Avenging Luna
Chapter 185: Not Too Late

Chapter 185: Not Too Late

Chase POV

"Call Damon to stay with the kid," I told the guard as I strode toward the grand hall. My mind was already storming, torn between anger and disbelief. The arrival of Alexander Black, Leila’s supposed father, was another piece in this cruel puzzle that I hadn’t been prepared for.

As I entered the hall, I saw him immediately. He stood tall, his regal demeanor fitting of someone from the old vampire royal lineage. His features struck me like a blow—sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an unmistakable resemblance to Leila. Seeing him was like seeing a male version of her, and for a fleeting moment, my chest tightened painfully.

He turned as I approached, offering a respectful bow. "Your Highness," he began, his voice smooth and practiced. "My condolences for your father’s death. He was a great friend. I had hoped to see him once more, but it seems I arrived too late."

I nodded curtly, unwilling to engage in pleasantries. My thoughts were elsewhere—on Leila, on Ash, on the cruel twist of fate that brought this man here now of all times.

He continued, his expression softening. "However, he did manage to send me a letter informing me that I had a daughter." He reached into his coat and produced a carefully preserved letter, the edges worn but the script still bold. His eyes gleamed with hope and emotion.

"And that she has a son," he added, his voice trembling slightly. "A grandson. I cannot believe it. To think that Lavender kept her from me... How could she hide my own daughter? Please, Your Highness, allow me to see her."

I swallowed hard, unable to speak for a moment. How was I supposed to tell him? To shatter the joy on his face with the devastating truth? I could barely admit it to myself. My throat tightened, and I simply nodded, motioning for him to follow me.

He walked beside me, his pace quick with excitement. I knew his happiness wouldn’t last long, and the weight of the moment pressed heavily on my shoulders. But what else could I do? He had asked to see her. This was the only way to tell him.

When we reached the chambers, the sight that met us was both heartbreaking and surreal. Damon was crouched near Ash, trying to coax the boy away. Whatever he had planned—perhaps a distraction, perhaps just something to ease the child’s mind—Ash was having none of it.

"I want to stay with Mommy," Ash insisted, his voice breaking. "She’ll wake up soon. I just know it!"

Alexander froze, his gaze locked on Leila’s still form lying on the bed. He paled, his eyes wide with disbelief. Slowly, his head turned to me, his lips parting to speak, but no words came out.

After a long silence, he finally managed, "How long?"

The question confused me for a moment. "How long has she..." He trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence, his eyes flickering to Ash.

"About three hours," I answered quietly.

His eyes lit up suddenly with a flicker of hope. "It’s not too late then," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

"What?" I asked sharply, my confusion giving way to suspicion as he stepped forward with a sense of purpose.

I watched as he approached Leila’s lifeless body, his steps purposeful, his expression a mix of determination and anguish. It was as though he had already decided that this was not the end, that she wasn’t truly gone.

Alexander ignored me and approached the bed. "May I?" he asked Ash gently.

Ash sniffled, looking up at him with wide, tear-streaked eyes. "Are you going to make my mommy better?"

"I think so," Alexander replied, his voice steady but filled with conviction.

Ash hesitated but then gave a small nod, moving aside. His trust was instant and unshaken—something I couldn’t understand.

I, on the other hand, was furious. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?" I snarled, stepping closer. "You’re lying to a child! You think this is some kind of joke?"

Alexander turned to me, his face calm but resolute. "I’m not lying."

My heart thudded painfully in my chest. I wanted to believe him, wanted to cling to any thread of hope that Leila could be saved. But I also knew how dangerous false hope could be.

"You’d better not be toying with me," I growled, stepping closer. "Because if this is some kind of sick game—"

"It’s not," Alexander interrupted, his voice steel. "But if I’m going to do this, you’ll need to step back and let me work."

I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to stay close to her, to protect her. But Damon, who had been standing silently by with Ash in his arms, touched my shoulder lightly.

"Chase," he said quietly, his voice unusually soft, "let him try."

I met Damon’s gaze, and for the first time in hours, I saw something other than grim resignation in his eyes. I saw belief.

Before I could argue further, Damon placed a hand on my shoulder. "Chase, let the guy try," he said softly. "If there’s even a chance..."

