*Back to the present*
"We have a visitor."
"Why are you telling me that? Go and tell the King."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm scared. You know how on edge the King has been ever since Luna died."
"I know. It's been fifty years already, but he's getting worse instead of better."
"So… are you going to tell him?"
"….."
"Please."
"What are you two talking about?"
They turned around at the sound.
"Ah, Beta, Gamma, good thing you're here."
"What happened?"
"The King has a visitor. Can you inform him?"
The Beta looked at the Gamma.
"Don't look at me. You're the Beta. I'm just a simple Gamma—I never signed up for this."
sigh
"Who is it?"
"It's Luna Gina, and Alpha Hedeon."
Knock, knock
Receiving no answer, the Beta decided to open the door.
"Who gave you permission to enter?"
gulp
Claus's office was completely dark. Broken objects were scattered everywhere. He sat behind his desk, staring at the poor Beta. His blood-red eyes shone brightly, meaning his wolf was in control. It had been like this for fifty years—ever since she died. The dark circles under his eyes made him look even more intimidating.
Claus was now watching Celea's fourtieth life. Her lives only grew worse each time. He saw her tears—both shed and unshed—her misery, her sorrow. Celea tried to commit suicide several times. He watched her die in cruel ways, living horrific lives. Claus was heartbroken. After every nightmare, he woke up crying.
Her final life would come soon, and Claus wasn't prepared to see all the terrible things he had done to her.
"Answer me!"
"Hello, brother."
Deon stepped inside, saving the poor Beta from Claus's wrath.
"What do you want?"
"Harsh as ever, I see."
The Beta slowly left the room.
"I'm here to show you your nephew."
Before Claus could protest, Deon added,
"The nephew who was born because of Celea."
Gina entered, holding their newborn in her arms.
Claus could see Celea in him. He was so small, just like Celea had been countless times as a baby in every rebirth.
Claus slowly stood and walked toward the baby, never taking his eyes off him. He stared for a long moment before finally taking the child into his arms without saying a word.
**
"Do you think she'd like the flowers?"
"Honestly, I don't remember Celea being a big fan of flowers, but she liked these kinds of small gestures," Azar said.
"Do you think so?"
"Yes," Draco replied.
"Okay."
The Dragnil family stood before the Tree of Freedom—the place where Celea had sacrificed herself sixty years ago.
Dereus, Draco, Azar, Kai, and their new family member Kaya, Dereus's mate and the mother of his children, were all present. Celea hadn't only revived those who died in the war, but Kaya as well.
"Do you think she planned all of this from the very beginning? Is that why she took such good care of my dead body?" Kaya asked as they sat beneath the tree.
"If we're talking about Celea, I'm certain of it."
"….."
"She was just a kid… three years old at most back then, yet she saved my babies and even took care of them. I owe her everything, Dereus," Kaya said.
***
Seventy years ago
"Celea… my daughter," Dereus cried, tears streaming down his face.
"But how… how is this possible?"
"This was my gift to her for not being able to protect her, as I had promised my sister, you were the only person Celea ever saw as a parental figure ..... I wanted to give that back to her, I wanted to give you back to her " Selene said.
"But why couldn't I remember her?" Dereus asked.
"When someone reincarnates, they forget their first life… unless they are cursed to remember everything. Reincarnation itself is rare It almost never happens unless someone interviews, like in your case. You remembering your past memories is thanks to Celea's miracle. When she revived you, your memories returned as well."
"Celea is my daughter… I lost my daughter," Dereus cried harder.
"Tell me, will she reincarnate again? Will she ever come back?"
"….."
"I don't know. Reviving others has consequences. Celea revived thousands of people—she will have to pay the price."
drip
"Are you my daughter's father?"
"Who are you?"
The woman appeared out of nowhere.
"BELLATRIX?!"
Selene rushed forward and hugged her sister. She hadn't heard her voice for thousands of years.
"You woke up?!"
"Yes… it seems so."
Bellatrix turned toward Dereus and knelt before him.
"Thank you for loving my daughter and taking care of her."
She stood and faced Selene.
"Sister… where is my daughter now?"
"…"
drop
"No… my baby."
"I told you to protect her!" Bellatrix shouted. She was angry at her sister, but even more furious at her mother.
"Bella, where are you going?"
"To pay that monster a visit."
Bellatrix disappeared.
***
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? TO MY BABY?!"
"Bellatrix?!"
The woman turned toward the voice and rushed to hug her daughter, but Bella shoved her away.
"Don't you dare touch me, you monster."
"How dare you call me a monster?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BABY?!"
"Ah, that little devil? Don't worry, honey—I took care of it."
frown
"Oh, I heard how you 'took care' of things. That's why I'm here."
"Solaria, I curse you."
"You can't curse me. I'm stronger than you."
"You are wrong. There is nothing stronger than an angry mother seeking justice for her child."
"Solaria, I curse you to live as a human who cannot die. I curse you to reincarnate endlessly and to never receive love from your parents!"
A powerful green light burst from Bella. Beside it, a silver-white light joined her own.
"Celea…"
Bella knew—it was her daughter. She could feel her. Celea was still alive. A soft smile formed on Bella's lips.
"I will wait for you, my child. No matter how long it takes."
Solaria tried to fight back, but Bella's power—strengthened by Celea's—was far too strong. She was defeated.
Solaria vanished, her soul forced into a human body. She would suffer for eternity, just as she had wanted Celea to suffer.