Chapter 51 Chapter 51

Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Violet's POV

The library was quiet except for the sound of pages turning.

I had been at this for hours. Searching through old texts, cross-referencing witch genealogies, looking for anything that might confirm my theory about Lila.

Half-wolves were rare. Most witch communities shunned them. Considered them abominations. Impure.

But that didn't mean they didn't exist.

I flipped another page, my eyes scanning the faded text. Then I stopped.

There.

A passage about bloodline concealment. Methods half-bloods used to hide their dual nature.

I read it twice, my pulse quickening.

This was it. This was the proof I needed.

I grabbed the book and headed straight for Ethan's office.

When I arrived, I found all three of them already there. Ethan sat behind his desk, Sophia beside him, and Max leaned against the wall near the window.

Max's eyes found mine immediately. I looked away.

"I found something," I announced, striding forward and dropping the book onto Ethan's desk.

Ethan looked up. "What is it?"

"Proof." I pointed to the passage. "Or close enough. This describes exactly how a half-wolf witch would hide their identity. The rituals they'd use. The potions. Everything matches what Lila did."

Sophia leaned forward, reading over Ethan's shoulder. Her eyes widened. "This says they can completely suppress their wolf side. Make it undetectable."

"Exactly," I said. "That's why Marcus never knew. Why no one knew. She buried it so deep that even mate bonds couldn't sense it."

"But she's dead," Sophia said softly. "We all saw her die at the ceremony."

I shook my head. "No. You saw her collapse. You saw what looked like death. But I don't think she's actually dead."

Ethan's head snapped up. "What?"

"Think about it," I said. "Lila is a witch. A powerful one. She knows potions, illusions, manipulation magic. What if the poison wasn't real? What if she faked her death?"

"That's impossible," Sophia said. "The healers checked her. They confirmed she was gone."

"Did they?" I challenged. "Or did they check a body that had no pulse, no breath, no signs of life because Lila made it that way? There are dozens of potions that can mimic death. Slow the heart to almost nothing. Stop breathing. Make the body cold."

Max pushed off from the wall. "You think she staged the whole thing."

"I know she did." I stopped and faced them. "Lila's body went missing, right? From Marcus's territory. And everyone assumed someone stole it. But what if no one stole it? What if she just walked away?"

Silence filled the room.

Ethan's expression darkened. "If you're right, if she's alive and out there somewhere..."

"She's planning something," I finished. "Something bigger than what she already tried."

Sophia's hands clenched in her lap. "We need to find her."

"We will," I said. "But first, we need a way to force her true form out. To make her reveal what she really is."

"How?" Ethan asked.

I turned back to the book, flipping several pages ahead. "There's a potion. A revelation draught. It strips away any concealment magic, any bloodline suppression. Forces the person to show their true nature."

"Can you make it?" Max asked.

I glanced at him, then away. "Yes. But it requires some rare ingredients. And time."

"How much time?" Ethan pressed.

"Two days. Maybe three."

Ethan nodded. "Whatever you need, you'll have it."

"Actually," I said, meeting his eyes. "I want something in return."

His eyebrow raised. "You want payment."

"I want two shop spaces. In the merchant district. For my potions and remedies."

Ethan studied me for a long moment. Then he smiled slightly. "Done."

"Just like that?" I said, surprised.

"Just like that." He stood, extending his hand. "You help us catch Lila and prove what she is, and you'll have your shops. Prime locations."

I shook his hand. "Deal."

Sophia stood as well. "Thank you, Violet. For everything you're doing."

I shrugged. "I don't like being manipulated. And Lila manipulated all of us."

Max cleared his throat. "So we have a potion that can reveal Lila's true form. That's good. But there's one problem."

"What?" I asked.

"How do we get Lila to drink it?" He crossed his arms. "She's not going to just walk up and take a sip of suspicious liquid."

He was right. That was the real challenge.

"We need a plan," Ethan said. "A way to draw her out and make her vulnerable."

"She's smart," Sophia added. "She'll suspect a trap."

"Then we make it irresistible," I said. "We give her something she wants so badly, she can't help but come for it."

"Like what?" Max asked.

I thought about it. About everything I'd learned about Lila. Her motivations. Her desires.

"Revenge," I said finally. "Lila wants revenge on everyone who exposed her. Who ruined her plans."

"So we use ourselves as bait," Ethan said slowly.

"Something like that." I tapped my fingers on the desk. "But first, I need to make the potion. Then we figure out how to deliver it."

"And we need to find her," Ethan added. "We can't execute any plan if we don't know where she is."

That was the biggest problem. Lila could be anywhere.

But something told me she hadn't gone far.

"I'll start gathering ingredients," I said. "In the meantime, increase security. Watch for anything unusual."

"Already done," Ethan said.

"Good." I picked up the book. "I'll get to work."

Sophia's voice stopped me at the door. "Violet?"

I looked back.

"Be careful. If Lila realizes we're onto her, she might come after you."

"Let her try," I said coldly.

Max straightened. "I'll help you gather what you need."

"I don't need help," I said automatically.

"Too bad." He moved toward the door. "You're getting it anyway."

I wanted to argue but having an extra pair of hands would speed things up.

"Fine," I muttered. "But stay out of my way."



Later that evening, I was organizing my notes when someone knocked on my door.

"Come in," I called.

Sophia entered, looking hesitant. "Am I interrupting?"

"No." I gestured to the chair. "What do you need?"

She sat down. For a moment, she didn't speak.

"I've been thinking," she said finally. "About how to catch Lila. How to make her drink the potion."

"And?"

"I think I have an idea."

I set down my quill and gave her my full attention. "I'm listening."

Sophia took a breath. "It's risky. And it requires me to put myself in danger. But I think it could work."

My eyes narrowed. "What kind of idea?"

She met my gaze. Her expression was determined.

"I know how to draw her out," Sophia said quietly.

I leaned forward. "Tell me."

But Sophia shook her head. "Not yet. I need to work out the details first."

"Sophia..."

"Trust me," she said. "Give me tonight to think it through. Tomorrow, I'll explain everything."

I studied her face. Saw the certainty there.

Whatever her plan was, she believed in it.

"Alright," I agreed. "Tomorrow."

Sophia nodded and stood. "Thank you, Violet."

She left, closing the door softly behind her.

I sat there staring at the closed door.

Sophia had an idea. A plan to draw Lila out.

And judging by her expression, it was going to be dangerous.

I just hoped she knew what she was doing.