Chapter 130 THE NIGHTMARE LINGERS

Chapter 130 THE NIGHTMARE LINGERS

LUNA LEENA POV

The first light of morning filtered gently through the curtains. I woke up slowly, feeling the warmth of strong arms wrapped around me. My head rested on Damian’s chest, rising and falling with his steady breathing. For a moment, I just stayed there, listening to his heartbeat. It felt real. Safe. After so many days trapped inside my own body, waking up in his arms felt like coming home.

Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them. I turned slightly and hugged him tighter, burying my face in his neck. He stirred awake, his arms tightening around me instinctively.

“Leena…” he whispered, his voice rough with sleep. “You’re here. You’re really here.”

“I was so scared,” I said, my voice breaking. “I thought… I thought you were going to give up on me. I saw you whip those men. I saw you kneel in front of her. I was terrified you had started believing she was me. That you had betrayed me.”

Damian pulled back just enough to look at me. His eyes were full of pain and love. He cupped my face with both hands, his thumbs gently wiping away my tears.

“Never,” he said firmly. “I never gave up on you. Every single thing I did was to get close to her. To find the right moment. I hated every second of it. But I had to make her believe I had submitted. I had to protect you. Protect our children.”

I nodded, fresh tears falling. “I know that now. But when I was trapped inside… it felt so real. I thought I had lost you.”

“You could never lose me,” he whispered.

He leaned in and kissed me. The kiss started soft and slow, full of relief and tenderness. But as our lips moved together, the longing we had both held back for so long poured out. I kissed him deeper, my hands sliding into his hair, pulling him closer. He groaned softly against my mouth and rolled us so he was on top of me, his body warm and solid against mine.

We had missed each other so much.

His hands roamed over my body with gentle hunger, touching me like he was afraid I might disappear again. I arched into him, whispering his name between kisses. Every caress, every touch felt like healing. The scar on my wrist no longer burned. The voice was gone. There was only us.

Damian kissed down my neck, his lips soft and reverent. “I love you,” he murmured against my skin. “I love you so much, Leena.”

“I love you too,” I breathed, my fingers tracing the muscles on his back. “Don’t ever let me go again.”

He didn’t. We moved together slowly, passionately, rediscovering each other after the long nightmare. Our bodies remembered every rhythm, every touch. The pleasure built gently, wave after wave, until we both reached our peak together, holding each other tightly as we trembled. Afterward, we stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, breathing slowly, skin against skin.

Damian kissed my forehead, then my nose, then my lips again. “You’re safe now,” he whispered. “We’re together. No one is taking you from me again.”

I nodded, resting my head on his chest. My hand moved down to my belly. I hadn’t told him yet about the pup I was carrying. But for now, I just wanted to enjoy this moment. The warmth. Safety. The love.

“We still have a long way to go,” I said quietly. “Gotham is gone, but the pack is hurt. Kael and Kieran are still out there.”

Damian hugged me tighter. “We will face it together. As a family.”

I smiled against his skin, feeling truly at peace for the first time in what felt like forever.

The nightmare was over.

And our real life was just beginning again.

……

The morning sun felt warmer than it had in days. I sat at the head of the long dining table with my family around me. The room felt alive again. The children couldn’t stop smiling. They kept leaving their seats to hug me, as if they were afraid I would disappear if they let go for too long.

“Mummy, don’t go anywhere,” Elara said, climbing into my lap for the third time. She wrapped her small arms around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder.

“I’m not going anywhere, baby,” I whispered, kissing her hair. “Mummy is staying right here with you.”

Ryker and Thorne came over too, hugging me from both sides. I laughed softly as I tried to hold all three of them at once. Their laughter filled the room like music. It was the most beautiful sound I had heard in what felt like forever.

Damian sat beside me, watching us with soft eyes and a gentle smile. He reached out and placed his hand over mine on the table. I squeezed it tightly, grateful for his warmth.

The maids began serving breakfast. They moved carefully, placing plates of fresh bread, fruits, eggs, and roasted meat in front of us. One of the younger maids, still nervous, accidentally spilled a little milk while pouring it into Elara’s cup. The liquid dripped onto the table.

The maid’s face went pale. She dropped to her knees immediately, trembling.

“I-I’m so sorry, Luna!” she cried, her voice shaking with terror. “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to. I will clean it right now. Please don’t punish me.”

The other maids froze, looking terrified. The whole room became tense.

I felt my chest tighten. Memories flooded back the maid Gotham had ordered to be whipped to death in the courtyard. The sound of the whip. The blood. The fear in everyone’s eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them.

Damian noticed immediately. He gently squeezed my hand.

“Leena…” he said softly.

I wiped my tears quickly and looked at the kneeling maid.

“It’s okay,” I said, my voice gentle. “It was just a little spill. There is no need to be scared. Please stand up.”

The maid looked up at me in surprise, still shaking. She slowly got to her feet, but her eyes were still filled with fear.

I turned to Damian, my voice breaking. “I killed a maid… because of me, because of what she made me do. I can’t stop thinking about it. I feel so guilty.”

Damian shook his head and pulled me closer. “You didn’t kill anyone, my love. I secretly saved that girl. I sent her to the healer’s quarters right after it happened. She is alive and recovering. She is getting the best treatment.”

My eyes widened. Fresh tears poured down my face, but this time they were tears of relief.

“Really?” I whispered.

Damian nodded. “Yes. I couldn’t let her die. I knew it wasn’t you.”

I stood up immediately. “I need to see her. Right now.”

Damian didn’t argue. He took my hand and led me out of the dining hall. The children followed behind us, curious and quiet. We walked through the palace corridors until we reached the healer’s private quarters.

