The Mafia King's Deadly Returned

Chapter 7

SERAPHINA'S POV

I run as fast as I can through the dark forest, my chest heaving with every desperate breath while countless wolves chase after me. Their growls echo through the night, and voices repeatedly shout, "Luna! Luna!"

Fear grips my heart as I glance behind me and see an entire pack following me. At the front is a tall man whose face remains strangely blurred no matter how hard I try to see him. Panic surges through me.

I don't know who these people are or why they keep calling me Luna, but I know I have to escape. Suddenly, my foot crashes against a rock and I fall hard onto the ground.

Before the wolves can reach me, I scramble back to my feet and continue running. My heart drops when I realize I have reached the edge of a cliff. There is nowhere left to go.

Slowly, I turn around and find the entire pack standing before me. The mysterious man steps closer while a massive wolf suddenly lunges toward me. A terrified scream tears from my throat as I stumble backward.

My heel slips, and the ground vanishes beneath me. I fall into endless darkness. "AHHHHHHH!"

I jerk upright in bed, gasping for air. My entire body trembles as sweat covers my face. It is the same nightmare again, the nightmare that haunts me every single night.

I struggle to calm my racing heartbeat, I suddenly feel a small hand resting on mine. Looking down, I find Axel sitting beside me with sleepy eyes filled with concern. "Mumma," he asks softly, "did you have a bad dream again?"

My heart melts as I look at my little boy. Despite the fear still lingering inside me, I gently pull him into my arms while he wraps his tiny arms around my neck. "Don't be scared, Mumma."

"I don't know what's happening to me anymore," I whisper between shaky breaths, my hands trembling as I wipe away the sweat covering my face. The nightmare still feels terrifyingly real.

The word Luna echoing endlessly in my mind. Before I can say anything else, the bedroom door suddenly flies open. "Luna!"

Alpha Kale rushes into the room, his face filled with panic. The moment his eyes land on me, he quickly kneels beside the bed and cups my face in his hands. "Are you okay?" His voice is filled with worry. "I heard you scream. You scared me."

His golden eyes frantically scan my face as if searching for injuries. Beside me, Axel rubs his sleepy eyes and points at me. "Mumma had the wolf dream again."

Kale's expression immediately darkens. He gently brushes my hair away from my face. "Again?" I nod weakly while trying to steady my breathing. "It was the same dream." Kale sits beside me and pulls me into his arms.

"Relax," he murmurs while rubbing soothing circles on my back. "Take a deep breath. You're safe." I bury my face against his chest and close my eyes. His scent instantly calms me. "I don't understand, Why do I keep seeing them? Why are those wolves always chasing me?"

My voice cracks. "Why do they keep calling me Luna?" Kale gently lifts my chin until our eyes meet. His gaze softens instantly. "Look at me." I do. "As long as I'm here, nobody will hurt you." His thumb brushes away the tears gathered beneath my eyes.

"Do you understand?" I stare at him. "But what if the dream means something?" For a brief moment, something unreadable flashes across his face before disappearing. He forces a smile and presses a kiss against my forehead. "Then we'll face it together." His voice remains firm and reassuring. "You are not alone."

My chest loosens slightly. "Promise?" Kale immediately nods. "I promise." Beside us, Axel suddenly crawls into my lap and wraps his tiny arms around my waist. "And I'm here too," he declares proudly.

"I'll protect Mumma." A small laugh escapes me despite everything. Kale chuckles and ruffles Axel's hair. "Of course you will, little warrior."

Axel beams proudly. After a few moments, Kale glances toward the clock and sighs. "I have to leave soon." I blink. "Why?"

"The meeting." His expression turns serious. "The one with Alpha Xander." Instantly, I sit up straighter. "Then I'm coming too." Kale immediately shakes his head. "No, You need rest."

He crosses his arms. "You've barely slept "No." I narrow my eyes at him. "I'm fine, I'm still coming."

"Luna." "Kale." Axel's eyes move back and forth between us like he is watching a tennis match. "Mumma is winning," he suddenly announces.

Kale groans dramatically while I struggle not to laugh. "Traitor." Axel grins. "Mumma gives better cookies." I finally slide off the bed and stand in front of Kale. "Please?"

I stick out my lower lip and make the saddest puppy face I can manage. Kale stares at me. His expression remains firm for exactly three seconds before he closes his eyes in defeat. "That is unfair."

My smile immediately widens. "So that's a yes?" He points at me accusingly. He sighs dramatically before shaking his head. "Fine. You can come."

"Really?" "Really." Excitement instantly replaces my fear. I throw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you!" Kale catches me easily and smiles despite himself. "Go get ready before I change my mind." I gasp. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." Laughing, I quickly pull away and hurry toward the bathroom while Axel cheers from the bed.

