Chapter 148

Chapter 148
Seraphina's POV

On the third evening after returning to Northern Peak, I was alone in the small wooden cabin, organizing the precious herbs brought back from Howling Hall. Moonvine emitted a soft silver glow, Star-tear flowers still bloomed in glass vials, and the seven veins of Silverroot were clearly visible.

As my fingertips lightly touched these herbs, a calming power quietly flowed into my heart. With them, my cub had hope.

"Little one," I murmured softly to the life within me, "see? Mama has prepared everything for you. You must come into this world safe and healthy."

As if responding to my words, the cub in my belly moved gently, that tender touch softening my heart completely.

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door. I instinctively became alert, my nostrils flaring slightly—it was Lucian's scent.

My heartbeat involuntarily quickened. Hadn't he said three days? How did he return so quickly? It was only just the evening of the third day.

The door was gently pushed open, and Lucian appeared in the doorway. His traveling clothes were still dusty, clearly having rushed all the way back. His amber eyes brightened instantly when they saw me.

"Seraphina." His voice was low and hoarse, carrying exhaustion and longing.

I turned around, trying to keep my tone calm. "You're back? Claire's injury hasn't healed yet?"

"She's stabilized." Lucian walked into the room. "Willow and the healers will take care of her. I promised you three days, so I came back."

I fell silent. He truly kept his promise, rushing back on the third day.

"You didn't need to come back," I said, turning to continue organizing herbs. "I'm safe here. Ember and Donny are both nearby."

"I know." Lucian's voice carried pleading. "But Seraphina, I want to be by your side. You're carrying our cub—I can't let you face all this alone."

"I'm not alone," I remained detached. "I have Ember, I have Donny. I don't need you."

Lucian was silent for a long while before finally speaking. "I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. But Seraphina, at least let me fulfill my duty as a father. Let me protect you and the cub until the Moon Essence Purification ceremony is complete."

I turned to look at him. Those eyes were full of sincerity, pleading, and exhaustion. He must not have rested much these past few days.

"You can stay," I finally said, my tone still detached. "But we keep our distance. Don't try to get close to me, don't explain, don't apologize. Just appear when the ceremony comes."

Pain flashed through Lucian's eyes, but he still nodded. "Alright. I promise."

"Donny will arrange lodging for you, right next to the healing center. Go rest if you're tired."

Lucian didn't leave immediately, just quietly looking at me, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately turned and left.

After the door closed, I leaned against the table and took a deep breath. My hand unconsciously moved to my abdomen, feeling the cub's movements.

"Did Mama do the right thing?" I asked the life within softly. "Letting him stay but not letting him get close. Is Mama being too cruel?"

The cub moved gently, as if comforting me.

Ember emerged from the inner room. Seeing me like this, she sighed. "Seraphina, are you really going to keep being cold to him like this?"

"What else?" I countered. "Ember, I can't soften again. I can't let myself get hurt again."

Ember walked over and patted my shoulder gently. "I understand. But Seraphina, he really is trying to change. Look, he said three days and came back right on time."

"So what?" My voice trembled slightly. "Ember, someone can do anything out of duty. But I don't want duty—I want genuine feeling."

Ember was silent for a moment, then gently hugged me. "I understand. But at least give him a chance to prove himself."

I didn't answer, just leaned quietly against Ember's shoulder.

Over the following days, Lucian remained near the small cabin. He didn't try to approach, didn't initiate conversation—just silently stood guard. Every morning, fresh game and herbs would appear at the door.

I knew it was him, but never thanked him to his face.

Each time Ember saw these, she would sigh. "Seraphina, he's really putting his heart into this. Some of these herbs are very difficult to collect, even requiring risk."

I just silently put away the herbs, not knowing how to face him.

One evening, I was walking outside, breathing fresh air. Pregnancy often made me feel congested, requiring more movement. Just as I felt a wave of dizziness, the world spinning, my legs so weak I could barely stand, a pair of strong arms caught me in time.

"Seraphina!" Lucian's voice was full of worry.

I opened my eyes to find myself in his embrace. His face was pale, eyes full of fear.

"What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" he asked anxiously.

"I... just feel a bit dizzy..." I said weakly.

Without hesitation, Lucian carried me back to the small cabin. "Ember! Go get Donny quickly!"

