KARA STOPPED IN HER TRACKS and turned around. Her eyes were cold as she scanned her surroundings.
This was enough. Severino and the others would be unable to detect her at this distance. There was no one else who was following her as well.
Then, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and raised her hand. Slowly, she uttered a spell; the earth began to tremble, the wind stopped, and the animals around squeaked and growled as they ran for their safety.
Soon after, twelve different gemstones appeared out of nowhere. They hovered above Kara as they circled her. And as she continued her chant, the gems gradually embedded themselves in the ground.
When Kara finished, she was drenched in sweat, and her breathing became constricted. Her knees buckled and she stumbled down.
"Kara!"
Kara turned around to see who had called her name. When she saw her mate, Jug, her face contorted ugly. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her teeth clenched.
Jug ignored her frustrated tone and assisted her in standing up. "If I don't come, how are you going to get back to the camp? Are you thinking of staying here for a day, weak and without protection?" he asked, clutching her waist. If Severino and the others find Kara, they will almost certainly kill her, or worse, make her—-
He didn't want to think any further. Just thinking about Kara becoming someone else's woman had already made him angry; what more if it happened for real? His forehead bulged in rage, and as they started walking away from the area, his grip on Kara's waist tightened.
Kara sighed as she glanced at Jug's hand. She leaned in, caressed his hand, and said, "I am fine. Even if I were imprisoned, I don't think Alinta would let something happen to me. She appeared to be someone with great morality, and thinks the same way we do."
Jug did not respond. Those words did not make him feel any better. Alinta may have been of the same mind as them, but could she remain the same and believe in her own conviction now that she was in the hands of Severino?
Kara let out a sigh. "Please stop frowning," she said, "I am fine, aren't I? Plus, I have already embedded the gemstones without a problem, and her ladyship's plan will begin soon." Her eyes sharpened, and her lips formed a grin. She couldn't help but think about the future.
It would be over soon!
Soon, the world will change, and women will no longer have to submit to those filthy men!
---
"My lady, how about returning to the camp now? The wind is getting colder, and it's already time for you to rest."
Luna cast a gentle glance at the woman who had just spoken before returning her gaze to the full moon. It was beautiful. Oh, how she yearned for the good old days. Admiring the moon, playing with her sisters—-everything was perfect, and she almost felt content, until her own father shattered her heart. Then, her sisters and brothers trampled on the remaining bits of love and care left in her heart.
Every day, she couldn't help but wonder if they truly loved her. Or cared for her, even if only a little?
She sighed dejectedly. It had been a long time, but the agony had not gone away. It couldn't, and it never would unless she ripped them to shreds herself.
"Any news from Kara?" she inquired as she sat down on the stone. Her gaze was still drawn to the moon.
"I was told not to tell you unless you had a good night's rest," the woman huffed.
Luna giggled. "Come on," she replied to the woman, "maybe if you tell me, I'll have the motivation to rest; after all, only when one is happy will one have a very good night's rest."
The woman looked at Luna with hesitancy. But, seeing her gentle eyes and smile, she couldn't help but tell her the good news. "Kara made it," she exclaimed triumphantly. "Unfortunately, Kara didn't manage to get Alinta away from that place," she added, her voice turning regretful.
Luna blinked. She then softly chuckled. She was overjoyed to learn the good news. However, it was truly unfortunate that Alinta wouldn't be joining them.
"I see," Luna nodded, "it's good that she was successful in her task. As for Alinta, I think it was better that she didn't get the girl, otherwise, she would have had a difficult time escaping from that place." Severino would undoubtedly follow them to retrieve his mate. If that happens, Kara might not be able to get those gemstones to where they should be.
"Then why did you ask Kara to bring Alinta with her?" the woman inquired curiously.
"Isn't she a formidable force?" Luna remarked, her eyes twinkling. "Her body is full of energy, which I only felt from ancient powerful witches back in the day; don't you think having someone like her on our team would be fascinating?"
The woman agreed with a nod. That made perfect sense!
"Also," Luna added coldly. There was a sharpness and darkness looming inside her eyes. "We needed someone to hold Morrigan's soul, and she appeared to be the best vessel."
