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Chapter 29

The forest was silent—eerily so.

Bavanda wandered through the dreamscape, the ground beneath her feet neither solid nor liquid, shifting like memory itself. The trees stretched high into a sky of shifting hues—sometimes blue, sometimes violet, sometimes an endless void. Light shimmered and flickered through the canopy, constantly chased by creeping shadows.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been walking. Time didn’t seem to exist here. Her wolf form flickered beside her like a mirage, sometimes a full glowing beast, other times just silver eyes watching in the dark.

"Where… am I?" she whispered, voice breaking in the stillness.

A breeze brushed her cheek, carrying the soft sound of a lullaby. Her mother’s voice.

“Sleep, little star, safe in the sky… the moon watches gently, with silver eye…”

She turned sharply—and found herself in her childhood bedroom. Her mother, Avynna, younger and smiling, sat beside a small bed. Bavanda saw her younger self tucked under the covers, eyes wide with wonder.

"Am I dreaming?" she asked.

No one answered.

Suddenly the room darkened. Shadows slithered in through the windows and doors, distorting the walls. Her younger self faded away, replaced by Theresa’s silhouette.

“You think you’re free?” the whisper hissed. “You’re still mine.”

Bavanda clenched her fists. “No. I’m not yours.”

The floor crumbled beneath her, and she fell, a loud scream escaping her lips, as she felt herself falling deeper and deeper into what seemed like a pit of misery.

At that point where she thought she would crash, there was a ripple in her mind, and she found herself in an entirely different environment.

“What the…!” She mumbled underneath her breath.

Bavanda stumbled through a cold swamp, shadows whispering from the trees.

“She left you,” they hissed. “He never really loved you. You’re broken.”

A silver glow flashed beside her—her wolf. Fierce and proud—a complete contradiction to what the shadows were saying.

“No,” she growled. “I’m not broken. You have no idea who I am, you're just a voice in my head. You can't tell me who I am.”

The shadows sneered, wrapping around her like an unwanted cocoon. “I'm not just a voice. I am you, you just can't see it."

Bavanda felt power rising from within her—an unexplainable surge of control. “No!" She roared. “Leave me alone!"

She raised her hand, and light erupted from her palm, blinding and pure. The darkness shrieked, vanishing in curling smoke.

And suddenly, she stood in a meadow bathed in moonlight.

A woman of radiant beauty and ancient grace stepped forward—her hair like stardust, her eyes oceans of wisdom.

“The Moon Goddess,” Bavanda whispered, falling to her knees.

The goddess smiled. “You have endured more than most ever will. And still, you choose love.”

“I want to go back,” she pleaded. “I want to live. I want to be with them. With him.”

“You will. But this journey must be yours. The final trial lies ahead. And then… you may awaken.”

She looked up immediately, her lips parted to ask all the questions she had been keeping within, but all she saw was a whiff of air, and the moon goddess was gone.

Her heart pounded in her chest. “No! No! Moon goddess, I still have questions. Where did you go? I…” She slumped to the floor, trailing off.

She could feel her bones weakening, her body getting light like she was dissolving into air. Het breath came out in rugged gasps. “What… what's happening to me?” She said, her voice a broken whisper.

Bavanda shut her eyes, and when she opened them again, she stood before a mirror.

One side reflected her corrupted form—black eyes, dark claws, rage.

The other side showed her as she was now—silver eyes, strength and pain, love in her heart.

The wind brought a voice to her ears, but it wasn't the shadows, neither was it the moon goddess. It was male, too familiar yet she couldn't exactly place who it belonged to.

“She's not lost. Not then, not now.”

Bavanda's heart ached. She didn't realize when her eyes moistened, until a tear fell from her eyes.

"I believe in you, Bavanda. We all do. Please come back.”

She knew who the voice belonged to. He believed in her, only one person had believed in her.

Loco.

She rose to her feet, straining her neck to find him, to find where the voice came from. “Loco!" She yelled, her voice breaking.

He wasn't there.

Bavanda shut her eyes, as the memories flooded her mind.

She recalled. She recalled how he fought for her, how he was there for her, how good his touch felt, how perfect the moments with him were.

More tears streamed down her face. “Loco… Loco, where are you?”

His voice came to her again. “We're waiting for you, Bavanda. I'm waiting for you."

Her eyes closed tighter, her fists gripping the hem of her dress.

"I miss you,” his voice was soft and convincing—all that she needed.

Bavanda's eyes shot open. At that point, she reached out and shattered the mirror.

The dream dissolved into white.

