Colliding Dreams

Chapter Thirty-Five: New Beginnings

[Luna's POV]

The soft morning light trickled into the room through the heavy curtains, casting a warm, golden hue over everything it touched. My eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the light as I blinked away the remnants of sleep. The weight of the blankets pressed gently against my body, offering a sense of comfort that felt almost foreign to me after the events of the previous day.

I inhaled deeply, but the familiar scent of pine and earth, a scent that had always brought me solace, now mingled with a subtle nausea that twisted uncomfortably in my stomach. I could feel Darius's warmth beside me, his large hand resting protectively on my stomach even in his sleep. His gentle breathing filled the quiet room, steady and rhythmic, grounding me when my thoughts were anything but.

I shifted slightly, trying to ease the ache in my limbs. My body felt... different. Heavier, somehow, but not just in the physical sense. It was as though an invisible weight had settled over me, pressing down with the realization of what lay ahead. Pregnant. The word echoed in my mind, still surreal, as if saying it out loud might make it less overwhelming.

My fingers gently grazed my stomach, where new life was now growing. Our baby. A rush of emotions surged through me—fear, excitement, disbelief. Could this really be happening? I had faced down enemies, unlocked powers I never knew I had, but this... this felt like uncharted territory. Becoming a mother wasn't something I had imagined for myself so soon. And now, here I was, on the cusp of a life I never anticipated, a new chapter unfolding before me.

I glanced over at Darius, who was still sleeping soundly. His face, usually so intense and guarded, was relaxed, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. I watched the rise and fall of his chest, his hand still firmly resting over mine. He always had a way of making me feel safe, like I could take on the world as long as he was by my side.

But now, there was more to consider. Not just the two of us. I was carrying his child—our child. I had no idea what kind of mother I would be, what kind of life we could give our baby, especially with the world we lived in. The dangers, the responsibilities, everything that came with being part of a powerful pack, a sorceress wolf... Could I balance it all? Could we?

I closed my eyes, trying to quell the anxiety bubbling inside me. The Moon Goddess had a plan, didn't she? This was part of it—Darius and me, together, creating life, building a future. But what if I wasn't ready? What if I couldn't protect them?

The faintest stir beside me pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. Darius shifted in his sleep, his brow furrowing slightly as though he could sense my inner turmoil even in his dreams. His grip on my hand tightened, and then, as if on cue, his eyes blinked open. They were the warm gold with a hint of red that I had come to love, always so full of strength and love.

"Morning, little wolf," he murmured, his voice gravelly from sleep but filled with affection.

I smiled softly, turning to face him fully. "Morning."

His eyes studied me for a moment, as if gauging how I was feeling. Concern flickered in his gaze, and he reached up to brush a strand of hair away from my face. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, his thumb tracing a soft line along my cheek.

I paused, considering the question. Physically, I still felt the lingering nausea, a slight dizziness that hadn't quite left me since yesterday. But emotionally, it was more complicated. "A little tired... a little overwhelmed," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Darius nodded, his gaze softening with understanding. He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "We'll get through this, ma cherie," he whispered against my skin. "I promise you that."