Kaida's POV The dimming light at the end of the day made the shadows of our steps grow ever longer as we continued on our path.

My mind kept going back to what occurred earlier that day.

Even though I left Alpha Kairos, I was never far from it mentally.

His words stayed with me and I started to feel more excited with each passing moment.

Ever interested in the world around her, Ayla questioned who the guy is to me and I explained we were just involved in a situationship.

But she kept on asking if I liked him or if he was my mate, and I had to admit, I had no answer.

The truth was, I didn't know what to make of my feelings for Alpha Kairos. So, Ayla decided she would find the answers herself.

When we reached the clinic,

Alpha Kairos and others were sitting there, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun.

As soon as we arrived, he got up to Ayla, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made me wonder what he was thinking.

"You know, I've been wanting to speak to you about something," he said, his voice low and smooth.

I wondered what he could possibly want to talk to her about, but before I could ask, Ayla spoke up.

"What's it about?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Alpha Kairos hesitated, looking up at me before answering.

"It's about her," he said, his voice low and husky.

Ayla's eyes sparkled with interest, and she leaned in, her face inches from Alpha Kairos's.

"Are you going to talk about the little situationship you guys have?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Alpha Kairos looked taken aback by her choice of words, but he played along.

"Yes, but there seems to be more to that situationship," he added, his eyes never leaving mine.

I started feeling uncomfortable, unsure of what Alpha Kairos wanted to discuss with Ayla.

"Let me leave you two to it," I said, trying to make a quick exit.

But deep inside, I was elated.

If this turned out to be true, that he was my mate, then I was lucky.

The memories of how he took care of me during those past times came flooding back, and I wondered if he might have felt the connection too.

As I walked over to Orion and the others, my mind kept drifting back to Alpha Kairos and Ayla's conversation.

I wanted to eavesdrop, but it would look awkward, so I decided to let it be.

Ayla would surely discuss everything with me later.

The two kept talking for about an hour, and I started to get paranoid. It was getting dark, and I wondered what they could be discussing.

"Ayla, it's getting dark, should we leave?" I asked, trying to make an excuse.

But Alpha Kairos spoke up, "No, you should take a seat, we're just chatting." I hesitated but joined them, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Later, when Ayla and I were alone, I asked her what she discussed with Alpha Kairos.

"Well, he said a lot," she paused, a sly smile spreading across her face.

"More than I anticipated even."

I urged her to spill the beans, and she finally revealed what Alpha Kairos had said.

"First of all, he said he liked you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I felt a flutter in my chest, unsure of what to make of it.

Ayla continued, "He said he really felt a connection with you and wants to know where it goes."

I felt like I was walking on air, my heart soaring with joy and happiness.

He really was my mate, and he felt it too.

But then Ayla dropped a bombshell. "However, he's apprehensive about moving forward with the relationship because of his pack's duties and also his duties as a doctor."

I felt a pang of disappointment and confusion.

What did he mean by that?

Was he afraid of being tied down?

Or did he think I wasn't strong enough to be his Luna?

Ayla's words kept echoing in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty.

"He also said he would be willing to let you go when you found your true mate," Ayla continued, her words like a slap in the face.

True mate?

What did he mean by that?

If he wasn't my mate, then who was?

The questions swirled in my mind, and I felt like I was losing my grip on reality.