<b>10:56 </b><b>AM</b>
<b>Chapter </b>152
<b>-Alex’s </b>POV-
My head throbbed like a maddened drumbeat as I tried to push myself upright. Thest thing I remembered was Fiona and her coven’s spell, and the next thing I knew<b>, </b>Amaya <b>was </b>in front of me. My head pounded and I knew I really needed to hurry up and get out of here because these constant headaches were going to eventually explode my brain.
“You’re causing me a whole lot of trouble, and I’ve only known you for a <b>day</b>,” Delores<b>‘ </b>voice cut through the haze<b>. </b>She stepped into the room, her expression a mix <b>of </b>amusement and weariness. My gaze followed hers to the ground, where Fionay unconscious.
<b>I </b>groaned, rubbing my temples. “I think <b>we </b>both would appreciate it if <b>I </b>could get out of here sooner rather thanter. Did you get everything for the spell<b>?</b><b>”</b>
She nodded, her eyes serious. “For a spell this delicate, you need strength. I may be the regent, but <b>I </b>can’t trust you to be alone. You can <b>stay </b>at my ce tonight then when you are well rested, we will perform the spell tomorrow.”
<b>We </b>exchanged a silent understanding, a connection forming between us that felt both strange andforting. As we walked, the weight of the situation pressed down on me. I longed for her to actually be my mother, and I sensed a simr yearning in her <b>eyes- </b>for me to be her <b>sister</b>.
The house <b>was </b>a surprise. Small and unassuming, it stood nestled among a riot of colorful flowers. I’d expected something more… witchy, I suppose. But this <b>was </b>homey, inviting. As I stepped inside, my eyesnded on a framed photo. It <b>was </b>Delores, younger<b>, </b>smiling sitting beside my mother. They looked so alike and it must have been really difficult for anyone to tell them apart. A <b>wave </b>of familiarity washed over me. I reached out, my fingers tracing the ss<b>. </b>“I miss you, Mom,” I whispered, the words escaping before <b>I </b>could stop them.
A profound sense of loss enveloped me. I turned back to Delores, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you,” I managed to <b>say</b>.
She nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “Take a shower. The bathroom is that way. I’ll <b>leave </b>something for you to eat, and you can <b>sleep </b>on the couch.” She <b>gave </b>the photo one <bst </b>lingering look before disappearing.
Alone, I made my <b>way </b>to the bathroom. The hot water was a balm to my aching body. As the water cascaded <b>over </b>me, I tried to clear my mind of the chaos that had consumed my life. Ever since <b>I </b>could remember, I had it all. It didn’t matter that my father was a monster, I had always lived <b>a </bfortable life and it bled into my need for <b>sess </b>which was how I became a billionaire and now all the riches, now everything seemed <b>so</b><b>… </b>irrelevant.
The crisp white towel felt cool against my skin as I stepped out of the shower. Pulling on back the pair of shirt and <b>trousers</b>, I told myself that it <b>was </b>just for a day.
The enticing aroma <b>of </b>roasted meat filled the room, my stomach growling in protest as <b>I </b>entered the living room area again. I hadn’t realized how <b>hungry </b>I <b>was</b>. Following the delicious scent, I found Delores true to get word had ced food on the kitchen counter<b>, </b><b>a </b>steaming teid out on the table. Without <b>a </b>second thought, I sank into the chair and devoured the food. It was like the most satisfying meal I’d had in <b>years </b><b>– </b>simple,forting, and seasoned with a hint of unexpected warmth.
As I finished thest bite<b>, </b><b>a </b><b>wave </b>of exhaustion washed over me. I slumped onto the couch<b>, </b>sleep iming me almost instantly. The <b>air </b><b>grew </b>chilly in the dead of night, sending shivers down my spine. Then<b>, </b><b>a </b>suddenforting warmth washed over me<b>. </b>Blinking through the haze <b>of </b><b>sleep</b>, I <b>saw </b><b>a </b><b>figure </b>looming overhead. My mother’s <b>face </b>floated above me.
<b>“</b>Go back to sleep<b>,</b>” she whispered.
Iplied, sinking back into the soft cushions. This sleep felt different, <b>deeper </b>than any I’d <b>experienced </b>in the past four <b>years</b>. The kind <b>of </b><b>sleep </b>that washes <b>away </b>worries and leaves <b>you </b>feeling refreshed and renewed.
And <b>it </b><b>felt </b>like nothing could get me.
<b>The </b><b>sun’s </b>gentle rays filtered through the <b>curtains</b>, rousing me from slumber<b>. </b>A moment passed <b>as </b>I tried <b>to </b>recall <b>where </b><b>I </b><b>was</b><b>, </b>the strange events <b>of </b>the past day flooding back. Just then, Delores‘ voice broke the <b>silence</b>.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“<b>It’s </b>time to go<b>, </b>Alex<b>, </b>she announced. “This <b>spell </b>isplex<b>, </b>and there’s no room for <b>error</b>,”
“Well<b>, </b>good morning to you too,” I mumbled<b>, </b>stretching my arms above my head. “<b>I </b>guess <b>that’s </b>where <b>I </b><b>get </b>my bluntness from, huh<b>?</b><b>”</b>
<b>A </b>flicker of <b>amusement </b>appeared in her <b>eyes</b><b>. </b>“Perhaps,” <b>she </b><b>conceded</b>. “Let’s get going.”