The young maid was sitting up in bed when we entered. Her back was bandaged, but she looked much better than I had feared. When she saw me, her eyes widened in fear at first, then softened with surprise.

“Luna…” she whispered.

I walked closer and knelt beside her bed. Tears were already falling again.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice shaking. “What happened to you… it was because of me. Even though it wasn’t really me, I still feel responsible. I’m so sorry for the pain you went through.”

The maid looked at me for a long moment. Then she reached out and gently took my hand.

“It wasn’t your fault, Luna,” she said softly. “I know it was that dark spirit. I have a fault too. I shouldn’t have tried to poison you. I was scared for my family. But I was wrong. I’m sorry too.”

I started crying harder. I leaned forward and hugged her carefully, mindful of her wounds. She hugged me back, her arms weak but warm.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

We stayed like that for a while, two women who had both made mistakes but found understanding in each other. When I finally pulled back, I felt a little lighter.

“I will make sure you and your family are taken care of,” I promised. “You will never have to be afraid again.”

The maid smiled through her tears and nodded.

……

ASHER POV

The door to my private study burst open without warning. Kael and Kieran walked in like they owned the place, their faces hard and full of anger. I looked up from the letter I was reading, already knowing why they had come.

Kael stepped forward first, his eyes sharp. “Asher, we need your soldiers. We are going to war against Damian and Leena. We must avenge Samara’s death. She was your sister. You owe her this.”

Kieran nodded beside him, his one good eye burning with hatred. “The time has come. Join us. Give us your army. Together we can crush them and take back what is ours.”

I set the letter down slowly and leaned back in my chair. I had been expecting this visit, but it still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I warned her,” I said quietly. “Many times. I told Samara to stop chasing after Damian. I told her to leave Leena alone. She never listened. She kept pushing until it destroyed her. And now you two want to follow the same path?”

Kael’s face twisted with rage. “You are her brother! How can you sit here and do nothing?”

I shook my head. “Because I don’t want to end up like her. Damian and Leena are stronger than you think. They have the children now. They have the pack behind them. If you continue this way, you will die just like Samara did. I will not send my soldiers to die for your revenge.”

Kieran laughed bitterly. “Coward. That’s what you are. Hiding behind your walls while your sister’s killers walk free. You just want to be Damian’s dog forever, don’t you? Scared to fight for what is right.”

Kael stepped closer, his voice dripping with disgust. “You are a disgrace to your sister’s memory. When we are done destroying Damian and Leena, we will come for you too. Mark my words.”

I remained seated, looking at both of them calmly. “Do what you want. But I will not help you. Leave my territory before I change my mind and have you thrown out.”

They glared at me for a long moment, hatred clear in their eyes. Then Kael spat on the floor and turned away.

“Come, Kieran,” he said. “We don’t need this coward. We will build our own army.”

They stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind them. I let out a long breath and rubbed my temples. The silence that followed felt heavy.

I had lost my sister because of her obsession. I would not lose my pack the same way.

But deep down, I knew this was not the end. Kael and Kieran would cause more trouble. And when the time came, I might have to choose a side after all.

……

LUNA LEENA POV

I was running. The path was dark and endless, covered in thick black fog that made it hard to see where I was going. My bare feet hurt as they slapped against sharp stones and cold ground. My chest burned from breathing so hard. I kept looking over my shoulder, fear twisting in my stomach.

Then I heard it. Heavy footsteps behind me. Getting closer. I turned my head and saw her, Gotham. She was wearing long black robes, her red eyes glowing in the darkness like burning coals. Her face was twisted in rage and hunger as she chased me.

“Give me your body!” she screamed, her voice echoing all around me like thunder. “It belongs to me now!”

I ran faster, my legs aching, my heart pounding wildly. Tears streamed down my face as I pushed through the fog. Branches from dead trees scratched my arms and legs, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.

“You can’t run forever!” Gotham shouted, her voice getting louder. “I will take everything from you! Your mate! Your children! Your life!”

I tripped over a root hidden in the darkness. I fell hard, scraping my knees and hands on the rough ground. Before I could get up, Gotham was on me. She grabbed my shoulders with strong, icy hands and pinned me down.

“Give me your body!” she yelled right in my face, her red eyes blazing with madness. “Give it to me now!”

I struggled wildly, kicking and pushing against her. “No!” I screamed. “I won’t give you anything! Let me go! This is my body! Leave me alone!”

“No… no… let me be!” I shouted, thrashing on the bed. My body was covered in sweat. My nightgown was soaked. I kept fighting in my sleep, my arms swinging as if I was still trying to push her away.

“Leena! Leena, wake up!”

Damian’s voice cut through the nightmare. Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently but firmly.

“Leena, it’s me! Wake up, my love! You’re safe!”

My eyes flew open. I sat up quickly, breathing hard, my chest rising and falling rapidly. The room was dark except for the soft moonlight coming through the window. Damian was sitting beside me, his face full of worry. He pulled me into his arms immediately, holding me tight against his chest.

“It was just a dream,” he whispered, rubbing my back. “She’s gone. You’re here with me. You’re safe.”

I buried my face in his neck, still shaking.
“She was chasing me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “She wanted my body again. She said she would take everything from me.”

Damian hugged me tighter and kissed the top of my head. “She can’t touch you anymore. We sent her away. You fought her and won. Our family is together now.”

I nodded slowly, trying to believe his words. But the nightmare felt so real. I could still hear Gotham’s voice screaming in my head.

Damian lay back down and pulled me with him, wrapping his arms around me protectively. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. It helped calm me down.

“Sleep, my love,” he murmured, stroking my hair. “I’m right here. I won’t let anything hurt you again.”

I closed my eyes, safe in his arms, but a small part of me was still scared. The darkness might be gone, but the memories remain.