Part Four

I gave the pack a moment to settle down, to digest everything I’d told them and let them come to terms with what they’d seen from Jessica. It was a lot to take in and a lot to understand. Once I did that spell, there was no going back, I’d be a half breed.

“Dezrael will be coming for Kai because he is my first-born.” I had yet to tell them that I was a half breed.

“Why is she coming after Kai?” Frank asked.

“Okay, guys, now I’m going to tell you another secret that I only recently found out and then if it’s your choice, I’ll step down as Alpha if that’s what you want.” They all looked at me and I could see the confusion in their eyes.

“This sounds worse than a witch coming after your son.”

“Karani was a half witch and that makes me a half witch too. She chose her wolf life over that of a witch. Dezrael’s fear is that Kai will draw on Karani’s power one day. She wants Karani’s power for herself and she will try to claim it through my daughter which she thinks is my first-born.”

There were low murmurs as they spoke among themselves and I gave them a few minutes to discuss all this. It was a lot to take in. I didn’t think that they ever told anyone about Karani’s true heritage because even I had not known.

“As Karani’s first-born son I can draw on her power and deflect Dezrael’s claim on Kai. That means that I’ll embrace my witch side and become a half breed.”

Travis was the first one to stand up. “Doesn’t that mean that she will then come after you?”

“Kiran, we all loved Karani. I don’t care that she was a half witch or even a full witch and I don’t care if you are one either. I’m not voting you out,” Carl said and Frank nodded his agreement.

“What can we do to help?” Richard asked as he looked at Malachi and then at me.

“Nothing. It was my duty to be honest with you, but this is something that I will face alone. James will step in for me with Malachi as his advisor while I eliminate this enemy. There’s no reason for her to come after any of you, it’s Kai she wants but it’s me she’ll get instead.”

“No offense, Kiran, but you have a pack for a reason. You have Zetas at your disposal, use us, man.”

“Thank you, Carl, but this is a new enemy we know nothing about. Trust me when I say she’s not getting anywhere near my son, I’ll deal with her.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The conviction from earlier wasn’t present in their voices now, but I also knew that they would follow my instructions.

“Do we need a vote here?” They all shook their heads.

James was looking at me and I knew he was angry. I hadn’t told him beforehand that I would take a step back while he took a step forward. He thought he was going with me. I waited until everyone had left before exiting the den. James was waiting for me outside.

“I’m not doing it.” James spoke as I closed the door behind me.

“You don’t have a say here.” My voice was firm and James glared at me. He wasn’t happy with my decision.

“I should be with you, every step of the way.” His anger flashed in his eyes.

“You have twins on the way! You need to look after both our families. I need you here to protect everything that I can’t!”

He walked ahead to the Jeep and then turned around. “What if you don’t come back?”

“Then you take over until Kai’s ready to lead.” I climbed into the Jeep and James slammed his door closed. I could only smile because his heart was pure and his devotion to me unwavering.

James was silent on our way back and I knew he was brooding. “I don’t like this, Kiran. How are you supposed to harness Karani’s power anyway?”

I couldn’t and wouldn’t lie to him. He deserved to know the truth, especially if he had to carry my burdens at home. I had only seen James pissed off a few times in my life and right now I needed him calm.

“Some sort of ceremony where a part of my liver gets cut out.” I kept my voice casual, but James braked so hard that I had to brace myself against the dashboard as the Jeep started skidding and finally came to a stop.

“What!” His eyes flashed danger but there was nothing else I could say to make any of this better.

“Look, it is what it is. I have no choice here, the Norns expect certain things from me, if I don’t do it, they won’t change Kai’s fate.”

“There has to be another way, Kiran.” His voice was almost pleading but I wouldn’t back down from this. I was shown the way for a reason. I knew I could do this.

“There isn’t. Jess is one witch, her coven won’t get involved.” I had no idea if Jessica was involved with a coven or not but I knew if she had one she wouldn’t involve them.

“Surely she knows other witches that can help.”

“It doesn’t work like that. This is on me. I have to walk the road I’ve been shown. I’m not letting my son die, James. The only way they’ll let Kai live is if I become a witch.”

“Do you have any idea how insane that sounds? Cutting out a piece of your liver?”

“Trust me, I do, but Dezi’s coven will follow her to the ends of the earth. I’m doing this, James, no matter what any of you say.”

The previous night we had sat up all night talking about how the structure of the witches worked. Witches that didn’t practice dark magic would steer clear of covens that did. Jessica had been very clear about that.