Chapter 78
78
~Elara’s POV
After a while, the water play slowed.
My legs started to feel tired, heavy in that good way, like after a long laugh. The waves brushed our ankles, softer now, almost shy. Lira bent down and splashed one last time, then laughed and wiped her face.
“Alright,” she said, breathing a little hard. “That’s enough p>
Ronan groaned loudly. “Enough for you,” he said. “I was just winning p>
“You were slipping,” I teased. “I saw you p>
He laughed and shook his head. “Lies. Pure lies p>
Lira crossed her arms and gave us both a look. “We need to go back,” she said. “If we stay any longer, the Alpha will punish Ronan and me for taking his beloved princess out so late p>
I stopped smiling for a second. “Beloved princess?” I repeated.
Lira looked at me like it was obvious. “You,” she said. “Who else p>
I rolled my eyes, even though my cheeks felt warm. “You both need to stop treating me like a baby,” I said. “My parents already do that enough p>
Ronan smiled softly and nodded. “She’s right,” he said, looking at Lira. “It’s getting late anyway. If we don’t return now, we’ll all hear about it tomorrow p>
“Fine,” I sighed dramatically. “But only because I’m tired. Not because I’m scared p>
Lira laughed. “Of course, Your Highness p>
Before I could reply, I heard footsteps behind us. I turned, a little startled, and saw two guards walking toward us. They wore armor I had never seen before. Old, polished, detailed. They stopped a few steps away and bowed low. Very low.
“Princess Elara,” one of them said. “The palanquin is ready p>
I froze.
Princess.
The word hit me like a soft уар to the chest.
I looked around, half expecting someone else. “Me?” I asked without thinking.
The guard smiled politely. “Yes, Your Highness p>
Lira nudged me. “See?” she whispered. “Beloved princess p>
I laughed awkwardly, unsure of what to do. “Alright then,” I said. “Let’s go p>
The guards led us up a stone path. Ahead waited a beautiful palanquin, covered in light fabric and gold details, carried by strong men standing still and ready. A large black horse stood beside it, calm and proud.
“You and Lira will ride the palaquin,” Ronan said, mounting the horse smoothly. “I’ll follow p>
Inside the palanquin, the cushions were soft. The air smelled like flowers and oil. The movement was gentle as we began to move.
I glanced at Lira, and that was when I noticed it. She was quiet. Too quiet. Her cheeks were pink, and she kept smiling to herself.
I leaned closer. “What is going on with you?” I asked.
She blinked. “What do you mean p>
“You’re blushing,” I said. “You never blush p>
She looked away. “Stop staring p>
I gasped softly. “Lira,” I said slowly. “What did you do p>
She laughed nervously. “Nothing p>
“That’s a lie,” I said. “Tell me p>
She sighed, then leaned in close. “I think,” she said quietly, “I’ve found my man p>
I froze. “What p>
“The man I want to marry,” she added.
My mouth fell open. “Who?” I demanded. “Who is it p>
She smiled wider. “You’ll find out later p>
“Lira,” I said, grabbing her hand. “That’s not fair p>
She squeezed my hand back. “Be patient,” she said. “You’ll see p>
I sighed. “You’re impossible p>
“And you love me,” she replied.
I smiled, even though something strange twisted in my chest.
Soon, the palace gates came into view. Tall. White stone. Torches lit the path, their flames steady and warm. As we stopped, I saw figures waiting outside.
My heart skipped.
There they were. A man and a woman stood at the front. Strong, calm, and proud. My breath caught when I saw them, even before I understood why.
“My parents,” I whispered without meaning to.
The palanquin stopped. I stepped out, and my feet touched stone again. And then I saw him clearly.
Alpha Rowan.
My heart slammed hard.
Alpha Rowan.
Lira’s father.
But here, he was my father?
My hands shook. “No,” I whispered. “That’s not p>
And then I was running.
I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I ran straight into their arms.
“Mom,” I cried.
“Dad p>
The Luna gasped and wrapped her arms around me tightly. “Elara,” she said, her voice thick. “We were worried when we heard that you weren’t in the palace p>
Alpha Rowan held me close, his hand firm on my back. “You scared us,” he said gently. “Don’t do that again p>
Tears burned behind my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just wanted to breathe a little p>
They laughed softly, relieved.
I pulled back slowly, staring up at them. “You’re… you’re my parents?” I whispered.
Alpha Rowan smiled warmly. “Of course we are p>
I turned slowly, still confused, still shaking. My eyes kept moving from one face to another, like I was afraid something would change if I looked away too long. Lira had already stepped forward. She didn’t hesitate at all. She ran straight to one of the men standing beside my parents and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
“Father,” she said, her voice light and warm, like this was the most normal thing in the world.
The man sighed, his hand coming up to rest on her head. “You stayed out late again p>
She laughed, pressing her cheek against his chest. “But I was with Elara p>
He shook his head slowly, though his smile never left his face. “That is always your excuse p>
I watched it all, my heart racing. It felt too gentle to be fake. Too real.
Then Ronan walked forward. He stopped in front of the other man, straightened his back, and bowed slightly. “Father p>
The man nodded, pride clear in his eyes. “You did well p>
Something twisted inside me. Ronan looked different here. Softer, and not guarded. He wasn’t ruel. Just a son standing before his father.
Alpha Rowan stepped forward then. My father. The word still echoed strangely in my mind.
“Beta Fridolf,” he said, looking at Lira’s father. Then his gaze shifted. “Richard,” he said to Ronan’s father. “Take your children home. It is late p>
Both men bowed immediately. Deeply. Respectfully.
And then… they turned and bowed again.
To me.
My breath left my body all at once. My heart slammed so hard I thought I might fall. They bowed to my mother. To my father. To us.
My legs felt weak, like they could give up at any moment. I lifted my hand slowly, unsure of myself. “Good night,” I said, my voice shaking. “I’ll see you tomorrow p>
“Good night, Princess,” Ronan said, smiling at me in a way I had never seen before.
“Sleep well,” Lira added softly, her eyes warm.
They turned and walked away, their figures slowly fading into the torchlight. I stood there, unable to follow, unable to speak.
“What is happening?” I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else.
My mother leaned down and kissed my hair gently. “Come inside,” she said. “It’s late p>
I let them guide me forward, walking between them as we entered the palace. Every step felt heavy. My heart felt full and broken at the same time, stretched between joy and fear.
Because in my real world, these people were my enemies.
They hurt me.
They ruined things I loved.