CHAPTER 52: 52-FIXING EVERYTHING

Kash:

I was heading straight to the South to meet Lara and convince her father that I was marrying her for her sake.

"You’re still trying to fulfill the promise you made to yourself, even when you know Iris has moved on from you?" my wolf snapped.

He was always upset with me for unintentionally hurting my mate, even though he knew it had been the only choice I had, the right thing to do.

I ignored him.

As I reached the southern border, I was let in instantly.

The flight had been boring and tiring. I hated flying alone.

When I arrived in the South, cars were already waiting to escort me to the main mansion.

During the drive, I tried calling Iris to check on my son, but she was so stubborn.

She knew I was anxious and worried, yet she avoided speaking to me about him.

"Alpha King, please come inside," a maid said, letting me walk through the large hall.

I noticed how the South packs lived.

They still followed old traditions, and every time I visited, I could feel how different the air was compared to the North.

The Blue River flowed right behind the mountains, protected by barbed wire and warriors.

Part of it ran through the mountains and beyond.

Anyone who wanted to reach the heart of the river had to swim through the mountain, though I didn’t know what lay beyond.

That was only my assumption.

As soon as I stepped into the living room, Lara rushed toward me, wrapping her arms around me.

Her father sat on the couch, watching silently.

I put my arms around her to show affection. Her father and I locked eyes for a moment.

It felt like a challenge, who would look away first?

He knew I wouldn’t break the stare, so he smiled and lowered his head, ending it.

"I knew you would come," Lara said quickly, clinging to me.

"Of course I would come. Do you really think a third party could cancel our marriage?" I replied, breaking the hug and cupping her face.

I gently ran my thumb across her cheek.

There had been a time when I loved her, back in the past, but not deeply.

It had been young love.

We were in high school together, and during training, our feelings grew.

We started dating, but things fell apart when she cheated on me.

And now here we were, reunited again. What a perfect love story.

"Alpha King, I must say, I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t think you would come," Lord Ronald began, his tone carrying clear bitterness.

Lara broke the hug and turned to glare at her father.

"I’m just saying, daughter, the way he was more interested in the river than you last time, I was really worried for you," her father said.

Of course, that was all he could do– worry.

Many alphas in the past had tried to take over the South, but the Blue River had never allowed them.

For someone to be Alpha King of the South, they had to be accepted by Lord Ronald or his ancestors.

So far, that has never happened.

I was Alpha King of the south, but not legally, not yet.

That would only happen once I married Lara.

I walked into the living room, holding Lara’s hand as she skipped beside me, smiling happily.

"Don’t get me wrong, Kash. I like you a lot. You’re the only capable man for my daughter, and she loves you too. I admire your strength and the power you hold. You’re a perfect match to be Alpha King of the South," her father continued, offering me a seat.

I sat down, crossing one leg over the other, my stance wide and firm.

Lara immediately pressed herself against my side, hugging my arm and resting her face on my chest.

"Then what seems to be the problem?" I asked, staring straight into her father’s eyes.

"I saw too much excitement in your eyes for the water, and it scared me. I’m not lying when I say there are monsters guarding the Blue River. If you don’t believe me, I can show you," he said.

That was the first time he had ever been willing to take someone near the Blue River.

"Really? See, I’m interested in the Blue River because you know me, I’m not someone who just listens to stories and agrees. When I become Alpha King, I want to understand the full strength and power of the river. That’s who I am," I told him.

I didn’t tell him my true motive. I hadn’t told anyone why I was so desperate to reach the river, or why I had allowed Lara back into my life.

It was one of those things, if you spoke about it, you ruined it. And I couldn’t afford to ruin it.

He nodded slowly, as if realizing he wouldn’t find a better candidate to protect the South.

Or maybe he was afraid of me.

And then there was his daughter, her tears meant everything to this old man.

And she was deeply in love with me.

"I would like to visit the Blue River," I stated, looking directly at him.

"Sure," he replied. "How about you bring your warriors next time? I’ll give you a tour of the Blue River. But remember, Kash, it’s not what it appears to be. And it’s definitely not what others claim it is."

He warned me, and I nodded.

I wasn’t afraid of the Blue River. I wasn’t afraid of any monsters.

Monsters were not meant to be left alone, they were meant to be fought, to be destroyed.

After much discussion, it was decided that the engagement ceremony would continue as planned, two months from now.

They insisted that I stay, but I excused myself, lying about needing to return to my pack and work on the perfume launch.

In truth, I needed to see my son and confront Iris, to remind her that when I call, she should damn well pick up.