Chapter 113
In Chapter 114 of “Fireflies in Winter Rain,” Roana struggles with her emotions as she navigates a cold and isolating environment. Feeling vulnerable and helpless, she declines Sierra’s offer for food, reflecting on her past experiences with Keane and the emotional weight of her solitude. The silence in her quarters becomes unbearable, prompting her to venture outside, where she encounters the discomfort of the servants who avoid her gaze, a reminder of her perceived status and isolation.
As she wanders, Roana finds herself at the general dungeon, where she learns that Alpha Alexander has been moved there for investigation. The guard reveals that Alexander’s punishment is not as severe as she expected, which shocks Roana, as she grapples with the implications of his actions and the perceived leniency due to her royal status. This revelation stirs a mix of emotions within her, as she feels the weight of the situation shift based on her identity.
When she finally sees Alexander, she notices his physical decline and the emotional turmoil he is experiencing. Their conversation reveals deep-seated regrets and confessions from Alexander, who admits to using Roana for his own gain and acknowledges his past mistakes. The tension builds as he reveals his feelings of guilt and self-loathing, which culminates in a moment of truth about his former relationship and the consequences of his actions.
However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Alexander begins to exhibit signs of distress, indicating a sudden and dangerous change. Roana’s concern escalates as she witnesses his physical struggle and the overwhelming Alpha energy that envelops him. His desperate plea for her to run adds a sense of urgency and fear, leaving Roana torn between her instinct to help him and the instinct for self-preservation. The chapter concludes on a cliffhanger, heightening the emotional stakes and leaving Roana in a precarious situation.
**Fireflies in Winter Rain — Neil A. Varma p>
**Chapter 114 p>
Roana.
Dragging my weary body back to my room felt like a monumental task. The air wrapped around me, colder than I remembered, biting at my skin as if it were a living entity trying to burrow its way into my chest.
How utterly absurd. I had anticipated this moment’s arrival, yet here I stood, a pitiful figure frozen in place, helpless and vulnerable.
Sierra had kindly offered to fetch me some food, but I had declined her offer. My appetite had vanished after sharing that pie with Keane, an experience that now felt distant and surreal. But remaining within those four walls was a different kind of torture. The silence weighed heavily on me, pressing against my ears, while the emptiness slithered up my spine like an unwelcome intruder. I knew if I lingered there for even a moment longer, I would surely lose my sanity.
So, I stepped outside once more.
As I walked through the corridors, the servants averted their gazes, their hushed whispers and tense postures betraying their polite facades. They weren’t even attempting to hide their discomfort any longer. But I was too exhausted to muster any concern for their reactions.
Before I fully grasped where my feet were taking me, I found myself far from my quarters, wandering alone beneath a sky painted in deep oranges and purples, the northern chill cutting sharply against my cheeks. The distant sounds of workers echoed around me, grounding yet isolating, reminding me of the world I was a part of but also of the distance I felt from it.
“Your Highness? What brings you here?” a voice broke through my thoughts.
I looked up to see a guard standing nearby, his brows furrowed in confusion.
He approached me, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Are you here to interrogate Alpha Alexander again p>
I blinked, momentarily disoriented. It was only then that I realized where I was standing—right in front of the general dungeon, the place designated for low-ranking offenders.
“Why is Alexander here?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my attempts to keep it steady. “Wasn’t he in the central dungeon p>
The guard stiffened, clearly taken aback by my knowledge of the situation.
“Oh, well, His Majesty ordered him moved here since the punishment was deemed severe. He’s currently under investigation, but there’s no physical punishment involved,” he explained.
“What investigation?” I pressed, stepping further into the dimly lit corridor.
He followed closely behind me. “His pack submitted a request for consideration. His Majesty is contemplating letting him go p>
My heart lurched painfully at his words. I turned to him sharply.
“What do you mean he will be free? He assaulted the queen! That’s a serious crime p>
The guard froze, his gaze dropping as he swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable.
“Commander Keane instructed us not to discuss it,” he murmured. “But His Majesty mentioned… since you are not technically a royal family member, it doesn’t qualify as severe p>
The ground felt like it shifted beneath my feet. Assault was assault, regardless of status. But suddenly, my position was dictating the gravity of the situation?
A cold, humorless laugh escaped me. “How convenient. Can I see him? Alexander p>
He hesitated, surprised at my calm demeanor, but eventually nodded.
“We still consider you our queen, Your Majesty. You will always have access p>
His sincerity sent a painful warmth through my chest.
“Don’t place your trust in me so easily. Even your king doesn’t,” I replied, forcing a smile as I walked ahead. Each step felt heavy, my heartbeat echoing painfully in my ears.
“Here,” he said, opening the door to a private cell.
I stepped inside, my heart racing.
Alexander lay on the bed, a book draped over his face. The cell was smaller than I expected, the blankets neatly folded, food arranged carefully on a tray. He was living in relative comfort. Of course he was.
“I’ll call you when I’m finished,” I told the guard. “Thank you p>
He nodded shyly and exited, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
As I moved closer, I noticed how much thinner Alexander appeared—his cheekbones more pronounced, shoulders slumped. The sight of his neatly bandaged shoulder sent a chill through the air, making the room feel even colder.
I pulled a chair closer and sat down, the scraping sound jolting him awake. He shot upright, panic flaring in his eyes until recognition dawned.
“Sleep well?” I asked, leaning slightly on the desk.
“Roana?” He blinked rapidly. “What are you doing here p>
“You mean, why am I here?” I tilted my head, trying to gauge his reaction.
