Threads Of The Moon

Chapter 18

Night fell. The cave was dimly lit by the glow of her mark.

Rafe finally spoke. “Alina… I need you to understand something. I’ve… I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you, in every life, every awakening. But I never forced it. I waited.”

Alina’s eyes widened, chest tightening.

“I… I don’t know how to feel,” she whispered. “There’s so much I’m remembering… and it’s confusing.”

Rafe smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“You don’t have to understand it now. Just… let it be. Let yourself breathe. We’ll face everything… together.”

Her heart softened. Slowly, inch by inch.

She didn’t say she loved him yet. But… she didn’t pull away either.

A sudden chill filled the cave.

Kael appeared at the entrance, his silhouette framed by moonlight.

“Don’t forget me,” he whispered.

“This world will test her, Rafe. The Circle isn’t done. And there’s still a part of her… that belongs to me.”

Rafe’s grip on Alina tightened.

“I don’t care who you think you are, Kael. She’s ours now. She’s safe — and I won’t let you take her.”

Kael smiled faintly, almost respectfully.

“For now… yes. But beware. The bond is alive. And some ties… never break.”

With that, he vanished into the night.

Alina shivered, realizing the battle isn’t truly over.