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Julianne POV

I couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration that was building inside me. Loretta had kept something from me, something important, something important as this and I hated that she hadn't told me sooner. She just kept mute and told me; what was the words she said earlier: “Julianne, I’ve seen your power for a long time. Like I said earlier, every time you get angry, your eyes go dark. When you’re happy, they brighten up. It’s subtle, but it’s there. I’ve been waiting for you to notice, to realize what was inside you.”

As I looked into her eyes, I could feel my anger rising. My thoughts were chaotic, and I could sense that my emotions were starting to take over. The change was coming, and I could feel the darkness inside me stirring, trying to break free.

"Julianne," Loretta said, her voice soft but firm, "See for yourself what I am telling you, look at the mirror." She beckoned at the mirror we were sitting directly opposite.

I hissed out loudly, still so that she could speak; I leaned forward, looking at the mirror reluctantly. At first, I didn't understand what she was trying to show me, I don't know why she would tell me to look in the mirror, but when I looked into my reflection, my heart stopped.

My eyes... they were dark, almost black like I had no control over them at all. I could see the golden power mixed with the dark one swirling inside them, a force I didn’t fully understand or know how to control. My breath caught in my throat, and I reached out to steady myself against the wall. Realization dawned on me that I had felt this kind of feeling but I could not remember where I did. I remember the main emotions, which were anger and fear. I took a deep shuddering breath and stilled myself to the cool air around me, slowly I took in and out breaths till I could feel my emotions seeping out of me, I moved with the air as my touch until I felt powerless, the earlier sting of powers surging through me was gone and I knew that I was okay.

"Did you see what I have been trying to explain to you? I was waiting for you to see it yourself rather than for me to explain it to you. This is what happens when you let your emotions get the best of you," Loretta said, her voice gentle but filled with concern. "You need to learn how to control it, Julianne. Or you might hurt someone."

I nodded slowly, my mind still racing with what just happened. I knew she was right. I had to learn how to control the power inside me. But I didn’t know how. I didn’t know where to start and when it will end. The fear that had been building inside me only grew stronger.

"You’re right; I understand the reason why you refused to inform me earlier," I said quietly, my voice trembling. "I need to learn these powers. I need to know how to control this thing inside of me." I could not help but think about how I could have hurt her back then just because she refused to inform me earlier of my powers.

And then that is when the thought hit me. "But… what if I hurt someone? What if I can’t control it?"

Loretta shifted closer to me, her eyes softening with sympathy. "You won’t. Not if you learn how to harness it. But first, you need to trust me and believe in yourself. You're stronger than you think. You need to go learn how to control your power just had
Arthur"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. It felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on me. I had so many questions and so many fears, but I knew I had no choice but to face them. I couldn’t keep running from my power.

"I trust you; I need to believe in myself and learn this fucking power so that I won't regret it later in the future," I said quietly. "But first
… there’s something else. I need you to promise me something."

Loretta looked at me, her expression serious. "What is it?"

"While I am away learning how to control my powers, I need you to promise me to take care and protect my daughter, Antonia; the witches won't stop even though I am gone; they will seek a way to gain my attention;" I said, my voice firm. "And I need you to handle Jasmine. Keep her away from Arthur and make sure she doesn't do anything reckless. Promise me."

Loretta hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I promise, Julianne. I’ll do everything I can to keep Antonia safe, and I will make sure Jasmine does not continue with her charade. I will put it to an end."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, knowing that Loretta would keep her word. She always had my back, even when I wasn’t sure of myself.

With a final nod, I turned to leave. I needed to go see Arthur, to say goodbye before I left for this place, wherever it was. But when I arrived at his door, I could hear his voice coming from inside, and it was clear he was busy with Jasmine. I hesitated for a moment, my hand resting on the doorframe. I wanted to tell him everything, to explain what just happened to me, and to bid him goodbye and inform him of my departure. But he was with Jasmine, and the last thing I wanted to do was appear as a jealous freak and create another riffle between them.

Sighing softly, I pulled my hand away and turned to leave. I wouldn’t bother him now. I had to focus on what was coming next. There was no room for distractions. No time to dwell on what might happen between them. I just had to keep moving forward.

I didn't bother to make my departure known to Antonia. I will go to this place, learn the done harnessing of my powers, and come back home to protect. She won't know I left for a long time.

After glancing at the pack house one last time, I moved in the direction of the pack territory towards the woods following the direction Arthur had given me before I left to speak to Antonnia. I crossed the river he talked and headed in the direction of the town. My mind drifted to this new place, what would it look like? Would the people love me or try to kill me? As soon as I crossed the border into this new town, It was like a magnetic force, a calling I couldn’t ignore. I knew the moment I arrived that I was in the right place. The town felt different. It was like it had its heartbeat, its rhythm, it is own glow. The streets were alive with energy, and the people here were different. They were smiling, laughing, talking to each other, but the moment they saw me, everything seemed to freeze.

They stopped in their tracks, their eyes locked on me, and I could feel their gaze like a weight on my shoulders. I didn’t know why they were staring, but it was enough to make me uncomfortable. I tried to ignore it, to walk on with my head held high, but the stares followed me, making me feel like I was under a microscope.

I continued walking, trying to focus on the reason I was here, but it was hard to when all eyes were glued on me, my movements, my everything. It was as if they were accessing me to know if I was qualified to be in their midst.

I felt goosebumps and my heart skipped a bit. I was here for a reason. I had to learn, to grow stronger, to control the power inside me before it consumed me entirely. I couldn’t let myself fall apart now. Not when there was so much at stake.

Eventually, I was led to a large building in the center of the town. It was beautiful, towering above the rest of the structures around it. I could feel the weight of the place, like it had stood for centuries, holding secrets that I wasn’t yet ready to uncover. The doors opened before I could knock, and I stepped inside.

The air was heavy with the scent of incense, and the walls were lined with ancient tapestries and bookshelves filled with dusty volumes. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where time stood still. In the center of the room sat an older woman, her silver hair flowing around her shoulders like a crown. Her eyes were sharp, though, and I could see the power in them as she had lived through more than her fair share of battles.

"Ah, Julianne," she said, her voice calm but strong. "I’ve been expecting you."

I froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. How did she know my name? Who was this woman? And why had she been expecting me?

"You’ve been expecting me?" I finally asked, my voice unsure.

The woman smiled, though there was a hint in her eyes as she nodded, concurring with my words. "I HAVE BEEN EXPECTING YOU."