Chapter 151
Chapter 152
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Roana.
The impact of last night’s sudden awakening felt almost like a cruel joke. My chest tightened at the thought, a hollow ache spreading as I stared ahead. What was the point of getting stronger, of becoming different from before, if the only person I wanted to show it to was no longer there?
I didn’t slim down. I didn’t become a novel-like princess overnight. But this time, my own weight looked magnificent in my eyes. My lips trembled faintly as I exhaled. For the first time, I felt like I truly was what I was meant to be. An overweight girl who knew exactly what she was worth.
I touched my face slowly, my fingertips grazing the softness of my double chin, the gentle baby fat, the familiar size of my body. My fingers lingered there, hesitant at first, then steadier, pressing slightly as if to confirm I was real. My throat tightened. It felt… beautiful to me. Real. Grounded.
“Maybe we finally got our self-confidence back!” Rye purred inside me. Her pure silver fur gleamed like moonlight, sparkling against the sleek black darkness of my mind. A faint warmth spread through my chest as I felt our strength knitting itself tighter, denser. My vision sharpened, the edges clearer than before, and every distant sound pressed against my ears with doubled intensity, making me flinch subtly at the smallest noise.
I gently brushed the wrinkled part of Cassian’s shirt that I was wearing. My fingers trembled as they smoothed the fabric, lingering there longer than necessary. The cloth was rough under my skin, still warm with his lingering scent. My breath hitched before I could stop it. It wrapped around me like a consolation blanket, pressing against my chest, easing the ache just a little, though it never truly left.
“Your Highness, it’s time to set off. The soldiers from the Northern Region might find us. We have injured soldiers who can’t fight p>
He lifted the tent’s door, then froze mid-motion. His shoulders stiffened, his grip tightening on the fabric as if he had walked into something forbidden. Several seconds passed before he spoke. “Sorry. I thought this was His Majesty’s tent p>
“Lorenzo?” I called out when he turned to leave. My voice came out thinner than I intended, almost fragile. My brows knit together as confusion settled in. I didn’t understand what he meant. “I am ready. Where is Draken?” I asked, swallowing hard.
Lorenzo slowly turned back, his brows furrowing deeply as his gaze settled on me. His lips parted slightly, then pressed together again, as if he didn’t know what to say. “Your Highness p>
“Yes?” I responded weakly. My shoulders unconsciously drew inward, my fingers curling against the fabric of the shirt.
“You… you look different p>
“Do I?” I glanced down at myself, tugging lightly at the hem of the shirt, suddenly aware of how exposed I felt. My clothes were torn, stained, and this was all I could find. “It’s Cassian’s shirt. I had no clothes and p>
“No. It’s fine.” He shook his head quickly, looking away for a moment. “Actually, I informed the Moon Priest to hold a secret ritual. We are heading there first. So… if you want to meet the Moon Goddess p>
“Thank you.” I gave a faint smile, barely lifting my lips. The muscles in my face ached from the effort. “But I want to find Cassian’s body first.” I clutched his phone tightly to my chest, my fingers curling until my knuckles turned pale. “Did you send anyone there? The fire should be less now p>
“We have…” His voice trailed off. He avoided my eyes, his gaze flickering over me again and again, as if something about me unsettled him deeply.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my heartbeat quickening. The old insecurity crept back into my chest like cold fingers wrapping around my ribs. “Should I change p>
14:47 Mon, Jan 19
Chapter 152
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“No. My apologies.” He straightened abruptly, forcing professionalism back into his posture. “Please come out. The cars are here p>
“Car?” I paused, my brows knitting. “By the way, have you seen my horse? Candy?” I asked, the memory striking suddenly. My chest tightened as I remembered Cassian riding her to reach me.
“Candy?” Lorenzo repeated. “No. We didn’t find her. Didn’t she go with you p>
“No.” My throat tightened painfully, my voice coming out hoarse. “She was with Cassian. She helped him find me p>
Lorenzo’s eyes widened, his breath hitching. “Your horse did p>
“Yes. She’s highly intelligent and clever.” My gaze blurred as I stared at nothing, my vision shimmering. “I wonder where she is now p>
My heart bled. The realization struck hard, like a blunt blow to my chest that because of me, I hadn’t only lost my mate, but my forever companion as well. Tears burned fiercely at the corners of my eyes, my vision trembling, but I forced myself to inhale slowly, my nails digging into my palms as I straightened my back.
My chest felt like it was about to explode. A sharp pressure built behind my ribs, climbing into my throat, making it hard to breathe, but I lifted my chin.
I wouldn’t disappoint Cassian. Never.
Soon, we headed back home. The entire military atmosphere felt heavy and subdued, like a storm that had already passed but left destruction behind. The Alphas who had been destroying territories were retreating to their own packs for now, their rage dulled by loss.
But when we arrived, the entire Territory was eerily quiet.
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People were silent. The usual noisy, lively land looked lifeless, as if someone had drained the soul out of it. My fingers twitched restlessly in my lap.
As the royal cars entered, pack members began gathering along the road. From a distance, I saw Sean and Sarah standing there, their eyes red-rimmed and swollen. My breath caught when I saw them. Every face I saw carried the same hollow grief, as if they had all witnessed something unthinkable.
“Your Highness… you stay here. Let me handle it first,” Lorenzo said, stepping out of the car.
The moment he did, everyone surged toward him. Cries broke loose, raw and broken, sobs filling the air. Watching those people wail and mourn for Cassian made my heart clench violently, like a fist squeezing it without mercy. My vision blurred again, my jaw tightening to keep myself from breaking.
No wonder Cassian chose his people over his love.
A true leader isn’t one who shouts his greatness. A true leader is the one for whom people cry.
“What a scene,” Draken muttered beside me. “This is the first time I’ve seen pack members cry like this for their leader. No wonder everyone was envious of him p>
My jaw clenched hard, the muscles aching. A stinging pain spread from the back of my head down to the core of my heart, pulsing with every breath. My hands shook faintly in my lap. Each second felt like torture. I wished I could turn back time, drag him away from that decision, lock him somewhere safe. I wished there was a way I could have protected him.
Just as the thought struck, my entire body shook.
A sharp light flashed, blurring my vision, making my head throb as I sucked in a sharp breath.
And that was when I noticed something.
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14:47 Mon, Jan 19 G
Chapter 152
“Candy?” My voice came out as a gasp, barely more than air.
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I saw her. Candy. She was standing somewhere, motionless, in front of a hut. The image wavered violently, distant, as if seen through water. My heart pounded, but I couldn’t locate where it was.
“Roana? What’s wrong?” Draken’s voice snapped me out of it.
“I saw her… Candy!” My hands trembled uncontrollably.
“Who?” His eyes narrowed sharply.
“My horse… Candy.” My fingers dug into the seat as I gripped it. “She was in front of some hut. I need to find her p>
Lorenzo approached the car just then. “Your Highness. You should come out. They’re waiting p>
“They?” I looked outside, my breath hitching sharply as I realized everyone was staring at the car. All of them were waiting for me. Their eyes felt heavy, expectant, crushing.
My face paled, the blood draining instantly. A cold wave washed over me from head to toe.
How could I explain everything?
How could I tell them that their beloved King had died… because of me?
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