MY CURSED MATE

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Warning! This chapter is not edited, so expect typos, misspelled words, and grammatical errors. Thanks and enjoy reading!

KABANATA LXXIII

Third Person's POV

The knock on Everly's door echoed softly through the quiet room, disturbing the silence that had become her constant companion. She slowly turned toward the sound, her expression distant until a familiar voice came through the wooden door.

"My lady, you have a visitor. It's Lilura."

Everly's breath caught. For the first time in what felt like weeks, a genuine smile slowly reached her lips.

Kaagad siyang tumayo mula sa kanyang pagkakaupo. Tila biglang gumaan ang mabigat na pakiramdam na ilang araw nang nakakulong sa kanyang dibdib. Mabilis niyang tinungo ang pinto at binuksan iyon.

Standing before her was Lilura, her face glowing with unmistakable joy.

The sight of the young girl felt like sunlight breaking through the darkest clouds. Without hesitation, Everly stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I told you, Ate—I'll help you..." mahinang bulong ni Lilura, her small arms wrapping around Everly with surprising strength. Puno ng kasiguraduhan ang boses nito, na para bang walang alinlangan sa pangakong binitiwan niya noon.

Saglit na humiwalay si Everly upang tingnan ang mukha ng bata. Napangiti siya nang makita ang malaking pagbabago rito.

The girl who once appeared frail and sickly now looked completely different. Her cheeks carried a healthy flush, her hair was neatly tied behind her shoulders, and her eyes were filled with a brightness that Everly had not seen before. There was strength in her movements now, a vitality that made the entire room feel warmer.

"And you have my deepest gratitude for that, my lady," Everly said with a soft smile.

Bukal sa loob niyang pinapasok si Lilura sa kanyang silid. Habang sinusundan ng bata ang bawat hakbang niya, hindi maiwasan ni Everly na maalala ang pag-uusap nila ni Alpha Zaugustus matapos ang digmaan.

His words remained vivid in her mind.

"Ever since we returned to the pack, she's been talking about how much she wanted to help you and the tribe, my lady. I can't believe that at her age, she managed to take responsibility for her words and actually fulfill them. I couldn't be prouder. All thanks to your tribe's help, our daughter achieved things greater than we imagined. Because of that, we have decided to offer our full loyalty to you, my lady. I hope you will not decline."

Paulit-ulit na bumabalik sa isip ni Everly ang sinabi ng alpha. Alam niya kung gaano kabigat ang isang pangako, lalo na kapag nagmula iyon sa isang pinuno.

It was not merely a declaration of loyalty. It was proof that the war had changed people, and that Lilura's courage had helped create a bridge between them.

Habang masayang nagkukuwento si Lilura tungkol sa kanyang mga karanasan, unti-unting may kung anong gumising sa puso ni Everly.

Hope. A fragile, almost forgotten kind of hope.

The girl's intelligence and determination, despite her young age, reminded Everly that their future did not have to resemble their past. Perhaps the next generation could grow without inheriting the hatred that had divided their people for centuries.

Maybe a better world really is possible.

Sa unang pagkakataon matapos ang mahabang panahon, hindi napansin ni Everly ang paglipas ng oras. Lubos siyang naaaliw sa bawat kwento ng bata—mga karanasang hindi nito dati nagagawa dahil sa sakit na unti-unting kumakain sa kanyang katawan.