The journey continues through the winding mountain roads as our car moves deeper into the northern territories. Towering peaks surround us from every direction while endless forests stretch across the horizon.

The scenery is breathtaking. Sunlight spills across the valleys, rivers shimmer beneath the cliffs, and cool wind dances through the trees. Axel sits comfortably in my lap, his small face pressed against the window as he excitedly points at everything he sees. "Mumma! Look! A waterfall!" he exclaims.

I smile and kiss the top of his head. "It's beautiful." Yet as I stare outside, a strange feeling begins to grow inside me. The further we travel, the stronger it becomes. My fingers slowly tighten around Axel. Somehow, everything feels familiar. The mountains. The forests. Even the scent carried by the wind.

It feels as though I have been here before. "Kale..." I whisper. My Alpha immediately turns toward me. "What is it?" I glance out the window again. "This place feels familiar." His expression changes for a brief second before he forces a smile. "You've never been here before." I nod slowly. "I know. That's why it's not feels strange."

Before he can reply, the car finally comes to a stop. Through the window, I see a magnificent palace standing proudly against the mountains. The structure is enormous, its silver towers reaching toward the sky.

Warriors guard every entrance while servants rush around preparing for our arrival. Kale exits first before offering me his hand. I place my hand in his, and he helps me out of the car.

Then he lifts Axel into his arms. The moment my feet touch the ground, an odd sensation rushes through my body. My heart suddenly begins beating faster. I don't understand why. Standing near the entrance is a man dressed in formal clothing.

His eyes land on me, he freezes completely. His face turns pale. Shock fills his expression as though he has seen a ghost. "L-Luna?" he blurts out. I blink in confusion.

Beside me, Kale's arm immediately wraps protectively around my waist. "Yes," he replies calmly. "She is my Luna." The man continues staring at me as if he cannot believe what he is seeing. "I-I..." He swallows hard. "Welcome.. Welcome to the kingdom." 

I exchange a confused glance with Kale. Why is he looking at me like that? The man quickly lowers his head and gestures toward the palace entrance. "Please follow me."

We begin walking behind him. As we climb the grand staircase, I notice several servants stopping to stare at me. Some look shocked. Some look frightened. Some simply cannot take their eyes off me. Whispers spread through the halls the moment I pass.

"Did you see her?"

"She looks exactly..."

"Impossible...!"

Their voices fade before I can hear the rest. A strange chill crawls down my spine. We reach a pair of massive golden doors. The servant takes a deep breath before pushing them open.

The doors swing apart with a loud creak, revealing a breathtaking grand hall filled with nobles, warriors, Alphas, and powerful guests from across the kingdom. Conversations fill the room. Laughter echoes from every corner.

But the moment we step inside, everything stops. Silence falls over the hall. One by one, heads turn toward us. Then toward me. Dozens of eyes widen in disbelief. Glasses slip from people's hands. Several guests rise from their seats. The shock on their faces is impossible to miss.

A strange feeling settles in my chest as I stand frozen beneath their stares. It feels as though they know something that I don't.

Kale, Axel, and I sit on one of the elegant sofas inside the grand hall while servants move around serving drinks. Even though conversations continue around us, I can't ignore the strange feeling that people are secretly watching me.

Before I can ask Kale about it, a warrior suddenly enters the hall and announces Alpha Xander's arrival. Instantly, the atmosphere changes.

The room falls silent as everyone turns toward the entrance. Curious, I look up and see a tall, intimidating man walking through the massive doors with several bodyguards following behind him. His expression is cold and unreadable until his eyes land on me.

He sees me, he stops walking completely. His entire body freezes. For several long seconds, he does nothing except stare at me as if he has forgotten where he is. The intensity of his gaze makes me uncomfortable.

I glance at Kale, confused, but even he looks surprised. "Hello, Alpha Xander," Kale says politely, trying to break the awkward silence. Xander doesn't answer. His silver eyes remain locked on me.

"Alpha Xander?" Kale repeats. Xander finally blinks as if waking from a dream. His lips part slightly before a single word escapes him.

"L-Luna...?" A strange silence fills the hall. Kale immediately wraps a protective arm around my waist and replies calmly, "Yes, she is my Luna."

Xander's face loses all color. Shock, disbelief, hope, and pain flash through his eyes at the same time. I have no idea why everyone keeps reacting this way, but I decide to be polite. Standing up, I offer him a small smile and extend my hand.

"Hello, Alpha Xander." The entire hall watches as he stares at my outstretched hand. Slowly, his gaze moves from my hand to my face again. His expression looks almost broken.

After a moment, he reaches out and takes my hand. The second our skin touches, a strange chill rushes through my body. My breath catches, and for a brief moment, an unfamiliar image flashes through my mind a pair of silver eyes beneath a glowing moon.

TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!