Talon's POV
"How can that be? She has her rights. I'm just worried about what Pantheon will do if Caitlyn doesn't come back. He's solely living for Caitlyn right now," I explained, my heart in my mouth though.
Leona tried to discern my true thoughts from my expression, but apparently, I succeeded in disguising them.
"It makes sense that you would say that. After all, in that strange place, it was just Caitlyn herself."
At that moment, Leona became a little nervous, even after hearing me out. She pursed her lips and looked at Bard and me with confusion.
"Speaking of which, according to my investigation, the reason Zed showed up in the first place was to take Caitlyn back."
Leona grew more alarmed as she spoke, her eyes widening in horror.
"That won't do. I'm going to find her," I said in a hushed voice, immediately ready to move.
"No way, Alpha. Since the failure of the last operation, entry and exit inside and outside the palace have become more and more strict. If we go out rashly at this time, I'm afraid it will inevitably arouse the suspicion of the Lycans," Bard couldn't help but dissuade me.
"Don't be in a hurry. Before I came, Pantheon told me that he wanted me to dissuade you from going to Caitlyn," Leona said.
"Pantheon? He knew that I would be there to protect Caitlyn. He was too stupid to do so, and that's why he couldn't protect anyone he wanted to protect up to this point. I'm going to him right now and tell him the truth."
Feeling indignant, I pushed past Bard and Leona.
Walking down the road, I couldn't help but remember last assassination operation in my mind.
In fact, planning the last operation was coincidental. My pack had previously discovered that the king had been in close contact with quite a few powerful packs recently and was likely brewing a plot.
His investigations suspected me several times, so before my identity was completely exposed, I had to strike first.
What I didn't expect was that even in that situation, the king erupted with amazing survival instincts, fending off my strongest attack at that time.
I had Bard's brother dress up as me, and Caitlyn put on a show in front of the king before the assassination, while I wore a different mask, lurking behind the king's back. The blow was successful, but it didn't kill the king, and his eyes were filled with resentment at that moment.
To this day, I was not sure if my identity had been revealed. However, what hurt me the most right now was Caitlyn's departure.
When I arrived at Pantheon's house, he seemed to have anticipated my arrival and was sitting on the couch, smiling.
"Why didn't you tell me about Caitlyn's identity earlier? Do you know how scary the Fullmoon pack is? She's just a human."
I couldn't help but fume at the sight of Pantheon's calm demeanor, and the wolf inside me hissed in a low voice.
"Relax, I know better than that about what that pack is really like. But it was all Caitlyn's choice."
"You knew Zed was going to take Caitlyn back?"
I couldn't help but frown.
"That's Caitlyn's mother's pack."
Pantheon nodded softly. His words shook me to my core, associating it with the powerful werewolf abilities that had awakened in Caitlyn, sending me into deep thought.
Back then, when Pantheon ran away from the palace, Tryndamere had sent an absolute force to encircle him, so it was reasonably impossible for there to be any accidents at all.
But in the end, Tryndamere compromised and let Pantheon give up his support for my father in exchange for his freedom, which was extraordinarily surprising to me. So that battle also made Pantheon the God of War.
Now that I thought about it, probably the biggest variation happened with what we thought was Pantheon's human wife.
"So, did she say when she was coming back?" I asked Pantheon.
"I don't know. It could be a month, or it could be years."
Pantheon said it easily, but I could still vaguely feel his reluctance at the moment.
"Then you're so relieved to leave her there alone. No matter what you think, I'll go get her back."
I spoke in a hushed tone, my voice carrying an undeniable authority.
"I assume Leona has filled you in on why Caitlyn returned to the pack."
"Uh-huh." I nodded solemnly.
For a long time, I believed I could protect those dear to me, but in reality, I had only brought Caitlyn continuous trouble. This realization made me particularly nervous when Zed appeared.
I feared Caitlyn might choose to walk away from me. Despite thinking that we had faced numerous challenges together and could weather anything, her departure highlighted how crucial her presence was in my heart.
Moreover, Caitlyn left to enhance her ability to protect me. The thought of this always evoked a wave of shame within me.
"She doesn't want to burden you. She wants to stand before you, guarding you in her own way. Honestly, Talon, I envy you," Pantheon said, looking at me with a serious expression, a hint of bitterness playing on the corners of his mouth.
"She's grown up. No longer the little girl crying her eyes out to me. She has her own mind, her own desires for freedom and love. That's why I choose to respect her decision," Pantheon added with extra sincerity. Through the hazy moonlight, I noticed his eyes gradually reddening.
"But she's still human, and forgive me, Pantheon, I can't sit idly by like you. I took a deep breath and shook my head gently.
"Don't forget the trouble you just got yourself into. Don't let Caitlyn's sacrifice for you go to waste!"
Pantheon's words jolted me awake instantly.
I dare say, with certainty, that no one had uncovered my identity at that moment. However, if I were to leave the palace now, the most significant suspicion would fall upon me.
On the other hand, exposing my identity at that juncture would only lead to endless pursuit. This was undoubtedly unwelcome news for Caitlyn as well.
"Alright," I nodded somewhat dismally, then slowly exited the room. Almost immediately, I resumed my usual stance.
"As soon as Braum is released from the hospital, have him infiltrate the Fullmoon pack right away to protect Caitlyn in the shadows. Remember, this is top secret," I instructed Bard, who grasped the gravity of my words, nodding heavily before leaving.
Alone, I made my way back, my shadow stretching under the bright moon. As far back as I could recall, Caitlyn's joyful giggles would always echo beside me in moments like these.
"Caitlyn, are you doing well over there? Don't worry; I'll strive harder to stand in front of you!"