Chapter 199

Chapter 199
Mason's POV

I don’t know how long I sit there, holding Madilyn’s cold body to my chest.

Everything around me dissolves into a blur of smoke and silence. The world could collapse, and I wouldn’t feel it. All my emotions—burned out. Hollow. Nothing but a numb shell of the man I was.

Caleb kneels beside me, sorrow carved into every line of his face. His voice is soft, hesitant, as if he's afraid any word might break me.

“What should we do about Jayden?”

I know he’s trying to ground me. Give me something to hold onto—some distraction from the grief tearing me apart. And I’m grateful for that, even if I can barely speak.

I glance at the man who once called himself my brother. The one who started all of this. The betrayal. The blood. The death.

“Leave him alive,” I say coldly. “Shackle him. He’s answerable to the people of Bloodmoon. He was their prince… and he betrayed them.”

My voice is void of emotion. Just like me.

“He will hang. By law.”

Caleb swallows hard. “Mason…” he chokes, pain in his eyes. “What can I do?”

I meet his gaze for a second. He’s desperate to help—but nothing helps now.

So I offer him something, anything, just so he can do something.

“Go to the apartment,” I tell him. “Make sure my daughter is safe.”

Because I… I can’t face Ariana. Not yet. Not like this. Not knowing her mother’s gone. That I failed her.

As Caleb leaves, I tuck Madilyn’s head into my chest, closing my eyes, wishing the world would disappear around me.

Then—

A door creaks open.

And a scream shatters the stillness.

I lift my head slowly.

A young woman stumbles forward from the smoke, her pregnant belly trembling with every broken sob. Kara.

She drops beside Harrison’s body—his chest torn open with ten swords still buried in it—and collapses over him.

Her tears fall freely, soaking into his blood. She doesn’t care. Doesn’t flinch. She clutches him like she’s trying to pull him back from the dead.

I close my eyes.

The guilt crashes over me like a tsunami.

All of this… was under my command.

Another soul I failed to protect.

Her cries dig into my chest like claws.

My fists clench. My grief sharpens.

I don't even feel like I have the right to mourn Madilyn.

Not when so many lives have bled for my crown.

A king, crowned with the bones of the people who believed in him.

"He died saving her," Kara sobs suddenly, lifting her face to mine. "He died saving Madilyn. She came out to protect me and the baby. And he died for her.”

Her voice is shaking, broken, raw.

“But don’t let his death be for nothing.”

I freeze.

Her next words hit like a lightning bolt.

“I can’t bring my love back,” she whispers, “but you can.”

Hope stirs in my chest—a flicker so small it hurts.

“How?” I rasp, barely breathing.

“The legend of the white wolf,” she says softly.

And the world stops spinning.

I stare at her.

“The white wolves can sacrifice themselves,” she continues. “Burst into energy to protect their pack. But the Moon Goddess favors them. She gives them two lives. If their destined mate gives up their life… they return.”

I feel like I’ve been struck in the chest.

She kneels closer, steadying her breath.

“Three strikes to your heart,” she says. “Press your body to hers. It will transfer your life force to her.”

Everything inside me goes still.

My heart pounds with a mix of disbelief, fear… and hope.

My voice sharpens with Lycan command, ancient and unbreakable.

“Are you speaking the absolute truth?”

Her eyes glaze over—the trance of my command taking hold.

“There is no falsehood in my words,” she answers. “The legend is true. If I lie… let the curse fall on my entire bloodline.”

I close my eyes.

Ariana.

I see her little smile. Her curls. Her mother’s eyes.

Madilyn raised her for three years alone. Gave her everything. Loved her more than I ever could.

She needs her mother… more than she needs me.

I know what I have to do.

The choice was never even mine.

It’s always been her.

I open my eyes with finality.

I pick up the nearest sword—still slick with blood—and without hesitation, drive it into my chest.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The pain is blinding.

My blood pours from the wounds, soaking into Madilyn’s clothes as I press my chest to hers.

The world starts spinning.

Everything fades.

And I pray—

Moon Goddess… trade my life for hers.

\---

Madilyn’s POV

I don’t know where I am.

A soft purple mist swirls around me, weightless and endless.

Below me… I see my body.

Still. Pale. Held tightly in Mason’s arms.

I scream—but my voice is lost in the clouds.

“No! Mason, stop!”

But it’s too late.

He takes the blade—and plunges it into his chest.

Again.

And again.

And again.

My heart shatters.

I reach for him, but I can’t move.

“Mason, please—don’t do this!”

“Don’t worry, darling.” A woman’s voice drifts toward me.

I turn—

And see her.

A breathtaking woman with glowing skin and hair like white fire.

“Who… who are you?” I whisper.

She smiles with warmth and mischief.

“Your great-great-great-grandmother,” she says with a wink. “We’ve all been watching from here. Betting if your mate truly loved you.”

She glances down at Mason, lying across my body.

“Well,” she says, amused, “I won. He does love you.”

Tears sting my eyes. “But he’s dying—he gave up his life for mine—how can you joke about this?”

She touches my shoulder gently.

“No white wolf ever returned because no one ever loved them enough to give their life.”

“The Moon Goddess doesn’t want blood,” she says softly. “She wants proof of love.”

My breath catches.

“This place—this is where white wolves come when they die. And if no one claims them… they stay here. Forever. Content. At peace.”

“But Mason…”

She smiles, eyes glowing.

“He chose you. And now… it’s time for you to go back.”

She raises a hand—

And snaps her fingers.

\---

Madilyn’s POV (Back in the world)

A gasp explodes from my lungs.

My eyes fly open.

The world slams back into place—color, sound, smell, touch—him.

Mason.

His blood covers me.

My heart races.

He’s not moving.

Terror claws through me.

“No… Mason, please,” I whisper, fingers shaking as I cup his face.

He’s cold.

The blade is still inside him.

“No, no, no—please!”

I pull it out with trembling hands and toss it far away.

“Mason!” I cry, rocking him.

Then—
His wound begins to close.

Slowly. Painfully.

And finally—

His eyes flutter open.

He blinks at me, dazed.

And says:

“Wow… you’re beautiful.”

The dam breaks.

Tears flood my face.

“You idiot,” I sob, laughing through my heartbreak. “You silly man. I love you. So much. I can’t even breathe without you.”

I crush my lips to his.

Fierce. Desperate. Forever.

And in that moment, I know…

We survived.