Chapter 111: Chapter 111 – Protection

Lilly’s POV

1 HOUR EARLIER

“Lilly.” Adira’s voice cut through the silence—soft but urgent—pulling me from the letter clutched in my hands. I forced myself to look up, meeting her eyes as she hurried toward me, her blue dress whispering around her legs like a warning.

“I came as soon as I saw…” she began, breathing uneven, as if she’d run the whole way.

If Adira had seen even a glimpse of the future, then this letter—this threat—had to be real. I knew it was a trap, but I couldn’t ignore it. Not when everything I cared about was at stake.

“Is he safe?” My voice trembled, betraying the fear I tried to swallow.

Adira nodded, though the worry in her gaze undermined any attempt at reassurance. “He seemed fine in my vision—scared, but unharmed. For now.”

There was no going back. Angelica had crossed a line she could never uncross. She’d taken Damien. I wouldn’t let her keep him or harm him.

My gaze locked with Adira’s. “I’m here for you,” she promised, her voice steady—stronger than I felt. “Whatever you need, I’ve got you.”

“I can’t ask anyone else to risk themselves for this,” I protested, shaking my head. “This is my fight—”

She lifted a hand, silencing me. Her tone left no room for argument. “I’m not letting you do this alone.”

“My brother will never forgive me if you get hurt,” I said, my voice breaking.

She squeezed my hand. “Neither would Prince Lex forgive me if I let anything happen to you. Besides, this isn’t just your fight anymore—Damien is as much my family as yours.”

Adira was right. We were family, one way or another, and family sticks together.

I sank onto the bed, heart pounding. The room felt colder, as if Angelica’s shadow already stretched across everything I loved—my family, my friends, my life, my mate.

I needed to do something. I needed to take back control.

I couldn’t let her steal anything else from me. Not again. She’d already taken my childhood. She would not take my future or my family.

“You know what we have to do,” I whispered, my eyes dropping to the letter. I read it again, the words burning into my mind:

Meet me in the garden—come alone, or you’ll never see your little baby brother again.

There was no name, but I knew Angelica’s handwriting as surely as I knew her cruelty.

“I’m not surprised at this at all,” I muttered. “She’ll do anything to keep me and Lex apart.”

Adira’s voice was tight with anxiety. “We’ll face her together. I’m not letting you go into that garden alone.”

A faint, grateful smile crept onto my lips. Adira was already the sister fate had forgotten to give me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, glancing at my mating gown, then back at her. “Tell me what you saw.”

She hesitated, her gaze flickering to the dress, then back to me.

“As soon as you enter the garden, she’ll disable you—paralyze you somehow—and drag you away. I’m not sure what she’ll use, but my guess is wolfsbane.”

My blood ran cold. “Where will she take me?”

Adira shook her head. “It’s…uncertain. Like even she hasn’t decided yet.”

Angelica wouldn’t dare take me too far. Even with her wolf abilities, dragging someone across the estate would draw attention. Plus, if she used scent blockers, they’d only last an hour—after that, someone would notice.

“Is there anything that can neutralize or prevent it?”

“Wolfsbane?” Adira asked.

I nodded.

Wolfsbane was illegal, but not hard to find. It could be deadly to werewolves, especially in high doses. I wasn’t too worried about myself, but I needed to eliminate the risk for my pups’ sake—that's if Angelica decides to use it, which I think she will.

Adira fell silent, her mind racing. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers, and a heavy book materialized in her hands.

“What are you doing?” I asked, startled.

“I’m searching for a potion that could lessen the effects,” she said, flipping through pages. “Maybe there’s something—”

“You won’t find anything in there,” a new voice interrupted.

I spun around. Hendrix stood in the doorway, half in shadow. How long had he been listening?

Adira’s eyes narrowed. “Hendrix, why are you here?”

“I saw you rush out,” he replied, his gaze shifting between us. “Figured my little sister was in trouble—again.”

Adira huffed. “If you know a spell or a potion to counteract all poisons—and wolfsbane in particular—speak up. Otherwise, leave.”

Hendrix shook his head, concern etched across his face. “The antidote for wolfsbane hasn’t been invented yet.”

“So what do we do?” Adira demanded.

My eyes fell to the bracelet on my wrist.

I looked up, watching them trade desperate ideas.

“What about a spell?” I suggested.

They both quieted.

“Spells can’t neutralize wolfsbane,” Hendrix said firmly.

“I know,” I replied. “But what if a spell could weaken it—dull it just enough so it’s not lethal to my pups?”

Adira frowned. “What are you thinking, Lilly?”

I lifted my wrist, the bracelet catching the late afternoon sun.

“She wants you to add a protection spell,” Hendrix said slowly, realization dawning in his eyes. “That way—”

“It might not block the wolfsbane entirely, but it could protect the pups just enough to keep them safe,” Adira finished, her voice trembling with hope and fear.

A surge of adrenaline shot through me, hope flickering in the darkness. “Do it. Please. Whatever protection you can give me, I’ll take it.”

Adira nodded, determination sharpening her features. She pressed her palm to the bracelet, her lips moving in a whisper, ancient words filling the air with an electric charge. The metal warmed beneath her hand, a faint golden glow pulsing against my skin before fading.

“It’s done,” she whispered, her breath shaky. “It should hold. But you’ll need to be careful—”

A sudden, sharp knock at the door made all three of us jump.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Was it Angelica?