Chapter Three: Failure

Akira’s pov.

I stood before Kaida, my head bowed in shame. I could feel her anger and grief, she had just lost her mother. I knew I had failed, and I couldn't blame her for blaming me.

"Akira, you failed," Kaida spat, her voice filled with venom . "Lyra is dead, and it's all your fault."

I felt a lump form in my throat as her words sunk in me. I knew I had done everything I could, but it hadn't been enough. I had tried to heal Lyra, to save her, but my efforts had been in vain.

"I'm sorry, Kaida," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Kaida's expression turned even angrier. "Sorry? Sorry isn't enough, Akira. You're a disgrace to our pack. You're supposed to be our healer, our savior. But instead, you're a failure. You killed her!”

I felt tears gather at the corners of my eyes as Kaida's verbal thrashing continued. I knew I didn't deserve this, but I also knew that Kaida was sad and upset.

“You… you killed my sister with your black magic! I saw you… you failed to heal her and resorted to black magic. You are just like your mother. Good for nothing. “ Kaida rained down insults on me.

At the mention of my mother’s name, my eyes welled up with tears. I was only five years old when I watched my mother get burned to death.

The alpha of the pack then accused her of being a witch, my mother cried and pleaded for a chance to explain herself but her pleas fell on deaf ears and she was not given a fair trial.

A drop of tears fell down my eyes. “ I know you are hurt, but please…do not bring my mother into this. She has nothing to do with this.” I snapped at Kaida.

Her eyes went wide with shock but she quickly regained her composure. “You have some nerve to speak to me like that, you mutt. I should have killed you when I got the chance.” Kaida snarled at me.

“What did I do wrong? I told you from the start that Lyra’s body was rejecting all the treatments, I explained things to you. I told you about the risks and complications involved in this case but you refused to listen to me. You begged me to give it a try.” I vented my anger on Kaida.

“Did I ask you to use black magic on the only surviving family member that I have left? Did I ? Answer me, you little mutt, did I ask you to kill my mother?” Kaida snapped and reached out her hand to hold my throat.

I instinctively moved back and slightly got away from her grip.

“You have to stop doing this. I understand you are sad and hurt but this is not my fault.” I cried out, my voice a desperate plea.

“It is your fault! You killed my mother… you witch! You killed my mother.” Kaida roared, her whole body shaking with rage.

“And I will make sure you do not live to Kill another innocent person!” She hissed and lunged herald at me.

Just then, the door burst open, and Talon walked in, his eyes blazing with anger. "Kaida, enough!" he growled. "Akira did everything she could. It's not her fault Lyra died."

I felt a sense of gratitude towards Talon for standing up for me, but I also knew that this was far from over. Kaida's expression turned even angrier , and I knew that she was not going to let this go easily.

"And who are you to defend her, Talon?" Kaida snarled. "You're just as guilty as she is. You're the one who brought her into our pack, who vouched for her. You are the one who chanted her praises!”

Talon's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "I'm the one who saw something in Akira that you couldn't, Kaida. I'm the one who believed in her, who gave her a chance. And she's proved herself time and time again. Since your mother died, deal with it.”

Kaida sneered. "Proved herself? Are you kidding me? She's a failure, Talon. A complete and utter failure."

I gritted my teeth at Kaida's words, but Talon's calm look kept me in check. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on Kaida.

"That's enough, Kaida," he growled. "You're not going to bully Akira anymore. She's done nothing but try to help this pack, and this is how you repay her?"

Kaida's expression turned even uglier, but Talon didn't back down. He stood tall, ready for whatever venom would come out of Kaida’s mouth .

"Leave her alone, Kaida," he warned. "Or face me."

Kaida's eyes darted to Talon, then back to me. For a moment, I thought she was going to attack me, but then she seemed to think better of it. With a snarl, she turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Talon and me alone.

I let out a breath, my heart still racing from the confrontation. Talon turned to me, his eyes filled with care

“Akira, I'm sorry," he said, his voice gentle. "I know Kaida can be... difficult. But I promise you, I'll always have your back."

I smiled, feeling gratitude towards Talon. "Thanks, Talon," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

Talon nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Anytime, Akira. We're in this together, always."

And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me to process the events of the past few hours. I knew that this was far from over, and that Kaida would continue to be a thorn in my flesh.

But something in me told me… she would do something bad to me.