Beyond the Veil (Threw My eyes book 2)

Am I insane?

Keith POV

Keith stood on the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping through his hair as he surveyed the bustling city below.

It had been months since Lance's sacrifice, and the pain of losing his mate still gnawed at Keith's heart.

As Keith gazed down at the people going about their lives, memories flooded back to him—moments shared with Lance, laughter, arguments, and the deep bond they had forged.

He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar throb of his mate mark, a constant reminder of their connection.

The nights were the hardest for Keith.

Every night, he was haunted by dreams where Lance would appear, promising to return to him.

These dreams were both a comfort and a torment, as they stirred up emotions that Keith struggled to contain.  

In his dreams, Lance would speak to him, his voice a soothing balm to Keith's wounded soul.

 "I'll come back to you, Keith. I promise," Lance would say, his eyes filled with love and determination.

And each time, Keith would wake with tears in his eyes, longing for the dream to be reality.

Despite the pain, Keith found solace in his training.

He threw himself into honing his skills, channeling his grief into every strike, every move.

The physical exertion helped to quiet his mind, if only temporarily.

But no matter how hard he trained, the ache in his heart remained.

One evening, as Keith sparred with a holographic opponent, he heard a voice behind him.

"You fight with such intensity," a familiar voice remarked.

Keith froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he turned around to see Lance standing there, a ghostly apparition bathed in soft light.

"Lance?" Keith whispered, disbelief and hope warring within him. "Is it really you?"

Lance smiled, his expression filled with love and sadness. "I'm here, Keith. In spirit, if not in flesh."

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Keith rushed forward and enveloped Lance in a tight embrace.

He could feel the warmth of Lance's presence, the faint echo of his heartbeat.

"I've missed you so much," Keith murmured, his voice breaking with emotion.

"I know, love," Lance replied, running a comforting hand through Keith's hair.

"But you have to be strong. I'll always be with you."

 Lance's form began to fade, his essence returning to the realm beyond.

"Don't forget ," Lance whispered, his voice fading into the wind. "I'm coming home."

"I won't forget," Keith vowed, his eyes brimming with tears.

And with that, Lance was gone, leaving Keith standing alone under the starlit sky.

But this time, the ache in his heart felt a little lighter, knowing that Lance was watching over him.

--------

"Keith," Romelle greeted him as she approached.

"Alpha," Keith acknowledged with a nod.

"Please don't," Romelle said, looking away with a defeated expression.

Keith frowned, sensing her distress. "What's wrong?"

"The Pride is divided, and I don't know what to do!" Romelle's eyes filled with tears. "I-" She paused, unable to continue.

Keith walked over and embraced her like a brother. "Explain," he urged gently.

Pulling away slightly, Romelle looked at him seriously.

"Can't you feel it? Use your bond, Keith."

Keith closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he shared with the Pride through Lance's mark.

When he opened his eyes, a frown creased his brow. "I thought you said that it would fade eventually."

"It should have," Romelle replied, her voice tinged with worry.

"What does this mean?" Keith asked, crossing his arms in thought.

"It means I'm not Alpha, and the Pride can feel that," Romelle explained.

"It means that this divide in our people is only going to get worse. It means that -" She stopped abruptly.

"Tell me," Keith urged, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"People are leaving the Pride," Romelle whispered. "And joining another. But I don't know who."

Keith's expression hardened as he processed the information. "We need to act fast. We can't let this divide tear us apart. Lances legacy will be destroyed."

"Keith," Romelle began, but her words trailed off as Adam entered the room.

"Are you telling him?" Adam asked, positioning himself beside Romelle.

Romelle nodded and turned back to Keith, her expression grave.

"As of right now, Keith, you are the highest-ranked member in the Pride because you are Lance's mate," Romelle explained.

"But..." She glanced at Adam, a silent request for him to continue.

"We are going to tell you something that cannot be repeated and cannot raise your hopes unrealistically. Do you understand?"

Adam's tone was stern as he locked eyes with Keith, emphasizing the seriousness of their revelation.

Keith nodded, his gaze steady as he prepared himself for what was to come.

"With there being no change in the bonds," Adam continued, "there is a very small possibility that Lance could still be alive."

Welcome back my lovely readers ;) 

I got a request to contiune this serise so here it is....