Chapter 220: Chapter 220

That night the house was quiet. The pack slept in peace after the long celebration. The torches outside were dim, and only the light of the moon shone across the sky. Inside her chamber, Elara lay in bed, her hand resting on her stomach as she slowly drifted to sleep.

Her dreams came softly, like a warm breeze. This time she did not see darkness, or pain, or the cold memory of death. She saw light. She saw a field of flowers stretching far and wide. The sun was bright, the wind gentle, and in the middle of it, she saw two figures she knew too well.

“Elara…”

Her mother’s voice. Gentle. Soft. Loving.

Her eyes filled with tears at once as she ran forward. “Mother! Father!”

Her parents stood smiling, dressed in white, their faces glowing with peace. They opened their arms, and Elara rushed into them, falling into their embrace. She felt their warmth, their comfort, the love she had longed for since she was a child.

Her father touched her hair, laughing softly. “Our little girl has grown. Look at you… strong, beautiful, and carrying life.”

Her mother’s hand rested on her stomach. “You are blessed, Elara. This child is a gift from the Moon Goddess. We are proud of you.”

Elara began to cry, holding them tightly. “I miss you so much. I thought I lost you forever. I thought I would never see your smiles again.”

Her mother wiped her tears gently. “Do not cry, my child. We are always with you. We never left. Every time you felt pain, every time you felt alone, we were there. The Goddess allowed us to watch over you.”

Her father nodded, his eyes full of pride. “Do not let fear rule your heart. You are not weak, Elara. You are stronger than you know. The path before you will not be easy, but you will never walk alone. Damien stands beside you. Mira stands beside you. And this child will give you new strength.”

Elara looked at them with wide, teary eyes. “But… the world is so cruel. People hate me. They want to destroy me and this child. How do I keep going?”

Her mother cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “By remembering love. Do not let hatred take your heart. Do not let pain blind you. Love is your strength, Elara. The Moon Goddess gave you this life for a reason. Walk with courage, and everything will fall into place.”

Her father added, his voice steady and strong, “And remember this… the blood of the past cannot chain you forever. You will rise above it. Your child will be a new beginning. Do not run from it. Do not run from love.”

Elara cried harder, holding them both tightly, not wanting to let go. “I don’t want to wake up. I want to stay here with you. Please… don’t leave me again.”

Her mother smiled sadly, her hand still on Elara’s cheek. “One day we will be together again. But not now. Now, you must live. Now, you must protect the life inside you. That is your mission, my child. That is your gift.”

The light around them began to glow brighter. Her parents slowly started to fade, though their smiles never dimmed.

“No!” Elara cried, reaching out. “Please don’t go!”

Her father kissed her hand before disappearing. “We are always with you, Elara. Always.”

And then they were gone.

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Elara’s eyes flew open. She sat up in bed, her chest rising and falling quickly. Tears rolled down her face, but this time, they were not only from pain—they were also from relief. For the first time in years, she had seen her parents not in sorrow, not in chains, not in death—but in peace. Happy. Smiling. Free.

Beside her, Damien stirred awake. He turned quickly, his hand reaching for hers. “Elara? What happened? Are you in pain?”

Elara shook her head, wiping her tears. “No… not pain. I saw them. I saw my parents. They were happy… they were proud of me.”

Damien’s eyes softened as he pulled her into his arms. “Then it is a blessing. The Goddess let them show you peace. Do not cry anymore, my love. You are safe. Our child is safe. And I will keep it that way.”

Elara held him tightly, her tears soaking into his chest. “Damien… I don’t want to lose this. I don’t want to lose you. Or our baby.”

Damien kissed her hair and whispered, “You won’t. Not while I live. I swear it.”

In his arms, Elara finally closed her eyes again, still shaking but comforted. And Damien stayed awake, holding her, watching her, guarding her like the vow he had just made.