THE SKY BEGAN TO ROAR, the ground started to tremble, and the wind started to howl. Severino and the others stood by and watched as the realm became unrest.
"Is this supposed to happen during a ritual?" Lila cried. She stroked her arms as the temperature dropped. Then, unexpectedly, it became too warm for her to endure. Her face had darkened. The sudden temperature changes were killing her!
"Alinta is a truly powerful witch," murmured the blonde. He looked up again to see the spectacular and couldn't help but be amazed. Then his gaze was drawn to Severino. He chuckled bitterly. The man got the real thing. How fortunate he was. He should have also marked that girl as soon as he met her. Now, he could only shake his head in regret.
Cross turned to glance at the people who were watching the scene from the window before walking alongside Severino.
'What do you think?' he asked through his mind. He hadn't used their 'link' in a while, but he was reluctant to share his thoughts and questions with anyone in this room, especially if it had anything to do with their own people—- their luna.
'No one in the pack was left alive,' Severino stated flatly.
"What?" said Cross, his body stiffening. He opened his mouth to shout again but realized that everyone was staring at him. "What a spectacular! Our luna is the best!" he exclaimed, forcing a smile.
Elder Kirin's gaze shifted away from Severino and him before finally ignoring them.
Cross let out a frustrated breath as he asked through mind link, 'What happened?'
Severino did not respond right away. His gaze was drawn to the outside world, but he was deep in thought. He had no idea what had happened in the pack, but everyone had been slaughtered. He felt their lives vanish all at once. Alinta, on the other hand... He couldn't help but frown. That woman was exerting unnecessary effort. He was uncertain whether this phenomenon was her fault, but he could feel her releasing too much energy.
'Be alert and ready,' he told Cross, 'assure Alinta's safety at all costs.'
Cross let out a sigh. 'Noted.'
---
'Aaaah!'
Alinta clenched her fists. Instantly, the malicious spirits scurried away in agony. This was more difficult than she had anticipated. These malicious spirits were older than her; they were probably the same age as Severino or, worse, the elders. They had wandered aimlessly in this realm or world until they were captured and made a part of the curse. In a nutshell, they were extremely powerful. It's no surprise that even the most powerful beings, the elders, were affected.
'Alright, again,' she thought. Her chest heaved up and down quickly as she panted. She then closed her eyes and cast a spell. As she continued to gibber, the materials and ingredients encircled her. At the same time, the malicious spirits were howling angrily; they tried to attack her again, but Alinta was now prepared. None of them was able to reach her as they bounced off from an invisible force, shielding Alinta from them.
The sleeping elders, who were lying down on a mattress in front of Alinta, didn't show any progress. But Alinta could feel their breath, and they were far from dead.
One more spell.
This would be over after one more spell.
Alinta opened her mouth, raised her head, and spread her arms. She let out an ear-piercing scream as she began to draw a lot of energy from nature but then was suddenly interrupted. The candles were extinguished, the materials and ingredients turned to ash, and the evil spirits vanished. There was only complete darkness and silence.
"Who's there?" Alinta inquired, her eyes narrowing. She sensed a strong, unfamiliar presence surrounding her.
"You don't look like her," a feminine voice said, echoing around the room. It sounded sweetly saccharine like a candy dipped in honey. Alinta didn't like the woman right away. "But you do remind me of her," the woman added, amused and intrigued.
"I hope you're comparing me to someone pleasant," Alinta said. She let go of the last of her energy and relaxed.
"Oh, I am," the woman replied. "She was arrogant, fierce, and ill-tempered, but she was the best witch I'd ever met; we call her the wicked witch; despite her evilness, the best men among the best would swarm around her, willingly and lovingly hoping to become her mate."
"What a wonderful woman she was," Alinta said. She hoped the other picked up on the sarcasm in her tone.
"I believe so, too!"
No, she did not.
"And your auras were the same, what a coincidence!" exclaimed the woman. "Unfortunately," she sighed, "I heard she died just as the realm was being formed."
Alinta remained silent. She had no idea why they were talking about someone she had never met. And she also had no idea who she was speaking with!
"So you couldn't be her descendant; she died without having a child, after all."
The woman eventually emerged from the shadows. Her surroundings were suddenly illuminated. Alinta could now see who she was speaking to. Long silver silky hair, a pair of glowing blue eyes, pale skin—- the woman was stunning... as well as graceful. And she was flying. Alinta's gaze was drawn to those feet that didn't even make contact with the ground.
"Please accept my apologies," the woman said softly, "I believe I haven't yet introduced myself."
Alinta nodded, relieved that the woman had noticed.
"I am Luna," the woman said as she curtsied, "the ancestor of all the werewolves you see now."
Alinta squinted as she examined the said 'ancestor of all werewolves'. If she was who she claimed to be, then—-
"The elders' mate," Alinta pointed out.
Something flashed through Luna's eyes, but it vanished before Alinta could comprehend what it was. "I used to," Luna replied. She circled the area, illuminating each unconscious elder. "But not anymore."
"I thought soul-branding was permanent."
"Ignorant people believe so, but not those who have seen more than life has to offer."
"So, soul-branding can be severed?" Alinta questioned. However, she was sceptical. She would remain sceptical unless proven otherwise. After all, when Severino marked her, she felt as if her entire being was in shock; her soul felt as if it was being sucked into oblivion until it suddenly went still. Her soul was never the same after that. Something heavy was clinging to her, merging with her. If this woman's words were true, she'd clap until the heavens heard them.