Chapter 18

Suzette

“Welcome to Crimson Valley coven, my flesh, and blood.”

Aunt Crisanta gave me a cheek-to-cheek kiss while beaming. As I approached her, the sound of my heels reverberated throughout her manor's magnificent lobby.

"Good day, Auntie. I gave her a greeting as I took her in my arms and looked at her face. She reminds me of my mum every time I see her because they were so similar. Not twins, but they looked like each other.

After that short act of affection, she separated herself from me and frowned as she gazed into my eyes. “Why do you look so unhappy?”

“I’m not sad. I’m incensed!” I turned, taking a few steps away from her. My hands were starting to quaver again.

“My sweet niece…”

I sensed Aunt Crisanta's hands encircling my arm. “Come..." She drew me to the long couch and assisted me in getting comfortable. "Let's sit down and talk about everything that's bothering you." She raised her hand and placed it on my upper chest. "The last time we saw each other, your heart pounded like a battle was raging inside of you. Your heart is still thumping at the same pace right now."

My aunt could tell what was going on just by touching someone's chest. In my situation, the wrinkles on her face grew deeper as I allowed her to lay her palm on the area over my heart. She could picture my experiences in her mind as clearly as crystal clear water, so I didn't need to describe what I had gone through.

She clenched her teeth and said, "It's the Alpha werewolf of Blood Moon pack." Her eyes were already soft when she turned to face me, mirroring how I was feeling. "Suzette, I can't believe they did that to you. But do not fret. Relax for the time being. Breathe.”

I imitated her breathing in and out as she dabbed the tears from the corners of my eyes. However, no matter how deeply I breathed, I was unable to hold back my rage against those two savage balls! They had been tag-teaming me for years, taking delight in my body, and utilizing my potions for hell knows how long!

I didn't take Alpha Calle's excuse seriously. Oh, how could our relationship affect his ability to lead? And the nerve of Beta Degen to reject me when I was just about to embrace him as my destined mate!

“Why did they dump me just like that?”

"Because they're idiots!" Aunt Crisanta screamed, her pale blue eyes widening. "They are physically strong, but their strength is also their vulnerability. This is why the Gods cursed them—every time they become aggressive, they transform into animals!" Even though her face was smoldering with fury, she tried to soften her eyes as she touched the side of my face. "We'll get back to them. They'll be sorry they messed with a witch!"

"But their kind is the most numerous beast in both North and South America. How can we defeat them?"

"Oh, Suzette, you still have more to learn. If only we had the power to turn back time, I would return to the time when you were born and raise you by myself. I have loved your mother, but I must say, she had a cowardly heart that led her to death. I don't want you to take the same fate, so live with me and turn your back on your worthless father."

After a long pause, I nodded in agreement. As I stared down at my lap, I let out a sigh. "What would I do without you, Auntie? Good thing I didn't call Dad for help. Because if he finds out that I failed to seduce Alpha Calle and become his Luna, he'll kill me."

"Alpha Uriah will surely kill you... just like what he did to your mother!"

My eyes almost popped out when I raised my face at Aunt Crisanta. "H-he was the one who killed my mother?"

My chest tightened when she nodded.

"B-but why?"

"Because Alpha Uriah found your mother's infidelity, which resulted in her death."

"Then who is my father?" I pressed Aunt Crisanta's hands.

“It’s Alpha Darius of Dark Vale pack,” she said, eyeing me with the same level of rage. “But I heard some news about his death by rogue attacks. So, that makes Alpha Lennon the new Alpha.”

“So it still makes me a half-werewolf. And that Lennon is my half-brother?” My eyes narrowed, and my head spun with so much information. “It means we can be allied to the Dark Vale pack. I know Calle and Lennon are civil friends, but of course, we can do some ways to make them enemies. Mortal enemies.”

"Suzette, we're thinking the same thing. You're starting to learn after just a few minutes with me," she said sweetly, running her fingers over my long hair. "But time is running out, my dear niece, so let me take you to my magical room to teach you some more."

I scraped my lower lip. Her invitation was appealing, but I couldn't stop my imagination from wandering to other possibilities. "Auntie, how about you assist me in casting a charm to make Alpha Calle fall in love with me?"

As we stood and started our way up the large staircase while our arms knotted together, she glanced at me with perplexity. "Oh, Suzette, we were just talking about removing the Alpha and his pack that had oppressed you; we must be standing by our words since everything we say is sacrosanct."

"Y-yes, but we can still strike our retribution when he's already head over heels in love with me. And when that happens, I'll be able to dominate him, and he'll do whatever I want him to do."

She sighed, dismissing a hand. "Fine. I'll see what I can do when we reach the magic chamber."

My grin broadened. "You are the best, Aunt Crisanta. Now I'm wondering why my mother chose the werewolves over living with you. I may not have been reared here, but I can see you were an affectionate sister to her."

