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Chapter 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Lynn? Oh, thank God. How are you? How is he?" Francesca asked, pacing back and forth like a lunatic. She had been sick with worry for her mate and Lyn, and her heart was threatening to burst out of her chest.
"We're okay. Where are you right now? In my apartment?" Lynn answered from the other line.
"Oh..." Francesca looked around her and suddenly felt embarrassed. When Tristan said go home, the penthouse was the first thing that came to her mind. It was as if she never left.
"I'm at the penthouse," she tells Lynn, knowing how the Beta would react.
"Okay. We're on our way." Lynn replied, sounding amused.
It was another grueling ten minutes or so until Francesca heard the door open. She saw him then, fresh scars on his body and an exhausted and pale look on his face. But her mate smiled brightly like he always did in front of her. And despite everything, Francesca rushed into his arms, crying.
"Please don't do that to me aga
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Francesca woke up with a start. She realized she fell asleep on the chair beside Tristan's bed. Around her, Lynn and the doctors were no longer in the room, and so was Tristan. Her heartbeat raced as she looked for his mate. Then, she noticed a light behind his walk-in closet. It was from a room in which Francesca hadn't seen before. She walked through it and found Tristan staring up at the wall in front of him, where a huge investigation board was put up. Francesca studied her mate for a second. He had been in a bad state just hours ago, so she felt relief seeing that he looked fine now. The color was back in his cheeks and lips, and he didn't shiver anymore. But then again, that was just the surface."Tristan? How are you feeling? Are you sure you should be walking around right now?" she asked him.Tristan turned towards her voice, smiling gently, "I'm feeling better, qin ai de. Don't worry.""Are you sure?""Yes, my wolf's regen
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She was finally divorced from Stefano. Francesca didn't know how Lynn and Tristan had managed to do it. She thought divorces usually end up in court with both parties present. But somehow, she was only asked to sign some papers and appear in court by herself. Francesca was grateful for that, considering how she couldn't imagine facing Stefano in court without falling apart. It was happy news, indeed, if not for the line that she had to draw between Tristan and her. Francesca could still feel the pain from Tristan's words last night and she couldn't concentrate being around him at work. So it was awkward for them at the office, and it was only 9 AM. "Francesca, can you come over here, please?" Tristan was on his laptop, barely looking at her, "I thought I told you to keep my schedule clear for this afternoon? Why do I still get calls from Kingston's secretary? You know I can't be interrupted." It was true. Tristan had already explained this to her. He was reinstated as the future C
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After her shocking announcement, Kathleen held up a wad of documents in front of Francesca, "I mean, I feel so bad, I took so long to sign the documents. My parents didn't want me to, you see. But I told them--" Tristan stood up. At the back of his mind, he knew that he should stop Kathleen from running her mouth, but his eyes were stuck on Francesca. And suddenly, he got scared of what his mate might think if she knew the truth about how this arrangement with Kathleen came to be. If he was going to speak, he needed the right words. But before he can open his mouth, Francesca had burst out the door, crying. "Francesca!" Tristan called after her and made a move to chase, but Kathleen stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "Baby--" Kathleen said and at the sound of her voice, Tristan snapped. He didn't even think about it and slapped her in the face. Her whole body hit the table beside her and the papers she was holding scattered on the fl
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Francesca's eyes stung and she choked, coughing out the chloroform that was used on her. She blinked blearily at what was in front of her and her heart sank. She was back in the house that she abhorred. In Sebastian's library, no less, where he first took her body mercilessly their first night as husband and wife. Francesca grimaced as a soldato threw her into the floor, her knees hitting the marble hard. Her hands were bound so she was unable to steady herself. Stefano's was standing in front of the windows, his back turned to her. "Leave us," he murmured gravely. His mean left the room, the Zeta that Francesca beat up earlier glaring at her before shutting the door behind him. Finally, Stefano turned towards Francesca. She gasped. His hooded eyes were red, and he looked disheveled and crazed. He seemed like he had been crying, but that was impossible. Stefano was ruthlessly persistent and he never cried. "When I heard that you were back, I thought to
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After a moment, the library reformed around her, but it was different. Stefano was no longer forcing himself into her, her hands were no longer bound and there were fewer books on the shelves in the room and the furniture looked newer. "I thought I told you to stay away until I call for you." a woman whispered. Francesca turned towards the source of the voice. A vaguely familiar woman was by a shadowed corner of the library with...Stefano. Francesca gawked at him. He was definitely not the Stefano that was manhandling her before. He looked younger, happier, and in love. Francesca could see that. He looked at the woman with such love, she felt embarrassed just by watching them. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself," Stefano said, his voice was the same one that was familiar to Francesca, but it held a gentle quality to it. She probably wouldn't have recognized it if she didn't see it come out of his mouth. "You're such an idiot." the woman lau
