Chapter 28

Claire’s POV

The Children laughed and played, their sound made me feel at ease after a long time. Their laughter was like sunlight, warm yet comfortable. They looked so carefree and happy.

I stood on the veranda, and saw Nova and Leo sitting next to each other in the grass, they looked relaxed and content in each other's company.

Leo's voice felt weak compared to Nova, because he was recovering very slowly, but I saw him smiling, his eyes full of warmth which I desperately wanted to see.

Nova, being a ball of energy, chatted away about the flower which looked like a jewel, she placed a small yellow flower on Leo's hair. He let out a genuine giggle which was full of life.

I placed my hand on my chest as I felt peaceful yet emotional. It was everything I wanted for him—for both of them. Yet watching them together carved out a hollow space inside me. Nova knew me as “Mommy,” never once questioning the truth of it.

Leo… Leo only knew me as Miss Warrior, the woman who protected him, trained him, and stayed at his bedside. I am his mother, he is my blood, yet he was still blind about it.

I held onto the railing as I took a deep breath to stop myself from crying. Two of them were supposed to grow up together, not separated after birth because of the choices I was forced to make.

I never wanted to choose between truth and responsibility, between protecting my children and being honest about what my real identity was.

Gideon’s question still lingered in my head. The question felt harmless at first but now they felt sharper. Who was Nova? Why did she cling to me like that?

I deflected those questions but I saw his eyes full of suspicions. If he tried to figure out, if he tried to investigate, everything I tried to hide would get exposed.

I looked at my children thoughtfully, if that would be so bad.

I sat next to Nova’s bed that evening as I gently tucked her into her bed. She held onto a stuffed wolf which I gifted her with her small hands, she never slept without it. But today was a bit different, she was feeling restless and was thinking hard about something.

She gently called me out, “Mommy, I want to talk.” she held onto the stuffed wolf tightly.

“Yes, little moon?” I asked as I gently brushed away the curl stuck on her forehead She looked into my eyes with determination and took a deep breath pushing aside her hesitation “I want to come with you.”

I looked at her in shock. “Come with me? To the Silver Crescent?”

Nova nodded, holding onto the stuffed wolf “Yes. You’re always gone now. It makes me sad when you live. I want to go where you go. And… I like Leo. He makes me laugh. He also said that he would love to play with me again.”

Her words were like a stab of a knife, She spoke innocently without hesitation or fear. I gulped as I held back my tears. “It is not that easy, my baby.” I said gently and hugged her “things are a lot different there.”

“I am not worried” Nove nuzzled close to me as she whispered “I don't want to stay far from you but I want to be there with you Mommy, Always.”

I felt my heart ache as I felt broken. Tears made my vision blurry and closed my eyes tightly to fight them back. I hugged her tightly “Nova my child, I wish you know what you are asking.” I whispered softly, not trusting my voice.

Nova’s small hand slipped into mine. “I know enough. You make me safe. That is all I want.”

Nova was finally asleep, no longer worried after telling me her thoughts, I listened to her soft breathing. After making sure she was asleep, I carefully left the room, my heart felt heavy with worries and fear of what was waiting for us.

Light with the certainty that my daughter’s heart had already chosen.

Later that night I am looking at the moon from my room sitting on a chair in silence.

Everything was quiet and peaceful but my mind had its own Storm, I had lived between two worlds—one with Leo, one with Nova—always torn, always hiding.

But for the first time, a path forward felt clear.

But now after talking with Nova, I have been caught in a dilemma. Leo’s life was already in danger and now Nova wants to step in the danger as well just to be with me. But I can't blame her because she wants to be with me, just as much as I want to be with her.

My sweet Leo, Gideon’s next heir is already a target of envy, many enemies tried to attack him, that is why he rarely had any friends. But because of Nova he was finally able to experience what having a real friend felt like, they don't even know they are siblings yet they felt a connection.

I couldn’t separate them anymore.

I thought of Leo’s fragile smile as Nova crowned him with flowers. I thought of Nova’s small, trembling voice saying she just wanted to be with me. These two children were my world, both of them.

They deserved to know each other, to laugh together, to fight and play and grow side by side.

My children will not suffer any longer, Now I will stay with both of them no matter what. I will protect them, even if it costs me my life.

Danger or not, secrets or not, I couldn’t deny them that.

I pressed my hand to the cool glass, watching the stars shiver against the dark. “It’s time,” I whispered to myself, the words both terrifying and freeing. “I’ll take her with me.”

Next morning I spoke with Nova who was eating breakfast as if to confirm if she really wanted to come one last time “Nova, are you sure you really want to come with me to the Silver Crescent pack?”

Nova looked at me with determination and stubbornness. “Yes, I really want to come.”

I was about to speak but then I heard footsteps only to see Prince Ivan. Looks like he heard Nova’s decision, he was not happy about it but I can tell it did hurt him.

“Little wolf do you really want to go?” He asked softly to Nova.

“Yes, I want to and play with Leo, but I can always come back here can't I uncle Ivan?” She asked innocently.

Prince Ivan wanted to say something, I can tell he was sad but he sighed helplessly “Yes, Night Mountain Pack is always open for you.”

I sighed softly, “Nova, go pack your clothes.” Nova squeals excitedly and goes to her room.

I looked at him thoughtfully but then our eyes met. “Take care, both of you.” He went back to his office quietly.

I didn’t know what storms awaited us at Silver Crescent. I didn’t know how I would navigate Gideon’s suspicions, or what would happen when truths eventually clawed their way to the surface. But I knew one thing with absolute certainty: my children would not live apart any longer.

Whatever came next, we would face it together.