Chapter 35

Elara

The world was a swirling whirlpool of pain and darkness. My body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside out. I wanted to scream, to fight, but no sound escaped my lips. It felt like I was fighting for hours to break out of the bubble of darkness that I had been trapped in. My body felt like a lead weight was pulling me deeper and deeper into oblivion, and with each passing moment, the world felt like it was fading away.

Then suddenly, a strange tranquility washed over me. A sense of peace that defied the torment that my mind had been subjected to for so long. When I opened my eyes, I was in a place of ethereal beauty.

A soft, luminescent glow enveloped me. The air was filled with a sweet, floral scent, and as I drifted closer, the light solidified into a form. The form was indistinct, yet it radiated an otherworldly grace. Their eyes, the color of twilight, held a depth of wisdom that seemed to pierce my soul.

"You are not meant to be here yet, child." The voice was like velvet, carrying an echo of ancient knowledge.

A wave of terror washed over me.

"Am I dead?" I asked, finally finding my voice.

And the figure smiled, a gentle, knowing expression. "Fear not, Elara. You are only between worlds." Those words seemed to be carrying a weight of significance I couldn't comprehend.

"You don't have much time here. You need to go back soon. I have some things to tell you. The prophecy is true, but it's not as any of you believed. The mark is a sign, yes, but it is also a shield. It was given to you so as to protect you and the children you will bear, for they are not only your greatest gift Elara, they are the hope for the new era."

My heart pounded in my ears as the words settled completely in my mind.

"They are the only ones that will be strong enough to wipe out the dark magic that is starting to rot and pollute your world from the inside out. But that darkness that they are meant to fight seeks to claim them, so you must save them, Elara. Push through the pain, for the sake of your unborn children and for the future you're destined to create."

The words echoed in my mind as the light around the form began to fade. I felt a tugging sensation pulling me back. I fought against it, desperate to remain in this place of peace, and also wanting to ask the thousand questions that were running through my mind, but the pull was too strong.

I jolted awake, my body drenched in sweat. The beeping of monitors filled the air, and the smell of antiseptic was overwhelming, causing me to feel nauseous. Pain shot through my body, a stark contrast to the tranquility I had just experienced. A groan escaped my lips as I tried to move, and I shut my eyes tight as my muscles strained painfully with the effort.

"Hey, hey, hey, easy there." I heard Rhys' voice, and I opened my eyes to take in my surroundings. My vision blurred as I tried to focus.

Rhys, Kai, and Rowan shot out of their seats that surrounded the bed to move toward me. Rowan helped to gently pull me into a sitting position while Kai and Rhys propped the pillows up around me. Their faces all held an expression of relief, and it filled me with an inexplicable happiness, even amidst the pain, to be reunited with my family.

"We're so glad you're awake," Kai said softly to me, reaching out to touch my face. My eyes fell on his arms, and a sob escaped my lips as I saw the extent of his injuries. His skin was marred by angry red burns, and my heart shattered into a million pieces when I realized that it wasn't only him. Rowan and Kai had similar marks on different parts of their body, and the memory of my capture came flooding back to me. I reached out to touch Kai's face, my fingers trembling.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, baby," Kai responded

"It's all my fault," I continued,

Rhys squeezed my hands gently. "None of this is your fault, and you don't have to worry about us. We're all safe now," he reassured me and I nodded, offering him a smile when he reached out a finger to wipe my tears away.

"Did you get to Silas? He sounded so…different and something about him just felt off, but I couldn't figure it out. One thing was for certain: he's still as evil as he was, if not more so."

"He wasn't there, baby. He was never there."

I waited to feel panic at this news and the thought of that evil man still out there running around free, but it never came. My experience in between worlds brought me a strange sense of peace, one that took away all the fear and anxiety that I had felt over the months leading to my capture.

"Where's Naya?" I asked, and the room immediately fell silent.

I could remember the stab of betrayal that had gone through me when I realized that Naya had played a part in my capture, but the last image of her writhing on the floor from taking the burst of energy that should have hit me made me realize that I wanted some sort of closure with my best friend.

I wanted to know the truth behind it all.

