Attachment 413

In Chapter 413 of “Attachment 413,” titled “Dying Alone,” Elias finds himself in a moment of bittersweet reflection as he witnesses Arden cradle her newborn child, surrounded by joy and warmth. Despite feeling genuine happiness for his friends, he remains an outsider in this idyllic scene, grappling with his own sense of isolation. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when Calla, a psychic child, suddenly locks her gaze onto Elias and reveals a chilling vision: “You died alone.” This revelation hangs heavily in the air, disrupting the celebratory mood and planting seeds of dread in Elias’s heart.

As the tension escalates, Elias attempts to deflect the discomfort with humor, but the ominous prediction gnaws at him. He makes a hasty exit under the pretense of a phone call from his mother, only to discover it was a lie he told himself to escape the truth. The weight of Calla’s words echoes in his mind, reminding him of the long-held belief that he is destined to live without finding his mate. This revelation propels him to return home, where he is met with the familiar warmth of his parents, yet he feels a growing anxiety about the conversation that awaits.

Upon arriving home, Elias is confronted by his mother’s excitement as she introduces him to two women, Serena and Valentina, whom she hopes will be potential partners for him. Despite their pleasant demeanor, Elias is overwhelmed by the pressure of his parents’ expectations and the knowledge of his grim fate. He recognizes their intentions come from a place of love, but the burden of their concern feels suffocating. His parents’ well-meaning efforts to find him companionship only deepen his sense of loneliness, as he grapples with the reality of his future.

In a moment of frustration, Elias firmly tells his parents to leave, asserting his need for space. The abruptness of his dismissal brings a wave of relief, yet it also highlights the chasm between his desires and their hopes for him. As he stands alone, the tension dissipates, but the emotional turmoil remains. Elias is caught in a struggle between the love of his family and the haunting prophecy that suggests he will always be alone, leaving him to confront the painful truth of his existence.

**TITLE: Attachment 413**

**Chapter 413: Dying Alone**

**ELIAS**

As I stood in the corner of the room, I watched Arden embrace her newborn child, a moment that seemed to crystallize time itself. The air was thick with emotion, and tears of joy cascaded down the faces of everyone present, a collective outpouring of relief and happiness after the stormy months we had all weathered together. It felt surreal, witnessing such a profound moment of love and new beginnings.

In truth, I was genuinely happy for them.

I felt a warmth swell in my chest, a sincere joy that enveloped me like a comforting blanket.

Yet, I remained at the periphery of this idyllic scene, arms crossed, leaning against the wall as if trying to absorb every detail. I had never been one to fit into these picture-perfect moments; they always seemed to belong to others. But I had been a silent observer since the very beginning of their tumultuous journey. I had seen them unravel, fall in love, stumble again, and somehow find the strength to rise from the ashes. I had earned my place here, even if it was just as a witness to their love story.

Arden’s laughter floated through the air like a gentle melody as she placed a soft kiss on her baby’s forehead, while Cade stood beside her, his face radiating pure joy as if he might burst from the happiness swelling inside him.

It was a beautiful scene.

A tranquil scene.

And perhaps that was precisely why the universe chose that moment to intervene.

Calla, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, suddenly froze. Her eyes glazed over, an unsettling emptiness overtaking her gaze as if she was peering into a chasm only she could fathom.

The atmosphere shifted, the room falling into an uneasy silence.

“What did you see, sweetheart?” Rowan’s voice sliced through the tension, laced with concern as he leaned closer to her.

Calla didn’t respond to him. Instead, her gaze drifted toward me, locking onto my face with an intensity that sent a chill racing down my spine.

My brows furrowed in confusion. “What? What are you staring at? I don’t owe you candy today,” I quipped, attempting to lighten the mood.

With a deliberate movement, she pointed a tiny finger directly at me.

“I saw Uncle…” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Children were already an enigma, but this psychic child was something else entirely. The way she looked at me sent shivers creeping along my spine, an instinctual dread settling in my gut.

I forced a grin, lifting my chin defiantly. “Yeah? You saw me? What does your favorite uncle do in your vision? Save the world again? Become famous? Finally get a girlfriend?”

Her expression remained unchanged, as if my words had fallen on deaf ears.

“You died alone.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding.

The room was enveloped in silence for what felt like an eternity until Rowan, ever the jokester, attempted to break it.

“That’s what you get!” he declared triumphantly, slapping my shoulder with a laugh that felt too loud in the thick atmosphere.

I scowled, irritation bubbling to the surface. “For what?”

