EPISODE 240
Ronan stared at me as if I had just spoken in a language he couldn’t understand.
“How… how could Valor be the father of your child?”
I didn’t answer. I held his gaze for a moment, then shifted my eyes to my son’s peaceful face, cradled in my arms. I ran my fingers gently across his downy hair.
“You remember what you swore, don’t you, Ronan? That if I got my memories back and still didn’t choose you, you’d leave me alone.” Ronan’s lips parted, but no words came. His eyes searched my face, desperate, grasping for a trace of the love we once shared. But there was nothing left for him to find.
My face was calm, unbothered. Cold, maybe. But not cruel. Just honest. He looked at me like a man who had just realized he’d drowned long ago but only now felt the weight of the ocean pressing down.
His jaw clenched. He turned away slowly, his heart broke, raw and exposed. His back was stiff as he walked out, shoulders low, as if the strength had been drained from his body. The door shut behind him with a soft click, and that was the end of it.”
Valor stepped closer once Ronan was gone, his footsteps hesitant.M
“Bella…” His voice was low, almost breathless. “Is… is he really mine?“M
I looked up at him and nodded. I didn’t need to repeat it. The truth was there, written in every feature of our child. “But… how?” Valor frowned. “We’ve never… I mean, we didn’t–there’s no way the baby just appeared, right?“M
I rolled my eyes, amused despite myself. “I’m hungry,” I said, changing the subject.
He blinked, confused at the sudden shift, but then his expression brightened as if a switch flipped in his head.
“Right! Mona said you’d be starving once you woke up after labor. I’ll get you something.”
He turned and bolted out of the room, nearly tripping over the threshold. I chuckled softly, then leaned down to press a kiss to my baby’s forehead. His warmth grounded me. Everything else could wait. Right now, I just wanted to hold my son and feel this peace for a little longer.
The following days passed in a quiet rhythm. My body recovered quickly, faster than expected, thanks to the strength I’d gained from the moondew fruit. My bones didn’t ache the way they should have, and my energy returned in waves. I felt stronger than I had ever been. I could probably climb a mountain if I wanted to.N
Words spread fast around the pack. Ronan and his group had left. But they hadn’t done it quietly.”
I heard from Mona that Flora had tried to invoke some sort of ancient law, demanding that the baby be handed over to her. Something about council rights and bloodlines. She shouted at the top of her lungs, threatening everyone in sight. No one listened.
And then Ronan slapped her in front of everyone.
They said the force of it knocked her unconscious. She hit the ground like a sack of stones, and not a single person rushed to help her. Mara had followed, clutching her daughter close, but Ronan didn’t even glance at her way.
He walked ahead of them, alone, distant, broken. The entire village whispered about it for days.
Meanwhile, I stayed close to Valor’s home, carrying my baby in my arms as I wandered the grounds. Valor hovered protectively nearby, always asking if I needed anything or if it was too soon for me to be walking.
“You gave birth just a few days ago,” he reminded me one morning, eyeing me cautiously. “Are you sure you should be out and about?” I smiled. “I was strong before all this. I’m even stronger now.”
He didn’t argue after that.
On the night of the full moon, we followed the customs of Valor’s pack. I named my son Samuel. Samuel was a quiet baby. Easy to care for. Sweet–tempered and rarely fussy. Mona was delighted.
“He’s going to be sharp when he grows up,” she declared as she bounced him gently in her arms. “You can tell. He listens to everything already.”
I smiled, proud and content. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged. That night, after the naming ceremony, I stayed at Valor’s house. Samuel was sound asleep in his crib. I lay in bed, eyes half–closed, when I heard soft footsteps entering the room.
Valor stood at the edge of the bed, hesitant.}
“Are you still awake?” he whispered.
I hummed in response, too relaxed to say much more.
He slipped under the covers, moving carefully so as not to disturb me. I felt the mattress shift as he leaned closer, testing the distance between us. When I didn’t pull away, he wrapped an armi around my waist and pressed a gentle kiss into my hair..
“Can I ask you something?” he murmured. About… Samuel.“}
I turned in his arms so that we were face to face. He looked serious, more serious than I’d ever seen him. I reached up and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead.
“You’ve been thinking about it a lot,” I said.
He nodded. “I just… I don’t get it. I don’t remember us ever being together like that. How did this happen?“%
I held his gaze for a moment longer, then leaned in and kissed him. It was soft, fleeting, but enough to make him inhale sharply.
‘I’ll tell you,” I said. “Do you remember what Mara said? That she caught me sleeping with a man?”
His brow furrowed. “Yeah You were angry. I thought she was just lying. Wait-
Dama
OFM
His eyes widened. “That man… was it me?”
I chuckled softly. “Yes.”
Valor looked horrified. “But… I don’t remember anything like that.”
He paused, his brow wrinkling deeper. Then something clicked.
“There was a night,” he said slowly, “about nine months ago. I was drunk. Really drunk. I tried to walk it off and ended up near one of the old caves. I think I slept there all day and night.“}
He closed his eyes, remembering. “I had a dream. I thought I was dreaming, anyway. A dream about… being with someone. But I didn’t think it was real. I told myself it was just a dream. Brought on by alcohol.”
He looked at me again, this time his face pale. “Did I… Did I force you?“>
I saw fear in his eyes, and my heart softened. I shook my head slowly and reached out to hold his hand.}
“No. It was during my heat,” I said honestly. “I was frustrated. Ronan wasn’t around. And then I found you. I’m not sure, but there is something about you. I don’t know. I wanted it. I needed it. And things happened.“>
Valor exhaled sharply, his body sagging with relief. Then he let out a nervous laugh. “Maybe… it really was fate.“}
I smiled. “Maybe it was.”
He brushed his fingers along my jaw, studying me.”
“Bella…. Would you consider forming a bond with me? A true bonding ceremony?“}
