Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1230 - 141 : Unwavering Devotion

Chapter 1230: Chapter 141 : Unwavering Devotion

*Rion*

Screams pierced through the air as I ran toward the mansion, desperately trying to get to Daphne and our children as Varge, in his hideous beast form, came charging at me from behind. He knew where they were, my entire world. They were defenseless, resting peacefully in their beds.

I had to get to them, now.

I looked back as silence suddenly fell over our pack lands. Varge was no longer chasing me. He was long gone, and it felt as if the entire world had suddenly gone still.

But it wasn’t a peaceful kind of stillness.

Fear gripped me as I sprinted toward home, throwing the front door open violently.

I fell to my knees at the gruesome sight... blood everywhere.

And my family was nowhere to be seen.

A gasp flew from my throat as I shot up in bed. My heart hammered in my chest and I slowly relaxed, realizing it was yet another nightmare.

I turned to see that Daphne was awake, her face pale and her large eyes filled with tears. She swallowed hard when we locked eyes and she let out a long, ragged breath.

“I tried to wake you but just couldn’t,” she said tearfully, a single droplet sliding down her cheek.

I blinked at her, trying to control my breathing as I wrapped my arms around her, needing her warmth and presence.

“I’m safe,” she murmured against my chest. Her small hands crept up to my back and she started to stroke it gently with her palms. “Me and the children are safe. It’s okay now. I’m here.”

My heart broke a little as Daphne tried to soothe me after what had to be the fifth or sixth nightmare of the night. I wasn’t the only one in anguish from the sudden night terrors.

She was also suffering because of her own gift of being able to see into others’ dreams. In this case, the gift was really a curse. She was experiencing every terrifying image I had.

“I’m sorry, Daphne,” I said into her hair. I pressed her even more into my chest, trying to remind myself that she was safe and that the children were too.

“It’s okay now,” Daphne repeated, but the tears that followed the first indicated that it was anything but okay.

***

*Daphne*

I turned over in bed so that I could watch Rion as he slept. It was once again an extremely restless sleep. His face was twisted up, signaling that he was having yet another nightmare.

I reached and gripped his arm where it lay on the bedspread, hoping that I could wake him from this one before it got really bad. I shook him gently at first, watching as his face crumpled even further.

I had been doing my best to be strong and supportive as Rion’s disturbing dreams continued over the past few weeks. At first, we figured they were just leftovers from his fear of Varge, considering that the monster was more often the star of his nightmares than anything or anyone else.

Perhaps the nightmares would have been easier to brush off for both Rion and me if they weren’t also affecting him during the day. He was waking up several times every night due to nightmares, which caused him to be exhausted and on edge during the daytime.

I hated to see him this way. Each day, he seemed less like the Rion that I had known. He was becoming a shell of himself because of these night terrors.

I ran my hand down Rion’s arm so that I could grip his hand, unable to just sit by and allow the nightmare to play out without sharing some of that burden.

I was surprised that it was daytime in this particular dream. In fact, Rion was standing in a field of wildflowers and the air was cool and smelled sweet. Was he actually having a pleasant dream for once?

I saw with pleasure that Rion was dreaming about me. We were together in the middle of the field, gazing at one another. It took me a moment to realize that my dream self looked murderous, with an ugly sneer on her face.

Rion’s eyes were wide and upset. “Daphne, I’m so sorry. I—”

Dream Daphne cut him off. “How many times do I have to hear that from you? I was too blind to see it before, but if I stay with you, I’m as good as dead. So just kill me now, Rion. Either kill me or let me go.”

I tried to scream at Rion that she didn’t mean it, but it was just silent as Rion took a half step back, his eyes glinting with a hint of tears, drifting from mine to my pregnant belly.

“This is best, and you know it,” my dream self said, turning from the heartbreak in Rion’s eyes and walking away.

Rion shot up in bed, causing the image to disappear from my mind as well. It took him a moment to realize he was no longer dreaming as he searched the darkness with his eyes to locate me. When he found me, he threw his arms around me and squeezed me tightly to him. My eyes filled with tears when I felt him tremble against me.

“It’s okay,” I murmured like I had hundreds of times over the past few weeks. I stroked his back. “I’m here, Rion. It was just a dream. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll never lose me. I promise.”

***

I watched helplessly as Rion got ready to do his morning rounds with Jasper, even though he had hardly slept the night before. I told him he should probably skip that morning and get more rest, but he insisted that he couldn’t let this get in the way of his duties toward the pack.

I knew he was right, but he seemed barely functional as he slipped on his boots before heading out the door. He seemed to be dragging his body as he staggered down the path leading into town.

I was exhausted too since I woke up every time Rion did, but I was only seeing a fraction of the frightening images that Rion did.

I checked on the children and made sure they were settled before I stepped back into our bedroom and finally let the stress and fear boil over. I crumpled to the floor against our bedroom door and let the first sob burst from my lips, making sure to muffle it with my hands so that the children wouldn’t hear from their playroom.

I had hoped for weeks that things would get better and that the nightmares would subside as we continued on safely in our home. But Varge was always a threat as long as he was still out there. Rion seemed to know that consciously as well as subconsciously.

The strain of seeing my mate and husband suffer so much was just too excruciating to handle. I hated the helplessness of being able to do nothing but comfort him when he was violently awoken from a horrifying nightmare.

