Destroy My Life In You-Chapter 106: Awake

If earlier she was shocked, then now she was terrified. Terrified to extent that she could not say a word. Her breathing slowed as she got immersed in her thoughts. She recalled about her old friend, Liam. All these years, he had been holding in to anger that was forced on him. Revenge that his conscience was not even aware of.

"Ravenna," her mother called in a low voice.

Ravenna felt her tears fall down. Her hands went to her hair and she brushed it roughly. She was in a turmoil. "Liam, I have hurt him the most."

His eyes from the time he had visited her in the hospital flashed in her mind. They were empty, filled with pain and most of all, anger towards Alaric. How much had he gone through under the hands of that man? The Liam whom she knew could not even hurt a fly but he must have killed thousands by now. And all this was her fault. Of all people Ravenna felt guilty against, Liam was the most affected. He had lost his simple human life just for being associated with her. Would he blame her once he was free from the Lycan King’s control? She deserved and would not say a word if he hated her.

"I need to go back," Ravenna said and gazed at her mother, full of determination correct all the mistakes she had made in her previous life. This time, she would fight to death. And for that, she needed to be strong enough. Now that she knew her real strength, she would do anything to keep all her loved ones safe. But before anything, she had to free Liam from the clutches of the Lycan King.

"Alright dear," her mother replied with a subtle smile and assisted her to rise up.

"Thank you..." Ravenna paused looking at her before adding. "...mom."

Her mother froze, her lips trembling. There was a moment of silence between them before she finally whispered with a broken voice, "Could you... say that... again?"

Ravenna felt her heart clench in pain watching her mother tear up. She was only two years old when they separated and now they met in after world. Her mother must have been waiting for this moment for years.

"Thank you, mom," she rephrased her words and smiled at her. "Mom."

Ravenna observed as she finally broke down and they both hugged for a while. She could feel her mother shaking and sobbing, and just let her. A lone tear also escaped her eyes wondering if her life would have been better if her parents, in both lifetimes, were still alive.

Afterward, Ravenna looked up at her father in this lifetime, and the moment their eyes met, a sense of familiarity surged to her heart. Maybe it was because they were totally similar to hers.

"Dad," she called him and the man warmly smiled as he stood in front of her.

"My little princess has grown up. I’m sorry we couldn’t be there for you," his voice was laced with love and sincerity. The last time he saw her was when she was a toddler. Those little memories kept him and her mother sane even in the after world or else they would never have found peace.

"It’s not your fault, dad. All you did was protect me." Yes, everyone protected her to their death but she won’t let anyone get hurt because of her again. "Thank you, dad. I’ll protect myself well so yours and mom’s sacrifice won’t be in vain."

"As long as my little princess and grandchild are safe, anything else doesn’t matter," he said, glancing at Ravenna’s belly.

"Huh?" Ravenna let out a low gasp of confusion and thought maybe her father was already yearning for a grandchild. "Dad, I’m still to young to be... a mother. Don’t you think?" She gazed down embarrassed. Nevertheless, images a little Alaric or a little Ravenna stilled crossed her mind, and she somehow loved that scene. Only that she had never had such a conversation with Alaric despite all the unprotected sex they had.

"I think she doesn’t know yet." Astrid’s mother said, bringing Ravenna back from her fantasy world.

"Know what?"

The four people gazed at each other happily.

"There’s a little one growing inside you already, princess," her father replied after a moment of leaving her hanging.

Silence reigned over. Ravenna’s expression was priceless. From shock, to confusion, excitement as well as fear.

"I’m... pregnant?" She slowly touched her belly and when she concentrated her hearing, she could now hear the heartbeat. It was very clear and loud enough. A chuckle escaped from her, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. After all the shocking revelations, at least something good came out. First, she reunited with her biological parents and now, she discovered news about her pregnancy.

"Yes, child." It was Astrid’s father who replied this time. "So, in whatever you do, your safety is your priority. Never give up until the last moment."

Ravenna listened and understood the hidden meaning in between his words. She should not make a drastic decision of ending her own life like she did previously.

"I understand father," she said honestly, looking at all the people now surrounding her. "I’m happy to have met all of you together. I know we might not see each other soon but I promise to protect myself well and be stronger for the sake of the ones I care about. I don’t wish to lose anyone again."

"Good." Astrid’s father whispered with a satisfied smile. "Now go out there and make us proud. Also... tell that man, what’s his name again?... mmm... Alaric! Yes, tell Alaric I won’t stay quiet if he’s unable to protect you this time. Even if I return as a spirit, I’ll haunt him till death."

"Father, it wasn’t his fault," Ravenna spoke instantly, biting her tongue in embarrassment.

"I agree with him. That... Alaric, he should be responsible especially now that you’re carrying his child. Otherwise..." He left his statement incomplete as he narrowed his eyes curiously. "He hasn’t given you a wedding yet, right?"

"Dad! It’s too soon. We just meant months ago."

"What too soon? Didn’t he think about it when doing... that... aiya! Just tell him if he doesn’t treat you well we will come for him." Astrid’s father concluded and the mothers just chuckled silently.

"I will, father, dad." Ravenna agreed wondering what Alaric would do if he heard them. The man was not one to be intimidated easily but she knew he would never hurt someone she cared about.

"Then, we will show you how to go back." Her father said and they all nodded in agreement.

**************

This was the longest Alaric had been patient without causing a fuss. When Astrid died, he went on a rampage and killed everyone whom he knew or thought was his enemy. When Ravenna had disappeared with the help of Nyx, those under him suffered due to his outbursts. But now, he had patiently waited for a month for her to wake up. He barely said a word to someone. A war had broken between the vampires and the werewolves, and every time, the werewolves would be defeated and come back again and again, determined to take Ravenna away. Fortunately, this all happened in the private island so it never caught attention of the humans. And even after all the bloodshed, Alaric never left his room unless necessary. His brothers would wait for him when he would head downstairs to get a blood bag, in order to report the ongoing matter. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Currently, Alaric was sitting on the couch after having drank quite amount of blood. "What is it this time?" He asked, his tone indifferent as usual.

Finn sighed looking at the others who were not willing to talk, and always pushing him to do so, before shifting to Alaric.

"Huh... We need you to have a talk with those werewolves. They insist on seeing you to negotiate what to do. They’ve been relentless for the past one month and more still keep coming."

Alaric listened keenly then stood up. "Then let them come. You know how to deal with them. I’m busy."

Finn gazed at him as if he had grown horns. Busy staying locked up in the room always. "Do you think Ravenna would appreciate what you are doing? Neglecting your duty and..." Finn was rendered quiet when he felt his neck grabbed in a not so friendly way.

Alaric lifted him off air his eyes glowing dark red, while his fangs protruded to their full length. "It isn’t in your position to teach me how to..." Alaric also paused mid-sentence, and he concentrated on something. "Ven!"

As if struck by lightning, he let go of Finn and sprang to the main door. Everyone followed his movement as he headed out of the house, which he had not done since Ravenna fell into comma.

Alaric seemed to have been possessed by the devil the moment he headed. He could feel Ravenna was not in her room anymore. But that’s not what drove him mad, it was the fact that he could hear her heartbeat, which only meant she was about to wake or...

His thoughts were interrupted the figure jumping off the tree. He followed her movements in a slow motion, until she landed to the ground with a firm stance. And there she was. Facing her back at him but he could never mistake her for anyone else.

"V... Ven," he murmured carefully, his voice weak and trembling.