Chapter 77 The Beast Is Real
The cold wind seeped through the gaps in the windowpane as Ella turned on her bed for the umpteenth time that night. Sleep refused to come, and when it did, it dragged her into the same chilling nightmare she had been having for weeks.
The dream began the same way every time. She stood in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, chaos erupting around her. Warriors clashed with savage cries, their swords and claws dripping with blood. In the distance, an enormous beast loomed, its figure cloaked in shadow but its glowing red eyes burned like fire.
Ella ran, but no matter how fast she moved, the beast followed. Its roar shattered the air, and the ground beneath her feet cracked and split. Just as it lunged at her with razor-sharp claws, she woke up screaming.
Tonight was no different.
Ella bolted upright in bed, her chest heaving as if she had truly been running. Sweat clung to her skin, soaking through her nightgown. The faint moonlight streaming through the curtains did little to calm her racing heart.
Her heart pounded as she gasped for air. The room was dark and quiet, but the remnants of the nightmare lingered like a thick fog.
Ella pressed a hand to her chest, willing her heart to slow. “Lila…” she whispered shakily.
Her wolf stirred, her voice calm but laced with concern. “I’m here, Ella. Another nightmare?”
Ella buried her face in her hands, nodding. “It’s always the same. The beast, the blood, the war… it feels so real.”
Lila paused before speaking again. “Because it is real. These dreams, they’re not just your imagination. They’re a constant reminder of what's to come.”
Ella closed her eyes, leaning back against the headboard. “What do I do Lila? How do we stop this war?”
Lila hesitated before answering. “I don’t know. But the beast in your dreams... It feels… alive. And it feels close.”
Ella’s sharp mind immediately went to Sebastian. The nightmares had started again not long after their encounter. Was this connected to him? Was this a sign from the Moon goddess?.
“What worries me more is how this is affecting you. You’re not sleeping, Ella. And Valen—”
Ella cut her off, a wave of frustration washing over her. “Valen has been avoiding me.”
Lila’s voice turned sharp. “And you’re just letting him? He’s supposed to be your mate, Ella. If anyone should be helping you through this, it’s him.”
Ella sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. “He’s the Vampire Lord, Lila. He has responsibilities, wars to fight, alliances to secure. I can’t expect him to drop everything for me.”
“You shouldn’t have to expect it,” Lila shot back. “A mate should know when something’s wrong. He should be here, Ella.”
Ella’s throat tightened. She hated to admit it, but Lila was right. Valen’s absence had been weighing on her more than she wanted to acknowledge. Days had turned into weeks since they last spoke properly, and each passing moment felt like another brick being added to the wall between them.
“He’ll come around,” she said, more to convince herself than her wolf.
\---
Morning arrived far too quickly. Ella sat at the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles framed her tired eyes, and her usually radiant complexion had taken on a pale, almost ghostly hue.
“You’re falling apart,” she muttered, running a hand through her disheveled hair.
A soft knock at the door startled her. “Come in,” she called, her voice weak but steady.
To her surprise, it wasn’t the maid she had expected. Instead, Scottie, Valen’s younger sister, entered the room carrying a tray of food. She looked elegant and radiant this morning.
“Ella,” Scottie said softly, placing the tray on the nearby table. Her sharp eyes studied Ella’s pale face and the obvious exhaustion etched into her features. “You’ve locked yourself in this room for days. If you wanted to become a ghost, you’re succeeding.”
Ella managed a faint smile. “Scottie... I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I didn’t plan on barging in, but when I saw the maid heading this way with breakfast, I thought I’d check on you myself,” Scottie replied, crossing her arms. “Valen asked me to look after you before he left this morning. I thought you’d at least put up a fight to get out of this room by now.”
Ella sighed, brushing her hair back. “I just needed time to think.”
Scottie sat beside her on the edge of the bed. “Think? Or spiral?”
The teasing tone was enough to make Ella chuckle lightly, though it faded quickly.
“I’m fine, Scottie.”
“No, you’re not,” Scottie said bluntly. “You’re pale, you’ve barely eaten, and your energy is... off.” She paused, her voice softening. “Ella, talk to me. What’s going on?”
Ella hesitated, staring at her hands. “It’s... a lot,” she admitted. “Valen... he’s been distant lately. I know he’s busy, but...”
Scottie raised a brow. “You think he’s avoiding you?”
Ella looked down, guilt flashing across her face. “It feels that way. But I know it’s silly. He has responsibilities. A lot is going on with the council, his people, my presence... I shouldn’t expect him to be here all the time.”
Scottie sighed, leaning back. “You’re right about him being busy, but you’re wrong about him avoiding you.”
Ella glanced up, surprised.
“He’s not staying away because he doesn’t want to be here,” Scottie continued. “It’s because he does want to be here. Maybe a little too much.”
Ella frowned, her confusion evident. “What do you mean?”
Scottie smirked knowingly. “Valen is... let’s just say he’s trying to be patient. He’s trying to give you space and sort out a million things at once. Because every moment he spends with you makes it harder for him to resist claiming you.”
Ella’s cheeks flushed, her heart skipping a beat. “Claiming me?”
Scottie nodded. “You’re his mate, Ella. And trust me,I understand the mating bond, especially for we the vampires. Valen has lived long without a Mate, he's still trying to put a lot of things together.”
Ella sighed
“Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to make excuses for him but I know Valen, When Valen wants something, he doesn’t wait around. But with you, it’s different. He doesn’t just want to claim you; he wants to protect you. To make sure that when he does, the path is clear and safe.”
Ella’s chest tightened with emotion. She’d always sensed Valen’s restraint, but hearing it put into words made it all the more real. “I don’t want him to feel like he has to fight my battles.”
Scottie placed a comforting hand on Ella’s shoulder. “It’s not about fighting your battles. It’s about proving to his people—and maybe even to himself—that this bond is more than fate. That it’s worth everything. And besides, c'mon, your battle is his battle.”
“I wish I could make any of this easier”
“Then stop locking yourself in here and start being his equal,” Scottie said firmly. “You’re not just some damsel in distress, Ella. You’re a healer, a fighter, and Valen’s mate. If you want to stand by his side, show him that. Prove to everyone that your bond wasn't a mistake.”
Ella nodded, her resolve strengthening. “You’re right. I can’t just sit here and wallow. I have to be stronger.”
“That’s the spirit,” Scottie said with a grin. “Now, eat something before you collapse. I’ll leave you to get ready.”
As Scottie stood to leave, she glanced back at Ella. “And one more thing... Valen cares about you more than he’ll ever admit out loud. Don’t doubt that, even for a second.”
Ella managed a genuine smile this time. “Thank you, Scottie.”
“Anytime,” Scottie replied, closing the door behind her.
As Scottie left, Ella's resolve hardened. She would prove to them that the Werewolves weren't as weak as they think. Atleast not her, she wields a power none had seen for centuries. It's high time she stands up for herself even if this is not her world.