Chapter 111: The ritual

When the doors swung open, darkness enveloped the church, and the only light came from the lit candles surrounding the altar ahead.

The church was empty, except for the figure standing at the altar

Elara.

At that moment, my breathing stilled, and all the anxiety left my body like there was something in the still air that comforted me.

“Come, Gina.”

Her voice was melodic and gentle, as it echoed through the walls of the church. Devyn led the way before my feet started moving. I felt like a lion cub being guided by its mother as Devyn moved forward, with a protective presence. Each step I took was slow, and calculated, as if I would make a mistake if I walked too fast.

As we reached the altar, I got a clearer view of Elara. Clad in a flowing dress that gracefully touched the ground, it complimented her radiant dark skin. Even though she was a witch, she had a breathtaking presence that reminded me of an angelic being, and she looked surprisingly young.

She smiled at me, then glanced at Devyn, “Her protector,” she hummed, looking pleased, “You’ve done exceptionally well.”

I glanced at Devyn, feeling pride swell in my chest. Though his expression was blank, I was sure he loved the appraisal.

“What’s the point of this ritual?” Devyn questioned, hitting the nail on the head. I shot him a warning look, sending a message to his mind saying, ‘Let’s take it one at a time.’

He completely ignored me, scowling as he waited for Elara’s response.

“I understand you have questions. It’s a soul-binding ritual to create a balance in her soul.”

My forehead furrowed as confusion swept through me, “A balance?”

Elara nodded as her gaze fixated on me, “Yes. There’s a conflict going on between the two halves of your soul; Human and Wolf. The ritual will help connect them because if it’s done, your body won’t be able to withstand the power of the ascension.”

I listened attentively, but I couldn’t understand why there was a conflict going on within me.

“Why would there be a conflict?” Devyn cut in.

The next words Elara uttered made my eyes widen.

“Grief. Your wolf has grieved for a long time, and she feels neglected. All this while, she has hidden deep within, finding solace in the darkness. All she needs is to be comforted and pulled out from it. She needs you because she’s still grieving her mother.”

My heart immediately sank at the mention of my mother. It was less hard to live through her losing her because I never got the chance to meet her. Why was it hard for my wolf?

“I don’t understand,” I muttered.

“There’s a unique connection a wolf has with their mother. Your wolf never did, and even when she was supposed to find comfort in you, your human soul suppressed it, though not intentionally.”

Silence hung around us as I pondered on what I just heard. I was part wolf and part human, yet my human side had suppressed the other. I thought of all the years I had spent as a normal human, living a normal human life, and I had a feeling that was where the suppression had started.

An aching feeling clouded my heart, as I envisioned my wolf, alone in a dark corner of my soul, grieving and waiting for someone to get her out.

For twenty years of my life, she had been that way. I imagined the loneliness and the pain she was going through on her own, and I felt tears form in my eyes.

“Why did we have to come all the way to Transylvania?” Devyn asked.

“I’m the only witch that can perform a soul-binding ritual.”

Devyn kept quiet.

Thinking of my wolf made my heart throb, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

“I’m ready, Elara. Let’s start.”

Elara nodded and without a word, she moved to stand at the other end of the altar, facing us. Looking at the altar, it was a large sculpted block of rock with words I couldn't read inscribed on it. It reminded me of the one back at the Pack’s sanctuary.

“Take off your clothes,” Elara instructed.

Devyn’s growls suddenly rumbled audibly. When I glanced, he was scowling at Elara, though she remained calm and unshaken.

“What’s the meaning of this?” he was agitated, and I was supposed to be as well if I was told to undress, but I remained calm. I gripped his arm, so I could get his attention. When he gazed at me, my eyes were pleading.

“Please, let’s just listen to her.”

Devyn appeared reluctant but finally gave in. He cast a glance back at Elara, and said as calmly as possible, “I don’t care if you’re a woman, don't touch her. You’re lucky I let you see her naked.”

Technically, I was the lucky one here since this was a matter of life and death, but I held my tongue from saying that.

Elara looked amazed as she watched us, with no sense of offense on her face.

“What if the ritual entails I touch her?” I knew she was being playful when I saw the humor dancing in her eyes.

“Then I’ll do the damn ritual myself.”

I bit back a giggle that tried to escape my mouth, but I couldn’t tell if Devyn found the whole thing as funny as I did. From the irritated look on his face, he didn’t.

