Chapter 72: 72

Dylan's point of view

I took my mate into my arms, walking back to the pack. Gosh, the entire place in the witches' quarters was a damn mess. Luckily, the witches contained everything here with their powers, ensuring there was not a single bit of destruction at the pack house. Only a deep crack could be noticed on the ground.

I placed my beautiful mate on the bed. We were in my room. My hands clasped hers as I stared at her pale face, still holding her tightly as the witches prepared for the ritual. I let the covers drape over her, hoping it would bring a little warmth to her. She was turning ice-cold. I heaved out a breath, part of me thanking the stars I arrived just in time before things got more messy—or rather, before anyone got hurt, or even worse, killed.

My large hand began to caress her cheek gently, hoping it would at least do some good. Mason and Brielle had mind-linked me earlier when they found out she seemed to be missing. No one knew where she was. She was neither at the pack house nor at the witches' quarters. They searched everywhere but still couldn't find her until dusk had settled in.

Celeste and the witches had to locate her with their powers, and thankfully she was found, though unconscious. What was more surprising was where she had been all this time. She had been at the witches' cemetery. Yes, we have one too, at the east part of the pack's territory. It has been there for the longest time now; all the witches who have been at the pack and have died are all buried there.

And by all the witches, I meant every single one, even before my grandfather's reign as Alpha Lord. Every witch who had been with us but passed away is laid there to rest. It is our way of honoring them, even the nine witches of the French Quarters. That was what was surprising; Aderyn never even knew that place existed, so how on earth did she find it?

When the witches found her, she was lying unconscious on the ground beside her ancestral tomb—or rather, the Raynell tomb where every Raynell was laid to rest over the years, including her mother's mother, Fiona, except for Cora. Aderyn was lying next to it, with blue flames surrounding her. The witches took her and brought her back to the quarters.

My eyes drifted to the black mark that lay on her wrist. It was a rune. I brushed my fingers on it, remembering it wasn't there last night when she lay right next to me. My gaze was fixed on the rune when I heard a mild movement from her. I pulled my head up, abruptly meeting her blazing blue eyes staring at me. Her eyes consumed burning blue fire; I was thankful for the bracelet Celeste had placed on her, otherwise, she would have been moving things around by now.

I moved closer to her, my hand on her face. "How are you feeling now?" I said, almost whispering.

She didn't respond; instead, hot tears rolled out from her blue, blazing eyes.

"Hey, hey." I moved to the bed, wiping the trails of tears. My body was gently next to hers, and I could now feel the sudden vibration that came from her. Her heartbeat was normal, but her body was now smoking hot, when seconds ago she was freezing cold. She was hot, vibrating as if she was literally ablaze. I still kept my hands on her, stroking her face gently to calm her down.

Then her breathing levitated. "M-m-ove awa-y-y," she bit out with a lot of difficulty, and flames appeared in the room—blue flames.

It now seemed the bracelet on her couldn't contain her any longer. I quickly notified the witches; whatever they were doing, they had to hurry. At this rate, she would hurt herself.

"Dylan, get out!" she ordered breathlessly, shutting her eyes closed.

"Don't fight it any longer," I whispered to her, my hold on her tightening.

I knew she needed me at this time. I would never leave her side.

'Never!' Gunther agreed with me.

"Leav—e no—w." Her words stuck in her throat as she suddenly sucked in deep breaths. Her eyes then pushed open, shining even more deadlier.

She most definitely wasn't in control now.

Aderyn's eyes narrowed on me, and I could tell she probably identified me as danger. Before I knew it, I was floating in the air; then next, she pinned me down against the wall, while still lying idly on the bed. She didn't even move a muscle.

I felt a strong force boiling up my insides. This was her doing. The blue flames that appeared earlier began to move toward me. I quickly placed a shield over myself, still pinned to the wall.

Aderyn moved out of the bed; she was still not in control. She moved closer to me, and I dug into her mind.

'Breathe, Aderyn,' I echoed in her mind. 'You need air, you need to calm down.' I said it again, calming down her nerves. Her hold on me lessened; I peeled myself from her hold, falling to the floor. I swear it was working for a second, then her body riled up again, and the blue fire in her eyes intensified. The rune on her hand, for the first time, began to glow.

I didn't want to hurt her, and neither did I want to leave her alone.

Just in time, Celeste appeared from behind with Helene. They both chanted some words, making Aderyn lose her balance. I caught her just in time before she landed on the floor. The blue flames around her died instantly.

"Dylan," she called, clearly out of strength. The witches came to her, helping her to the bed.

"It's good you are calmer now," Celeste said with a small smile.

"What's wrong with me?" my mate's frail voice rang out.

"We don't have much time before your magic takes over again. It's your awakening," Celeste stated, and for a minute Aderyn looked like she had never heard such a word.

"Awakening?" she asked.

"Yes..."

"I don't understand."

"Well, it's rare, but it only happens when a witch's magic wants out."

Aderyn gave a quick look as if saying, seriously. "I have my powers; I've been using my magic ever since I could walk."

"Clearly not all of it. But recently, something in you sought it out... maybe a feeling or vulnerability."

Aderyn looked like she wanted to say something, but instead, her eyes widened as if suddenly realizing something.

"How do I make it stop?" she asked.

"You can't; your body and mind are fighting it back. You need to accept it; it's a part of you that should have been awakened a long time ago."

As Celeste spoke, a blue glow began to form in Aderyn's eyes. It was starting again.

"I will guide you through it. You just have to be ready to accept it," Celeste uttered as her hand landed on the rune on Aderyn's wrist. Her eyes widened upon noticing it.

"Do you know what it is?" I asked her.

Celeste nodded, her eyes not leaving the black rune. "She had one too—your mother."

Aderyn didn't seem surprised.

"Everything is ready already. We must leave now." I helped Aderyn up, taking her to the witches' quarters. It was different from earlier—or rather, back to normal. The witches had repaired the disaster that was once caused.

Celeste asked me to remain behind. I growled inwardly, not wanting to leave Aderyn, but I just had to endure it.

Aderyn was led to the witch court; she stood in the middle of the red, burning candles that surrounded her.

The witches too took their positions, forming a circle outside the burning candles. Every coven member was present, then the chants began...