Chapter 56: Chapter fifty six

Unknown person's POV

I have been observing the girl Adam brought here - Tammy - for a while now, and none of them even suspect a thing.

She isn't just a normal girl, no matter how much she tries to deny it. That night in the meeting, when she first arrived, I sensed something off about her. Something different.

Her scent burned hot in my nose, too intense, too unnatural. At first, I thought it was just my heightened senses playing tricks on me. But when I saw her up close again, I knew it wasn't.

Even the people who woke up from the curse-induced sleep testified that they had seen her doing something to them. I can't believe that even when Adam was there to witness it firsthand, he still didn't try to investigate her properly. And when he eventually did, he convinced himself she was a Wanderer. He proves to be a fool at times.

I'm incredibly glad that I've gotten somewhat close to them and I was able to get access to the book on Wanderers. And I'm also relieved that he was able to deceive himself into thinking that. It buys me enough time to carry out my own plans.

Tammy isn't a Wanderer. She's not human, either. She is something stronger. Something more dangerous. And I have to find out what exactly she is before Adam figures it out.

In all the seven packs in this forest, there is only one person I know, who can uncover the truth. Only the strongest witch in these lands, and my old acquaintance of mine.

Matilda Hyde.

She possesses nearly every ability a witch could have, and they've only grown stronger over the years.

Normally, when someone demands Matilda's services, they have to give something in exchange. But she already owes me enough, and I'm here to collect some of the debt.

She knows that if she refuses, I will expose the secrets that would destroy her and strip her of her powers. Once her coven members find out about it, even her strength won't save her.

....

I push open the cemetery gate where Matilda lives, the rusted iron creaking in protest.

A sharp gust of wind slams against me, opposing my movement, and forcing me back. Matilda has increased her defenses, almost like she fears someone. But who could possibly be stronger than her?

A voice drifts through the wind. "Who dares to enter my sanctuary?"

"Tilda, it is I," I call out, knowing she will hear me from wherever she is.

In a blink, Matilda appears before me. I should have been startled, but I'd already sensed her lurking.

She eyes me sharply before turning. "Come. Follow me," she says, her tone brisk.

The restraining wind vanishes, and I stride after her, keeping pace with her surprisingly quick steps.

Despite her age, she moves with purpose, her long legs carrying her to the structure at the end of the cemetery.

She stands in the middle of some form of an altar, where light beams filter in through a gap in the roof. Her expression is grim.

"That girl, Tammy, she is trouble," Matilda says, her voice low, laced with foreboding.

I hadn't informed her of my purpose for coming here, but of course, she would know.

"She isn't who she thinks she is," Matilda continues. "She is Arabella."

Arabella.

The name sounds familiar, but I can't place where I've heard it before.

"Arabella," I repeat slowly. "Should we be worried about her?"

Matilda's lips press into a thin line. "Indeed, we should. She has the power to ruin everything I have built."

I arch a brow. "We," I correct her. "We have built. Don't forget what I sacrificed to get us this far."

Matilda scoffs. "And you also forget that if you had stopped that girl from coming back, we wouldn't be in this situation at all." Her eyes narrow. "You have been playing the part of their ally all this time, yet you failed to do the one thing that mattered - send her back."

I step closer, my voice dropping to a warning whisper. "Tilda, I think your old age is making you forget what I can do to you if you keep up this attitude."

She throws her head back and cackles, that witchy sound she has now perfected, the sound bouncing off the hollow walls around us. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she mutters an incantation. Objects fly at me from all directions.

Just before they can reach me, I stretch out my hand, sending them away with a force of my own.

Matilda grins. "Good to know your powers aren't getting any weaker."

I smirk. "They came from the best, after all." Then, my expression hardens. "Enough playing. Who is Arabella?"

Matilda hums thoughtfully, then turns to a stack of ancient books in the corner and pulls one from the pile. She places it on the book stand in the middle of the altar, and the pages flip open on their own.

"There was a prophecy," she begins, "several years ago, about the alpha's son - Adam - and his destined mate. The daughter of Alexander, the overthrown alpha of the skyline pack, and Freya, the most powerful witch in all the seven packs."

I exhale sharply, my brows furrowing in thought. "So Tammy - Arabella, she is a..."

"Witch, yes. A werewolf, also yes," she pauses, her expression darkening. "And she must be stopped before she is fully bound to Adam-"

"It's too late for that, I fear."

Matilda's head snaps towards me, eyes burning. "What do you mean?"

"They mated on the night of the full moon."

The room is silent for a beat. Then, Matilda slams her hand onto the altar, her voice rising in fury. "And you did nothing to stop it?!"

I cross my arms, unbothered. "What was I supposed to do? Barge in on them?"

She inhales sharply, nostrils flaring. "You should have done something. Now, it may be too late."

"It can't be," I argue. "She doesn't even know who she is yet. We can use that to our advantage."

Matilda stares at me for a moment too long, then nods slowly. "She possesses the last of the witches' handbook. We must take it before she begins to understand her power."

"That won't be a problem. I will get it tomorrow."

Matilda whirls on me, eyes flashing. "No. Tonight."

I frown. "Why the rush?"

"Witches' abilities grow stronger at night. And it has already been two nights since she and Adam mated. We cannot delay this any further."

I sigh. "And if I don't get it in time?"

Matilda's face hardens, and the book in front of her flips violently before settling on a page. Her gaze lingers there, then lifts to meet mine, dark and unyielding.

"Then we kill her. Before she masters her powers."