Reluctantly, I nodded and stepped back, though my entire body tensed as if ready to lunge forward at any moment.

His words stopped me. The fire in my chest burned hotter, but I knew Damon wasn’t wrong. I didn’t want to believe it, didn’t want to hope—but the thought of Leila coming back, even in the faintest possibility, was enough to still my protests.

I shot Alexander a warning glare. "Fine. But this better not be some cruel joke."

He nodded, then turned to Damon. "I’ll need some privacy."

"No way," I snapped immediately.

Damon sighed, tugging gently on Ash’s arm. "Come on, kid. Let’s give them a moment."

Ash hesitated, looking at me for reassurance. I nodded stiffly, and with that, Damon led him out of the room.

As soon as the door closed, Alexander began to roll up his sleeves.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, my eyes narrowing as he approached Leila’s body.

"Giving her my blood," he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I blinked, my mind racing. "Why the hell would you—"

"Because it will trigger her vampiric side," he interrupted, his tone clipped but firm. "It’s still there, Chase, buried and dormant. She shares my blood, but it’s insufficient to awaken her. With enough of mine, she’ll revive—but she’ll be a vampire."

My instincts screamed to stop him, but my mind was a battlefield. Could it actually work? Could she... come back?

Alexander didn’t wait for my approval. He tore into his wrist with his fangs, blood welling instantly, and pressed the wound to Leila’s lips.

"Drink, my daughter," he whispered, his voice breaking.

I stood frozen, my fists clenched at my sides, watching as the crimson liquid flowed. For a long moment, nothing happened. She lay there, unmoving, her body as still as the grave.

But then... her fingers twitched.

My breath caught in my throat.

Her lips parted slightly, as if tasting the blood. And then, with a sudden, gasping breath, her chest heaved.

My heart stopped as her eyes fluttered open. They were no longer the soft, warm eyes I had known. They glowed crimson, sharp and intense—a vampire’s eyes.

"Leila," I whispered, my voice cracking.

Her gaze met mine, unfocused at first but quickly sharpening. "Chase?" she murmured, her voice weak but alive.

Alive.

"Leila!" I was at her side in an instant, gripping her hand as her gaze slowly focused.

"Chase?" she whispered, her voice weak but unmistakably hers.

Tears burned in my eyes, and I couldn’t stop them from falling. "You’re alive," I choked out, cradling her face. "You’re here."

Alexander, panting heavily, sat back on the floor, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "It worked," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "She’s back."

A sob escaped me, and I dropped to my knees beside the bed, taking her hand in mine. "You’re back," I whispered, my head bowing against her hand. "You’re back."

Alexander stepped back, giving us space. For the first time, I saw his expression soften, a mixture of relief and pride.

Leila was back. Changed, but alive. And that was all that mattered.

The door creaked open, and Damon stepped inside, holding Ash close to his chest. The little boy’s face was streaked with tears, his sobs muffled against Damon’s shoulder. As soon as Leila’s gaze landed on him, her eyes filled with fresh tears, her maternal instincts overriding every ounce of exhaustion.

"Ash..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

At the sound of her voice, Ash froze. His wide, tear-filled eyes turned toward her, disbelief etched on his small face. "Mama?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, as though afraid she might disappear if he spoke too loudly.

"Yes, baby, it’s me," Leila said, her voice cracking as her trembling hand reached out toward him. "I’m here."

Without hesitation, Ash squirmed free from Damon’s arms and sprinted toward her. "Mama!" he cried, throwing himself onto the bed and burying his face in her chest.

Leila wrapped her arms around him tightly, pulling him close despite her weakness. She kissed his hair, her tears soaking into his soft locks as she rocked him gently. "I’m here, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice breaking. "I’ll never leave you again. I promise."

Ash’s little hands clung to her desperately, his small body shaking with sobs. "I thought you were gone, Mama," he whimpered. "I was so scared."

"I know, baby. I know," she said, her heart aching with every word. "But I’m here now. You’re safe, and we’re together."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. I stood silently nearby, my chest tight with emotion as I watched them. Damon turned his face away, his jaw tight, unable to hide his own emotions.