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As soon as he stepped inside Stefano's house, Tristan knew that his mate was there. He went straight to the library despite Gianna and Mira's protests, following his bond to Francesca. But when he opened the door, there was nobody in sight. He stood there for several seconds, wondering how his intuition could be wrong. And he was just about to give up when Francesca and Stefano materialized in the previously empty library. Francesca's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fainted while Stefano screamed in terror and pain. Smoke arose from the whole expanse of his skin as if he had just been burned. "Em..." Stefano murmured, almost to himself. He screamed in torture again, clawing at his skin. But Tristan could care less for his fellow Alpha. He went straight to his unconscious mate. "What happened?" Tristan asked no one in particular as he touched Francesca's cold forehead. "Hell if I know," Gianna answered as she and Mira ministered over th
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Francesca woke up, breaking a sweat. She couldn't remember what happened, only vaguely recalling passing out after getting overwhelmed by the soldato in that dilapidated alley. She was extremely tired, her bones burning, and she could feel the familiar congestion in her lungs. She could barely open her eyes. Hacking a cough, she made a move to get off the bed she was on. Somebody stirred beside her and warm arms wrapped around her neck. Francesca stiffened, but only for a moment, as her mate's scent washed through her senses."Qin ai de," Tristan croaked, barely out of his slumber, "I'm sorry."Francesca squeezed her eyes shut at the apology, hot tears pooling within her lids."Wha--" she started, but a fresh bought of coughing started and she had to sit up in order to breathe. Tristan removed his arms to let her so, but he did not let go of her shoulders."Francesca, breathe." he coaxed."What else do you think I'm trying to
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The Gammas, the shamans of the pack, started talking excitedly over each other upon learning that their Alpha's mate was Selene. The Crescent Moon has all-female gammas, and they were famous in the werewolf world because of it. At that moment though, Tristan felt no pride about the fact whatsoever, as they continued to celebrate the news.He slammed his fists on the table. "You don't seem to be getting the point. We did not consult with you to give you joyous news. My mate is dying. I wanted your thoughts on how we can prevent her transformation from happening, not to celebrate it."The gammas turned to their leader, a serene-looking woman in her seventies, but she did not speak and only continued to silently observe the chaotic exchange before her."With all due respect, Alpha-" One of the elderly gammas on the table piped up."Don't talk to me about respect." Tristan snarled. "You're asking me to just give my mate up to the moon."
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The pain was excruciating. Francesca felt her confidence waver. In front of her, the moon was about to mee the sun. And she wondered as hot tears ran down her face, if she would see it happen in her current state. She felt like dying. But Tristan, with their mind link, reminded her to keep looking in his eyes. He held her gaze, giving her all the strength she needed. "This is the last of the mark, Francesca. Please bear with it," the gamma who had been marking her whispered. The tip of the rod touched her skin once again and Francesca screamed. "I'm here. Keep looking at me. You can do this." Tristan said in her head. A long pause ensued as Francesca dipped her head low, completely spent from the ritual. "Qin ai de," Tristan murmured, his palm against her face. His voice shook in fear. "You're okay. You're okay, right?" Francesca willed herself to speak, or even to just lift her head to tell him that she was alright. But her face felt like lead. "Hello, Francesca." Two fami
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"I can't believe you kept me in the dark for so long," Francesca told Alberto. They were in the great hall of Luna's fortress, now Selene's again, looking at the trapped essences of the Roman goddesses in front of them. On that battlefield, once Helios became her and Selene, everything went smoothly. It didn't take much for her to overpower the Roman goddesses and harmlessly extract them from their vessels. But despite their victory, Francesca still had this weight in her heart. Considering what she just learned, no one could blame her. "I have nothing else to say except that I did it to protect you," Alberto replied. Francesca could only nod. She could tell any conversation with her father would just be for nothing. She knew why he did it and he would stand by it. Alberto cleared his throat awkwardly, "Do you really need to go?" "I want to be with him and he can't stay here. The moon would sap his energy." Francesca said. "And the earth would do the same to you." Alberto frowne
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Tristan dragged himself to Francesca and barely caught her from slumping onto the ground. His vision heated up in his panic. Briskly, he felt for her pulse. It was faint. His wolf howled in pain, and so did Tristan as vine-like cords grew on their mate, ruining her perfect skin. "Qin ai de, no. Wake up, please." Tristan whispered. Francesca was deathly pale, and it was breaking his heart. "Don't do this to me." "Selene, get ahold of yourself." Hecate suddenly appeared beside him. She touched Francesca's skin, just above where the glow was. Tristan, in his devastated state, faintly realized that there was also a white glow around Francesca. "It's Selene. She's being forced to leave Francesca's body. She's holding on, trying to save Francesca's dying body." Hecate whispered. "What did I tell you, sister? The battle is here, on the moon." Olga crooned. She stood a few steps away from them, her sisters beside her. All around them, people have completely stopped pummeling each other,
