Chapter 286
Chapter 286
Lira's POV
I stared at Zoey, completely dumbfounded. Me, becoming the leader of a coven? Someone who'd only recently discovered she was a witch, leading a group of experienced practitioners? This had to be some kind of joke.
"Me? Your leader?" I finally found my voice. "I—I don't even know what that means."
Rebecca stepped forward. "Zoey's right. We've already discussed this privately," she explained, gesturing toward Margaret, who nodded solemnly in agreement. "If you're interested... we'd support you completely."
Margaret smiled. "We want you to lead us."
My thoughts raced as my heart pounded in my chest. Lead a coven of witches? I could barely manage my own life!
"But I know almost nothing about leadership or magic," I shook my head. "How could I possibly lead you? I'm just beginning to learn the most basic spells."
Stella walked in from the doorway, where she'd been quietly observing everything. "If you accept this role, I might join full-time," she offered. "I can help you navigate everything. You won't be alone."
Lily winked playfully. "Just promise us one thing, okay? Don't use that creepy mind magic to control our thoughts. I really cherish the few ideas I have in my head."
Despite the tension, I couldn't help but laugh. "I promise, I won't control anyone's mind. Honestly, I can barely control my own thoughts."
Looking around, I saw expectation written on every face, the weight of their trust almost suffocating. Do they really believe I can do this? I'm not even sure what tomorrow holds, let alone leading an ancient organization of witches.
"Can I think about it?" I finally asked, my voice steadier than I expected. "This is... a lot to process."
"Of course, dear," Rebecca said gently, patting my hand. "Take your time."
---
After breakfast, we headed into town for shopping. The city mall was bustling with weekend shoppers. We split into groups: Lily and Zoey made a beeline for the fashion boutiques, while Erin preferred bookstores and antique shops, with Austin following patiently behind.
Three hours later, I collapsed onto a bench in the center of the mall, surrounded by shopping bags. Who knew shopping could be so exhausting? I silently lamented, grateful that Nathan had generously offered his credit card.
Rebecca approached with two iced coffees, handing one to me. "You look like you need an energy boost," she smiled, sitting beside me.
"Thanks," I gratefully accepted the drink, but as the coffee aroma hit my nostrils, a wave of mild nausea swept over me. I fought to hide my reaction.
"So, have you thought about it?" Rebecca asked. "About leading us?"
I sighed, watching people pass by. "It's a huge responsibility, Rebecca. I don't know if I'm ready. Leading a coven? My own life is a mess."
"You're stronger than you think, Lira," Rebecca's voice was firm. "You have the most powerful gift we've seen. And you have a kind heart—that's more important than any magical skill. We'd be proud to have you guide us."
Her faith touched me. This woman, once controlled by Bruce, forced to do terrible things, now trusted me so completely.
"Then I accept," I decided. "But you'll need to be patient. We'll learn and grow together. I'd be honored."
Rebecca clapped her hands excitedly. "Wonderful! Come on, let's tell the others the good news."
---
That evening, we celebrated at an upscale restaurant. The interior was decorated with soft lighting and elegant artwork, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.
"To our new leader," Margaret proposed, raising her glass. "May she guide us to a new beginning."
The server poured red wine for everyone, but when he reached me, the rich grape aroma suddenly became overwhelmingly pungent. My stomach twisted violently, as if someone had tied it in knots. Damn!
I instinctively pushed the wine glass away, feeling a strong wave of nausea rise in my throat.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked perceptively, eyebrows raised. "You look uncomfortable."
"It's nothing," I smiled weakly. "Just not in the mood for wine tonight."
Lily tilted her head, those green eyes seeming to see right through me. Suddenly, her expression shifted from curiosity to shock. "Wait..." her voice dropped, "you're not PREGNANT, are you?"
The table went eerily quiet. All eyes turned to me with various expressions—surprise, curiosity, concern, even excitement.
I felt my cheeks burning, my heart racing. Pregnant? Me? The thought had never seriously crossed my mind, but now that Lily mentioned it, many things suddenly made sense—the morning sickness, unusual sensitivity to smells, mood swings...
"I..." I stammered, at a loss for words.
"You have been feeling unwell in the mornings lately," Erin gently pointed out, "and this morning you turned pale at the smell of bacon."
"And your mood swings," Zoey added carefully, "you cried for ten minutes the other day because you couldn't find your socks."
"I've just been tired lately," I protested weakly, but my mind was already wavering. Oh my God! Could it really be...?
---
Nathan's POV
When Lira and the witches returned from shopping, I was reading in the living room. Footsteps in the hallway made me look up, immediately noticing the tension in the air.
Lira walked in first, her face pale with evident fatigue under her eyes. More concerning was the pharmacy bag in her hand—not the clothing store bags I'd expected.
Is she sick? What happened?
"How was the shopping trip?" I tried to keep my voice casual as I stood and walked toward her. "Looks like you found quite a bit?"
The witches exchanged a series of glances before exiting the room one by one. Their collective retreat deepened my concern.
"Lira," I stood before her, gently lifting her chin. "What's going on? Are you feeling unwell?"
She took a deep breath, those green eyes flickering with complex emotions. "We need to talk, Nathan."
"Easy now, baby." I guided her to the sofa, holding her hands tightly. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
"I've been feeling unwell lately," she began explaining, her voice slightly shaky. "Morning sickness, sensitivity to smells, mood swings... Everyone noticed, especially at dinner tonight."
I felt a premonition stirring within me. "You mean..."
"I might be pregnant, Nathan."