<h4>Chapter 360: The price of love...</h4>


    <strong>Ramsey</strong>


    My heart constricted with emotions as I watched L dozing off at the dining table.


    Her head was lolling from one side to the other; she looked so exhausted that I wished I had a way to relieve her for a few seconds. My eyes strayed to the stomach, which seemed normal to me, and I was sad that I would not be here to experience the life I had created.


    Rising to my feet, I went around the table and slowly lifted her into my arms, careful not to wake her. I crossed towards the bed andy her gently, watching as one hand instinctively rested over her stomach.


    If I had any doubts before, this was what gave me the strength. And no matter what, I felt a sense of fulfilment. I have a wife and two children. What more could I ask for?


    I settled the covers over her body, drew the curtains to block out the rays of light, and slipped out of the room. When I came outside the corridor, I saw Lenny waiting for me. He was sitting on his heels, and he had a troubled expression on his face.


    As soon as he saw me, he straightened immediately and came to me. "Where are you going to?"


    "To meet with Circe," I scoffed, trying to walk past him, but he blocked my path. "She insisted I think about it, and I have. I’m going to give her a response."


    "And what will it be?" he asked.


    "What else would it be, Lenny? I choose my wife and my kids. I can’t have an entire dynasty being wiped away because..."


    "No!" Lenny shook his head. "Please, there’s got to be some way. What about me? What will happen to me when you die? I am supposed to die before you do, and you know that? Our bond states I must protect you with everything. Let me die in your ce, because I won’t be able to bear the pain thates from..."


    "Are you indirectly asking to sleep with my wife?"


    "What?" his eyes darted with confusion. "Of course not, I’m just saying..."


    Iughed, feeling better somehow. "I was just kidding. We should hear what Circe has to say first before we draw conclusions."


    I pushed him to the side and continued walking towards the floor where Circe was. I was also meeting with Nanny there.


    "You’rete," Circe said, looking up the moment I entered. Miriam and Terra were already seated. They seemed to be in a discussion."


    "I had to make sure she sleeps first," I exined. "So, tell me, what needs to be done?"


    "Have you made your decision?" Terra asked. It wasn’t a question.


    I closed the door behind me and took the empty seat across from her. Lenny stood at the entrance, hovering. I could feel his anxiety and his fear through our bond, but I blocked it out. I didn’t want to get swayed.


    "I already made my decision that day. Asking me to think it through again... It’s not necessary."


    "I understand your need for chivalry, but giving your life for your mate is serious," Terra said. "It’s a big sacrifice, and there are chances you may never be reincarnated again. Because this would be the final battle."


    "You guys," I sighed. "Is it going to be possible or not for me to go in her ce? I don’t care about that. I want people to look at L nd my children and say ’that’s the Late Lycan Leader’s son and that’s his wife. I’ll be content."


    Circe was studying me; her beautiful eyes were filled with pain. "Are you certain, Ramsey?" she asked eventually. "Once you begin this path, there’s no turning back."


    "I’m certain," I nodded. "L cannot die. Our children cannot die. If there’s a way to take her ce over and over again, I’ll do it."


    The three women exchanged a nce before Miriam nodded. "I was willing to do it, but you’re the only one who can at his point take her ce. Your bond had made both of you one."


    "Tell me what it will cost," I said quietly. "No riddles, just specifics and enough of this pity talk. It’s irritating me. I am not doing this for our world, honestly... I think they don’t deserve it as much. I am doing it because of the woman I love, and I cannot..." I paused as a sad emotion flickered to the surface.


    "I cannot grieve, L. Call me selfish, but her death would be my end. It’s better if I go first, and L will get over me. She doesn’t love me as much, I’m sure of that, and the babies would keep her busy."


    Silence reigned in the room, broken by Lenny’s angry tone.


    "I’m not going to be a part of this. I will tell, L. She won’t like this. Maybe there’s a way she could defeat the Dark One and still stay alive."


    Circe rose to her feet. "There’s no way, Lenny and I know you’d want it the other way, but you’ll suffer more if your Alpha sinks into the worst of grief. You have no idea how draining that would be."


    "And his death won’t be worse?" Lenny fired back. "I’m already going through bouts of painful heartaches, from the thought of watching him die, and you want me to..."


    "Is there anything you can do about him?" I interrupted Lenny, staring pointedly at Circe. "If L knows what I’m about to do, it’ll mess my ns up."


    Before Lenny could react and reach for the door, Circe threw him a bolt of white me, and he fell to the ground. "That will keep him unconscious for a few hours. The High Priestess can perform a binding spell on him and keep him locked up until after everything."


    "Better, now where did we stop?"


    Circe nodded as she continued. "It’s not my ce to exin the end, I can only tell you the path."


    "Then give me the path."


    "The path requires a willing sacrifice from someone who shares a deep soul bond with the Moonsinger. A mate bond is the strongest connection possible."


    "And?"


    "You must willingly transfer your life force to bind the Dark One permanently to the underworld. Originally, when the fight between the Moonsinger and the Dark One begins, portals in the underworld open and prepare to ept their death. The Moonsinger’s blood seals the gate. Her life ends the curse, unlike the previous Moonsingers."


    "But what if there’s no way to make the gate believe it’s L’s blood?" Terra asked suddenly.


    "It would," Circe gave her a reassuring smile. "As a part witch, I know how powerful blood ties are and how potent the mate bond between werewolves and Lycans is. He doesn’t need to worry about his identity. He reeks of L even now. It will work."


    "And what will happen to L afterwards. This is a guarantee that she will have a normal life, right?"


    "Yes," Circe nodded. "She will live, the children will live. The prophecy will be fulfilled, but through a different sacrifice. All you need to do is ensure L initiates the process. When the twin moon senses her powers, just before she would finish off the Dark One, you step in."


    "Okay, that means I’ll need to be close to her at all times. Noted!"


    However, you must understand—this isn’t simply death, Ramsey. Your soul will be bound to the Dark One for eternity. You’ll exist, but not in any realm where L could ever reach you."


    The thought of never seeing L again, never holding our children, never watching them grow up—it was agony. But the alternative was losing them all.


    "She’ll hate me for this," I said quietly.


    "She’ll hate you for lying to her more than she’ll hate you for saving her," Circe replied with surprising wisdom. "But she’ll understand eventually. A mother’s love for her children is powerful enough to forgive even this."


    I leaned back in the chair, running my hands through my hair. "When do we begin the preparation?"


    "Tonight. The ritual must be performed during the peak of the twin moons tomorrow night. Bring a droplet of her blood in this." She stretched out a tiny container. "Put it inside this container. That gives us one day to prepare your soul for the binding. There are purification rites, protective wards to ce on L so she doesn’t identally interfere, and the binding circle to construct."


    "What do I tell her?"


    Circe’s expression softened. "As little as possible. Let her believe we’re preparing for the original prophecy. Let her think she’ll be the one making the sacrifice. It will be easier for everyone if she doesn’t know until the moment of truth."


    The deception felt like poison in my veins, but I knew she was right. If L knew what I nned, she’d fight me every step of the way. She’d try to stop me, put herself in danger, risk our children’s lives. I couldn’t allow that.


    "Will she be able to feel it? When it happens?"


    "The mate bond will break," Circe said gently. "She’ll feel that. But by then, it will be toote to change anything."


    I nodded, steeling myself for what was toe. "And the pack? Who will lead them after I’m gone?"