Chapter 154: A soul beyond repair

Malachi knew, just from seeing her, that the woman standing in front of him wasn’t the same person who had left this castle a few days ago.

Just like how he wasn’t the same person who had stepped in and stepped out of the Hall of Ashes. But if he were to compare his to hers, his was a thousand times better.

She stood there, naked from head to toe, staring back at him.

It wasn’t the usual stare that was filled with fright, desperation and the need for someone to believe her.

It wasn’t the stare that always made his heart ache and made him question whether he was the wrong one here.

It wasn’t anything.

Her eyes were empty.

That spark of emotion of any kind was completely gone. The colour of her amber eyes had diminished to the point where they seemed more black than yellow.

They looked like two pale moons trapped behind glass.

It took him another second to realise she was crying, as teardrops that looked more like glass cutting through her skin as they rolled down her face. But her emotions didn’t even flicker, and those frighteningly still she’s simply stared ahead like it meant nothing to her.

She started to walk toward him, and Malachi almost took a step back. This was the part he had been running away from — actually facing her.

What was he supposed to say?

What was he supposed to do?

He’d failed her.

Over, and over and over again.

How was she still even alive when Beatrice had confessed that she had killed her? Well, it’s quite obvious that her soul had died, and something...dark was now sitting in its place.

She got close to him, her eyes still locked on his. But there was a way she stared that made him even more uneasy. Her eyes weren’t focused on him like he knew them to be. It was as if she was looking through him rather than at him, and the sight was deeply uncomfortable...even more so for him.

The worst part about this were her eyes didn’t look broken, because that would imply that something remains that can be repaired.

Della’s eyes look finished.

As though whatever part of her used to believe in people has simply closed its doors forever.

With the way her eyes were so out of focus, he doubted if she even knew he was standing right in front of her.

And then, she walked past him.

Her shoulders brushed against him, and the contact had his heart shivering and wrapping around itself.

His head was a complete mess, and his heart was in an even bigger pile of mess.

Before she could take another step and walk past him completely, his hands moved on their own. They shot out and grabbed hers tightly — as tight as his shaking body could hold on to her, and Malachi’s knees weakened at what he felt.

Her body was cold.

So, so cold.

He could still hear blood roaring through her veins, but her heartbeat was incredibly slow. She wasn’t exactly dying, but she didn’t feel particularly alive either. Something has been killed inside of her. Literally.

And he knew he should let go of her now.

He couldn’t face her.

He couldn’t speak.

He couldn’t move.

He was...a complete coward who couldn’t even...open his lips and say something.

ANYTHING!

Della glanced down at the hand holding her, and then she finally looked up at him. Her eyes didn’t change. Still remained unfocused. Tears were still dropping silently. Uncontrollably.

"I—" Malachi’s words caught in his throat, and it felt as if his airway had been blocked by the guilt bursting through every single pore and opening in his body.

Tears welled in his eyes, and he couldn’t keep standing anymore. The feeling sat on his shoulders, welcoming itself proudly, and it forced him down until he crumbled down on both knees, still shaking like he now had all the devastation and fear of a million wolves combined.

"Moonfire," He tried again, "I— I’m sorry—"

Della was still staring at the man like she didn’t even know who he was. Like he was one of the very many insignificant things in this world.

She didn’t know how to feel anymore.

She didn’t even remember what it felt like...to have feelings for anything.

She stared down at his hand holding hers again, and gently pulled.

He wasn’t letting go.

*Malachi Astridge* Asteria told her softly.

Della nodded once.

She knew who he was. She just... didn’t care.

There was only one thing she cared about...and it was revenge.

"You’re sorry?" She asked, her voice uncanny.

The sound brought chills down his spine, and he slowly looked up at her.

"Then release everyone you have in your custody right now," She continued with an empty voice, "Let them all go. Let them all return to their respective Packs,"

Malachi blinked.

Why would she suggest such a thing?!

"Moonfire, I cannot. They all conspired against you all this time and I—"

"This isn’t about you, Malachi," She simply cut him off, "It’s never been about you, and it will never be about you. I don’t care what you want or what you feel. I’m just letting you know now...that they aren’t yours to punish...THEY ARE MINE!!"

Malachi had never heard her speak like that before.

"Della, please,". He was still looking at her, his eyes filled with desperation, "Please. Forgive me. I...I...over and over again, I—" Tears were gushing down his cheeks like a fountain, "I hurt you. I...blamed you. I... punished and I...left you, again and again to suffer. Moonfire, please, please, please... don’t leave me. Don’t—"

She didn’t even blink once, "As I said before, this isn’t about you, Malachi. Never was. Never has been,"

"Please,"

"Let go of me,"

"I can’t," He cried even harder, gripping her skin even more tightly and trying to feel a bit of warmth that might be hidden somewhere within.

None.

"I can’t, Della," His body was shaking even more now, "You’re—" His breath almost seized, "I...love you so much. And I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how sorry I am, for every moment. Every second, every minute, every—"

She yanked her hand out of his grip, and the movement was so powerful that it made him stumble even more and both hands went splat on the bare floor.

"It’s not a suggestion, Malachi. It’s a warning. Release them,"

And then, she walked away.

And she never looked back.