Chapter 99: The Calm Before the Storm

Every breath felt charged in the forest, as if the world itself were holding its breath due to the heavy tension in the air. As the day was coming to an end, Celeste stood at the edge of the clearing and saw the trees' long shadows. The faint murmur of the village resounded in the distance, but it did little to calm her pounding heart. Like a storm on the horizon, the struggle with Vivienne and the other packs anxious to take what was hers loomed.

Magnus was standing next to her, a reassuring weight on her shoulders. Celeste could sense the turbulence inside him, just as she could sense the storm building inside herself, even if he hadn't said much because he was absorbed in his own thoughts. They had arrived at this point because of the prophecy. Was she really prepared to face it, though? Could she accept the strength she had long suppressed? Between her fear of the consequences and her desire to protect her children, her heart and head were at odds.

Magnus replied, "Celeste," in a harsh, low voice. "I've been contemplating."

She felt the weight of his stare, but she didn't look at him. He was standing only a breath away from her, and she could feel the change in the air.

With a softer tone than she had intended, she inquired, "About what?"

He moved a little, as if he wasn't sure what to say. "about us. Almost... everything. She sensed the truth in his tone and the way his remorse clung to him like a shroud as his voice trailed off. "I was mistaken, Celeste. I now understand that.

The words lingered in the atmosphere like a thin, sharp thread. Celeste tensed up, the old pain in her chest returning. "You were," she muttered, hardly able to look him in the eye.

Magnus breathed softly, the sound of a man weighed down by remorse. "I should never have turned you away. I was a fool. That was never yours. That error has plagued me for years.

Celeste felt her heart ache. The anguish of his rejection still lingered in the deepest depths of her soul, but hearing him say it—seeing the honesty in his eyes—pulled at the walls she had constructed around herself.

She added gently, "You didn't just reject me, Magnus," before she could stop herself. "You left me behind. left me with nothing. By themselves. I'm standing here with you right now, and I'm not sure what to believe.

He moved in closer, his palm grazing hers as he stretched out to her, his voice a low growl. "Celeste, I'm not pleading for your pardon. What I accomplished cannot be undone. But I’m here now. I will not be leaving. I promise.

Celeste remained silent for a while. She didn't lean toward him, but she also didn't move away from him. In actuality, she had lost her sense of what she desired. She wanted to believe him, but her heart was still broken and scarred from years of hiding. However, her mind cried out that she was too far gone and that it was too late.

Then a flash of memories raced through her thoughts, of their link, of their time together. She recalled the way he had looked at her before everything had fallen apart, and the warmth of his touch. And she melted a little, in spite of all her instincts.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she uttered, "Perhaps you can't alter the past." “But we’re here now. Additionally, we must defend our children and what we have. Vivienne and the rival packs must be stopped. Prior to it being too late.

Magnus tightened his grip on her hand and nodded. "I'll battle you. Always.

With the weight of the future pressing down on her heart, she looked toward the village. They were almost at the Eclipse Festival. The stakes were stronger than ever for the impending decisive fight. She sensed it—the tug of her fate, her children's fates entwined with the packs' future. Dormant within her was the power she had so hard attempted to stifle. But would it be sufficient to keep them safe?

Celeste was alone in the clearing once more as the sun sank below the horizon, illuminating the world with gold and purple hues. She was alone with her thoughts and the eerie feeling of an approaching storm as Magnus left to assemble his forces.

Shortly afterward, she sensed the well-known presence of Rowan, the Oracle, hiding just outside the trees. He emerged like a phantom from the darkness, his ancient eyes shining with wisdom Celeste was still learning.

With a voice like the rustle of ancient leaves, Rowan said, "Celeste." "There is something you need to comprehend."

Her heart pounded as she turned to face him. Rowan, what is it? Tell me.

With cautious motions, he took a step closer. "Your offspring, the twins, have more power than you realize. They hold the secret to all things. However, only if you embrace who you really are.

Her throat tightened each breath. "What do you mean?"

Rowan's eyes flickered with something old and unreadable as his gaze deepened. It's not what you think the prophecy is. It goes beyond only keeping children safe. Celeste, it's about accepting your past. The basis of Ashborne is linked to the strength you possess and the bloodline you have concealed. You are no longer able to avoid it.

Her chest grew heavy with the words. She had always had a gut feeling that she was a part of something much bigger than what she had been told. However, hearing it from Rowan felt like a dam bursting and the truth pouring in at her.

Her voice was hardly heard as she murmured, "I'm not sure if I can do this."

For a brief time, Rowan appeared almost... human as his eyes softened. Celeste, you have to. The only person who can prevent what is about to happen is you. However, there is more. You wouldn't believe how near the betrayal is.

A beat skipped across her heart. "What do you mean?"

Rowan lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned closer. Celeste, one of them. It's inevitable that one of your kids will turn against you. They won't realize how powerful they are until it's too late. And the harm might have already been done by then.

She felt a shudder run down her spine as the words hit her like a lightning bolt. The weight of his words sank over her, and she felt the blood drain from her cheeks.

She demanded in a trembling voice, "Who?" "Which one?"

Slowly, Rowan shook his head, a mysterious smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm not sure. It is difficult to predict the future. But Celeste, you have to get ready for it. Everything will depend on the decision you make right now.

Rowan retreated into the darkness before she could reply, his form vanishing into the darkness. The smell of approaching rain filled the air as the wind stirred.

The festival began as the blood-red moon, a sign of trouble, rose. The twins, whose powers buzzed beneath their skin, were the focus of the packs' attention as they assembled in the ceremonial grounds. Vivienne was in the lead, her ambition obvious and her eyes ravenous.

Celeste and Magnus stood side by side, their gazes fixed on each other in an unspoken understanding. The fight was on. They were forced to confront it.

Magnus and Celeste fought side by side when the initial, fast, and brutal attack came, their actions coordinated in a rhythm they had learned through suffering and shared experiences. However, as the conflict continued, an unforeseen event occurred.

A strange power delivered Magnus an unseen blow that sent him plummeting to the ground. Celeste's instincts begged her to defend him, but there was no time, so she hurried to his side, her heart stopping.

"Celeste, keep fighting!" he growled, his face going white. "Don't—don't stop!"

However, Vivienne's piercing and authoritative voice interrupted her as she was about to attack.

"Celeste, stop," Vivienne snarled. "Are you sure you can stop me? Do you believe you can keep them safe? Her smile twisted into something evil as she gestured to the twins. Celeste, I've been playing tricks on them the entire time. You will be betrayed by one of them. And you won't have anyone left after that.

When Celeste realized the seriousness of Vivienne's remarks and turned to face her kids, her blood froze. The prophecy was about a decision, a betrayal she hadn't anticipated, and it wasn't just about power.

The future appeared impossible to predict at that point. Celeste saw a spark of something she couldn't understand, a darkness she had prayed would never come to light, when her eyes met one of her children's.