Kai cleared his throat, sharing a look with Rhys and Rowan before speaking. "We couldn't save her. Even before the room erupted in fire, I noticed that somehow, she was out of the room already, but the commotion happening didn't allow me to find her," he began. My mind began whirling from the information.

"That's not all. Smith had marched with us when we surrounded the house and took it down. After the fight, it seemed like he suddenly disappeared. We've been able to take account of all the warriors that fought with us, whether dead or alive, but somehow, there has been no trace of Smith. Same thing with Naya."

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Anyah walked into the room.

"I told you all to not disturb her," she said softly as she moved toward me. She began checking my vitals, and she had a worried look in her eyes that made me feel alarmed. "It's a miracle you're still alive. The babies are fine and healthy, but I'm worried that you might be close to your limit. I need you to fully rest and recuperate. You'll be on bed rest and under my watch until I'm satisfied that you're okay," she said, and none of us argued with her.

The following week was a blur of pain, recovery, and fear. All my wounds were healing fast, but the emotional scars ran deep. I missed Naya terribly. She was like the sister I had never had. Rhys had explained how she had been forced to follow instructions and lead them to me. From the moment she took the blow for me, I forgave her. Now, all I wanted was to see her. I wanted to know what part of her story was the truth and what part was the lie.

Rhys, Kai, and Rowan were incredible. They were constantly by my side, offering comfort and support. They brought me flowers, read to me, and even sang playfully to me.

Finally, Anyah concluded that I was well enough to return to the house. She also gave me strict instructions concerning my diet and my health in general. I was to come weekly for a check-up at the clinic.

The past couple of days had allowed me to reconnect with my mates in a way that allowed me to feel their confidence and strength run through me. The dark fear that had seized me while I had been chained to that stone wall was completely gone.

The drive back to the house felt different from the first time I had gone to the clinic. I felt more relaxed, and the anxiety and fear that had clung to me the first time was nowhere to be found. The sensation of being watched or followed was gone, and I was filled with a peace similar to what I had felt during my encounter with the spirit form.

The destruction that had come with the war was still evident all around, but I was impressed by how fast things were getting fixed. All around were pack members working together, and swiftly, to get things established again.

It didn't matter what Silas' next plan was. I had no control over what he chose to do, but I had complete control over how I lived my life. I was tired of living in fear and apprehension. I was free right now, and so I wanted to live freely, without worry forcing me to lock myself in.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon when we pulled into the house. I was happy to be home and couldn't wait to sleep in my bed. The worst part of the clinic had been the bed.

"We have a surprise for you," Rowan revealed once I was out of the car, and I perked up.

"Really?" I asked, looking at Kai and Rhys for confirmation, and they laughed softly.

"Come on, it's in the yard," Rhys urged, taking my hand and leading me in the direction.

The green space was transformed. Soft, twinkling lights adorned the old oak, casting a soft glow over the carefully laid picnic spread. A plush, white throw was spread beneath, invitingly soft. The basket in the center was overflowing with delicacies, tugging at my cravings.

"We thought you needed a change of scenery," Kai explained, his eyes filled with tenderness as we moved to settle on the blanket.

"We know this doesn't erase the pain, love," Rhys began, his voice gentle, "but we hope it can offer you a moment of peace. We brought all your favorite food, too," he added and I laughed, accepting the plate piled with food that he offered to me.

"It's perfect. Thank you," I said, leaning in to kiss him.

We talked for hours, sharing laughter and memories. The weight of the world seemed to lift as we lost ourselves in each other's company.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the garden, I found myself relaxing even more. My mates surrounded me, and their presence felt like a warm, comforting blanket.

"You're incredibly strong, Elara," Kai suddenly said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've endured more than anyone should have to, yet you continue to fight. I hope that you always remember that you're the heart of this family and that we love you more than words could ever express."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I was filled with emotions. "I couldn't do it without all of you. I love you too." My voice was shaky as I spoke, and Kai pulled me closer, his lips brushing against mine. The kiss was filled with a depth of emotion that took my breath away. As we deepened the kiss, I felt a sense of peace wash over me.