The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 125

Intruder-1

Iva could not sleep.

No matter how many times she turned from one side to the other, no matter how tightly she pulled the sheets around her or how deeply she tried to breathe, rest refused to come, slipping through her grasp like something just out of reach.

Her body was exhausted.

Every muscle heavy.

Every limb drained, especially after her last encounter with Caleb.

And yet-

She felt awake.

Too awake.

Too aware.

Because what had happened between her and Caleb… it had not faded with time, it had not softened or settled, it lingered inside her, pulsing beneath her skin, a quiet, constant hum that refused to be ignored.

Her fingers curled lightly into the sheets as she stared at the ceiling, her breath uneven.

“It’s too much…” she whispered softly to herself.

Not just physically.

Emotionally.

The impact had been too great.

Too overwhelming.

That moment between them-

It had stolen her breath.

Literally.

She could still remember it, the intensity, the way everything had blurred except him, the way her heart had raced so fast she thought it might break through her chest, the way her entire being had responded to his presence as if it had always known him, as if it had been waiting.

“This is how true mates react to each other.”

Avalon’s voice echoed gently in her mind, calm, certain.

Iva closed her eyes briefly, her lips pressing together.

Her chest tightened slightly.

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(Intruder 1

She hated that he left.

“Even now.

Even after everything

But…

This time was different.

He had explained.

He hadn’t just disappeared.

He had told her why.

And yet-

That didn’t make it easier.

Not really.

“He still left…” she whispered, turning onto her side, hugging the pillow slightly as if it could ground her.

Avalon remained quiet for a moment before speaking again, softer this time.

“He came back to you.”

Iva stilled slightly.

That was true.

But still-

Her thoughts shifted suddenly, her body tensing again, but for a completely different reason.

Her eyes widened slightly as realization hit her.

“…Wait…”

Her hand moved instinctively to her stomach, her breath catching.

“He… we… the knot..”

Her cheeks flushed deeply as the memory resurfaced, clear and undeniable.

They hadn’t-

There had been no protection.

Her heart skipped.

Then raced.

“Oh no…” she whispered, panic rising quickly now.

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(Intruder 1

Avalon stirred again, but this time there was a hint of concern in her tone.

“It is possible…”

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“I’m not ready,” Iva said quickly, almost breathlessly, shaking her head as she sat up abruptly. “I’m really not ready for that… not now… as despite everything, she had no idea where she stand with Caleb. They didn’t discuss anything.”

Her thoughts spiralled, her mind racing ahead faster than she could control.

And then-

Images.

Unbidden.

Unexpected.

Small children.

Tiny hands.

Dark hair.

Eyes that looked like his.

And hers.

Her breath caught sharply.

“No-no, stop-” she murmured, pressing her hands briefly to her face as if she could block the thoughts,

but they lingered just enough to make her heart twist in a way she wasn’t prepared to face.

Quickly, instinctively, she whispered a prayer.

“Moon Goddess… please…” her voice softened, almost pleading. “Not yet…”

The room fell quiet again.

Too quiet.

And then-

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