Chapter 39 PRECIOUS GIFT

Chapter 39 PRECIOUS GIFT
Hazel P.O.V.

I unwrap the gift carefully, not wanting to tear the beautiful, shiny red paper. Inside is a paper box—not heavy, with something jingling inside.
I take off the lid slowly, afraid I might spill the contents. When I finally see what's inside, my heart skips a beat, and tears threaten to fall.
There's a gorgeous silver charm bracelet, but what really catches my attention is one of the charms. It's the pendant we bought together when we were still working at the club. I can't believe she kept it all this time, after everything that happened, after everything she went through.
The pendant is heart-shaped, with colored stones set on the left side and a silver puzzle piece set on the right. My matching pendant was a heart too, with another puzzle piece that fit perfectly with Cindy's—only mine had the stones on the puzzle piece instead of the heart.
"You kept it all this time," I say, astonished, my voice trembling with emotion.
Cindy laughs warmly. "I did. And look at the other charms."
She points to a tiny black wolf. "This is Derek," she explains. "The white flower with the bright blue stone is Meera. The feather symbolizes your mom—you know, because of the wind power."
My lip trembles, and I feel like I'm about to start sobbing like a little girl.
"The 'J' is for your dad," she continues. "This lapis lazuli stone represents Lukas—it symbolizes friendship and honesty. This symbol is a Celtic knot, resembling the roots of an oak tree. It stands for your connection to Lukas, like brother and sister, drawing strength from each other. 'A' is for Amanda. And lastly, the crescent moon and the star are for your pack and our pack—both of which are your home."
"Goddess, you did your research," I joke, trying to hold back the tidal wave of gratitude and love threatening to submerge me.
"Come here, silly," Cindy says warmly, pulling me into a strong, tight hug. I breathe in her scent greedily—it's familiar, calming, soothing. Just like home.
When we pull back, Meera takes my wrist and gently fastens the bracelet.
"This," she says, pointing to the flower charm that represents herself, "is a real charm. It will protect you when you truly need it. But it can only be used once."
She searches my eyes, making sure I understand.
"When you need to unleash its power, picture the charm in your mind and ask it to help you."
Then Meera caresses my cheek tenderly and tells me through the mind-link, "I wish I could help you more." Her eyebrows draw together, and her bottom lip trembles. "There's so much darkness waiting ahead, but there's light too. Trust the light."
I'm not sure what she's trying to tell me, but I suppose I'll understand when the time comes. This witchy version of Meera is new to me—I'm not used to her talking in riddles and dispensing pearls of wisdom. But I like it. She seems more sure of herself, not hesitant and uncertain like before. She's found her way, and I'm happy for her.
I hug her tightly and whisper, "Thank you."
"You did the spell?" I confirm.
She nods, smiling proudly.
"How did you learn so fast? I mean, you've only been a witch for a little over a month!"
I'm genuinely curious how she pulled all of this off. She cured the whole pack, found my location, enchanted the bracelet—these aren't easy feats.
"I had help."
My furrowed brow asks the question without me saying a word.
Whose help? Witches aren't easy to find, and they dislike werewolves.
"Do you remember at the restaurant in the mall, when we noticed that woman watching you, and I thought she looked familiar?"
"Yes," I reply uncertainly, not sure where she's going with this. Did my enemy help rescue me? Unlikely.
"Well, it turns out that witches can feel each other's presence—a bit like werewolves in a pack. And the familiarity is stronger if the witches share the same element."
"What does that mean?"
"Every witch is more attuned to one element. It could be fire, water, earth, light, or wind—like in my case."
A laugh escapes me. "Now you and Derek can fly around together like swallows."
Meera scratches her head, looking sheepish. "Actually, I'm not that good at controlling my gift yet. But I'm very good at other spells—especially locator spells."
"That's awesome!" I encourage her. "And you shouldn't be flying around anyway, at least not until my niece or nephew is out of the oven."
"Good advice, coming from a woman who's pregnant and has been running around fighting and playing 007," Lukas comments, then adds with a fake cough, "Hypocrite."
"Wasn't I forgiven?" I whine, annoyed by his constant taunting.
"Kind of. But you still have a long way to go to atone for your sins," Lukas says smugly.
I shoot him a death glare, while Cindy playfully slaps his bicep. "Leave the poor girl alone!" she scolds, laughing.
"So, you found a witch willing to teach you?" I focus my attention back on Meera.
"Yes!" she replies enthusiastically. "Right here in the Night Walkers pack."
Lukas presses his lips into a tight line, clearly not impressed by Meera's discovery.
This information takes me by surprise. A witch living among wolves? That's a first!
"I didn't know you were harboring witches in your pack," I tease Lukas, pretending to be shocked and outraged.
"Yeah, me neither," he says, sounding unenthusiastic.
"How come no one ever noticed her? Not that I have anything against her—just curious," I clarify before Meera can get the wrong idea. I have nothing against witches, apart from the ones hunting me.
"She's mated to a wolf," Meera explains. "Everyone thought she was human. She didn't reveal her true identity for fear of being driven out of the pack. You know how some werewolves feel about witches."
That makes sense.
"I do. But be assured that this pack and our pack will not tolerate shunning of other species on our territories."
I give Lukas a pointed look, making sure he's on the same page.
He holds up his hands in surrender and smirks. "Hey, I'm harboring a witch, a full hybrid and a future one, a white wolf, and possibly another white wolf in the making. If I'm okay with all that, I'm okay with anything."
Yeah, he's a good guy. He'd never kick us out. Actually, we're lucky to have him on our side, offering us shelter without fear of repercussions. I should give him more credit. Sometimes I forget how selfless he can be. He's a good Alpha—just and wise. And with Cindy by his side, fierce and unyielding, they're the perfect couple.
Another white wolf in the making.
The words echo in my mind like a broken record. I still can't wrap my head around it. Could I really be pregnant? It seems impossible. But if by some chance it's true, it would be both amazing and terrible. I've wanted it for so long. And of all times, it has to be now—when Derek is out of his mind and nowhere to be found, when enemies are after my blood and nowhere is safe.
And if it's a baby girl, she'll be the new white wolf. I don't want my children to go through what I went through. On one hand, being shamed and hated for being different. On the other, being hunted and feared for being powerful.
I want my children to be loved and accepted. To live happy, fulfilled lives. And I will work hard to give them that—if I survive long enough to give birth, that is.
"Would you like to meet her?" Meera asks suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"The witch?"
"Who else? Santa Claus?" Damon jokes.
I frown at his bratty remark, but he just smirks back. Jerk.
"Yes. She helped me with the spell to locate you, and she's heard so much about you. I'm sure she'll be—"
Meera stops mid-sentence. Her eyes go vacant, her body frozen like a statue.
"Meera? Is something wrong?" I ask worriedly, gripping her hands.
But she doesn't reply. She doesn't even acknowledge me. It's like she's in some kind of trance.
"She's having a vision," Damon explains. "She can't hear you."