Fated

Chapter 11 - Decision Is A Key

About three months had passed. They came and went in a flash. Everyone from the pack who was chosen to participate had been training day and night, honing his or her skills. It was out of sheer luck they passed the preliminary rounds and got themselves entered for the finals – with no deaths whatsoever. Caila, Tainer, Myrtle and Daniel were still unconscious with Nurses checking on them everyday, refilling the IV bags and checking for any signs of illness, which thankfully, weren’t any.

Kaden grew quiet over the days, pulling into a shell as he thought of his problems, and especially how to solve them. Andrew was worried of his mental state but he still kept in touch with Kaden from time to time in between training, so that his worry was in the very least kept to a minimum.

Currently, Kaden was perched on a fat branch of a tree, his guitar resting on his thigh, the melody weaving through the forest. The afternoon sun had its glorious rays blocked by the mass of clouds, casting shadows down onto the earth. The wind picked up strands of his hair, making them dance along.

Humans were a species that naturally craved for attention, for needs, and for love. As much as that person held back his or her cravings, there would always still have that part that was selfish. It was in the human nature to be selfish and to be perfect. It couldn’t be helped. It could have been that very reason why there were so many philosophies in the world.

We humans wanted dreams to come true. Pessimists said that won’t ever happen but optimists said they will.

We wanted someone to love us unconditionally but the female population had too much needs and the guys could hardly understand the opposite gender.

Ah, problems. What would the world be without them? An unrealistic world it’d be.

And what would the biggest problem be? Oh, no. Not money. It’s something more…unattainable. Love. True love.

Kaden stopped in his actions as those thoughts suddenly invaded his mind. True love? Would he ever find it? It didn’t go unheard that werewolves would find their mate but that was only cause they were lucky. It was actually rare for that to happen. He craned his head up to look at the leaves rustling in the breeze. Was he willing to not love anyone else until he found his mate? He knew his feelings for Salma had changed to a neutral one. They were simply friends now – not like he ever talked to her after that incident but he did fix things with Nathen.

Kaden, dude. Are you there?

He jumped at the sudden voice of his Alpha and best friend. Andrew! What’s up? Did something happen?

Oh, no. Nothing happened. I was just checking up on you. You okay?

A smile flitted onto his lips at the sincerity. Yeah…I’m doing well. Just thinking of Salma and Nathen. I’m glad things were solved between all of us. Just wish I could tell Caila and see her expression.

Oh… Andrew’s voice was filled with sadness. He wished for the same, for all four trainers to awaken but he couldn’t rush Kaden. He couldn’t. I wish you good luck, Kaden.

Thanks a lot… Kaden meant it. For everything that Andrew had done and said before.

He leaned his head back against the tree bark, relaxing at the warmth nature gave. His thoughts once again drifted towards his earlier dilemma. If it were Caila, would she wait for her true love? She already reached the age of an adult but she hadn’t met her mate, but then again, she’s been in coma the entire time.

Was it a good thing Salma had rejected him? Closing his eyes, he remembered the time when he was drowned in sorrows and felt like all hope was lost. He was agitated but even more so being hurt. His lips curved down when Nathen had betrayed him by saying the things Salma told him but the betrayal was stronger when it hadn’t been Nathen who said it. Salma lied.

“What doesn’t kill will make you stronger…” he mumbled under his breath, opening his eyes ever so slightly. “Hmm… it kind of feels like Andrew didn’t give me a job because of this Constantine thing…” His face darkened at the name.

It was because him that all this happened!

Out of fury, he elbowed the tree he sat on, causing it to vibrate from his strength. He ignored the pain that shot up his arm while he growled, his fangs bared. Constantine really did get on his nerves. That was for certain.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled it slowly and loosened his grip on the neck of his guitar, not wanting it to snap in two. He wasn’t going to lose his favourite guitar because of anger he couldn’t control.

Then it dawned on him.

Andrew? He called softly, certain uncertainty suddenly gripping at his heart.

Yes? Andrew sang.

Is it better to listen to my heart…or mind?

Your heart. Listen to your heart.

Kaden nodded his head, looking down at his guitar. Listen to his heart, huh? That made sense, in a sense…

Moving so that his legs dangled over the branch, he held his guitar with a hand as he gazed at the distorting shadows waving on the grass.

Listening to his heart meant a selfless love.

It also meant that he would wait. Willingly wait.

For his predestined mate.

He was about to jump down when a sharp voice shouted in his mind, causing him to stumble in his movements and he fell face down on the ground below, his arm holding the guitar up as high as he could. He flinched when he heard the twang when his guitar came in contact with the earth. It was out of utter luck that it remained in one piece. Sitting up, he rubbed his sore face as he replied Andrew.

What is it? I face-planted the ground ‘cause of you.

Caila! And the rest! Oh my god. They’re awake!