Chapter 68: Chapter 68

CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT

ROXANNE

I plunged deep into the sea, the icy water turning crimson around me. The stab of betrayal cut deep, the cold blade intent on ending my life. I couldn't fight the water, couldn't fight death. I struggled, but every gasp drew more water into my lungs. My heart slowed, each beat fainter than the last, ticking away my final moments.

As the cold seeped into my bones, I thought about when I was thirteen. Yet again I was living my nightmare and facing my worst fear.

Zane, Ryker, and Beta Miles. The people I loved. The people I trusted. How did it all come to this?

Desperate for survival, I kicked towards the surface. My vision blurred, but I could see a faint shimmer of light above. I had to reach it, had to see the sky one last time before darkness consumed me. With a burst of strength, I pulled the knife from my throat, the blade slick with my blood, and clutched it in trembling hands.

But the sea seemed intent on claiming me. The more I fought to stay afloat, the more the water surged, as if mocking my efforts. Panic set in when I felt cold, clammy hands wrap around my legs. They were real, pulling me down with an unyielding force.

Flashes of memories burst in my mind. The first time I met Ryker, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me. Zane's oppressive presence and his mockery And Beta Miles, the man who I thought was a friend, now a betrayer.

The knife slipped from my grasp, sinking into the darkness below. The grip on my legs didn't loosen, even as I thrashed with all my might. The water, cold and unforgiving, seeped into every part of me. I felt it slide past my lips and into my mouth, a chilling invasion that I couldn’t stop. Panic surged through me, making my heart pound against my ribcage as if it were trying to escape.

I tried to scream, but only bubbles emerged, rushing to the surface far above me. My vision blurred, the light from above fading into murky shadows. Each desperate attempt to kick free from the hands dragging me down only made their grip tighten. I could feel my strength ebbing away, my limbs growing heavier with each passing second.

My lungs burned, a fiery ache that spread through my chest. I knew I needed to breathe, but there was only water, pressing in from all sides. The instinct to inhale was overwhelming, it was an urge that I couldn’t resist. When I finally gave in, the water rushed into my lungs, cold and suffocating. It filled me, choking me from the inside out.

Everything around me became a blur of dark blue and red, the sea mixing with my blood. I could no longer tell which way was up or down. My movements became sluggish, my body became weaker, no longer responding to my plea. The fight within me dwindled, replaced by a cold numbness that spread through my limbs.

My body surrendered to the pull of the deep, the fight gone. The last of my breath escaped, and I felt myself drift, lighter now, as if I were part of the sea itself.

The world dimmed further, until there was nothing but blackness. The sea claimed me, its cold grip pulling me into its eternal embrace. The last thing I felt was the slow, final beat of my heart, echoing into the void. Then, there was nothing.

In the depths of the ocean, I found the silence of death. The struggle ended, the betrayal complete. I was lost to the world above, swallowed by the sea, forever part of its dark, quiet depths.

***

Where the moon meets the shadow, secrets lie beneath the willow. Find the path where wolves once danced, the key to freedom in your hands.

A cough.

The willow tree at the top of the cliff, before I had a great fall…

Born of shadows, the child was torn.

A breath denied, her soul reborn.

Blessings of old, now turned to ash

A cursed resurrection, a haunting’s flash.

A kick.

I am the end that has no beginning,

Yet in my grasp, life finds it's spinning.

Once met, I claim with solemn decree.

But fear not, for all shall dance with me.

A gasp.

Voices so loud and familiar, sang in harmony, chanting the name ‘lilith.’ It was a presence and a sound so deafening. It stirred something within me. The voices grew louder. They were coming from the sea and the scent of willows congested my nostrils.

A hand plunged into the sea, searching around till it found my wrist. The hand belonged to someone I didn't know but they held on tight, pulling me out.

Then I saw it again.

The woman that had always appeared to me. She seemed to whisper in my ear ‘Finally you're here. She's coming.’

A spark of defiance ignited, urging me to fight, to live. With every ounce of strength, I clung to the hand that held me firmly, refusing to let go. My vision narrowed, to a tiny light from above, but I focused on it, refusing to let it fade.

Until I saw the woman again…. In my mind.

She was a seer. She was writing the visions she had. Writing the name ‘Lilith’ blindfolded. She was born to parents of Red and Blue Moon but no one knew. She also had no idea she had the gift of seeing visions until she found the book.

