Chapter 0239 , I turn away, my eyes stinging as I stare out through the open window at the moon , above , Nothing can fix this…. , They enter and Atticus leaves the door open a crack, murmuring something about the children being asleep. He sits on the floor beside the bed, stretching his legs out, , but I know he’s concerned. , Tonight… I was unable to hide my emotions from anyone. Even my babies. I am an , awful mother. , I can’t even give them the best life they deserve and Sebastian… I wasn’t good , enough for him… , Jai sits beside me, wrapping his arms around me, but I don’t want anyone to touch , 1. me. I just want to be left alone. , The fatigue I feel is clawing inside of me, but I refuse to let myself fall into an , endless abyss of pain and doom. , “Come on, where’s that beautiful smile that we all melt over?” Jai says, wiping away , my tears., I don’t respond, as Valerie laughs gently. “It’s hiding for a bit, but it’ll show through. , soon. Here Zaia.” she offers me a chocolate muffin but I shake my head, refusing it. , Was I put here simply to fulfil the goddess’s wishes? Her mission for her people… is , that it? Do I not deserve anything else? , I pull free from Jai’s hold and wrap my arms around my knees, refusing the mug of , hot chocolate that Valerie offers me. , “It’s hot chocolate?” she whispers gently. , I shake my head, turning away. , “You haven’t eaten all day, Red,” Atticus says. , I don’t want anything… , Jai sighs heavily. He didn’t take Sebastian leaving well at all. , How will I tell the children their father is gone? That he has left them again. , How much pain are we going to cause our babies? , “So, what now?” Valerie asks the question that I know is on the minds of the others. , My eyes sting with tears as I bury my head in my arms. , “We prepare… with Sebastian on their side, it means he knows the ins and outs of , this pack better than anyone,” Atticus says quietly., “They won’t attack,” Valerie says. , “He is one of them. He might.” I reply emotionlessly. , “Let’s think about this tomorrow,” Jai says, and I can feel his eyes on me. , “The wicked don’t rest… so neither will we,” I reply quietly , My heart may feel dead, but somehow… Somehow there’s that tiny flame inside of , me that refuses to die out… , “Prepare to combine the Crystal Shadow Pack and the Dark Hollow Falls Pack With , Dad missing, I am the next in line… I know he’s alive because I haven’t felt a power , shift.” I say. , “What about your brother? Can there be a chance that he could be the next in line- , “No, Dad and I have already completed the ritual that would make me his heir. He is , alive. I don’t know where, but I will find him.” I say firmly, now looking up , My heart is heavy, broken, and in pain. But the world won’t stop for me. , *Zaia are you sure you’re, ok?” Atticus asks, concerned. , “No, it would be a lie to say I am, but I will be.” I say quietly , I know I’ll have moments where I’ll break, but there are still those who need me. , need my protection., 15 BONUS , “Just take it easy for a bit,” Atticus says and I shake my head. , “No, I need to organise Mom’s funeral and there’s a lot more that needs doing,” I , reply. , “That’s my girl,” Valerie says with a gentle smile. , “We are at war as I said… and I’m presuming they want me to fall…” I look out at the , moon once more. , There is a lot that must be done and the first thing I will do tomorrow is find the , Moon Dust. , “You are a force to be reckoned with.” Jai whistles with a small smile. , But I don’t have the heart to return it. “Even the strongest of forces shatter… and I am , far from the strongest… but I will not let them break me…” , “You are incredible, Zaia. You got this.” Valerie says, taking my hand and giving it a , gentle squeeze. , “Mm… the first thing we need to do is work on the mind link,” I say, now looking at , all three of them. “Let’s show them that the Sublime are fighters., “Yes, let’s do it!” Jai says. , Their spirits are lifted, and I realise as long as I show them that I am fine, that it , gives everyone else hope…. For them, I must keep fighting even if I’m dying inside. , Where did I fail, Bastien? Where did I lack that I lost you once again? , Because I did love you, with everything I had… , I just wish you talked to me….. , But I wasn’t important enough…. , Moonlight Muse , Author , Thankyou for reading , 15 BONUS , Chapter 0240, Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.