Chapter 11
908 Words
Matteo stood silently before the twin graves, the wind moving faintly through the trees as dusk settled around the mausoleum. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed on the stone, before he slowly lowered himself to sit beside his mother’s grave, his posture losing its usual strength.
“I found her, Mom,” he said quietly, his voice low, almost distant. “You used to say she would be beautiful… you were right. She’s…” He paused, exhaling softly. “She’s like a fairy.”
A faint, humorless smile touched his lips.
“Our children would have been the most beautiful.”
The words lingered before fading into silence.
“But she doesn’t want to live anymore.”
His expression hardened slightly, frustration slipping through.
“The Moon Goddess really outdid herself this time,” he continued, bitterness seeping into his tone. “I searched for her for years… and when I finally find her, it’s like this.” His jaw tightened. “She gave up on everything.”
He leaned back slightly against the monument, his hand pressing briefly against his forehead.
“I don’t know how to help her,” he admitted quietly. “I don’t know how to comfort her… I don’t even know how to wake her up.”
A bitter laugh escaped him.
“I’m the Lycan King… yet I’ve never felt this useless in my life.”
His voice dropped.
“What’s the use of power… if I can’t protect the one thing that matters?”
“My king, the documents you requested are in your office,” Carl’s voice came through the mind link, breaking the stillness.
Matteo closed his eyes briefly before standing. “I’ll be there.”
Far away, at the borders of the Crimson Moon pack, a slender figure emerged from the shadows, her presence quiet but deliberate.
“It’s about time I make my comeback,” Lyka murmured, a slow, satisfied smile forming on her lips as she stepped forward.
“Don’t forget the plan,” she added under her breath, a soft, mischievous chuckle escaping her.
Back in his chambers, Matteo stood by his desk, a photograph held loosely in his hand.
Her curly ginger hair flowing freely, her smile bright, alive, untouched by pain.
A complete contrast to the girl lying unconscious in his kingdom.
His fingers brushed lightly over the image, his gaze darkening.
A knock sounded.
“Come in.”
Melissa stepped in carefully, closing the door behind her. “You’ve been gone for a while,” she said gently, studying him. “Is she… the girl you brought back? Your mate?”
Matteo let out a quiet, dry laugh. “News spreads fast.” “How is she?”
“Still in a coma,” Melissa answered, her tone softening. “But… we do have hope.”
“Hope?” Matteo repeated, raising a brow.
“Yes,” she said, stepping closer. “You’re her mate. That’s the strongest connection she has. Her wolf should respond to you. That bond… it can bring her back.”
Matteo’s expression shifted, something darker settling in his eyes.
“Respond?” he said quietly. “She called another man’s name.”
Melissa stilled.
“She doesn’t even know I exist,” he continued. “Her mate rejected her on the day of his wedding… to her own sister.” His voice lowered, anger threading through it. “He marked the other woman in front of her.”
Melissa’s eyes widened slightly.
“I watched her jump,” Matteo added, his tone almost flat now. “I saw it with my own eyes.”Silence engulfed the room, “so tell me, Melissa… why would she wake up? Why would she want to come back to a world like that?”
He lowered his gaze.
For once, he had no answers.
Melissa hesitated before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him gently. It was rare—comforting him—but she didn’t pull back.
“I don’t have the perfect words,” she admitted softly. “But you don’t need them.”
Matteo didn’t move.
“Just be there for her,” she continued quietly. “Every day. Every time. Talk to her. Stay with her. Even if she doesn’t respond now… she might one day.”
“And maybe… just maybe… things will change.”
Matteo let out a low breath, a faint scoff following.
“The Moon Goddess cursed my fate,” he muttered.
“She may not wake up again,” he added, more quietly this time.
“Don’t say that,” Melissa said quickly, though her voice carried uncertainty.
Matteo pulled away slightly. “You can leave.”
She hesitated, then nodded and stepped out.
The room fell silent again.
Matteo picked up the photograph once more, his fingers tracing over Lyra’s face, his gaze dark and unwavering.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “I’ll make them all pay.”
He reached for his phone.
“Carl,” he said.
“My king.”
“Send spies to the Crimson Moon pack. I want everything… every detail.”
“Yes, my king.”
“And cut off all cooperation with them,” Matteo continued calmly. “Redirect any support to smaller packs instead. Ones that actually need it.”
Carl paused for only a second. “Understood.” he said a silent prayer for the Crimson Moon Pack.
- Writer