The woman's eyes widened in realisation. She then vigorously nodded. That's correct! Morrigan was the most powerful priestess who had ever lived! How could a regular person contain her soul after her resurrection?
"What should we do then?" the woman was concerned. Morrigan's resurrection could not be postponed. She was their only chance of survival in this world! She was their hope!
"Don't worry," Luna said softly as she stroked the top of the woman's head. "I am your mother; how can I prolong your agony? I already have a plan; Morrigan will return to this world, with or without Alinta!"
---
Meanwhile, in the Dark Region Pack, Luna Hyacinth stared in disbelief as her mate carried Tyler's body back to the pack's house. Not only Tyler, but also the bodies of their warriors, were being carried inside by their companions.
This is just a nightmare, she thought as she touched her brow. Her eyes became venomous as she glared at the women kneeling on the ground, their heads bowed but their eyes piercing.
"Animals!" she exclaimed. She stole the whip held by a warrior standing beside her and whipped the women spitefully. "How dare you infiltrate our pack!" she raged. "How dare you kill our beta! Our pack!" she yelled at the women, aiming their faces, "Who told you to come here?! Who told you to kill us!"
The women began to scream in agony. It didn't take long for their bodies to be riddled with wounds. This was the scene Alpha Drake saw as he walked out of the house. He immediately grabbed the whip from his mate and exclaimed, "Hyacinth! Enough! You're pregnant!"
"We're being hunted by Alinta! I'm sure this is her fault! This is her revenge on us!" Luna Hyacinth exclaimed.
Alpha Drake paused for a moment. "We still don't have proof," he said as his eyes darkened, "but we will notify the elders." If Alinta was behind this, he would make sure she would die horribly!
Lake was the first. Then there's Tyler. He would never let her get away with killing his beta and gamma!
He calmed Luna Hyacinth and was about to take her inside the pack house when someone shouted, "Alpha! Luna! My mate vomited blood! Please help us!"
"Us too! Cassandra fainted and coughed up black blood! Please, alpha! Please, luna! Help our mate!"
All of the mated men suddenly approached them, one by one, seeking assistance. Alpha Drake's face could no longer be painted. He immediately requested the pack doctor to examine those women.
"Return to your room," he told Luna Hyacinth. "Take a rest; I will tell you what happened tomorrow."
Luna Hyacinth shook her head vehemently. "I will come with you," she said. Then, she glared at her mate when he opened his mouth. She didn't wait for him to respond and quickly said, "and that's final. I want to see what's going on now!" She was oozing with rage as she muttered those words.
When Alpha Drake saw that she wouldn't listen, he could only agree. They went to one of the warriors' homes, and the doctor examined the pale woman right away.
Soon after, the pack doctor shook his head and said, "She just lost her child, and by the looks of it, she won't be able to bear another anymore."
This announcement stunned the crowd. Alpha Drake's felt like his ears were buzzing and Luna Hyacinth's legs wobbled. She would have already been on her knees if it hadn't been for her mate.
"No," she muttered, shaking her head.
Alpha Drake clenched his fists. "Let's check out the others!"
An hour later, the pack doctor finally finished his examination. The end result was the same.
"No, no, no, no, no!" exclaimed Luna Hyacinth. She clutched her head and began yelling. Alpha Drake grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly.
"Stop!" Alpha Drake said, cupping her face. He was angry, but he was more concerned about his mate's condition. "Stop hurting yourself; you still have a child; what will you do if you hurt the child?"
"No," Luna Hyacinth shook her head again, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "You don't understand," she said quietly, "those women took Alinta's medicine, and the end result was this." She sobbed. Then she clutched her stomach. "I'm terrified! What if it happens to me? What if she also takes my child?! I can't! I can't live without this child!"
Alpha Drake closed his eyes. His hands trembled briefly before he leaned in. His head brushed up against Luna Hyacinth's head. "I beg you to stop worrying. You will be fine, and so will our child. I will go to the elders and ask for Alinta. Nothing will happen to you or our child, do you understand?"
He looked at his mate deep in the eyes. "Do you understand?" he repeated.
Luna Hyacinth sobbed once more before inhaling deeply. Then she nodded. Alpha Drake hugged her tightly, enclosing her in a warm sensation. Afterwards, he began whispering to her ears. His words were soothing, putting her at ease.