Minutes later, Donny arrived. After careful examination, his expression was serious.

"Seraphina, your life force is fluctuating very unstably. The cub is drawing heavily on your energy. Your body is too weak to support it."

"What do we do?" Lucian asked nervously.

Donny looked at us. "She needs her mate's life force support. Herbs can only ease symptoms, not cure the root cause. Wolf cubs instinctively need nourishment from both parents' life forces. Without the father's support, the cub will instinctively draw more energy from the mother, seriously harming the maternal body."

I bit my lip, saying nothing.

"At least let him stay by your side," Donny advised. "Not just for safety, but for your and the cub's health."

Lucian looked at me, eyes full of pleading. "Seraphina, let me help you. Please."

I lowered my head to look at my abdomen. The cub's movements were more frequent than usual, as if expressing longing.

"Alright," I finally nodded, my voice very soft. "But... keep your distance."

Lucian immediately nodded. "I promise."

From that day on, Lucian came to the small cabin at fixed times each day, holding my hand and transferring life force through the mate bond. Each time I felt his power flowing into my body, the cub would quiet down and my body would gradually recover. But after each session, Lucian's face would pale considerably, clearly having expended greatly.

"You don't need to give so much." Once I couldn't help reminding him.

Lucian shook his head with a gentle smile. "It's fine. As long as you and the cub are well, however much I give is worth it."

I looked at him, my heart a mixture of feelings.

Lucian's POV

During my days at Northern Peak, I carefully guarded Seraphina. I didn't dare get too close, fearing her rejection, yet didn't dare stay too far, fearing she might need me and not find me. Every night, I would transform into wolf form and guard outside the small cabin, listening to her and the cub's breathing, my heart finding some peace.

She was still angry with me, still unwilling to forgive me. But that was fine—as long as she and the cub were safe, I was willing to wait a lifetime.

Transferring life force to her each day was my happiest moment. Though it consumed greatly, being able to feel the bond between us, feel the cub's healthy growth, made it all worthwhile.

Until that night, while I was keeping watch outside, I suddenly heard painful moans from inside. My heart tightened and I immediately rushed to the door.

"Seraphina!" I knocked anxiously.

Ember opened the door, worry all over her face. "It's Seraphina. She suddenly has severe abdominal pain and has started bleeding."

My blood seemed to freeze. Bleeding? What did this mean?

"I'll get Donny!" I flew toward the healing center.

Minutes later, I rushed back with Donny. Seraphina lay in bed, face pale as paper, forehead covered in cold sweat, hands tightly protecting her abdomen, eyes full of fear.

"The cub... my cub..." she wept weakly.

Donny immediately examined her, expression grave. "The cub's life force is extremely unstable. Seraphina's body has reached its limit and can no longer support it."

"What do we do?" My voice trembled.

"She needs massive life force input, and it must happen immediately. Lucian, only you can save her and the cub, but this time the consumption far exceeds the past—it may cause you serious harm."

"I don't care!" Without hesitation, I knelt by the bed. "Seraphina, let me help you. Please."

Seraphina looked at me with tearful eyes, wanting to refuse but only able to nod slightly due to the severe pain.

"Quickly!" Donny urged.

I grasped Seraphina's hand, and the mate bond activated instantly. I could feel the weakness within her body and the chaotic life fluctuations of the cub.

I closed my eyes and transferred my life force to her in massive quantities. The sensation was as if life was being drained away, but I didn't care. As long as I could save them, I had no regrets even if it cost everything.

Time seemed to freeze. My life force rapidly depleted, my body growing weaker, vision gradually blurring. But I persisted until Seraphina's breathing stabilized, color returned to her face, and the cub's life fluctuations finally calmed.

Donny breathed a sigh of relief. "The crisis has temporarily passed. But Seraphina, you must rest well and absolutely cannot overexert yourself."

I released Seraphina's hand, my body swaying with dizziness, nearly falling. Ember quickly steadied me.

"Lucian! Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." I managed to speak, my voice so weak it was barely audible.

After examining me, Donny's expression was grim. "Your life force is nearly depleted! Lucian, you're literally trading your life to save them!"

I shook my head, looking toward Seraphina on the bed. "As long as she and the cub are fine..."

Before I could finish, I finally couldn't hold on. Darkness consumed my vision as I lost consciousness.