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The man sighed, "I guess I deserved that cold greeting." He inclined his head, as if seeing something in front of him other than Francesca, "Hello, sister." "Helios. It's nice to see you." Selene greeted, confirming what Francesca already suspected. Her sister getting burned like that, after telling Francesca that she was the sun. Mariana was the vessel for Helios, the god of the sun, and Selene's brother. "Where is this? Where did you take me?" Francesca couldn't care less about the sibling's reunion. She needed to know what he had in mind for suddenly showing up. "You're on the sun." Francesca whipped her head up at his height. But the shock was only temporary. In the past, Francesca would have panicked more at the thought of being on the sun, but she was too numb to feel anything at the moment. These gods and the games that they play, causing mortal casualties here and there. Helios needed to pay for what he did to her sister. "It was an accident, Francesca. Please, let him ex
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Francesca and her older sister Mariana were playing tag outside their old house back in the Philippines. Their little feet dangerously skittering on the wet ground. The rain had just stopped and the air had that smell that Francesca loved. "Cheska, come on! Faster!" Mariana shouted back at Francesca, "Count of ten and if you can't catch me by then, I won't tell you my secret." "Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Francesca yelled, giggling. "One, two, three, four, five.." her sister taunted and Francesac sped up. "Caught you!"Francesca excitedly announced as soon as she caught up with her sister, hugging her arms. Mariana shrieked. "Girls! Careful or you might fall into the water." their Mom shouted from the direction of their house. "Yes, Mama!" They said unison, giggling. Their Mom had such a loud voice. "So..what is it? What's the secret? Come on, I caught you." Francesca asked. "Okay, here goes." Mariana smiled, then she whispered, "Do you know? We are from the moon. You don't remem
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Tristan and Stefano found themselves fighting side by side, both using halberds to assist them in battle. They found it strange compared to how werewolves fight with their bare hands. Tristan, for instance, found it a bit troublesome. But as someone who wasn't from the moon, the place tends to suck some of his energy away, so he needed the boost. "Are you seriously leaving her alone to deal with Luna?" Stefano asked Tristan, briefly gazing in the direction where Francesca and Olga were dueling. "If there's a fight that she would win, it would be that one," Tristan answered confidently. "But don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on her." Of course, he was. Tristan did not need to say that out loud for Stefano to know. Stefano grunted, eyeing Tristan with begrudging respect as the latter overpowered three Lunars at once. Tristan was obviously much stronger now, having been turned into a full-blown Alpha. That also meant Endymion's soul had been extracted from his body and sent back to the
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Luna's forces now consisted mostly of Diana and Hecate's people. She could recognize them from the gaunt, haunted look of the people from the underworld, and the A****n-like hunter's garbs of the women of Diana. They stood a meter away from the Greek goddesses' forces, in a standstill before an impending fight. "Luna. I see you've made your sisters pick up the mess you've created again." Francesca said, speaking as Selene. "You." Olga spat out. She stepped forward to Francesca, but Tristan, his claws out, shielded his mate. Olga paused, staring at Tristan. Francesca smirked, she knew exactly why Olga hesitated. Tristan was different. Free from her hold. "What did you do to him?" Olga growled. "Nothing. He was just reminded that he belongs with me," Francesca said. Olga fumed but didn't say anything. Francesca knew that Olga and Luna didn't really need Tristan anymore. Their plan of trapping Selene by using the human half of Tristan's soul had failed. So, it was a matter of prid
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Their plan was to attack the unwitting Luna in her own castle, and Francesca could have a panic attack just thinking about it. It was true that the old Francesca, who was fearless and optimistic, was back. She could feel the old her and she was happy to welcome her back. But remnants of the version of her that was wounded by Stefano by all means possible still peeked from where she had hidden her. Speaking of the devil, Francesca saw Stefano approach her from a corner. She tensed like she always does whenever he's near. But she thought about what Tristan said about it previously and held her ground. "Hi," Stefano said as soon as he reached her, scratching the back of his neck. Francesca wasn't at all used to seeing him so unsure in front of her, it was unnerving. "Hello," Francesca greeted back cautiosuly. "Francesca, listen, I--" Stefano said. "If you say you're going to apologize for everything you've done, I would have no choice but to laugh." Francesca interrupted, her heart f
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Francesca almost fell on her seat. Selene. She was back. She grasped her chest in happiness. "Hello, Francesca." Selene said, "I see you left some space for me to easily find you. Thank you."Of course." Francesca replied, "But you had us so worried. What took you so long?" "Just found it hard to say goodbye for a while." the goddess answered. Just then, a delayed reaction of the goddess coming back inside her hit Francesca and she almost lost her baalnce again. “Francesca, are you okay?” Stefano caught her arm. Seeing who was holding her, Francesca pulled it back instinctively and Stefano awkwardly let go.Tristan frowned, "Qin ai de, you're tearing up. What's wrong?" he asked, replacing Stefano's hand on her arm. Francesca looked around as everyone stared at her worriedly and noticed it was true. The blur must've been from the tears that were starting to gather in her eyes. They were tears of happiness, though. “I’m alright. It’s just…” Francesca said. She couldn’t help but smi