I took off my clothes, holding Devyn’s gaze as the angry expression on his face slowly faded. When I saw the desire darkening his eyes, my cheeks flushed.

‘Do you ever get tired of seeing me naked?’

‘Never. It’s always better than the last time.’

A smile played on his lips, but when he realized Elara was here, he frowned. When I stood completely naked, Elara instructed me to lie on the altar. I laid on my back, the cold rock sending chills through me as it touched my naked skin

“Devyn, You have to turn around. No one is supposed to watch the ritual happen.”

Silence.

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

After the warning, he glanced at me, then walked down the pew, then turned his back to us.

I released a deep breath and met Elara’s gaze.

“I need you to relax.”

I nodded my head, and when I saw the blade in Elara’s hand, my heartbeat quickened. At that point, I envisioned her stabbing the blade through my heart, killing me in one swipe.

“Give me your finger,” she said gently.

Giving her my hand, she nipped my index finger so lightly that I almost didn’t feel the knife. A tiny drop of blood came out, and to my surprise, Elara nibbed her finger too. She pressed her index finger to my forehead and pressed my finger to my forehead.

“Close your eyes. We’re starting now.”

I obeyed and she immediately started to recite incantations. At first, I thought nothing was happening, until a burst of energy flowed through me, knocking the breath out of me, till I felt it settle in my heart. I gasped and suddenly everything went black.

When I woke up, I found myself in a field. The scenery was breathtaking, with grasses that moved in the direction of the wind, and flowers that blossomed. The skies were bright blue, and to my surprise, there wasn’t a sun, but there was the brightest moon I had ever seen.

When I looked at my hands and legs, they were smaller than usual, and I realized I was in my child form.

Amazed, I scanned my surroundings, and I felt the sudden urge to run through the field, so I could feel the grasses caress my skin and my hair dancing in the wind.

Suddenly, a tree a bit farther away caught my attention, and I knew I needed to get to it.

As I made my way to the tree, I noticed there was an opening in the center. Peering through it, all I could see was darkness. I didn’t what it was but something called me to it, to find out what was hiding in it.

The hole in the tree was tiny, but enough for me to fit in. Without a second thought, I crawled into it. As I entered, darkness enveloped me, and when I looked back at the entrance, it had vanished.

Panic set in as my heart raced, and fear tightened its grip on me. Desperate to get out, I searched around me, hoping to find a way out or any source of light, but it was like I was trapped in a void.

Questions filled my mind; Why had I entered in? How would I find my way out?

I tried to scream for help, but nothing came out. Tears started to stream down my face as the harsh reality dawned on me. I was lost, neglected, alone, and faced the bitter truth that no one was coming to get me. No one was going to pull me out of the darkness.

I pulled my knees to my chest, and let the tears flow. Suddenly, something bright started to approach me. Struggling to see clearly, I reached out to it. My breath caught in my throat when I saw what it was.

A white-furred wolf emerged, its glow piercing the darkness. It was like a pup, but slightly bigger.

Joy suddenly surged through me, and as I tried to reach out to her, she retreated, her eyes reflecting so much sadness and fear.

”Please come. Please let me touch you,” I pleaded, finally finding my words. She looked reluctant still.

”I’m lost too. We can get out of here together. Just trust me.”

I walked closer, and this time she didn’t retreat. Instead, she looked at me curiously, tilting her head as if trying to understand me. To my surprise and joy, she took a step forward.

”Come on, you’re almost there.”

She took a step forward, and another, until she was close enough to touch, revealing her in all her glory.

“You’re beautiful.”

‘Finally, you came. I’ve been waiting for you.” Her soft, angelic voice echoed through the darkness.

I wrapped my arms around her neck, closing my eyes as I nestled into her fur, whispering, ‘I’m never leaving you again.’

Everything faded, then darkness followed.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself gazing at the Mother Mary statue looking at me.

‘You did it,” Elara’s voice drew my attention, and I shifted my gaze to her.

There was a pleased look on her face.

When I felt Devyn’s hand on mine, a sense of completeness washed over me. After the ritual, it was as if a missing part of me had finally returned.

Devyn gently carried me down the altar and into his arms. There was admiration in his eyes and warmth softened his cold gaze.

As he placed me on my feet, he took the time to dress me.

He turned to Elara and uttered, “Thank you.”

He turned back to me, “Let’s go home.”