Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 49: Relief

Chapter 49: Relief

When Ava finally stirred, the world around her felt soft and hazy. A dull ache pulsed at the edges of her consciousness, but it was nothing compared to the warmth surrounding her.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Lucas sitting right next to her, his large frame hunched over, his elbows on his knees, watching her. His usual sharp, authoritative features softened with something that looked suspiciously like relief.

Ava’s breath caught in her throat.

"You’re alive..." she whispered, her voice weak, almost unsure if she was seeing things.

The moment the words left her lips, her chest tightened, and before she could stop herself, tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Oh my God, you’re alive."

Then, she sobbed.

Like full-body, heart-wrenching, ugly crying.

Lucas blinked. Visibly confused.

"I...uh, okay?" He shifted uncomfortably, clearly not prepared for this. "I don’t understand. I am alive, so why are you crying?"

Ava tried to answer, but all that came out was another strangled sob.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, looking both concerned and incredibly out of his depth. "Is this a happy cry or...? Because if I did something wrong, I’d really like to know."

"I don’t know," Ava sniffled, wiping at her face. "I thought I lost you, and it just..." She let out a shaky breath, fresh tears welling in her eyes. "It just hit me."

Lucas sighed, his expression softening. He reached out, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. The touch was so gentle it sent warmth spreading through her entire body.

"I should be mad at you, you know," he murmured, "but I should also be thanking you."

Ava frowned. "Mad at me? For what?"

"For nearly killing yourself," Lucas said flatly. Then his lips quirked up at the corner. "And for saving my life."

Ava shook her head. "I don’t even understand what happened."

Lucas exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, well... that makes two of us." He rubbed the back of his neck before finally meeting her gaze. "I didn’t tell you before because, honestly, I didn’t fully understand it myself. But the last time Lanaya treated you, she told me you were a Child of the Moon."

Ava blinked. "A... what?"

"It’s rare," Lucas admitted. "Almost unheard of. Apparently, that’s why your wolf was struggling to surface. Your body isn’t strong enough to handle it yet." He gave her a small, crooked smile. "But as a Child of the Moon, you’re supposed to have... gifts."

"Gifts?" Ava echoed, still trying to wrap her head around it.

Lucas nodded. "Abilities. And tonight, we just found out what yours is."

Ava stared at him.

For a long moment, she said nothing.

"So... I have powers?" she said slowly.

Lucas smirked. "That’s what it looks like."

"And they just so conveniently happened to show up when I needed them?"

He shrugged. "I mean, yeah. Kind of poetic, right?"

Ava huffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I feel like I’m in an episode of The Flash."

Lucas chuckled, the deep sound making something flutter in Ava’s stomach. "I guess I should be grateful to the Moon Goddess," he said.

Ava wiped the last of her tears away, her lips twitching into the smallest of smiles. "I’m just happy you’re here."

Lucas held her gaze for a long moment. Then, finally, he cleared his throat and sat up straighter.

"I wanted to ask you properly after the Induction Ceremony," he said, his voice unusually serious. "But I guess... I can still do it now."

Ava blinked. "Ask me what?"

Lucas took a breath.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he reached for her hand.

"How would you like to be my Luna?"

Ava’s entire body locked up.

Her heart stopped.

Her brain short-circuited.

"Your..." She gasped, eyes going comically wide. "Are you saying...?"

Lucas chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "Yes," he confirmed, squeezing her hand. "I’m asking you to marry me."

Ava made a very unattractive noise that was somewhere between a sob and a squeak. Then, before she could think, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

Lucas melted into the hug, his arms coming up to hold her just as tightly.

She was crying again.

Of course, she was.

Lucas let out a small exasperated sigh. "Okay... seriously, Ava... I’m getting confused here. If you keep crying, I can’t tell if you’re happy or horribly distressed."

Ava sniffled, pressing her face into his shoulder. "Happy," she giggled, voice muffled. "Definitely happy."

Lucas relaxed, rubbing slow circles into her back.

Then, she hesitated.

"But... what about the concubines?" she asked, pulling back just enough to look at him. "I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us."

Lucas’s expression darkened slightly. "For Nelly, I know she’ll be glad to leave. She’s wanted freedom for a long time." He paused. "Lily and Sarah... are different issues. But I can make arrangements for them."

Ava’s stomach twisted. "Oh, boy."

Lucas chuckled. "Yeah. Oh, boy. So... we have to keep this quiet for now. Just until I announce it to the council," Lucas said.

Ava pouted. "Fine. But can I at least start looking at wedding dresses?"

Lucas laughed, shaking his head. "Right now?"

"I’m not buying anything!" Ava insisted. "I just want to look. And imagine." She gave him her best puppy dog eyes. "Come on, I’m already fine."

Lucas’s face hardened instantly.

"No," he said firmly. "The shot was meant for you. Until we figure out who is behind this, I’m sorry, but you’re not leaving the fortress."

Ava opened her mouth to argue. Her eyes widened in realisation.

"Wait," she whispered. "You... jumped in front of me?"

Lucas smirked. "Easy stuff."

Ava smacked his arm, glaring. "EASY STUFF?!"

He shrugged, entirely unbothered. "You were gonna die. I wasn’t about to let that happen."

Ava felt something warm and overwhelming rise in her chest.

Slowly, she leaned in, resting her forehead against his.

"Say it again," he murmured.

Ava frowned. "Say what? About the dresses?"

"No," Lucas said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What you said earlier. About... loving me."

Ava blushed ridiculously.

Her entire face heated up.

But she smiled.

And then, looking straight into his blue eyes, she whispered...

"I love you, Alpha Lucas Raventhorn. With all of my heart."

Lucas grinned.

Then he kissed her.