Chapter 100 Ward

Chapter 100 Ward
Lulu
The terrifying facts dropped by Niobe and Erick completely explained the bizarre thing I’d noticed a few days ago—the way the stone floor near Elijah’s crib had suddenly cracked into a strange, unearthly pattern.
Caspian stood up from his throne, his powerful Alpha aura exploding in a wave of freezing, intensely protective rage. He swept his gaze across the entire hall, delivering an absolute command.
"Everything is perfectly clear. As a first, non-negotiable step, I am tightening security across Sapphire Water tenfold. Every single inch of our borders will be patrolled by elite warriors, and Elijah’s nursery will be protected by the highest level of ancient wards."
The warriors snapped to attention as one, nodding in absolute obedience.
"And for my final decree," Caspian said, slamming his fist down. "I will personally send an envoy to demand formal permission from the highest council of the Order of Ignis to execute the entire network of Dark Sorcerers who dared attack Lulu, Elijah, or any member whose loyalty belongs solely to the Sapphire Water pack."
Hearing my mate’s fierce, unwavering decision, the suffocating fear in my chest slowly melted into a burning courage. As both a mother and a Luna, I swore I would tear apart anyone who dared lay a finger on my baby.
"Today’s meeting is adjourned," Caspian finished, his icy tone cutting off any further discussion.
The Elders and warriors bowed deeply, before dispersing from the hall, every step heavy with a brand-new wave of tension.
Caspian turned to face me, his mask of cold authority crumbling away to reveal a look filled with deep worry and absolute determination to protect our family.
He stepped closer, whispering in a low voice meant only for those nearest to us, "Lulu, Niobe, Rohan, Erick... with me to my study. Now."
Caspian took total control the second we stepped inside his study. He paced back and forth behind his massive desk before stopping to look at me dead seriously.
"Lulu, I need you to go see Dorian straight away," Caspian said, his voice heavy with the crushing weight of responsibility. "Ask him to put extra magical wards around Elijah's room. We can't just rely on physical guards."
I nodded quickly, agreeing without a second thought. Elijah's safety was our absolute priority right now.
Caspian then turned his sharp gaze toward Niobe, who was standing at attention by the window. "Niobe, as of right now, I'm pulling you off your scouting mission."
I gasped at the sudden decision, but Caspian explained before anyone could ask. "Dylan sent me a warning. He told us to watch out for the Dark Sorcerers' new tactics. There’s a traitor inside the Light Sorcerer Council. The situation is far too dangerous for us to blunder out there unprepared."
Niobe clenched her fists, but she nodded in understanding. Treachery within the light council was a lurking threat that could easily rip our alliance apart from the inside out.
Dylan had been betrayed before, and I knew Caspian understood all too well the risks if we didn't calculate every single possibility. He wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
"However, Erick," Caspian turned to his other loyal elite warrior, his eyes narrowing into a sharp command. "Your assignment stays exactly the same. I'm keeping you on Elder Ruth's tail. It's highly likely she already knows about this from the Dark Sorcerers she hired."
"Understood, Alpha," Erick replied firmly, bowing respectfully.
Once our little briefing was wrapped up and our short-term strategies were locked down, Caspian let out a long, heavy sigh. He waved his hand dismissively toward the group.
"We're done here. Lulu, Niobe, Erick, you may leave. I want to be left alone with Rohan. There are some internal pack matters we need to sort out."
I gave Caspian’s shoulder a gentle, supportive squeeze, then headed out with Niobe and Erick, leaving the two men to dive deep into their battle tactics.
With hurried but elegant steps, I walked down the castle corridors toward the guest pavilion where Dorian was staying during his time at Sapphire Water. My mind kept drifting back to Elijah's sweet, innocent face as he slept under the watchful eyes of his nannies and guards.
Arriving at the pavilion, I knocked on the door, and Dorian opened it immediately. The sorcerer was always on high alert, but his face softened the moment he realized his visitor was me.
"Is something so urgent that you couldn't send for me?" he asked, glancing left and right down the empty hallway.
I decided to get straight to the point. Sitting down on the chair he offered, I told him all about Caspian's decisions regarding Elijah and the looming threat of the Dark Sorcerers targeting our little boy. Dorian’s face grew incredibly grave as I spoke.
"Which is why, Dorian," I said, a desperate plea slipping into my voice, "I am begging for your help. Please, place the strongest ancient protective wards on Elijah and his nursery."
Dorian went quiet for a long moment, tapping his fingers against the wooden table as he weighed up the perfect spell formula. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and looked straight into my eyes.
"An ancient, top-tier ward to mask the existence of an elemental hybrid is no ordinary magic," Dorian explained in a low, mystical whisper. "To trigger it, I need three key ingredients to anchor the energy. I'll need a few drops of your blood, and a few drops of Elijah’s own blood to represent the biological bond."
I nodded without a single shred of hesitation. The sting of a tiny cut was nothing compared to my baby's survival. "You'll have it. Now, what's the third ingredient?"
Dorian locked eyes with me, his gaze deep and shrouded in mystery. "The final piece is... Iqxe Mud."
Hearing that name made my heart drop into my stomach. I gasped, my mind instantly flashing back to the mystical vision and the cryptic instructions Esthenel had given me before. My whole body went rigid. Staring at him with wide eyes, I demanded more information about the mysterious mud.
"Dorian, by the Moon Goddess, tell me... what on earth is Iqxe Mud? Where can I find it?"
Dorian leaned back, his expression a mix of pure awe and deep anxiety for the heavy destiny hanging over my son.
"Iqxe Mud is an incredibly rare, ancient substance hidden deep within the misty swamps of the south, a place that never sees the sun, Luna," Dorian explained in a hushed whisper.
So, the very same mud Esthenel had mentioned was the most crucial ingredient for the ward. The Seer really was always spot on with his prophecies.
"The place is incredibly dangerous," Dorian continued. "But that mud doesn't just protect, it completely stabilizes the energy of any magical creature holding the power of the earth element inside their body."
"Right then," I said determinedly. "I’m going to find it."