118

Chapter 118
*Freya*
I opened my eyes, but all I could see was an abyss stretching endlessly before me. I felt weightless, drifting further and further into the void until a sinking realization hit me-I was dead. The last memory seared into my mind was of Rafe’s anguished face as he cradled me, his hands pressing against the wound at my neck, trying to stop the life from flowing out of me. I had died in his arms, leaving behind the love of my life. The thought of Rafe alone, broken by grief, pierced my heart more painfully than the blade ever did. I hoped, desperately, that he would find the strength to move on without me.
As I continued to drift, an unseen force suddenly stopped my movement. Panic surged through me as I tried to push forward, but it was as if invisible hands were holding me back. Then, I felt it-a soothing presence, warm and calming, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace. I turned, and there she was. My mother stood before me, radiating a light so pure, it seemed to scatter the darkness around us. Her long hair floated like a silken halo, shimmering with ethereal brilliance. Her eyes, filled with love and wisdom, met mine, and for a moment, time itself seemed to pause. She looked like an enchanting goddess, her beauty transcendent and otherworldly. Tears stung my eyes as I gazed at her, a sense of wonder and profound happiness swelling within me. Seeing her spirit here, so radiant and full of grace, made everything else fade away.
“Mom?” The word slipped from my lips, barely more than a whisper. Tears blurred my vision as she moved towards me with a grace I had almost forgotten. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the deep ache of longing I had felt for so long.
Without a word, we fell into each other’s arms. The world around us vanished; it was just us in that moment. As I wrapped my arms around her, an electrifying burst of energy surged through my body, filling every corner of my being with warmth and light. It was like touching pure love, raw and unfiltered.
“I missed you so much, Mom,” I choked out, the words tumbling over themselves in a rush to escape. “I’m so happy to finally see you again.”
“Freya, my brave girl,” she replied, her voice like the soft melody of wind dancing in a summer breeze. It was magical, wrapping around me and soothing the deepest parts of my soul. “I have missed you too.”
Every time I had seen her in the spiritual realm before, there had been this unbearable distance between us-a space that left me aching to reach out, to touch her, to feel her warmth. But now, as spirits together, there were no barriers. I could hold her, and it was everything I had dreamed of.
“Mom, I’m ready,” I said, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. They shimmered with an inner light that spoke of ancient wisdom and boundless love. “I’m ready to spend an eternity by your side.”
Her smile widened, but it was tinged with sadness. She cupped my face gently, her touch sending ripples of comfort through me. “Not yet, my dear,” she said softly. “Your mate still needs you in his world. Alpha Rafe needs you.”
“Rafe…” His name on her lips brought a flood of memories crashing back-his strength, his love, the way he had held me as life ebbed away. “But, Mom…”
She placed a finger over my lips, silencing my protest. “You have a purpose, Freya. Your journey isn’t over yet. You must return to him.”
The weight of her words settled over me, heavy and undeniable. My heart ached at the thought of leaving her again, but there was also a spark of hope. If Rafe needed me, then perhaps my death wasn’t the end after all.
“Rafe is your true mate,” my mother said, her voice tinged with both sadness and hope.
The words struck me like a lightning bolt. Rafe… my true mate? Every cherished moment we had shared, every touch, every whisper of love-it all suddenly made sense. My heart swelled with an indescribable joy, knowing that our bond was destined, blessed by forces greater than us.
“Mom, why-” I began, but she silenced me with a gentle touch on my cheek.
“Long ago, the moon goddess placed a curse upon the crimson pack,” she explained, her eyes clouding with ancient sorrow. “It was because Werewolves of the Crimson Pack were hunting witches for glory and power. Alpha Rafe’s grandfather was among them. The goddess cursed them: tuntil the crimson alpha finds true love, there will be no love in his land.”
A chill ran down my spine. The curse explained so much-the relentless loneliness that seemed to permeate the lands, the despair that clung to the people.
“Is there a way to break it?” I asked, desperation seeping into my voice. If there was even the slightest chance to save Rafe and his people, I needed to know.
“That’s why I’m here,” my mother said, her smile radiant yet bittersweet. “To stop you from leaving the human world. You are the only one who can save Alpha Rafe. And you must do it now because time is running out, my dear.”
“How will I do it?” I whispered, the enormity of the task weighing heavily on me.
“By sealing your bond of true love at the altar of the moon goddess,” she replied. “It must be sealed by your blood.”
“Sealed by blood…” I echoed, understanding dawning. The weight of destiny rested squarely on my shoulders, but for Rafe-for our love-I would bear any burden.
“Remember, Freya,” my mother said softly, cupping my face once more. “Your love has the power to change everything. Trust in it, and trust in yourself.”
I nodded, determination hardening within me. I would return to Rafe. I would break this curse. Our love would triumph over centuries of darkness.
“How will I find the altar?” The question tumbled out before I could stop it, urgency threading through my voice.
“You will know when you wake up,” my mother replied, her smile serene and full of an otherworldly wisdom. “But now, it’s time to return to your alpha before he loses his mind.” She chuckled amusingly.
Gratitude welled up in me, a tide so strong it nearly overwhelmed me. This second chance felt like a miracle, a gift I could never repay. “I love you, Mom,” I said, hugging her tightly.
“Freya, my beautiful daughter,” she whispered as she held me close. Her touch was warm, solid-a stark contrast to the ethereal glow that surrounded her. “You are more powerful than you know, and the fate of the crimson kingdom lies in your hands. I am so proud of you.”
Tears blurred my vision as I clung to her, feeling the weight of her words settle deep within my soul. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice choked with emotion.
“Now, let me guide you back,” she said softly, taking my hand. Her grip was firm yet gentle, her presence a comforting anchor in this surreal space between life and death.
As we walked together, the world around us began to blur and darken. My mother’s form grew fainter, her light dimming, but her essence remained a constant beacon beside me.
“Goodbye, Mom,” I whispered, my heart aching with the impending separation.
“Goodbye, my darling,” she replied, her voice echoing like a sweet melody. “Remember, you have the strength to save them all.”
And then, everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Rafe’s head resting against my leg, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The room was dimly lit, the shadows long and somber. His anguish was palpable, a physical force that seemed to press down on the very air around us.
“Rafe…” My voice came out as a whisper, barely audible, but it was enough.
He looked up, his tear-streaked face etched with disbelief as our eyes met.
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