“That’s your karma,” Cade chimed in, a chuckle escaping his lips, amplifying the tension.

“Wow,” I said, raising both hands in mock exasperation. “Amazing. It’s truly heartwarming to witness all of you take advantage of a sensitive man for your own amusement.”

“Weak,” Rowan coughed out, a smirk plastered on his face.

“You’re all insensitive—every single one of you. This is a hate crime,” I muttered, rolling my eyes, but beneath my sarcasm, the truth gnawed at me.

Calla’s ominous words burrowed into my mind like an unwelcome parasite, refusing to let go.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, a welcome distraction.

“I have to take this,” I said, pulling the device out and waving vaguely as I stepped back. “Mom’s calling. I probably need to head back.”

Rowan snorted, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Go. Before you start crying.”

I flashed him a grin, managing a two-finger salute. “Congrats to both of you,” I nodded toward Cade and Arden, sincerity lacing my words. “Seriously.”

But as I turned to leave, my smile vanished in an instant.

My mom hadn’t actually called.

The screen was blank, a stark reminder of the lie I had told to shield myself from the truth that loomed like a specter.

In reality, Calla’s vision was nothing new.

It echoed the whispers I had heard for years, the ominous predictions that had been woven into the fabric of my life.

That my mate was gone.

Dead.

I was destined to live my entire life without ever discovering the other half of my soul.

Those words came from shamans, seers, and the hushed voices of elders—people who claimed to possess a magic that felt more like poison, seeping into my veins and festering deep within me. That was why I had thrown myself into my studies at the Elite Order Academy, shedding my former self for a so-called Casanova era.

Why not? I had no mate, anyway.

Frustration bubbled up inside me as my phone buzzed again, this time with a familiar caller ID.

I frowned and glanced down at the screen. It was my mother.

I answered without hesitation. “Yes?”

“Come home,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I pressed my lips together, feeling the weight of her words. “Mom, I just helped everyone here. I’m still at Rowan’s—”

“I know,” she interrupted gently. “I know, Elias, but you need to come home.”

A small sigh escaped my lips, a reluctant acceptance of her request. “Fine, I’m coming.”

***

I arrived home faster than I had anticipated, a mix of adrenaline and a desperate need to quiet the buzzing in my chest that had taken residence ever since Calla’s words echoed in my mind.

As I pushed open the gates of our estate, the familiar sights washed over me like a soothing balm. The scent of cinnamon and something slightly burnt wafted through the air, a clear indication that my mother was in the kitchen, likely lost in her culinary creations.

My parents… I had never hated them. They were nothing like me—just a bit quirky and delightfully eccentric. They often joked, “You got all the brains in this family. That must be why your brother didn’t have any left.”

My brother, still languishing in prison after being involved in the sordid world of Mr. Winters’ fetish videos. I had heard he showed no signs of remorse, which meant his sentence would only stretch longer. The last time I visited, he had accused me of being the favored son, a title I had never asked for.

But what could I do about that? Nothing, really.

Stepping into the foyer, my mother, Carmen, burst into view as if she had been waiting eagerly behind the door for my arrival.

“There you are!” she exclaimed, a breathy gasp escaping her lips as she brushed her curls back from her face. “Baby, come in! Shoes off! Do you want tea? Or water? Or juice?”

“Mom,” I said, though a small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth despite my annoyance. “Why did you call me so urgently?”

“I have a surprise,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement, causing me to narrow my eyes in suspicion.

As she led me further inside, I soon found myself facing an unexpected sight.

Two women sat stiffly on our couch, their hands folded neatly over their knees. One had sleek, blonde hair and sharp features, while the other possessed softer, more gentle traits that seemed to radiate warmth.

My mother beamed with pride, her enthusiasm palpable. “Elias! This is Serena Serpentine.”

The sharp-eyed woman stood gracefully, extending her hand toward me. “Alpha Elias Rue. It’s an honor.”

“She graduated from Elite last year,” my mom continued, her excitement growing. “And she continued her studies abroad for advanced training in political strategy.”

My frown deepened with every word she uttered, unease creeping into my heart.

“And this,” my mom said cheerfully, gesturing toward the other woman, “is Valentina Stefano. She’s from a humble family—one of our maids.”

Valentina jumped up from the couch, flustered. “Ma’am, please, you don’t have to introduce me like that.”

“But you’re pretty, right?” my mom interjected proudly. “I’m fine with you marrying any kind of girl. High status, low status. It doesn’t matter!”