He rubbed his eyes and nodded, confusion etched on his face. “I thought this was supposed to be a secret p>
“That you’re being released soon? And still set to become the Alpha of your pack p>
His lips pressed into a tight line, his gaze dropping to the floor.
“You don’t look thrilled,” I observed, my voice tight. “What’s wrong? Was your punishment too harsh p>
He shook his head vehemently. “No. I got what I deserved p>
His tone caught me off guard.
“Wow. You sound like p>
“I’m sorry, Roana.” His voice cracked, raw with emotion. “Not just for cheating. For everything. From the very beginning p>
My jaw clenched involuntarily as I waited for him to continue.
“When your parents approached me about the marriage, I wasn’t eager at all. They said you liked me, but I felt disgusted.” His voice wavered, revealing the truth I had long suspected. “I didn’t want a Luna who I found unattractive p>
My fingers curled tightly against the desk, fighting back the wave of anger rising within me.
“But when they mentioned that the Milestones would belong to me once I accepted you, my perspective shifted entirely. It seemed better than marrying my actual mate. So, I forced her to remain hidden while I continued the affair p>
I froze, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. So, he hadn’t just grown distant later on—he had been using me from the very start.
“As time passed, I realized I couldn’t have asked for a better Luna than you. But instead of maturing, I took you for granted. I assumed you had no one else, that whatever I did, you would forgive me. I thought no one else would ever love you p>
His hands trembled with regret and something darker—self-loathing that twisted his features in discomfort.
“And I was wrong,” he whispered, his voice hollow.
An oppressive silence enveloped us, thick with all the words left unspoken, as if the room itself held its breath.
“I always knew I was infertile,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I wanted to believe otherwise. When she said she was pregnant, I thought… maybe it was a miracle. But everything fell apart p>
A shaky exhale escaped my lips. I pressed my fingers against the desk, grounding myself against the weight of his confession.
“Why are you telling me this now? Is it guilt? Or are you attempting to justify your actions p>
“Neither,” he replied firmly, shaking his head. A dry laugh escaped him, as if the very notion of justification was ludicrous. “I don’t deserve guilt. But… you asked me about the scent, didn’t you p>
My eyes narrowed, sharpening with a sudden clarity.
“Yes. Because your mistress knew how to control rogues too p>
“It wasn’t her,” he said immediately, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “She vanished after giving birth. Took the child and disappeared p>
A ripple of unease crawled up my spine at his words.
He inhaled shakily, fingers twitching on the bedsheet. “But the person who gave me the p>
His voice faltered, not from hesitation but as if something had severed his words mid-sentence.
His eyes widened suddenly, pupils dilating with pure terror.
“Alex?” My stomach dropped. “Alex, what’s happening p>
He clutched at his throat, nails digging into his skin as if trying to claw away something invisible.
He coughed, a guttural sound that sent chills racing down my spine.
“Ro—” He struggled to form the word.
“My… throat… help p>
His body jerked violently, a spasm arching his back as panic consumed him.
Then it hit.
A thick, suffocating wave of Alpha energy exploded around him, crashing into me like a physical force. The air turned heavy, metallic, almost burning in my lungs. The temperature shifted erratically, cold then hot, then cold again, as if his body were losing control of everything.
His breathing fractured into desperate gasps, each one sounding like it scraped against broken glass.
“Run…” His voice rasped, barely recognizable. His eyes bulged, veins pulsing at his temples.
“Roana… run. As far as you can p>
“Alexander!” I shouted, trying to pull his hand from his neck, but his muscles were locked in panic, unyielding as stone.
In the aftermath of that harrowing encounter, Roana stood at the precipice of a tumultuous emotional storm, the weight of Alexander’s confessions crashing down upon her like the relentless winter rain. The revelation of his betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound, leaving her grappling with the shards of trust that had once formed the foundation of their relationship. Yet, amid the chaos, a flicker of resilience ignited within her. The suffocating darkness of betrayal and regret began to morph into a catalyst for her own strength. Though the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, Roana felt the stirrings of resolve—the determination to reclaim her narrative, to rise from the ashes of her shattered expectations and face whatever lay ahead with newfound clarity.
As she stepped away from the confines of the dungeon, the chill of the air no longer felt like a biting reminder of her vulnerability, but rather a refreshing promise of change. The fireflies of hope flickered faintly within her, illuminating the shadows that had threatened to consume her spirit. Roana realized that her journey was not solely about the choices of others but also about her own agency and growth. With each step forward, she embraced the lessons learned from the past, ready to confront the complexities of loyalty, love, and self-discovery. The winter rain may have washed away the remnants of her innocence, but it also paved the way for a new beginning—one where she could forge her own destiny, unbound by the chains of betrayal.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter p>
As the tension escalates, Roana finds herself trapped in a whirlwind of emotions and revelations. With Alexander’s life hanging in the balance, readers can expect a gripping exploration of her choices as she grapples with the weight of his confessions and the impending threat that looms over them both. Will she heed his desperate warning to escape, or will her instinct to save him prevail? The stakes are higher than ever, and the choices Roana makes could alter the course of their fates forever.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the political intricacies surrounding Alexander’s situation. With whispers of his possible release and the implications of his past actions, Roana must navigate a treacherous landscape where alliances are fragile and trust is a luxury she can no longer afford. How will she confront the harsh realities of their intertwined destinies, especially now that the truth about Alexander’s betrayal has come to light? Prepare for a heart-pounding continuation that will leave you on the edge of your seat, questioning loyalties and the true nature of love amidst chaos.
Mark Twain