Chapter 168 - Betrayal

After yet another session of passionate lovemaking, Raine and Tyrone finally composed themselves and soon joined Aire inside the tent. They slept on each of Aire's sides in a way that she would be in between the two of them. Raine yawned as she closed her eyes. She felt so tired that the moment she laid her back on the tent, she quickly dozed off to sleep. 

Time ticked on. And as soon as Tyrone was sure that Raine was already asleep, he grabbed his personal mobile phone and went out. He walked further, having enough distance from the tent not to be heard before making a call.

It was only just a ring when Kiran picked it up. His dear friend was obviously waiting for his call.

"So, the prodigal friend is still alive? Tell me… How come you've been avoiding all my calls and ignoring all my messages?" Kiran barked as soon as he answered his phone. "Damn! How could you be so cruel?!"

Tyrone chuckled and scoffed, "You're even more possessive than my woman! How is it that you're clingier than her?"

"OMG! You finally got laid? Who is it? Ah… I'm not so sure if I can even call her lucky or what-"

"Stop talking nonsense, Kiran. I need to talk to the Chairman. Tell him to answer my calls and messages, or else I'll barge into his den unannounced," Tyrone commanded. "Trust me. He won't like me invading his privacy…"

Kiran massaged his temples, "Ah, but his temper right now is a bit… Fine. I'll tell him that." Then sighed, "Geez, you two… Could you two just reconcile and talk with each other already? I'm not your referee, alright. I hate being the middleman between you two."

Tyrone chuckled, "Well, he won't understand my sentiments since he's cold-blooded… He already made up his mind towards his goal, and nothing could ever stop him from changing it now."

Kiran frowned as he scoffed, "Aren't you two the same? It's not like you're not cold-blooded too! You two get along too well since you're both birds of the same feathers." He let out yet another exasperated sigh. "Geez. I don't even know what's going on anymore; why you're both prolonging this silent war between you guys. I can't believe that I'm all alone right now! I miss hanging out with you two! Tell me, what did you even do that got him so pissed off at you?! "

Tyrone shrugged his shoulders as he murmured, "I… uhh… unexpectedly… fell in love…"

"Too cliche! Are you telling me that the so-called Mate Pull or Soulmates thing in werewolves are real?" Kiran burst out in disbelief. "What the hell is going on? How long did you guys want to keep me in the dark? This is too frustrating already!"

Tyrone laughed at Kiran's rapid-fire questions. "Ah, but this is for your own safety, Kiran. It's for the best that you know less. Besides, your talent is managing the business. Just focus on bringing more money to the Umbra Security Agency… Who knows? You might own it someday…"

There was silence before Kiran spoke, "I don't care about Umbra! Damn, It's you and the Chairman that I care for most. It's why I'm doing my best for that agency in the first place! That Agency was both his and your first home! Dammit! We're family! So please just makeup you two!"

There was a loud sigh from Tyrone on another line as he said, "There was a change to the original plans. We have different fights now, Kiran. He's against how I suddenly changed. That's all I can tell you. You know what? Try asking him."

"No way! You know his temper after that incident… He really changed a lot, and he is filled with nothing but revenge right now," Kiran whispered with another sigh. "I mean, I'm honestly just glad that you somehow managed to take things differently. Compared to before… you seem more carefree now. I guess love really does change everything…"

Tyrone chose to ignore the statement about love as he shook his head, "Anyway, just please stay with him and assist him with everything while I'm not there. We both know that he's been through a lot as well." 

"Don't worry, okay? Like you, that man doesn't even need me at all!" Kiran complained with a pout, making Tyrone chuckle.

"Stop that! I can already picture your funny face right now," Tyrone teased. "Geez, man. Get a woman and keep yourself loose, Kiran."

"Hah! And now you can even joke like that?! Now I'm really dying to know who your woman is, especially now that you had a 360-degree personality change!" Kiran fired back. "And what is it really? Do you wanna have me make more money for Umbra? Or do you want me to get a woman?! You do know that I can't do both!" he scoffed.

"Yes, you can. Do it simultaneously. I'll hang up now. Take care of yourself, Kiran. And don't forget to relay my message to that cold-blooded king," Tyrone jokingly reminded him before ending the call that instant.

Looking up, the moon shined brightly in the sky as he stared at it. It was a crescent-shaped moon tonight, not unlike his mark… Raine's questions replayed themselves constantly in his head. Most notably, the one that stood out the most was whether or not he wanted to go back in time and change the past.

His past… He would've loved to go back before and change things. But then, like his answer… he simply refused to even risk altering the past if it meant he would lose Raine in exchange for it.

Tyrone smiled as he savored the cold breeze of the night one last time before walking back inside the tent. There was a dim chargeable light inside as he entered. He hadn't turned it off yet because he wanted to stare at Raine and Aire for a while.

"Four children, huh… I think I'd love to have at least ten kids…" he dreamily mumbled, not aware that Raine was half awake and heard him.

"Screw you. I'm not going to torture myself pumping out kids for you," Raine snorted with a mix of disbelief, light amusement, and annoyance. "Go to sleep and stop dreaming. If you want, you get pregnant yourself." 

Tyrone shook his head and leaned down to kiss her, "Go into a deep sleep, my sweet vixen. And just dream of me, okay?"

At his words, Raine pulled him into the remaining space by her side and snuggled into him, whispering, "I need my human pillow. It's warm and comfortable…"

Tyrone embraced her tightly and whispered, "You'll have your pillow all you want, forever."

"But you do know that betrayal is the one thing I hate the most. If you betray me… I will never forgive you," Raine murmured next to him before her breaths became heavy.

Tyrone's body froze and stiffened, wondering if Raine was just talking in her sleep or if she was actually issuing a warning. Was it a real threat?

Tyrone inwardly cursed.. He wanted to tell Raine everything, but things were way more complicated than it would seem on the surface.