The woman suddenly stopped writing and she took off her blindfold. She glanced back to look at me and handed the book to me. Her green eyes were bright and she was smiling. ‘It took you long enough,’ she said. ‘I bet it all makes sense now. The world needs you. You are the prophecy.’

A breath.

Air filled my lungs, burning and sweet as I broke through the surface with a gasp. My hand was let go of but her smile was the last I saw before she vanished. It was my mother.

All I saw was the stormy grey sky. It was gloomy but to me, it was the most beautiful sight.

Coughing and sputtering, I swam towards the shore. My limbs felt like lead, but I forced them to move. Every stroke brought me closer to safety, away from the clutches of death.

When I finally dragged myself to the rocky shore, I collapsed, gasping for breath. I was cold. I instinctively touched my throat. There was no wound– no blood! But the pain lingered. Against all odds, I had survived.

I felt good as new.

Lying there, I realised this wasn't just a victory over death. It was a declaration. I would not be defeated by betrayal or despair.

***

RYKER

Numb.

That was how I felt. I couldn't proceed with the event after asking Roxanne to leave, so I stayed up in my office and tried to distract myself with work. But no amount of paperwork could erase the image of her tear-streaked face and her desperate pleas echoing in my mind.

And Selina — she looked too excited, practically glowing with satisfaction. My own sister, delighting in Roxanne's downfall. It made my stomach turn.

I had just rejected my mate today, and now there were three women in my office, glaring at me with hope. They didn't understand; they couldn't. I had ignored them for about two hours now, unable to muster the energy to entertain their presence.

“I don't like this, brother,” Selina said, crossing her arms over her chest. “That traitor is never coming back. You need to move on.”

“I need my rest,” I said, my voice cold and flat. “It's late, so you all can leave now.”

“Why did you keep them waiting then?” Selina demanded, her voice edged with anger.

“I didn't ask you to bring women to me,” I snapped. “If I need one, I know where to get one. No one can help me choose the woman I want to spend my life with.”

The three women exchanged uncomfortable glances, sensing the tension. Selina's face hardened, her eyes narrowing in frustration. “You can’t keep living in the past, Ryker. Roxanne betrayed you. She slept with another man!”

My heart clenched painfully at her words. The image from the video flashed in my mind again—Roxanne with that man, their intimate moment seared into my brain. But there was a part of me, deep down, that still doubted it. Could she really have done that? The Roxanne I knew, the woman who had always been so guarded and reserved, letting someone else touch her like that?

“Maybe she did,” I said icily, “but maybe she didn’t. And that's something I have to deal with. Alone.”

Selina's expression shifted to one of disbelief. “You’re defending her? After everything?”

“I’m not defending anyone. I just need time to think,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. The pain of her supposed betrayal was too raw, too real. “Now, please, just go.”

The women hesitated but eventually left, murmuring their goodbyes. Selina waited, her disappointment palpable. “You’re making a mistake, Ryker. You need to forget about her.”

“Forget about her?” I laughed bitterly. “You think I can just erase her from my memory like that? She was my mate, Selina. I loved her.”

“She was a mistake,” Selina insisted. “And you deserve better.”

I shook my head, unable to look at her. “Maybe she was a mistake, but she was my mistake. And I’ll deal with it in my own way.”

Selina huffed and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. The silence that followed was deafening. I sank into my chair.

Just when I thought I had my peace and quiet, Beta Miles stormed in, fear and worry etched on his face. He was panting loudly, like he had run miles.

I sat up and glared at him with hostility in my eyes. "Where have you been?" I demanded. "Why are you just coming in now? And why did you turn back the guards and choose to walk Roxanne out of Red Moon yourself?”

Beta Miles, his voice unsteady, replied, "I decided to walk Roxanne because she’s my friend and I felt she needed company.”

"Is she finally out of Red Moon?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I... I don’t know," he stammered, his face pale.

My anger flared. I grabbed him roughly by the collar and shook him vigorously. "What do you mean you don’t know? You said you walked her out!”

Beta Miles, his eyes filled with fear, managed to choke out, "We were attacked.”

He slid off his jacket, revealing deep cuts and wounds on his chest and back. Blood oozed from the injuries, staining his shirt. The sight made my heart pound with rage and panic.

"What happened?" I demanded, loosening my grip slightly but still holding him firmly.

"Roxanne was taken," he said, his voice trembling. "Some people ambushed us. I don’t know who they were. They overpowered us. We need to save her, Alpha. Roxanne needs our help.”