One moment, ric was striding across the churned earth, intent on returning to Ellie''s side now that the front lines were stabilizing. The next, the world seemed to tilt-sound dulling, color draining as something far older than the storm reached for him.


    The vision struck without warning.


    And she was there.


    His wife stood before him, whole and radiant in a way she had never been in life.


    The sight of her standing there almost sent him to his knees. She was solid as thest day he saw her, her posture strong and sure. Moonlight threaded through her dark hair, and her eyes-those same eyes that stared back at him from Ellie''s face every time his daughter smiled-were soft with infinite patience.


    He hadn''t seen her since the night she died.


    Not in dreams. Not in visions.


    Never.


    "ric," she said gently.


    His breath caught painfully in his throat.


    For a heartbeat, selfish hope surged. A desperate, foolish wish that this was a mistake-that he was dying, that this was the end, that he could go to her now and be done with all of it.


    She held out her hand-not urgent, not pleading.


    Offering.


    "Selene," he said softly, reverently.


    "You don''t have toe yet," she said. It was a reminder, a reassurance that he was still alive at this moment. That he hadn''t been struck down by a surprise blow.


    The battlefield flickered faintly at the edges of his vision. He could feel the weight ofmand tugging at him, the pull of duty and danger.


    “Ellie,” he said immediately. “She''s-”


    "In danger," his wife finished softly. "Yes."


    The words settled into him like truth rather than fear.


    The prophecy stirred in his mind, simple and unavoidable. The blood of Moonstone will be paid.


    He had always feared it would be Ellie.


    Or Cassian.


    Or worse-one of the children.


    "I won''t let it take them," he said, voice low and fierce.


    "I know," she replied. Her expression softened, pride shining through her grief. "That''s why I''m here."


    Understanding unfurled slowly, painfully. There was a reason that she would appear now, after so many years without so much as a dream of her.


    "This is a choice," he said.


    "Yes."


    He closed his eyes. He could see it, if he tried. The future that might be.


    Ellie standing tall as Luna, power bnced and sure with Nn beside her. The


    twins older,ughing, chasing each other through Moonstone''s halls. Cassian grown into his role as Alpha, burdened but steady, a partner at his side.


    A future.


    One he would not be part of.


    Grief tore through him with startling force. Not fear of death-but sorrow for everything he would miss. He thought of Ellie''s quiet strength, of how far she''de and how much he could still teach her. He thought of the way the boys clutched his fingers with surprising strength. And of Cassian''s stubborn pride and hidden tenderness.


    He wanted to see it.


    He wanted to stay.


    His wife stepped closer, pressing her forehead briefly to his in a gesture so achingly familiar it nearly broke him.


    "You gave them everything, Al. Every chance, every lesson you could bestow," she murmured. "They will thrive because of it. The choice is yours now."


    He closed his eyes. The flood of emotions was nearly overwhelming. There was so much happening in this moment that he wanted to consider, but there wasn''t time.


    He did what he always did. He let his intuition guide him.


    When he opened his eyes, the decision was already made.


    "I''ll take it," he said. "The price."


    She smiled-not sad this time, but peaceful, as if this was the oue she expected.


    "I''ll be waiting."


    The vision faded.


    The battlefield snapped back into focus with brutal rity.


    ric straightened, breath steady, resolve locking into ce.


    Cassian''s voice suddenly thunders back to reality. “Dad?!”


    ric turned to him, his expression softened at the look of concern on Cassian''s face. ric sped his forearms firmly and pulled Cassian into a tight hug.


    After a moment of confusion, Cassian returned the embrace. Before he could ask any questions, ric released him and stepped away.


    He started to run. Not the steady pace he''d been maintaining, but pushing himself as fast as he could. Cassian scrambled to follow at his heels.


    The storm still raged.


    But the tide had turned.


    ric did not look back.


    He didn''t need to.


    The choice had been made.


    And the cost wasing.


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.