Chapter 288: The Child Who Should Not Exist

Ella's POV

The realization sent a shiver down my spine. What if Owen had really been swayed by Claire? What if he had never met me?

I couldn't bear to think about it.

"And what about us?" I couldn't help but voice my deepest fear. "Mason, is what we have real?"

The moment I asked, I regretted it. I already knew the answer.

I could feel it. The connection between us was so real, so profound, it flowed through my veins and was etched into my soul. It was the only truth I could hold onto in this wasteland.

Mason didn't answer with words. Instead, he showed me.

He released his embrace and gently cupped my face.

His touch was light, almost reverent. His fingers were warm and rough, softly caressing my cheeks. His deep blue eyes, like polished stars, locked onto mine.

"Ella," he whispered my name, his voice husky and seductive, "look at me."

I obediently met his gaze.

"I love you," he said. "Because you are you. I love your soul, Ella, unique and solely yours."

Each word was like a burning star, falling into my heart and stirring waves of warmth.

"Ella, meeting you made me understand what a true connection feels like. It's like... my soul only became complete the moment I met you."

Yes, I felt the same. Before meeting him, I never imagined there could be someone who made me feel so whole and at peace.

"I chose you."

He continued, his tone filled with undeniable authority and deep affection. "From the moment I regained my memory and recognized you, regardless of the so-called 'Fated Mate,' my choice has always been you. No one, no force in this world can change that."

He lowered his head, his cool lips pressing against mine.

I closed my eyes, tears slipping from the corners. But this time, they weren't tears of sadness or fear, but of gratitude and reassurance.

So what if "Fated Mate" could be faked? So what if this world was full of lies and conspiracies? The love between Mason and me was real. It had stood the test of time, survived life and death trials.

It wasn't a passive "fate," but an active "choice."

I lifted my arms, wrapping them tightly around his neck, deepening the kiss.

In that moment, my origins, my unique bloodline, the witch's terrifying plot—all seemed insignificant. What mattered was that he was by my side. My heart had never been so resolute.

After a long while, we broke the kiss. Our foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling.

I opened my eyes, looking into his close ones, and softly said, "Me too, Mason. I choose you. Forever."

He smiled, a small smile that lit up my entire world.

We turned back to the stone table, to Owen, who had brought us so many shocking truths.

But now, my mindset had completely changed. Fear and confusion were replaced by a calm determination.

I knew my enemy, I knew her strength and cunning. But I also knew why I was fighting.

For my murdered mother, to clear her name and avenge her suffering.

For my unborn child, to give them a future free of lies and danger.

For my lover, to protect the unbreakable bond between us.

And for myself.

The Silverblade Pack would be the sharpest blade to pierce through this grand conspiracy.

Owen's complex gaze lingered on my face for a moment, then turned into a deeper solemnity.

It was as if he saw the fire he had hoped for in my eyes, not blind hatred, but a flame tempered by reason and resolve, capable of igniting a revolution.

He nodded, as if acknowledging my declaration of war, and silently honoring the bloody path we were about to tread.

"We need to understand what we're truly up against."

Owen's voice pulled my thoughts back to the stone chamber filled with secrets and schemes.

His gaze slowly moved from our clasped hands, across my face, and finally settled on my swollen belly.

"These two children shouldn't exist."

A buzzing filled my head, and the world lost all sound and color, leaving only that sentence echoing in the endless darkness.

I instinctively let go of Mason's hand, my other hand trembling as it protectively covered my belly.

"Owen, you... you need to explain. What does that mean?"

My voice was shattered, each syllable trembling uncontrollably. I felt cold, my teeth chattering.

Owen's gaze reluctantly left my belly. He looked at us, his eyes filled with pain and struggle.

"Because your children will be unique."

He said with difficulty, "They are not just heirs to the Nachtsonne Pack bloodline, but a combination of this ancient bloodline and the most powerful Alpha bloodline of today. Such a combination has never happened in history."

"The essence of your mother's bloodline is a primal ability to communicate with and even guide the world's fundamental forces. But it has a fatal flaw: it is too pure. Those with this bloodline are like perfect vessels, but they lack the 'key' to unlock and wield this power. Thus, the Nachtsonne Pack, though their bloodline is precious, rarely have individuals who can fully harness this power. They are more often revered as 'sacred objects' to be protected."

Owen's gaze turned to me again, with a hint of pity.

"Ella, you inherited this bloodline. You are that 'vessel.' The witch wants you because she wants to steal this primal power through you. But this theft is limited and complex. She needs you alive, she needs your cooperation."

"But..."

His tone shifted, becoming lower, as if revealing a forbidden legend. "But what if this 'vessel' carried a life that already possessed great power? A life that had both the 'vessel' and the 'key'?"