THE COST OF RETURNING

THE COST OF RETURNING
Chapter 179

Claudia's pov.

Claudia??

Claudia?

Their voices sounded distant and filled with so much longing, the sound of their footsteps echoed, growing distant with each step.

My eyes cracked open slowly and I stared at a ceiling, my gaze shifting radically, in its attempt to get a feeling of the place.

It was unfamiliar, that was for sure, going from the canopy to the lamp stand at the corner of the bed and scanning the room.

However my gaze shifted to the sound of the doors being pulled open, there stood a familiar figure about to leave the room.

A sad smile stretched across my lips, a heavy feeling settled on my chest, “Warren,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper but it caught his attention nevertheless.

Warren froze, hands on the door knob, slowly, he slowly turned around, his eyes expressed so much at the same time, fear, shock, disbelief, relief, confusion, and water at the corners of his eyes.

Unshed tears, which was something we both couldn't control.

My name rolled off his lips like it was foreign in a whisper.

My smile brightened as a lump formed in my throat, I couldn't speak, not a single word and all I could do was nod my head. Affirming the scene before him, it was real and it was not mind games.

The tears gathered at the corner of my eyes.

The thought of having to lose him was enough to bring years to my eyes, I really didn't want to because he was the first friend I had, the first one to believe me.

To love me.

And now, having him stand before me, I realised just how much I loved him, how much I never wanted to be separated from him.

Warren took the first step forward, careful, subtle, “Is this….”

“...Real?” I completed for him, nodding my head in response.

I couldn't hold the tears back in as the fell of their own accord, “It's real,” I choked out, crying as Warren dashed forward, wraping his hands around me and pulling me unimaginably close.

My hands snaked around his neck as I didn't mind, wanting to be even more close and not wanting to be let go, my sobs became louder as I shut my eyes, letting the tears fall free.

We remained like this because I couldn't get enough of him, I had thought I had lost him forever, that I would never get to see him ever again but here he was.

Finally, after what felt like a few seconds but was definitely more, Warren pulled inches away, culling my cheeks and staring at me deeply, all over, like I wasn't real, and I would disappear any moment.

Barley a figment of his imagination. Perhaps my brain was playing a trick on me as well, none of this could truly be real, could it?

I placed my hands over his on my cheek to affirm that this was real, “I'm really here,” 

A second layer, Warren pressed his lips against mine and I never thought I would feel his soft pink lips again. The last time this happened was when I said goodbye, king I would never return.

I guess I was wrong.

The kiss lasted until we ran out of breath, taking each other's presence in like we hadn't seen each other for decades.

We separated, inches apart, forehead pressed against each other, his hot breath fanned my lips while my chest heaved breathlessly.

My hands dug into his curls which were longer now, while his circled behind my back.

“I can't believe this, how is this even possible? we thought you were gone,” his brows knitted and I used my thumb to sooth the wrinkles away with a smile.

Shrugging my shoulders, “I don't really know,” I doubted it would be necessary to reveal my encounter with the moon goddess, “I'm just glad I'm back,”

“Yeah, same,”

“How do you feel?” 

Now that he mentioned it, other than the overwhelming feeling of being reunited with him, I felt off, like a part of me was missing and the moon goddesses words echoed in my ears.

A split in my soul and a part of me having died.

I let out a sigh, “I'm alright…. ish, I just feel as though something is missing, but we have enough time together to figure it out,” now wasn't the time.

I was just grateful that I had returned and I could finally spend my time with him.

Taking a deep breath, “What about the others, what happened?” 

The last thing I remembered was giving up my life for the spell and so I really wanted to hear that it had worked.

My anticipation was at the edge as I waited.

Warren sighed, taking a long time before he answered “The spell worked,” 

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding before pulling him in for another hug, relief washed over me.

“They had reverted back to their original form……” Warren bones his head, his lips pressed in a firm line.

My gaze narrowed onto him and a heavy feeling settled in my heart once again, did something happen? Different scenarios played in my head.

“It's nothing serious, it's just, we had anticipated this outcome before hand, them losing their wolves,”

Oh.

My head dropped in disappointment, I guess I wasn't the only one losing a part of themselves.

“There were a few casualties but the we've taken care of them while you were away,” 

While I was away?

Warren must have noticed my confusion and paused, “Is there something wrong? Are you feeling okay?” He's rising voice showed his panic which I had to calm him down.

“I'm just curious, how long have I been out for?” my breath hitched as I waited for an answer.

Warren's features darkened, his hands traced circles at the back of my palm, “Honey dear, You've been in a coma for almost a month,”