"I wish she was the one saying that to me, my beloved," she muttered and smiled sadly.

As far as I remember, Aunt Crisanta and my mother had never had a good sibling relationship. When I was six, I remembered they were arguing over someone, only the name of that person was blurry. But I was sure it was a man. Now that I was twenty-three, I figured that the man was someone they both fell in love with.

I was fortunate that even though Mom was gone, my aunt still accepted me. Her own flesh and blood, as what she usually calls me even through telepathy.

***

Unlike the usual witch room which was dark and creepy, Aunt Crisanta’s magic room was bright, spacious, and cozy. There were no black candles that sat on skulls, only a couple of bottles with a variety of herbs.

“This one is for eliminating bad energy in the room. It’s made of bay leaf and rosemary.” Aunt Crisanta picked up a cluster of roots and wrapped them with more roots. “So… what’s the most complicated potion, spell, or talisman have you created so far?”

I ran my hands over the counter where a couple of expensive stones sat. “I don't know if you are going to believe it, but I already made a curse spell.”

She froze, looking at me. “What curse spell in particular? And to whom?”

"It was for Alpha Calle," I explained as I looked out the enormous window. The massive gate was visible, but it was only the size of an ant from where I stood. "I cursed his companion. She will never locate him, wherever he is. Even if she's merely passing through, she'll never know Calle is her mate."

“And how did you apply it?” Aunt Crisanta asked, full of curiosity.

"I'd combined it with the potion I usually give him. What he knew was that the ale's aim was to conceal his existence from his enemies. A she-wolf in heat would never have the same effect on him too. But, unknown to him, it also prevents his mate from locating him."

“Very well, my beloved niece. I’m so proud of you,” Aunt Crisanta said as she nodded. “But every spell we make has a price or collateral. So what have you pledged for repayment?”

“My own flesh and blood. And I guess, the mystic will collect payment right this moment because the magic expires once Calle sends me out of the picture.” I smiled at her sweetly. "Is that worth the price?"

She gulped, clutching her chest. Her face started to look pale. “T-then who did you sacrifice for that stupid spell!”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Aunt Crisanta. It should be you.”

“I should have known! You are one traitor witch just like your mother!” Her face was filled with anger and fury as she waved her hand. But before she could make a snap with her fingers, I lifted my hand, and she was pinned against the wall.

“Now, look at you, my beloved auntie. You look silly hanging on the wall just like a worthless painting,” I said, my tone full of regret. My system, however, was celebrating because my promise to Mom had finally come true. Before she died, she gave me all her knowledge and powers so I could kill her greatest rival one day. But it wasn’t enough! I needed to get Aunt Crisanta’s power to make myself the most powerful witch alive!

“I regret, I didn’t kill you the moment you were born! Is this how you repay me?” she screamed, her eyes becoming dark like deep opaque pools. She couldn’t do anything to harm me, though. I’d got myself a hex bag that shielded me from any kind of harm.

“Oh, give me credit!” I chuckled. When I waved my hand, she fell to the ground but was still unable to move. “I know the reason why you spared my life—you want to inhabit my body so my youth will make you much stronger. But that won’t happen, my dear aunt. Because I’ll absorb all your powers, instead!”

“So, you think you won over me, at last?” she groaned, crawling to the floor with her arms. “You may have immobilized me, but you forget that I am still able to talk. Remember, a witch’s words are powerful!”

“Shit,” I gritted, brushing my fingers to the charged air. I was aiming to make her mute, but before that happened, she spoke a phrase that even I couldn’t comprehend!

“What the hell did you say, huh?” I kicked her, but she was only laughing at me even though she was squirming in pain. “What curse have you wrapped in me!”

She stopped laughing and looked up at me with red eyes. “You will find it soon, my beloved flesh and blood.”

My insides were burning in so much fury that I raised my hand and balled it into a fist. Her scream was priceless. Just imagining her heart being crumbled and her stomach being intertwined into a thousandfold make me sob in blissfulness and fury. “You’ve lived long enough. Now it's time for you to go!”

Shortly, she bled out from her eyes and died.

I dropped to my knees, and with the use of a little knife which I hid under my coat, I cut through her shoulder. There was a little bag called a hex bag entrenched in there. It served as her resurrection bag.

I pulled it out from her body and cleaned it. Then I made a little cut on the lower side of my abdomen. Although the pain was unbearable, I implanted it within myself.

“Heal,” I whispered. Shortly, my skin had mended and the rupture in my clothes had gone as if no damage had been done.

“Alright,” I sighed. Seemed that the hex bag was already working. I felt much lighter, my senses heightened, my mind clearer, and my power stronger. It was like I was connected with all the elements of nature and the underworld.

Giving Aunt Crisanta’s dead body a once-over, I said, “Goodbye, Auntie. And thank you for your power.”