Mia POV
1 week later
I struggled to stay awake for long periods, my eyelids heavy and my mind cloudy. Often, I would only find myself waking up when I was enveloped in Atlas's warm embrace. At times, I managed to remain conscious enough to hear snippets of conversations around me, but my memory was a jumbled mess. Everything seemed fuzzy, with only glimpses of recognition for the people around me. It seemed that my body was paying the price for sacrificing so much.

Apparently, it was a miracle that Atlas was even able to rouse me from my sleep. For a week now, I had been battling relentless fevers, and Bryn was doing everything in her power to keep me awake, even if it was just for fifteen minutes at a time. It wasn't just about me anymore I had to worry about our unborn pup as well. I couldn't hear or feel Inara at all. I felt empty, lost.
And then, finally, the voice of the goddess reached out to me. "Mia, your body is fading. Come to me alone at the pond within the Lycan Palace. You must make a choice, one that you have been granted for the sacrifices you have made." Her voice echoed in my mind, and suddenly I woke up in bed. The room was pitch black, and Atlas lay peacefully beside me, his breathing steady.
I slowly got up, using the wall for support as I made my way out of the room. The cool night air brushed against my skin, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I struggled to walk, my energy draining with each step. It became clear to me now that I was dying. The battle with Thora had drained me of what little strength I had left. Even though Atlas had managed to free my mind, my body, without the presence of my wolf, could not survive.
Was the moon goddess guiding me to my afterlife? The thought tore at my heart. I couldn't bear to leave Atlas behind, and I had to fight for our pup. With a heavy heart, I reached the water's edge.
"Jump in, Mia," she spoke, her voice echoing in my mind. I gazed at the shimmering water, feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. As I inhaled deeply, the scent of the pond filled my nostrils. In the distance, I could hear the faint calls of Atlas, beckoning me from the kingdom.
"This is something you must do alone, Mia," her voice resonated in my mind. With her words echoing in my thoughts, I mustered my courage and leaped into the water. A warm, comforting glow enveloped me, guiding me deeper into the depths. The water closed in around me, making it difficult to breathe. Panic threatened to consume me, but then a brilliant light emerged, dispelling the darkness.

Suddenly, I found myself standing in a vast field of vibrant flowers. The sweet scent of blossoms permeated the air, filling my senses. The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning—I was dead. Whispers escaped my lips, "I'm dead."
"Yes, my child, you have crossed over," she whispered gently. "But now, the choice is yours. Will you return or remain here, watching over others?"
I thought of my unborn pup, the precious pup growing within me. "The pup," I murmured, and she corrected me, "Pups,Twins Mia."
A majestic, white wolf slowly approached causing tears to well up in my eyes. "Inara," I cried, my voice choked with emotion.

