Chapter 43

Chapter 43


Kilian stayed for a long time holding Abigail, burying his face in her scent, in the warmth of her skin, as if he needed to make sure she was real and not a mirage born from his exhausted mind. She held him with the same urgency, as if she feared that if she let go, he would vanish.

The silence broke when she whispered, her voice still trembling:

—Darling… I love you… and I really missed you. —Her lips brushed against his ear before adding, with a hint of humor—. But you need a bath… you stink.

Kilian’s laugh was deep, hoarse, full of relief and love. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes shining with that spark Abigail had thought lost forever.

—You’re not off the hook either, Luna. You need a bath too.

She let out a soft laugh, clutching his neck as he lifted her in his arms. Yet, amid that lightness, Kilian felt a pang in his chest: she was thinner, more fragile. He could only imagine how much she had suffered in his absence. He silently vowed that he would never leave her alone again.

With the delicacy of a lover and the reverence of an alpha, he carried her to the stone tub. He filled it with warm water, gently placing her on the ground. He undressed her without rush, with the solemnity of one lowering a sacred banner after battle, and then removed the rags still hanging from his battered body.

They both submerged in the water, letting the warmth envelop them like a balm. Abigail curled against his chest, and at last, after so much forced fortitude, broke into sobs.

Kilian gritted his teeth and held her tighter, kissing the crown of her head.

—Shhh, my Luna… it’s okay —he murmured—. No more darkness. I’m here… with you.

She lifted her flushed face, eyes swollen from crying, and kissed him with desperate hunger. Their lips met, and what began as a caress turned into a storm. Weeks of absence and pain exploded in that kiss.

The scent of earth, blood, and rain that he carried mingled with Abigail’s sweetness, creating a unique perfume. His hands roamed her wet skin with tenderness and desire, while her fingers tangled in his hair as if afraid to lose him again.

—I missed you so much… —he panted, brushing her lips over and over—. I thought I’d never see you again.

—Never leave me, Kilian… —she whispered, caressing the contour of his face—. Not even for a second.

He smiled with a flash of arrogance and passion, leaning to kiss her neck, marking every inch with the possession of an alpha and the devotion of a lover. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the tide of sensations.

\---

When their breathing began to calm, Kilian rested his forehead against hers. His eyes burned with a supernatural intensity as his hands descended toward Abigail’s belly. There, the dark mark still stained her skin, a reminder of tragedy.

—My Luna… —his voice sounded like a vow—. It’s time to erase this. To bring the light back to us.

Abigail swallowed and nodded. She knew what it implied: it was not a mere gesture, but a profound ritual, a new bond that would seal their souls forever.

Kilian kissed her again, and as she settled over his lap, a scorching heat ran through their bodies. Laykan roared inside him, restraining his power so as not to harm her, and the alpha’s energy flowed directly into her.

—I need you… —he whispered, voice broken by urgency.

She arched her back, feeling the friction of their bodies.

—Kilian… don’t make me wait any longer…

Their eyes met, and he took her without hesitation. Abigail’s moans filled the room, broken and sincere.

—That’s it, my Luna… —he whispered against her forehead—. Tell me how much you missed me.

—So much… too much…

Their hips moved in unison, each thrust a reminder of everything they had lost and everything they were reclaiming. Until Kilian brushed her hair from her neck, kissed the dark mark, and with a restrained growl, sank his fangs into her skin to claim her once more.

Energy enveloped them. Abigail arched her body, screaming between pleasure and relief, as the old mark faded beneath the new one: a red and silver glow that lit up the entire room.

—I love you, my queen… my Luna —Kilian panted against her lips.

—And I love you… my king… —she replied, trembling in his arms.

The climax overtook them both, sealing with fire what darkness had tried to break.

\---

The newly renewed bond burned across their skin, impossible to contain. Kilian held her with devotion, tracing every curve as if needing to memorize her all over again.

—I’ve desired you every day… —he murmured, his voice deep—. Every second without you was a sentence.

She kissed him urgently, as if she wanted to devour him whole.

—I can’t believe you’re here… with me… alive…

—I will never leave you again —he replied, devouring her mouth with a deep kiss—. Never.

Passion consumed them once more. Amid moans, broken laughter, and whispered love, they made love with the desperation of those who return from death and the tenderness of those who know nothing can ever separate them again.

—You’re mine, kitty —he purred against her lips—. The new mark proves it.

—And you’re mine, my king… my life… —she responded, surrendered in his arms.

The moon shone through the window, silent witness to the rebirth of their union.

\---

When exhaustion finally overcame them, they remained entwined in the shadows. Kilian caressed her face, admiring the tears still glistening in her eyes, a mixture of relief and happiness.

—You’ve endured so much… and still waited for me —he whispered, voice breaking—. I swear no one will ever hurt you again. Not Dylan… nor fate itself.

Abigail placed a hand on her belly, where now beat not only the new mark but the promise of the future.

—Our child will feel this —she whispered—. Will feel our strength… and our love.

Kilian kissed her forehead with infinite tenderness.

—They will be strong, like you… like us. And I will be here, always.

Laykan, satisfied, remained silent deep within, letting that moment belong only to them.

The room was wrapped in calm, accompanied by the certainty that after the war, the darkness, and the loss, love had been reborn stronger than ever.

Kilian watched over Abigail’s sleep until dawn peeked through the window, guarding every sigh, every heartbeat, with the devotion of an alpha who had reclaimed the most sacred thing in his life: his Luna.