His Regret, Our Fading Souls

"Mom, wake up! I'm scared!"

The room was pitch black, save for the faint moonlight spilling through the window.

Leo pushed me with his small hands, his voice trembling.

I tried to pull him into my arms, but my hands passed right through him.

I couldn't touch him.

"Mom, I'm scared of the dark! Make the moonstone glow!"

When I didn't answer, he curled up on the bed and began to whimper, the sound tearing me apart.

Normally, I would have soothed him instantly, using my energy to light the moonstone and calm him, but now—no matter how he cried—I could do nothing.

Finally, he slid off the bed, sobbing, and lit the bedside moonstone with his own mental energy.

He hesitated, glanced back at me, then shuffled toward the ritual room.

I watched him rummage through the storage cabinet.

I always kept the energy supplements on a high shelf, so he only managed to find a single life-fruit used to replenish energy.

He cupped the fruit carefully in his hands, rinsed it in the purification basin, then trotted back to the bedroom and gently pressed it to my lips.

When I remained silent, his small face fell.

He took the life-fruit back, climbed onto the bed, and draped a leg over me as he always did, nibbling at the fruit.

"Mom, are you just tired? It's okay. You sleep, and we'll play tomorrow."

His thought was a small comfort through our mind-link, and he pressed his small hand to mine, as if making a promise.

I covered my mouth, silent sobs wracking my ghostly form.

Leo, baby, it's not that I don't want to. I just... I can't.

Eventually, he fell asleep again.

At dawn, the main door of the Alpha’s house was thrown open with a bang, startling him awake.

Leo sat up, instinctively burrowing closer to me—then froze, realizing I wouldn't move.

Heart pounding, he rushed to the door.

Aidan stood there, scowling.

"Why are you up so early? Where's your mother?"

"Why hasn't she activated the house's energy circulation array yet?" Aidan grumbled, heading to the ritual room to pour himself a glass of moon-well water.

"It's this late, and she's still neglecting her duties!"

Leo tugged on his pant leg, gesturing as he spoke.

"Dad, Mom's in the room, but she won't move. I'm hungry. I want to eat."

Yes! Leo, take him to the bedroom. Quickly!

If Aidan saw me, he would know I was gone.

At least then Leo wouldn't be in trouble.

But Aidan impatiently shook Leo off.

"If you're hungry, go get your mother. Don't bother me—I need to meditate!"

He muttered under his breath, "Honestly, Elara."

"She's letting a pup run around barefoot this early. Doesn’t she care that he’ll drain his energy?"

Still grumbling, he finally shuffled after Leo toward the master bedroom.

I held my breath.

Three steps.

Two steps.

One step.

Any second now, Aidan would see me—and realize he had killed his own mate with his own hands.