ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR

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As our blood merged with the Flower of Destiny, a powerful surge of energy enveloped us, instantly surrounding us. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the wild winds tested our determination.

Ace and I held each other's hands despite the turbulence, bracing ourselves against the storm's fury. The Flower of Destiny emitted an aura of tranquility and hope but also danger, its petals slowly unfurled, radiating unparalleled beauty.

On Acantha's warning, we closed our eyes, took deep breaths, and focused on our inner strength.

Suddenly, a brilliant light burst forth from the palms of our hands, illuminating the entire forest. A mysterious energy began to swirl around us, and we could feel the bonds of the curse gradually loosening.

Suddenly, we heard a scream. It was Acantha, and when I opened my eyes; she was on the floor writhing in pain.

"Acantha!" I yelled and tried to move so I could help her but I was suddenly stuck. Ace attempted to, but he got caught in the same fate as me. Our palms were trapped on the petals, and our feet were rooted to our spots.

What was happening?

Acantha continuously cried in pain, gripping her stomach as she rolled on the floor. She was trying so hard to swallow the pain but it seemed too much for her to bear.

"Don't stop, you have to keep going.." I heard her mutter to us despite her situation. She didn't stop struggling to suppress the pain as she urged us to keep going.

"We have come this far, don't let it be for nothing," she whimpered, encouraging us.

Seeing the desperation in her eyes with my tears-filled ones, I finally realized what was happening.

The flower of destiny does not give without taking something in return. My eyes widened and fear gripped my heart.

Was Acantha sacrificing herself to get rid of the curse? It can't be!

"Acantha, no! I cannot let you go!"

"Focus!" She gritted in pain, the lightning revealing the earnest plea in her eyes.

Tears dropped from my eyes as I realized I couldn't help her. No matter how hard Ace and I tried, we couldn't move from our spot. Ace's arm came around me in consolation and I shook my head at him as I cried, refusing to let my grandmother go.

I had only just found her, how could I let her go so quickly?

"Please don't take her away from me, take something else. Please spare her life, she is my only family!" I pleaded but the only response I got was the turbulence that grew worse.

I continuously begged while struggling to free myself, but it was all futile.

Ace's arm held me and it dawned on me that I couldn't stop this. Acantha had chosen to take this step from the start, why didn't she tell me? How could she do this to me? I couldn't help the guilt and while I sobbed, Ace's arm comforted me.

I had expected something ridiculous but not Acantha's life. It was too painful to digest, but I couldn't do anything to stop it.

Total darkness took over, and I could feel a weight evacuating my body, an empty feeling resting in its place.

The dark forces within us slowly dissipated, and I knew that the curse had been lifted. I felt a feeling of freedom and something else that I couldn't explain.

We had been liberated from the curse, at the expense of Acantha's life. I felt a sense of sadness.

After a while, the clouds started to brighten up until the darkness completely evaded. The petal, stained with our blood, had now disappeared, and a fresh one grew in its place. I looked around for Acantha but her body was no longer there.

The garden started to close up, and soon we were standing in the meadow again, in front of a small cluster of beautiful flowers.

"Acantha!" I yelled, looking around with tears streaming down my face.

"Ellen," Ace called me gently, holding me from losing my mind. I tore myself out of his embrace and began running around the area, yelling my grandmother's name. Seeing that he couldn't stop me, Ace joined, and soon we were combing the area, looking for her.. but she was nowhere within our sight.

"You remind me of your mother, quite stubborn," a quiet, familiar voice met my ears, and I turned to see my grandmother behind me. She looked worn out as she tried to maintain her balance on her jellied legs. "I told you to leave as soon as it is over, didn't I?"

"You're alive!" I didn't wait for the shock to dissolve before running into her arms, hugging her as close yet carefully as I could.

"I guess so," she chuckled weakly.

"How could you do that without even telling me?"

"Because I didn't want you to worry. I had a feeling you would have tried to stop me."

"I'm so glad you're alive!"

"Does this mean the curse isn't broken yet?" Ace asked.

"It's not possible. Once the flower of destiny is summoned, it doesn't return without fulfilling its goal," Acantha said, looking equally confused.

"Maybe the moon goddess helped us, or the flower chose to help us without a fee," I theorized.

"That is very unlikely, but I cannot say that it is impossible," Acantha seemed to agree.

"Then let's take it as that, I'm just glad you both are okay," I breathed out, going to hug Ace.

"We must leave now, it's a long journey ahead."

"And I've got to stop Derek before he goes extreme with his hunt. This time, permanently, he has done enough harm," Ace said and I nodded in support.

At once, we started back home. There was still so much left to do, and we didn't have all the time. Ace needed to show everyone that he was alive and reclaim his position as Alpha; the Ocean Howls pack had been under Henry's care since our dilemma and I couldn't imagine the amount of pressure that he must be going through in the werewolf community. I had faced it once and it was a dreadful experience that eventually ruined everything.

But now, I had gained them all back.

No matter what, Derek had to be stopped. He had taken control of the Rogue factions and seemed to be growing more powerful by the day; I feared he would soon become undefeatable if not stopped soon. It was obvious what his target was, the Ocean Howls Pack and me. I could only hope that the members were safe.

The pack also deserved an explanation for my actions, and I couldn't deny that it feared me. I thought of their reaction the moment they saw me, and I could feel the hair on my skin rise.

I knew I would be judged before I even got the chance to speak; no one trusted me as much as Ace, so I prepared myself to be able to stand against their criticisms.

Ace pulled me close, smiling down at me and I felt a surge of confidence rush through me. What was I scared for? I could face anything as long as Ace stood by my side.

He was all that I needed; he was the other part of me that made me complete, and as long as he wasn't against me, I didn't care about anyone else's thoughts.

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