CLAIMED

21

The moment Kazan regained consciousness, his eyes circled Ezekiel's bedroom, desperately looking for the stray. But she was nowhere in sight, and her stench almost left the building. This means she was long gone. And the realization of this happening due to his reckless and foolish actions broke his heart. Suddenly, it became difficult for him to breathe for what felt like days, but only a few minutes have gone by.

"Are you alright, bro?" The worried Ezekiel managed to relieve his sovereign from what looked like a panicked attack. Oh, thank goodness, he thought he had to rush him to the hospital.

"She is—she's gone. Isn't she?" Kazan barely managed to say.

"Yes, she is. I'm sorry, man." Ezekiel really felt bad for his sovereign. Based on what he overheard from the staircase—the conversation between Kazan and the stray—it seems Kaz had truly fallen for her way deeper than he thought. And yes, he decided to stay close by in case the stray tried to murder Kazan. Ok, it's because he couldn't wait until later to hear from Kazan what took place. Geez.

Anyway, he had never seen his brother so low in spirit and broken, especially over a woman. He knows very well that claiming someone can be very overwhelming for both the claimed and the claimant. However, this just seems to be something entirely different.

"It's alright." Kazan got out of bed, feeling a bit woozy. That head blow from the stray was incredible. If it had been any harder, she might have killed him with a single blow. Her strange techniques are very dangerous, no doubt. "She has made her decision."

"Are you sure, man?" Ezekiel was unconvinced by his statement, not after what he overheard a few hours ago. And definitely, not after what he saw just now.

Sure, he has never experienced what Kazan is currently going through—heartbreak. But he somewhat understands. If his wife left him like that, he would be just as devastated as Kaz is, or worse.

"Yes." Kazan choked, fighting back the tears. Every second of her not being here was killing him, but he had to try and stay strong. He's a sovereign, after all. He doesn't feel like it, though.

"OK." Ezekiel won't push the issue any further. He has known Kaz since they were kids; this guy won't open up about anything unless he wants to. "Oh, I thought you should know that I've informed my grandfather about Danica's request for the stray to leave the pack while you were unconscious."

"Don't mention that brat name in front of me!" Kazan snarled. "You know what? I'm out of here."

"Please tell me you are not going after that stray." Ezekiel stopped him from leaving.

"I can't do it." Kazan breaks down in tears. So much for being strong. "I—I—I—I can't let her go, Ziki."

"I know." Witnessing the devastation of his brother brought tears to his eyes. Ezekiel even hugged him, hoping to give him some sort of comfort. "But it's like you said she had made her decision, bro. And you have to respect that."

"But I can't, Ziki!" Kazan wept even harder. "No matter how hard I try to convince myself, it's—" He was unable to speak for a few minutes. "I—I can't do this."

"I know it's hard, brother. But you have to be strong," Ezekiel breaks the hug to look him in the face and say. "Besides, three days from now, what you are feeling now won't matter." Hopefully.

"I know." Kazan assumed Ezekiel must have overheard his conversation with the stray. That must be why he knows about the date for the declaiming ritual. Or maybe Grandmaster Dorian had informed him about it. "But—"

"Please don't do anything rash, bro." Ezekiel beseeched. "Remember, you are the sovereign. Your pack comes first."

"You are right." Kazan dried his eyes and forced a smile. "Thank you for your support, brother. Anyway, I'm going home now to try to get some shut eyes." That's just an excuse to end this pointless conversation so he can go track down that stray.