Chapter 182 182

Chapter 182 182

Whatever Alyna tried, she could no longer see her own future.

That terrified her more than anything else.

At first, she thought perhaps her powers had become unstable after returning. She tried again and again, touching objects connected to herself, meditating beneath the moonlight, even praying silently to the deity that had once granted her visions. But no matter what she did, there was only darkness when it came to her own destiny.

Nothing.

No future.

No life ahead.

Meanwhile, whenever she touched others, she saw everything clearly.

The future unfolded before her eyes in endless flashes.

She saw children being born.

She saw wolves growing old peacefully.

She saw weddings, victories, grief, and happiness.

She saw Leo becoming stronger every passing year. She saw him training beside Asher, laughing with warriors, standing proudly as the future Alpha. She even saw glimpses of the woman who would one day become his mate.

And Asher…

He survived too.

Every vision connected to him continued beyond the point where hers ended.

That realization slowly settled into her heart like cold poison.

She was the only one missing from the future.

The only one who disappeared.

At some point, Alyna stopped trying to fight it.

Perhaps fate truly could not be changed.

At least now she knew the people she loved would survive.

That thought alone became her only comfort.

Still, another fear lingered heavily in her heart.

This battle… this darkness approaching them…

It was connected to Xander.

Every disturbing glimpse she saw somehow led back to him and the unknown enemy surrounding his territory. She never sensed that same dark presence around Asher’s pack directly.

That alone frightened her deeply.

She wanted Xander to be careful.

And because of all these fears, Alyna unknowingly began distancing herself from happiness itself.

She stopped trying to build a future.

She stopped dreaming about another child.

Whenever Asher touched her lovingly at night or pulled her closer while sleeping, fear would tighten around her chest.

What if she truly died?

What if she left another child behind?

The thought alone broke her heart.

So slowly, without directly saying it, she began avoiding intimacy with him. Some nights she pretended exhaustion. Other nights she wandered outside before he returned to their room.

Asher noticed it.

She knew he did.

But strangely, he never pressured her.

That only made her feel guiltier.

Tonight was no different.

The night air was cold as Alyna sat alone near the cascade hidden deep within the woods. Water rushed endlessly over the rocks while the pale crescent moon reflected softly against the surface.

The forest was quiet.

Too quiet.

Alyna wrapped her arms around herself and stared blankly at the water flowing before her. Her thoughts had become exhausting lately. Every vision felt heavier than before, and the burden of knowing the future was slowly crushing her.

Vivi remained silent inside her mind, sensing her exhaustion.

Then suddenly, a sound. A branch snapped somewhere behind her.

Alyna immediately stood up and turned around sharply.

Her heartbeat quickened the moment she recognized the familiar figure emerging from the darkness.

“Xander?”

He stepped forward slowly beneath the moonlight.

Rain from earlier still lingered on his dark cloak, and his sharp eyes remained fixed entirely on her.

Shock crossed Alyna’s face instantly.

“How?” she asked anxiously. “Why are you here?”

“To see you.”

His answer came too quickly.

Too honest. Alyna frowned nervously and glanced around instinctively.

“You crossed the territory?”

“Yes.”

“What if someone sees you?”

“I don’t care.”

His calmness unsettled her.

Xander slowly approached until only a short distance remained between them.

“I needed to talk to you,” he said quietly.

Alyna stared at him carefully.

There was something different about him tonight.

Not anger.

Not obsession.

Something heavier.

“What is it?” she asked softly.

Instead of answering immediately, Xander looked directly into her eyes.

“Can you touch me and see my future again?”

Her brows furrowed instantly.

“I already did,” she reminded him gently. “And I already told you what I saw.”

“I want you to do it again.”

Confusion crossed her face.

“Why?”

Xander remained silent for a moment before looking away toward the flowing water.

Alyna suddenly became aware of how strange this situation truly was.

“How did you even know I would be here?” she asked cautiously.

A faint smile appeared briefly on his lips.

“I have my ways.”

“That’s not an answer.”

His gaze returned to her again.

“I know everything you’ve been doing lately,” he admitted quietly. “You roam these woods almost every night.”

Alyna’s heartbeat quickened slightly hearing that.

Not because she was frightened.

But because there was something painfully sincere in his voice.

“I care about you,” he continued. “Whether you believe it or not… you’re still the most important person in my life.”

Her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Xander had always spoken intensely when it came to her, but tonight his words lacked force or manipulation.

They sounded tired.

Honest.

Almost lonely.

Alyna slowly stepped closer without realizing it herself.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then she finally asked the question that truly mattered to her.

“Have you found anything about Sarmon?”

Xander’s expression darkened immediately.

He nodded once.

“Yes.”

Alyna stiffened slightly.

“He’s closer than we thought,” Xander said grimly. “Much closer.”

A cold feeling spread through her chest.

“The last known attack happened toward the western territories,” he continued. “But there are no survivors left to tell what truly happened there.”

His jaw tightened visibly.

“He and his men leave no soul alive behind them.”

The waterfall suddenly sounded louder around them.

Alyna slowly lowered her eyes.

Everything she feared was becoming real.

She swallowed hard before speaking again.

“You need to be careful.”

Xander watched her quietly for a moment.

Then suddenly, his expression softened.

“And you?” he asked quietly.

She looked up at him.

“You keep worrying about everyone else… but who’s protecting you, Alyna?”

She didn’t know how to answer that.

The moonlight reflected faintly in his eyes as he stepped closer again.

“Tell me something honestly,” he said softly.

Alyna remained still.

“Do you love me?” he asked. “Even a little?”

Her breath caught.

The question lingered painfully between them.