Chapter 115
My head kept pounding–harder and harder–until the pressure made me wince the next morning as I slowly woke
“You okay?” Frans’s voice broke through the haze.
I blinked, the sunlight filtering through the forest canopy making it worse. Why… why was he still here? Why
- up.
Mara, the kind souls who took me in, hadn’t shown this much consistent concern. Not like him. Not like Fra he care so much? Even Elias and
“Just a bit of a headache,” I managed, forcing
a
small smile.
But Frans wasn’t convinced. His sharp eyes scanned me like he could read beyond my words. Without saying a thing, he r
reached into his travel satchel and pulled out a small tin. From it, he slid a single white pill into his hand.
“The healer from the capital gave us these,” he said, offering it to me. “Take it. It helps.”
I hesitated, but something in me–something deeper than trust–nudged me forward. I reached for it and took the glass of water he poured from his thermos.
Swallowing it down, I sighed. Maybe I just needed rest. Maybe I was overthinking everything…
Damon approached, his armor clinking softly as he walked. “We’re headed to our last trade town before returning home. You up for it?”
I opened my mouth, but Frans beat me to it.
“She has a bad headache,” he said firmly. “It’s better if I take her home instead. I’ll explain to the town elders.”
“Frans, no need,” I protested quickly, sitting up straighter. “I’m fine. Really,”
But he wasn’t even looking at me. He was already talking to Damon.
Within minutes, it was decided. Damon and the others would continue to the last city on their route, while Frans and I returned to our town by a different path.
I groaned internally. Why was this headache so intense today?
Then it struck again.
Not just pain–but images.
A flash. A woman’s face. Familiar.
Then fire. Screams.
Magic. Chaos.
I staggered and sank back down onto a nearby log, clutching my head as colors and voices swirled inside me.
Frans noticed immediately, cutting off his conversation with Damon to rush to my side. I kept my gaze low, not wanting him–or anyone–to see me like this. That’s when I noticed something strange.
My palm. It glowed.
A soft, pulsing light, like golden embers embedded beneath my skin.
Panic surged through me. I clenched my hand into a fist, then tried to wipe it on my tunic but the light wouldn’t fade. It pulsed stronger.
I stood abruptly and walked into the woods, heart hammering.
No. No one could see this. I didn’t even understand what was happening.
“Calm down,” a low voice said.
I gasped and spun around. Frans was there, kneeling before me.
He took my hands gently but firmly in his, cupping them between his palms.
I expected him to flinch. To recoil.
He didn’t.
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Chapter 115
Instead, he watched the light like he expected it—like it was something he’d seen before.
“Frans…. what is this?” I whispered.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he held my hands until, slowly, the warmth and light faded.
I exhaled sharply when it disappeared.
“It’s gone…” I breathed.
My eyes met his. “What am I, Frans?”
His brows furrowed. “Has this happened before?”
“Not always,” I whispered, “but sometimes… in dreams. Visions. Headaches before it comes.”
His jaw clenched. “You should’ve told me sooner.”
I winced again as pain spiked behind my eyes. Without hesitation, he scooped me up into his arms like I weighed nothing.
“Frans–what are you-”
You’re not walking another step. The others left for the city. I’m taking you back to Mara and Elias.”
I blinked at him, stunned by the certainty in his voice.
We rode for hours–well, I rode. He walked beside the horse, leading us along the river path through a quieter, safer route. The further we went, the heavier my eyelids became, the pounding headache slowly fading into a dull throb.
By the time the sun began its descent, we reached the river town near home.
The familiar cottage appeared at the edge of the tree line. I tensed as we approached.
Frans helped me down gently, steadying me with one hand while the other knocked firmly on the door.
It opened slowly.
Mara’s face appeared first. Her eyes widened.
Then Elias joined her, and both of them froze.
“M–my King!” Mara gasped, dropping into a low bow.
Elias followed, eyes filled with disbelief.
I blinked in confusion.
King?
Frans stood taller beside me, but his brows furrowed as he recognized them too.
“Renna? Darius?” he asked slowly.
The air grew still.
Mara–Renna–and Elias–Darius–exchanged a look. One of guilt. One of fear.
I felt my breath hitch.
“What… what’s going on?” I asked.
Frans didn’t look away from them. “They were members of the old Council,” he said at last. “Renna and Darius disappeared after the war. No one knew where they went.”
My mind reeled.
Council? War?
I stared at the couple who had taken me in. The ones who had called me Edith. Given me a life. A home.
A lie?
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Chapter 115
“Why?” My voice cracked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Renna’s eyes filled with tears. “To protect you, child… You were just a girl when the spell shattered. We thought we lost you.”
Frans turned to me then, slowly, his face unreadable.
“Ellaine…” he said, almost reverently.
I shivered.
That name again.
“I’m not-”
“Yes,” he interrupted gently. “You are.”
A vision surged again behind my eyes–him, in armor, his hand bloodied, calling my name in the midst of chaos.
“Francesco…” I whispered aloud, not even realizing it.
He inhaled sharply.
The last piece slid into place.
Frans. Francesco. King Alpha of Lycaon.
My mate.
My past.
My future.
A sudden howl tore through the woods in the distance–low, long, and unmistakably mournful.
Magic stirred in the air.
And for the first time in years, I heard her.
“Finally… you hear me again, my Ellaine…”
My wolf.
Mika?
Was my last thought before I lost consciousness.
