are many powerful people in this world. I don't need to gamble with my life's happiness. I also believe that I have the ability to elevate the pack to greater heights."
Kaisa's eyes gleamed with determination. In this moment, it was apparent that Kaisa had changed somewhat from before. While she had always carried the responsibility of an Alpha, now she seemed to be living more for herself.
"I'm glad you feel that way. Honestly, I've considered you a friend by default since the last time we came back from a hunting match together, and..." I intentionally prolonged my voice at the end, a playful smile on my lips. Kaisa, meeting my gaze, appeared a bit shy, as if she sensed I had something to say.
"And you've been acting a bit off since our last return. You're not falling for Zed, are you?" As soon as the words left my mouth, a crimson blush appeared on Kaisa's face, and she instinctively turned away.
"That's why I sought you out—to confirm the nature of your relationship with Zed. Why did Zed become unusually active immediately after seeing you during the hunting tournament, even going so far as to treat you upon returning?" Kaisa fell silent at the end of her sentence, alluding to the earlier incident where Zed had picked me up with much fanfare.
"I honestly don't know, but I can sense that he's not pursuing me. It's more like...a love from a brother to his sister?"
I furrowed my brow, voicing the question that had been on my mind.
"If I'm not mistaken in my research, your mother is also from the Fullmoon Pack, right?" Kaisa hesitated for a moment before looking up at me.