Chapter 329: Cyrus's Divine Encounter

Cyrus's POV

The pain was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. One moment I was rushing toward Maeve, determined to save her from those dark tendrils. The next, searing agony exploded through my chest as one pierced straight through me.

Warm blood soaked my shirt, spreading with alarming speed. Despite the shock, I remained conscious enough to see Maeve fall. Relief washed over me as Rodolfo caught her before she hit the ground.

At least she's safe. Rodolfo got to her in time.

Through the fog of pain, I noticed a brilliant beam of light and violent wind sweeping across the battlefield, knocking down our enemies. Elizabeth was rushing toward Rodolfo and Maeve, her eyes flickering with that magnificent rainbow shimmer.

The only thing keeping me from immediate death was the tendril still embedded in my chest. Each breath brought excruciating pain, and I could feel consciousness slipping away.

I watched as Rodolfo carefully handed the unconscious Maeve to Sebastian, gesturing for him to take her away from the battle zone.

Why have the monsters stopped attacking?

I noticed the darkness staring at me with terror in his eyes, while Phoebe stood beside him, visibly agitated.

"Don't just stand there!" Phoebe shrieked. "Finish them! Do it now!"

A blinding white light suddenly filled my vision, so intense I couldn't keep my eyes open. I couldn't tell where it was coming from.

When the light swept over my body, the tendril was violently yanked out, bringing a new wave of unbearable pain.

My body began to fall, darkness gradually consuming me.

Maeve... I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you until the end...

---

When I regained consciousness, I was lying in a vast, open meadow. There was no pain, no blood on my clothes. It felt as though I'd just woken from a terrible nightmare.

I tilted my head back, feeling the caress of sunlight on my face. This was strange—it had been the middle of the night when I was injured.

I tried sitting up, bracing myself for the pain that should have followed, but it never came.

I discovered I was in a field of wildflowers, and I wasn't alone. My wolf, Dean, was lying beside me.

"Dean?" I asked, confused as I looked at him.

That's odd. I can actually see my wolf, not just connect with him mentally.

Dean's eyes reflected sadness as he lowered his head without responding.

What's happening? Where's Maeve?

Dean looked off into the distance, and I followed his gaze. A figure was walking toward us.

My heart rate quickened as I stood up, watching the approaching figure.

It was a woman dressed in a flowing white gown, with golden hair cascading down like a waterfall. She wore a delicate white flower crown. Her beauty was otherworldly, perfect in a way that made it difficult to breathe. She was surrounded by a halo of light so bright it was almost painful to look at directly.

Who is she? She doesn't seem human... that light, that presence...

She looked at me, her exquisite face breaking into a benevolent smile.

"Cyrus... you have done exceptionally well..." Her voice was like music, instantly calming my troubled mind.

I stared at her, suddenly realizing who she must be. "You're the Moon Goddess."

Her smile deepened. "Yes. Your selfless act of love and courage has made me immensely proud."

"I don't understand... where am I?" I asked, looking around the endless meadow.

The Moon Goddess turned to Dean, bending down to extend her hand. Dean approached her, bowing his head before her as she gently stroked his thick fur.

"This is the sanctuary your wolf chose for you. A place to keep your soul safe until it can return to your body."

Soul? Return to my body? This means...

"I'm dead..." The words fell from my lips, heavy with realization.

The Goddess raised her eyes to mine, then stood, her gaze never leaving mine.

I can't read her expression, which only makes me more anxious.

"You used your brave actions to dispel the darkness from your world. You sacrificed yourself for the one you love. Such sacrifice created an unprecedented light, powerful enough to defeat evil and protect your mate from Phoebe's poison. You did well, and should be proud of that."

"How is Maeve now?" I asked quietly.

"She will recover soon. Because of you, all Callisto werewolves have regained their power, the dark curse has been completely broken. Malachi has been banished, and Phoebe has lost her abilities. You helped rebuild this kingdom, as the prophecy foretold."

"Prophecy?" I questioned.

"Maeve was not meant to become the most powerful Callisto werewolf alone. You also carry Callisto blood in your veins, Cyrus. Your light, love, and power are the other half that makes her the strongest. Without you, this kingdom could never fulfill the prophecy of renewal."

I have Callisto blood? I have this kind of power?

I looked down at my hands in disbelief.

The Goddess approached me, reaching out to touch my cheek, lifting my face to meet her gaze. Warmth instantly spread throughout my body.

"You have endured much hardship in your life, but you have also grown tremendously, becoming such an exceptional young man, Cyrus."

Her words warm me, making all burdens feel lighter.

But the feeling quickly dissipated as I remembered my disembodied state.

"It's just... I'm dead... which means I'll never be with my mate again..." I said, my voice breaking slightly. "Don't misunderstand, I'm grateful I could help rebuild the kingdom. I'm relieved Maeve is safe... I just wish I could be there with her. The war is still going on, and I can't be there to support them."

The Goddess let out a silvery laugh. "The soul is eternal. Though your body is damaged, it's not beyond repair."

"So I'm not dead?"

"Your light and love saved Maeve, rebuilt the kingdom, but she remains your other half. She is still the key to fully restoring this land. Let her work her magic, not only to rebuild the kingdom but to resurrect you."

"She can save me?"

Is this real? Do I have a chance to return to Maeve's side?

The Goddess's eyes flashed with light, and she waved her arm, creating a floating image beside her, like a suspended screen.

In the image was Maeve, hunched over my bloodied, wounded body, sobbing.

Seeing this makes my chest tighten, I can barely breathe. My body... God, that wound...

Maeve was shaking me, begging me to wake up.

"Cyrus, I need you... I'm carrying our baby. You can't leave us... I love you..." her voice broke through the image.

What?!

I froze completely. The Goddess waved her hand again, and the image disappeared.

"She's pregnant?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "I'm going to be a father?"

"Twins," the Goddess nodded. "A daughter and a son."

"I have to get back to her," I said, my voice growing stronger with determination. "Please tell me how to return to my mate."

"Trust that your mate can bring you back to life. Rest assured, everything is proceeding according to plan."

The Goddess's form began to fade, becoming transparent.

"Wait, please don't go. What if I need more help?" I asked urgently.

"Listen to the voice within you, Cyrus. You already possess all the answers you need."

"Wait... will our children be healthy and strong?" I called out.

"As strong as their parents," she replied with a final smile.

She's gone... but her words have given me hope.

I closed my eyes, sitting among the flowers, with Dean resting his head on my lap.

I need to focus on Maeve. Focus on how deeply I love her, how desperately I want to be with her again, how I would give anything to see her once more.

I let the sunlight's energy fill me, infusing me with strength and vitality.

"I trust you... Maeve," I whispered.

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the meadow. I was lying on the ground, surrounded by the sounds of intense battle.

I looked up to see Maeve staring down at me with her tear-filled dual-colored eyes. In the distance, I heard the loud howling of wolves.

That's the pack howling. The battle is still going on.

I sat up, confused by everything happening around me. But before I could fully process it all, Maeve threw herself into my arms.

"I thought I'd lost you forever..." she sobbed.

"You won't lose me..." I managed to say, still disoriented. "Our babies won't either..."