Chapter 304

Gio pov

I can’t shake this feeling, no matter how much I try to distract myself. After my talk with Constantine, I told myself I’d calm down, that I’d focus on what’s in front of me, but it’s impossible. My chest feels tight, like someone’s tied an invisible string around my heart, tugging me toward the kingdom.

Every step I take away from it feels wrong.

I’ve been pacing for what feels like hours, moving back and forth in a little patch of forest away from the others. The air is cool, and the stars peek through the gaps in the trees, but none of it calms me.

My thoughts are a mess of worry - about Ash, about the kingdom, about whatever is coming.

“This isn’t helping,” I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair.

I stop walking and lean against a tree, trying to take deep breaths, but the tightness in my chest doesn’t go away. My mind keeps circling back to the same thing: I can’t stay here. Not when everything in me is screaming that I need to go back.

Eventually, I push off the tree and head toward where I know Constantine is. He’s been tending to Dominic ever since we got here, making sure the man doesn’t collapse under the weight of whatever guilt or exhaustion he’s carrying.

When I find them, Constantine is crouched next to Dominic, who’s sitting on a fallen log with his head in his hands. Constantine’s voice is calm and steady, though I can’t quite make out what he’s saying. As I step closer, they both look up.

“Gio,” Constantine says, straightening. “You’re still restless, I see.”

I nod, my jaw tight. “I can’t do it, Constantine. I can’t just sit here anymore. It’s time to go.”

He tilts his head, studying me carefully. “Go where?”

“Back to the kingdom,” I say, my voice firmer than I expected. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel it - something’s wrong. The people there, they’re in danger. I can’t ignore it.”

Constantine crosses his arms, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve always had a strong connection to the kingdom. That bond you feel isn’t something to take lightly.”

Dominic looks up, his brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s the hunters? Or Kaiden?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all tied together. The hunters, Kaiden. I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Constantine nods slowly, his calm demeanor never fading. “If you believe this is what you need to do, then I trust you, Gio. You’ve always had a good instinct for these things.”

I blink, a little surprised by how quickly he agrees. “You trust me?”

“Of course,” he says, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’ve proven time and time again that you put others before yourself. If your heart is telling you to go, then I believe there’s a reason for it.”

Dominic shifts uncomfortably on the log, looking between us. “What about Ash? What if she tries to follow you?”

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I don’t want her involved in this, but if she does - Constantine’s right. She’s stronger than most of us give her credit for.”

Constantine places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “You’re doing the right thing, Gio. And you’re not going alone. We’ll gather the others and head to the king’s estate together.”

A rush of relief washes over me, though the tension in my chest doesn’t ease completely. “Thank you,” I whisper.

Constantine nods, then turns to Dominic. “Are you coming with us?”

Dominic hesitates, his face pale. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I’ve already done enough damage.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Constantine says gently. “In fact, I’d prefer it if you stay here, away from any possible danger, just resting and healing..”

Dominic doesn’t respond right away, his gaze fixed on the ground. Finally, he lets out a long sigh. “I’ll come.”

“Okay” Constantine mutters and turns back to me. “Let’s not waste any more time. Go get the others. We leave as soon as possible.”

I nod and head off to find the rest of our group, my heart pounding. Less than an hour later, when we’re all gathered, the air is thick with tension.

“Alright,” Constantine clears his throat. “This isn’t going to be easy, but we don’t have a choice. The kingdom is in danger, and we need to do our part to protect it.”

“What if we’re too late?” one of them asks, his voice trembling slightly.

“We won’t be,” I say firmly, stepping forward. “We can’t think like that. We have to believe that we can make a difference, or there’s no point in going at all.”

Constantine nods in agreement. “Gio’s right. This isn’t just about us, it’s about everyone who depends on the kingdom’s stability. If it falls, the chaos will spread, and no one will be safe.”

“Stick together,” Constantine continues. “Stay alert. We don’t know what we’ll face when we get there, but we’ll handle it. Together.”

There’s a murmur of agreement, and I feel a surge of pride in the group around me. These people are willing to fight, to risk everything for the greater good.

As we set off, I find myself walking next to Constantine. He glances at me, his expression thoughtful.

“You’re a natural leader, you know that?” He asks quietly.

I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’m just doing what feels right.”

“That’s what makes you a leader,” he says. “It’s not about power or control. It’s about the heart. And you have more of that than most people I’ve met.”

His words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know how to respond. Finally, I just nod, feeling a strange mix of confusion and gratitude.

The journey to the king’s estate isn’t long and pretty soon after we start our journey, with the bears and Ash following us, we see the outline of the impressive building I once called my home.