***

The pack’s territory was quiet—scarred but breathing.

Fresh stone replaced crumbled walls. New warriors patrolled the perimeter. Children played again, though their laughter held a new edge of caution. The victory was hard-won—and the cost had been steep.

Steve barked out commands on the training field, sweat glistening on his forehead. “Again! You think the war’s over? It’s not. You saw what we’re up against!”

A younger warrior groaned. “But we beat them, didn’t we?”

Steve turned, eyes sharp. “We beat a chapter. Not the book. The battle isn't over, and we have to be ready when it hits again.” He looked directly at the warrior who had spoken. "Do you understand that?” he barked.

They all chorused, their voices entwined to sound like a battle cry. "Yes, sir.”

Gina and Rayna watched from the side, arms crossed.

“You thought about going back?” Gina asked softly.

Rayna exhaled. “I did. Until I saw her fight like that. Until I saw Baron cry.”

Gina chuckled. “Never thought I’d see the day.” She paused lightly, letting out a heave. “Its too soon to leave. Baron and Avynna need all the support they can get. I can only imagine how rough it is for them right now.” She added.

Rayna nodded. “We’re not leaving,” She said with certainty. “Not until this pack stands stronger than ever.”

The duo exchanged a look that shared their mutual agreement and understanding. Their brother needed them, hence they would be there for him.

Meanwhile, at the center of the infirmary, Bavanda lay still, pale against the white sheets. Her breathing was steady, but her eyes hadn’t opened since they returned.

Baron sat beside her, elbows on his knees, hands knotted together. He watched her every breath like it was the only thing tethering him to the world.

“She’s strong,” Avynna whispered, entering with a tray of food he wouldn’t touch. “Just like you.”

“She didn’t get this strength from me,” he murmured. “She had to grow it. Alone.”

“No one’s ever truly alone,” Avynna said, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. “She’s fighting. You can feel it.”

Baron closed his eyes. “I should’ve protected her better.” He sucked in a sharp breath. “Avynna, I… I can't shake off the feeling that this is all my fault. I neglected her, I wasn't there for her. I feel like a terrible person. I…” He trailed off, a sniff escaping his lips.

Avynna closed the distance between them, reaching out for her husband. “Hey! Hey, look at me, Baron. None of this was your fault, okay? You had no idea our daughter was being targeted by dark forces, you can't blame yourself, baby.”

Baron sniffed harder. "I'm her father, I should have known. I gave up on her too easily, what kind of father does that?”

Avynna pulled him further into her embrace. " That doesn't matter anymore, Baron. What matters is that we found her, and we brought her home. She's still our daughter, and she's where she belongs. Nothing is going to take her away again.”

Baron nodded. "I… I won't let her get lost again."

“She’s not lost,” came a new voice from the doorway.

Loco stepped in, his face drawn but eyes clear. He carried a small bouquet of wildflowers. “Not then. Not now.”

He bowed before the Alpha. “If it's not too much, can I get some time with her?" He mumbled, his voice lacking conviction.

Baron said nothing. He just nodded once and stood, giving Loco space. He walked out with his wife trailing behind him.

Loco sat where Baron had been, placing the flowers near her hand. “Hey,” he said softly. “It’s me again. Thought I’d bring you some color, just in case you’re tired of white walls.”

He leaned forward. “You’re not alone in there. We’re all waiting. We’re not going anywhere.”

He held her hand, the cold limb fitting perfectly into his. “I believe in you, Bavanda. We all do." His voice broke off, coming out as a whisper. “Please come back."

He was used to the silence, but each time, it hit even harder. His face fell, as he heaved heavily. "I miss you.”

At that moment, Bavanda’s hand twitched.

Loco, mid-sentence, froze. “Bavanda?” he whispered, moving closer. “Did you…?”

Her eyes fluttered, and for the briefest moment, they opened. A flash of silver.

Then, just as quickly as they opened, they closed again. But it was enough.

Loco ran to the door. “Alpha! Luna! She moved! She’s coming back!”

Hey Guys please check my other stories: The Lycan and His healer mate, His Purchased Wife, 365 Days in Dmitry Cage, The fatal Lycan and his mysterious mate, Xiol's Treasured Mate, The luna and the lycan, Flash Marriage: President's Seduction, In Adonis world, Alpha's little Vampire Mate on R.a.d.i.s.h.

Also you can check Alpha Lucious on F.i.c.t.i.o.n.m.e and His Purchased wife on Readink

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Betrayed by My Ex, Claimed by His father on Goodnovel