"It is Inara's fate to move on, Mia. Her time by your side has reached its natural conclusion," she gently explained. "No," I managed to choke out as the wolf drew nearer, nudging her head against me.
"It's alright, Mia. I understand the difficulty of parting ways, but I am destined to be with another now, who will need me. The choice is yours," she spoke softly.
"Mia, you can choose to remain here and help watch and guide those with me with the powers of a goddess. If you choose this path, Inara will remain with you. Or you can return to your mate, your forever. However, you will be wolfless and can never be turned into a lycan. But fear not, for you will be gifted an immortal life, much like your mate. Your power will be restored, and some of your strength will return. You will birth two healthy pups, although the pregnancy will be difficult. You will no longer heal as you did when you were a wolf, unless your mate helps. If you choose this path, your daughter will be gifted Inara in lycan form. Inara will transform into what she has always meant to be, a white Lycan of royal blood. In the future, your daughter will face another great danger with her mate and will need Inara to guide her. Your pups will both face challenges, but they will be strong," she explained, as an image flashed in front of me. I saw Atlas cradling my body in his arms outside of the pond.
"Your mate was fast to discover you, Mia. I chose this pond because the water here is blessed. The moment you entered it, it offered you the chance of revival. Tonight was your last night you were destined to pass in your sleep, and I know you could feel it. But for the sacrifices you made and the destiny your pups may have, you have been given this chance to choose your path. Your mate felt your death. It is not suffering I would wish upon anyone, but he would have felt it even if you did not enter the pond. I can promise, Mia, if you choose to stay here, although it will take many years, Atlas will continue moving forward for you. His path shows that he never takes another mate, and the royal lycan bloodline ends," she explained.
Overwhelmed with emotions, I took a step forward and brushed Inara's fur, feeling its softness beneath my fingertips. The tears streamed down my face as I bent down to look into her eyes.
"You are my best friend, Inara, the one who has gotten me through so much. I will forever be grateful to have been chosen to be gifted with you. I trust that when the time comes, you will be my daughter's best friend as well. I am blessed to know that she will be gifted with you as her Lycan. I love you, Inara, so very much. Thank you," I said, my voice filled with emotion, as I wrapped my arms tightly around her. As I held her, she suddenly vanished, leaving me feeling empty and lost. I fell to the ground, overwhelmed by grief, sobbing uncontrollably. I struggled to catch my breath, feeling the weight of my loss. But then, I felt a comforting touch on my shoulder, and I looked up to see the goddess standing beside me.
"She will do well protecting your daughter, Mia. It seems you have made a choice," the goddess said, her voice soothing and reassuring.
"Yes, I have," I replied. "I want to return to my mate, my family. I want to be a mother and raise my precious pups. I'm still needed. I have to ensure the world I fought for blossoms, and I need to be there for Atlas. I can't allow him to suffer."
The goddess nodded understandingly. "You may return then, Mia. Your mate will not sense you as he has in the past, as you no longer have a wolf form. But I promise your bond remains strong. Time acts differently here. It has now been a few days in your realm, and you are being prepared to lay to rest. Wake up, Mia, and find your mate. He walks alone right now, reaching out to you."
With those words, I felt myself being pulled back into my body. Gasping for air, I sat up against soft silk in a dress. The sound of someone stumbling back caught my attention, and I turned to see Leo.
"M-Mia," he stammered, clearly shocked to see me alive.
"Leo, where is Atlas?" I urgently asked, my heart pounding.
"Mia, um, how are you? Are you okay?" Leo stammered, his voice filled with concern, as he reached out and grabbed my hand.
"I'm alive, Leo. But I'm well aware that I died. I've been given another chance. I need to find Atlas. He needs me," I explained. As I tried to stand, my legs wobbled like jelly, but luckily Leo caught me before I fell.
"I guess I should have expected it would take some time to regain my strength," I muttered, looking at Leo. "Leo, do you think you can carry me to Atlas?" I asked, my voice filled with urgency and hope.
"Yes, but you owe me some sort of explanation," he said. "And I know it will be given. A lot of people are gathering here, to pay their respects to you. I'm assuming you don't want to make a scene until after you meet with Atlas."
"If possible," I added, my voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.
Leo nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Okay, give me a minute," he said, his footsteps fading as he left the room. Moments later, he returned, pushing a wagon that he had retrieved from the garden. The scent of fresh earth clung to its wooden frame.
"I'm going to put you in this," Leo explained, his voice low and conspiratorial. "And cover you up, so it looks like I'm just moving supplies. Hang tight."
Gently, he lifted me and placed me inside the wagon, the smooth wood cool against my skin. He then draped a sheet over me, obscuring my form from prying eyes. The world outside became muffled, the darkness of the sheet enveloping me.
"Atlas is most likely at the pond," Leo continued."That's where he spends most of his time now. I'll take you there."
With a slight jolt, the wagon began to move, the wheels rolling over the uneven ground. After a few minutes, I heard the familiar voice of Flint.
"What are you doing?" Flint asked Leo, his tone laced with curiosity and concern.
"Moving supplies," Leo responded. "In a garden wagon? And why does it smell odd?" Flint inquired further.
"Show me what's in there," Flint demanded, his tone firm. Leo sighed in response, "Not here, follow me outside," he said, leading the way. After a few more minutes, I felt the sheet being pulled away from me.
"Hi Flint," I whispered, barely audible. "What the fuck," he exclaimed, completely taken aback. "Mia, you're alive! Am I seeing things?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"I'm alive, I promise. I'll explain, but first, I want to see Atlas," I said, my voice filled with urgency. "He is in bad condition, Mia. I mean, we've all been through hell, but Atlas... He's been like a zombie. Why the hell did you jump in the pond and drown yourself? He thinks you killed yourself, Mia," Flint explained, his voice filled with concern.
"I didn't," I whispered, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I need to see him," I insisted. Leo covered me again, and I could sense their cautiousness as they pushed me. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally came to a stop. Leo uncovered me and lifted me into his arms.
We were on a hill, and at the bottom stood the pond where Atlas was standing, staring out. "He is fragile right now, Mia. He may think you're a ghost if we approach this wrong," Flint warned. "I understand," I whispered, preparing myself for the emotional reunion.
"How am I supposed to keep going without you, Mia? Today, I'm supposed to say goodbye to you, but I don't want to. You deserved to live. I don't understand why you jumped. I doubt I ever will, but my heart is shattered. I want to be with you, Mia," Atlas's voice broke as he spoke in the distance, his pain palpable. And then, without hesitation, he jumped into the pond.
"You've got to be kidding me. We should have had someone watching him," Flint exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration. He ran down the hill, while Leo carried me down, keeping a safe distance. Flint practically wrestled Atlas out of the water, his determination evident.
I felt a pang of guilt for how broken Atlas was. "Mia, you seem different. Inara, she is not with you anymore, is she?" Leo asked, his voice filled with sympathy. "No, I am wolfless," I whispered, my voice heavy with sadness.
"I'm sorry, Mia," Leo said, his voice filled with compassion. "I'm okay. It hurts, but I know she is meant for someone else now," I said, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. Leo understood the unspoken words. "Well, in that case, in a way, she is still with you," he said, offering a glimmer of comfort.
Flint dragged Atlas out of the pond, and as he struggled, Atlas snapped at him, "Leave me alone," his gaze still not directed towards us. "I'm not letting you drown yourself," Flint snapped back. "Even if I wanted to, I know life would not allow it," Atlas responded, his voice filled with resignation.
Unable to watch this anguish any longer, I spoke up. "That's because you would be leaving me behind when I choose to be with you," I proclaimed, my voice ringing out. I watched as Atlas turned and then stiffened, his eyes locking with mine, a mixture of longing and confusion reflected in his gaze.