“Mom,” I said slowly, trying to rein in my incredulity. “Why are you introducing me to women now?”

“I’m just presenting your options!” she replied brightly, her eyes sparkling with hope. “Your father and I talked about it. We thought that maybe it’s time. You know. Since your friends all have partners now. Some even have kids!”

I dragged my fingers down my face in exasperation, disbelief washing over me.

This couldn’t be happening.

Just then, my dad appeared, descending the stairs with a smile that suggested he had already envisioned my future children.

“I see you met them!” he announced, his voice filled with approval. “Both lovely girls. Excellent choices. Wonderful temperaments. Good health.”

I stared at him in disbelief, my mind racing to comprehend his words. “What?”

He gave me a thumbs-up, while I merely sighed and closed my eyes, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Mom clasped her hands together, her face an innocent mask. “They’re not your type?”

“That’s not—Mom, that’s not the point.”

My father stepped closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Son. Look. We’re not pressuring you. We’re not like Rowan’s parents. We don’t care about the girl’s rank or wealth. We just want you to have someone.”

At that moment, something bitter churned in my throat, a mix of anger and sorrow.

I knew exactly what this was about. They were aware of my fate, having consulted shamans from various territories, all delivering the same grim message. I wouldn’t just be alone—I had already lost the chance at love.

I swallowed hard, the weight of their concern pressing down on me.

My mother sighed, cupping my cheeks with her hands, her touch both comforting and suffocating. “We don’t want you to be alone, baby!”

My father placed a warm hand on my shoulder, his presence both a source of comfort and a reminder of the expectations I felt suffocating me. “You deserve someone.”

I straightened, stepping back to create a barrier between us. “Leave,” I said firmly, my voice steady. “Both of you.”

They looked disappointed, but with a single glance from me, they understood and, without uttering a word, turned to leave.

Once the ladies were gone, I exhaled, the tension leaving my body like a wave receding from the shore.

“Don’t do this again,” I said, turning back to face my mom and dad, my voice steady but laced with frustration. “Seriously. Don’t.”

My mother blinked at me innocently, as if genuinely confused. “I see. So you don’t like blondes?”

“Mom!” I exclaimed, exasperation bubbling over.

In the aftermath of the chaotic evening, I found myself standing alone in the silent aftermath of my parents’ well-meaning but misguided attempts to set me on a path I had never chosen. The laughter and joy that had filled the earlier gathering now felt like a distant echo, replaced by the heavy weight of unspoken truths. Calla’s haunting words lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the loneliness that awaited me, a fate I had tried to deny but could no longer escape. My parents, in their fervent desire to shield me from solitude, had unwittingly highlighted the very thing I feared most: the absence of my mate, the other half of my soul. Their love, though genuine, felt like a cage, each suggestion tightening the bars around my heart, reminding me of the life I was destined to live—one marked by a profound emptiness.

Yet, as I stood there, grappling with the weight of my reality, I began to understand that perhaps my journey wasn’t solely about finding love in another person. It was about acceptance—accepting the life I had, the friendships I cherished, and the moments of joy that still existed, even in their absence. The laughter of Arden and Cade, the warmth of Rowan’s friendship, and even the chaotic love of my family were all reminders that I was not truly alone. I could carve out a meaningful existence, filled with connections that transcended romantic love. Maybe, just maybe, the path ahead was not as bleak as Calla’s vision suggested. I could embrace the life I had, learn to navigate its complexities, and find solace in the bonds I had forged, even if they were not what I had once envisioned for myself.

In the upcoming chapter, Elias finds himself grappling with the weight of Calla’s ominous vision and the suffocating expectations of his family. As he navigates the emotional turmoil of his past and present, he will be forced to confront the chilling truth that has haunted him for years—his mate is gone, leaving a gaping void in his life. The tension will rise as he wrestles with the fear of dying alone, a fate that Calla’s words have now made all too real. Will he allow the shadows of his fate to dictate his future, or will he muster the courage to challenge the very prophecies that have confined him for so long?

Moreover, the dynamics within Elias’s family will take center stage, revealing deeper layers of their intentions and desires. The introduction of Serena and Valentina will add a new dimension to the story, igniting a clash between Elias’s reluctance to engage in a romantic relationship and his parents’ unwavering hope for his happiness. As he grapples with their well-meaning but misguided attempts to set him up, Elias will be forced to confront what he truly wants versus what others expect of him. With the stakes higher than ever, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions as Elias navigates love, loss, and the quest for his own identity amidst the chaos of familial expectations.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.