Chapter 293

Chapter 293
Lira's POV

I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Our dinner conversation about Linda replayed in my mind like a persistent nightmare. Stella promised to contact the coven leaders to confirm the crystals were safe. Why haven't we heard anything? If Linda really is collecting them... God, we're all in danger.

Suddenly, a phone ring shattered the silence. The mattress shifted abruptly as Nathan sat up, grabbing his phone from the nightstand, the screen's cold light illuminating his tense jaw.

"Robert? What is it?" Despite the late hour, his voice was instantly alert.

I propped myself up, trying to catch fragments of the conversation.

"Are you sure?" his voice filled with disbelief, "How did she know Sophie was there? And why specifically ask to see her?"

An ominous feeling seized my heart. Nathan ended the call and turned to me, his expression grave.

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"Sophie's mother showed up at the training camp," he said directly, already getting dressed, "and she knows Sophie is a werewolf."

"What?" I jerked upright, nearly falling off the bed in shock, "That's impossible! How could she know?"

Twenty minutes later, our car raced along the dark road toward the training camp. I bit my lower lip, my thoughts in chaos. Weren't Sophie's parents supposed to think she was dead? What the hell is going on?

---

The training camp lights seemed unusually harsh in the darkness. Robert waited at the entrance, his expression serious. He silently led us through the corridor, stopping at the conference room door.

"It's tense in there," he warned in a low voice, pushing the door open.

As the door swung open, I immediately spotted Sophie sitting rigidly in her chair, face pale. Across from her sat an elegant blonde woman in an expensive suit, her expression cold.

"Lira!" Sophie's eyes instantly lit up with hope when she saw me, her voice almost breaking.

I quickly moved to her side, taking her ice-cold hand. "I'm here," I said softly, then looked up to study the woman who was clearly her mother.

Nathan stepped forward, saying politely, "Mrs. Wilson."

I couldn't help turning to stare at him. "You know her?" I whispered, completely shocked by this unexpected connection.

Nathan's jaw tightened, his voice barely audible. "She's Victoria Wilson, head of the Witch Council."

Sophie's head snapped up, her mouth slightly open. "What?"

Victoria's red lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "What an interesting gathering," her gaze swept over us before settling on Sophie, "Surprised, dear?"

"Mom, what's going on?" Sophie stammered, her face growing even paler, "You're... you're a witch?"

Victoria tapped the table surface twice. "I think we should first discuss why my daughter is now a goddamn werewolf?" Her piercing gaze shifted to Nathan.

"She would have died," Nathan said calmly, "Would you have preferred that?"

Victoria's eyes narrowed as she let out a cold laugh. "I would have preferred she wasn't a monster."

Sophie abruptly stood up. "So," her voice suddenly bitter and sharp, "you'd rather I was dead. Nice, Mom, thanks for the love."

"Death might have been more merciful than becoming one of them," Victoria said coldly, then sighed, "Do you know how bad this makes me look? I can't have a werewolf daughter."

I could no longer remain silent. "How did you find out about this?"

Victoria's icy gaze turned to me. "I'm the head of the Witch Council, dear. There's little I don't know."

"Then why pretend you knew nothing about the magical world?" Sophie asked, her voice slightly shaking, "Why push me out of your life?"

Victoria sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I'm a witch, Sophie. I sent you away to protect you, to keep you away from the dangers of the magical world. You showed no signs of magic, unlike..." she paused, "unlike your sister."

Sophie's eyes widened. "So that's why you sent me away a year before she died? To hide your true identity from me?" Her voice filled with incredible pain.

"It was for your safety," Victoria insisted, but her eyes flickered, unable to meet her daughter's gaze.

"Safety?" Sophie let out a bitter laugh, "I always thought you pushed me away because you hated me, because you loved her more..."

"I never hated you," Victoria interrupted, showing rare genuine emotion, "It was your sister's magic that was unstable. That car accident... wasn't an accident. Her power went out of control."

"Everything I did was to protect you," she said bitterly. "But it doesn't matter now, because you've become one of the monsters."

"I'm not a monster," Sophie said firmly, standing taller.

The room fell silent, with only the air conditioner's hum in the background.

Robert cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ms. Wilson, your daughter has been exceptional here. She's even graduating early."

Victoria dismissed this with a wave of her hand. "A werewolf is a werewolf. You can train them to control themselves, but their nature never changes. We witches will never align with werewolves."

I felt anger rushing to my head. "I'm about to marry a werewolf," I declared firmly, "and Sophie is one of the most loyal, kindest people I've ever met. What you've done has hurt her, but it won't stop her from becoming an excellent werewolf, and an even better seer."

Victoria's expression changed. "A seer?" For the first time, her voice revealed surprise, even a kind of awe.

Sophie slowly nodded, standing a little straighter. "I'm a prophet chosen by the Moon Goddess. I can see the chaos coming and change the outcome."

Victoria leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with new interest. "That's rare, even among witches." She paused, "What visions have you had?"

Nathan coughed lightly, skillfully changing the subject. "Victoria, what's your real purpose for coming to the training camp?"

Victoria leaned back, resuming her perfect posture. "I came for my daughter," she said smoothly, but seeing our skeptical expressions, added, "I was also invited to Sarah's charity concert in New York. Since I was coming anyway, I thought I should stop by to see my daughter."

"The concert?" I asked in surprise, "The one this weekend? I'm performing there too."

Sophie's expression fell, her mouth turning down. "So you didn't come specifically to see me. Typical, Mom."

Victoria opened her mouth to object, but her gaze suddenly landed on me, becoming sharp and focused. "You have powerful magic," she said slowly, "That vibration... it's very familiar. You're Connie's granddaughter, aren't you? Ivy's daughter?"

I felt a wave of tension, my heart beginning to race. How does she know my family? I remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.

"I recognize the energy signature," Victoria continued, her voice becoming distant, "I knew your grandmother when I was young, was part of her coven before we... went our separate ways." Her voice lowered, carrying a certain shadow, "Both she and your mother were killed in werewolf attacks. Ironic that you're now marrying one of them."

I pressed my lips together tightly, feeling anger bubbling in my chest. She doesn't know the truth, but now's not the time to correct her.

Sophie suddenly pointed at Victoria's neck. "Mom, where did you get that necklace?"

My gaze fell on Victoria's neck, and I noticed an exquisite purple crystal pendant emitting a faint, mysterious glow. Oh God, that's... My heart nearly stopped.