Later that evening, I snuck out after Rion went to bed early and made my way to Jasper and Eva’s home. As soon as Jasper opened the door, I just burst out sobbing once again.

Eva was at the door in a flash, gathering me in her arms and ushering me to the sofa. She held me wordlessly as I cried and tried to apologize through the tears.

Jasper sat on my other side, patting my back soothingly. They knew about Rion’s nightmares but like me, they were at a loss as to how to handle them.

“He’s going to get through this,” Eva told me fiercely.

“You both are,” Jasper added, rubbing my shoulder. “You’re doing the right thing just by being there, Daphne. He’s going to be convinced soon that we’re going to be fine as long as we’re all together.”

“If Varge ever returns, we’ll be ready,” Eva said darkly, her large gray eyes glinting.

Their words were only a little comforting. I wasn’t the one who needed convincing that things would be fine. I was feeling a little better after just talking it out with a couple of my best friends.

When the last of my tears dried, Eva put her hands on my shoulders and looked at me seriously. “I actually have something to tell you,” Eva said.

I could tell from her eyes that it was good news.

“Tell me,” I said, desperate for some positivity.

She glanced at Jasper, who nodded meaningfully, a smile touching his lips.

“I’m pregnant.”

My jaw dropped and despite everything, I felt the corners of my mouth fly upward and I threw my arms around both of them, clutching them tightly. “This is amazing news, you guys! I’m so happy for you both!”

They hugged me back tightly, but I caught them shooting each other concerned looks.

Jasper walked me home since Eva was a little sick from her pregnancy, and that’s when I started to wonder if this was something more than just Rion’s fears.

“We might need to consult outside help,” I said more to myself than to Jasper.

Jasper was quiet for a moment as he processed my words. “That might be best if he doesn’t improve soon,” he said. “Rion has been struggling when we’re working together lately. I’ve been trying to get him to take breaks during the day, but I don’t have to tell you how stubborn he is.”

I sighed heavily. “Thank you for looking out for him,” I said, genuinely grateful.

“Of course,” Jasper said lightly. He turned and pinned me with a stern look as we approached the mansion. “You better take care of yourself too, Daphne. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Eva or me if you need anything. We’re always here.”

My heart melted a little at his concern. “Thank you, Jasper. I will.”

The next day, I arranged to meet with the village elders and healers. They seemed concerned when I made the request to meet with them all at once, but they knew better than to question their Luna.

I stood before some of Thorn Forest’s most respected individuals, explaining Rion’s situation and pleading with them for a way to help.

The small group of elders and healers glanced at one another, and I feared they were at a loss as well. Our lead Elder stepped forward, his voice deep and not at all shaky despite his old age.

“It would appear that our Alpha is experiencing some serious dark dreams and visions. My best advice is for him to seek out a remote spiritual retreat that rests deep in the mountains.”

I blinked. “A spiritual retreat?” I echoed.

The elder nodded, his deep blue eyes focused on me intently. “The retreat is rumored to be able to help those plagued by nightmares of the sort that you’ve described.”

After a little more discussion, all the elders and healers agreed that this was the best course of action for Rion. The healers offered to try potions and other medical means to help him, but this felt more promising to me.

I left the temple feeling hopeful for the first time in weeks. I went home immediately to start preparing for the long journey, contacting Jasper and Eva to let them know. They were, of course, more than willing to care for the pack and for the children while we were away.

I warned them that this could be a long journey depending on how Rion was doing. I was hopeful that the retreat’s tranquil isolation and natural magic would soothe his spirit.

When Rion returned home later that evening, I was even more convinced that I was making the right decision. My husband smiled tightly when he saw me waiting for him. He nearly collapsed in my arms as I greeted him.

“I think that I’ve found a way to help you with these nightmares,” I said, deciding to just get straight to the point.

Rion set his bag down and I patted the spot beside me on the plush sofa in our living room. He sat down beside me, his gray eyes intense as they bore into mine. The corner of his mouth was turned down.

“I’m sorry for all the worry and torment I’ve caused you,” he said at last. “I wish you didn’t have to bear my burdens along with me. These are my nightmares.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You stop that,” I demanded. I sighed and grabbed his hand. “We’re married, Rion. That makes your burdens mine and vice versa. I’m never going to regret that, no matter how difficult things get.”

Rion smiled tightly at my words but then he traced the skin beneath my eyes with his fingertips. “I know, and I’m so grateful to have you for that reason and so many others,” he said. “But I still wish you didn’t have to lose sleep over all this.”

My heart lurched at his concern. Despite his suffering, he was still looking out for me.

“I spoke with the elders and healers about your nightmares. They told me about a remote healing retreat in the mountains that can help those plagued by dark dreams and visions. I think this could be exactly what you need, Rion. I’m afraid that there’s something other than fear that’s attacking you.”

Rion stared at me for a long moment, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. I understood it as well. It felt like we had just returned home after a long time away. Could we really leave again so soon?

“Let’s do it,” Rion said. “I do want to get better, not just for myself, but for you and the children as well.”

I smiled softly at him, relieved that he was on board with the plan. I folded my arms around him, holding him close to me, needing to feel his warmth.

“I love you,” Rion said into my hair. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I feel very fortunate to have you, Daphne. I depend on your unwavering devotion every day. It’s how I’ve made it this far. Thank you.”

My eyes filled with tears at his words, and I just hugged him tighter, vowing to never let go.

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