Chapter 195 – The Night Everything Burned

Chapter 195 – The Night Everything Burned
I didn’t think my legs would carry me back to the mansion. Each movement felt like I was walking into the past… into every mistake I had ever made.

I stepped out of the car, my hands slightly trembling, but I forced myself to stay steady.

You came here for a reason, Vivian. Don’t lose it now.

I walked inside. The air was quiet… but tension still lingered.

Eyes followed me, whispers moved, but I ignored all of it.

I knew exactly where I was going. I saw them almost immediately.

Ma’am Albright… and Elara. Together.

Talking softly. For a second, I hesitated. My chest tightened.

Then I walked toward them.

“Ma’am…” my voice came out softer than I expected.

They both turned. Elara’s eyes met mine first.

There was no anger in them. That alone made my throat tighten. I swallowed hard.

“I… I came to apologize.”

Silence. I clasped my hands together, trying to hold myself together.

“I know I’ve done terrible things,” I continued. “I said things I shouldn’t have said. I exposed things that were not mine to expose. I hurt you… both of you.”

My voice cracked slightly.

“I’m not here to force you to forgive me. I don’t deserve that. But I need you to know… I am truly sorry. For everything.”

I looked at Ma’am Albright. Then at Elara.

“I’m trying to be better.” There was a long pause.

Before Ma’am Albright stepped forward slightly.

“It’s fine, Vivian,” she said gently. “We’ve forgiven you.”

My breath caught. I turned to Elara. She nodded softly.

“Yes,” she said. “It’s okay.”

And just like that… Something inside me broke.

Tears filled my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall. “Thank you,” I whispered.

I meant it. More than anything. I took a step back.

“I… I’d like to see Calista.”

Ma’am Albright nodded. “She should be around.”

“Thank you.”

I turned quickly before my emotions betrayed me. And walked away.

I found Calista waiting for me. She didn’t say anything at first.

Just looked at me. “You did it?” I asked quietly.

She nodded. My heart skipped.

“Good. Come with me,” I said. We both knew where we were going.

The mansion cell. The air there was colder.

The guards let us in and there he was. Jasper, Chained.

But still smiling. The moment he saw me, I laughed.

Mocking laughter. “You look… different,” I said.

He tilted his head slightly. “I won’t be here for long,” he replied calmly. “And when I come out… you’ll be gone.”

His eyes darkened. “I know this is all you.”

I stepped closer. “There is no coming out for you.”

He frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

I smiled. “Hope you’ve had your lunch.”

His expression changed. “What… do you mean by that?”

I leaned in just enough for him to feel my presence.

“That was the last meal you will ever have.”

“What did you do?” his voice dropped.

I laughed again. “You won’t even live long enough to shift,” I said. “Imagine that.”

His chains rattled as he suddenly moved.

“What have you done, Vivian?” I tilted my head.

“Dying… without ever knowing your wolf,” I continued softly. “That’s tragic.”

His eyes widened. “You’ll die wolfless,” I added. “And even in the afterlife… you will never be worthy to stand where Edward stands.”

He struggled harder. The chains clanked loudly.

“What did you do?” I straightened. Satisfied.

“It’s only a matter of hours,” I said. “Not even up to two.”

I turned. “Let’s go, Calista.”

We walked out and this time… I didn’t look back.

My phone rang just as I was preparing for the night.

“Alpha Dominic,” I muttered, seeing the name.

I picked up. “Alpha Dominic.”

“Alpha Edward,” his voice came through calmly. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Not at all. What is it?” There was a brief pause.

“I have a request.” I leaned back slightly.

“Go on.”

“I would like to join your pack tonight,” he said. “For the full moon.”

I frowned slightly. “With your pack?”

“Yes.” He continued, “It will be the first time the white wolf appears on sacred ground in her full form. I believe… it is something worth witnessing.”

I thought about it. Then nodded. “You’re welcome to come.”

“Thank you.” The call ended.

I stared at my phone for a moment. Something about it felt… off. But I pushed it aside.

Tonight was important. The sacred ground felt… alive.

The air. The trees. The earth beneath my feet.

Everything was calling to me. I stood there, my heart racing.

This was it. My first full moon. My first true shift in front of everyone.

I could feel their eyes on me. Waiting, watching, expecting.

Edward was close. I could feel him.

Even without looking.

“Are you ready?” Seraphina whispered beside me.

I nodded slowly. “I think so.” But inside… I was terrified, excited, overwhelmed. Everything at once.

The moon rose higher. It started, the heat, the pull, the shift. I gasped as it took over.

My body responded instantly. Bones cracking. Muscles stretching.

Power surging. But this time… I didn’t fight it. I embraced it and within moments I was no longer standing as Elara.

I was the wolf. White, pure and unseen for centuries.

The stainless white wolf. Gasps echoed around me.

Whispers, awe. I lifted my head slightly.

Feeling everything. Hearing everything.

Edward thought to himself,I had never seen anything like it.

Never. She's… breathtaking. My chest tightened as I watched her.

“That’s my mate…” I whispered to myself.

Then a sound. Distant. I frowned.

“Did you hear that?” Another sound. Louder and closer.

And then chaos. “They’re attacking!”

Everything exploded at once. Wolves burst through the trees.

Fast, aggressive and relentless.

“The Nightfall pack!” someone shouted.

And leading them, Damien. My eyes darkened instantly.

“You…” He didn’t hesitate. “Take the white wolf!” he roared.

And just like that, the fight began. Claws collided. Teeth clashed, bodies slammed into each other, growls filled the air.

I lunged forward, shifting partially as I fought.

One wolf came at me, I struck first. Another from the side, I turned and hit back.

Everywhere, chaos. Elara moved fast. “They’re trying to surround her!” Kian shouted.

“Don’t let them!” I barked. But they were many.

Too many and then, more arrived. Damien’s voice cut through the chaos.

“You can’t win, Edward!” I turned sharply.

“You betrayed us.” He smirked.

“I chose myself.” Before I could respond a loud howl echoed through the ground.

Different and commanding. Everyone froze for a split second.

Then, more wolves rushed in. But these ones were not Nightfall.

“Ironclaws…” someone whispered. I turned.

And there he was. Alpha Dominic standing at the front.

His pack behind him. His presence alone shifted the balance.

My eyes widened slightly. “You came…”

He stepped forward. “I told you,” he said. “We needed to talk.”

And just like that, the battlefield changed.