She led me outside, towards a clearing bathed <b>in </b>the ethereal glow of dawn. A <b>group </b><b>of </b>witches huddled <b>together</b><b>, </b>their <b>faces </b>etched with apprehension. They shifted ufortably <b>as </b>we approached, their gazes flickering between Delores and me.
Delores addressed them, her voice firm yet filled <b>with </b>a plea. <b>“</b><b>I </b>understand many <b>of </b>you are troubled by this situation.The pain inflicted <b>by </b>werewolves, <b>especially </b>on some <b>of </b><b>you</b><b>…</b><b>” </b>She paused<b>, </b>her gaze lingering on a woman <b>with </b>a <b>deep </b>scar running down her <b>cheek</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Many </b><b>of </b>you <b>know </b>I had <b>a </b>sister<b>, </b><b>a </b>twin, who during the attack. Her voice trembled slightly as she turned to me<b>. </b>I’ve recently <b>discovered </b>she survived, and…” <b>she </b>hesitated<b>, </b><b>a </b>tear glistening in her eye, “…<b>she </b>had a son.”
Murmurs rippled <b>through </b>the crowd. Delores held <b>up </b>a hand, silencing them<b>. </b>“He <b>simply </b>wants his wolf back, so <b>he </b>can <b>protect </b>those <b>closest to</b>
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<b>10:56 </b>AMO
Chapter <b>152</b>
him. I’m not asking you to help him as your regent, but as <b>a </b>sister, <b>a </b>friend. We have <b>a </b><b>pact</b>, one that demands loyalty to family. And Alex<b>…</b>” she smiled <b>at </b>me<b>, </b>cing a hand on my shoulder<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>is </b>family.”
<b>A </b>tense silence followed. Finally<b>, </b><b>a </b>wizened woman stepped forward. “Well then, let’s get this spell done <b>as </b>quickly <b>as </b>possible.”
A wave <b>of </b>agreement washed through the group. Delores gestured towards me, pointing at an intricate chalk circle drawn on the ground. “You have to lie in the center,<b>” </b>she instructed.
Looking around at the wary <b>faces</b>, I took a deep breath. This spell, this chance to reim my wolf, was more than just about regaining power. It was about protection<b>, </b>about keeping Amaya and the twins safe. With a determined nod, I stepped into the circle, ready to face whatever came next.
The circle <b>of </b>witches closed in around me their voices rose in a haunting melody, aplex weave of ancient words and primal rhythms. Delores knelt beside me, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder, <b>a </b>silent anchor in the swirling chaos.
As the chanting intensified, a palpable energy began to build within the circle. It was a force both exhrating and terrifying, a raw power that seemed to emanate from the very earth itself. The trees surrounding the clearing swayed violently, their branches whipping through the air like frenzied arms. The wind, once a gentle caress, had transformed into a howling gale, tearing at the edges of my senses.
I <b>felt </b><b>a </b>surge of adrenaline, a primal instinct awakening within me. My heart pounded in my <b>ears</b>, a rhythmic counterpoint to the witches‘ chant. The ground beneath me trembled, as if the earth itself were caught in the throes of a convulsion. A low, guttural growl rumbled in my throat, a sound unfamiliar yet deeply resonant.
The witches‘ voices reached a deafening crescendo, a high–pitched wail that seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality.The world around me blurred, the once familiar shapes of the trees and the witches twisting into grotesque, surreal forms. Then, Delores<b>‘ </b><b>voice </b>cut through the chaos, her tone firm and resolute.
“This <b>is </b>where I leave you. You have to find your wolf by yourself. The spell will send you to your subconscious, but be careful. Your demons are waiting, and you’re going in there ordinary.”
She pulled a knife from the folds of her <b>dress</b><b>, </b><b>“</b>You’ll need this<b>.”</b>
I blinked, confusion and disbelief warring within me. “How am I supposed to take a knife into my head<b>?</b>”
Delores offered a small, enigmatic smile. “Trust me,” she replied. She began to murmur a series of words, her voice low and hypnotic. As she spoke, the knife seemed to shimmer<b>, </b><b>a </b>soft blue light emanating from its de.
When she finished, she looked down at me, her gaze intense<b>. </b>“Your daughter. When the time is right, make sure she finds her
????????????????????
I opened my mouth to <b>ask </b><b>what </b>she meant, but before I could utter a single word, she whispered, “This <b>is </b>going to hurt.
The next moment, <b>a </b>sharp pain shot through my leg. I let out <b>a </b>cry <b>of </b>surprise <b>as </b>Delores plunged the knife into my thigh.
way here.<b>”</b>
The world seemed to tilt on its <b>axis</b><b>, </b>and then<b>, </b><b>a </b>blinding sh of white light engulfed me<b>, </b>consuming my vision and consciousness.
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