Chapter 292 Change of Plans

Chapter 292 Change of Plans

Ella's POV

My mind went blank with a loud "buzz."

It felt like I had been struck by lightning, and my blood froze. Instinctively, I clutched my lower abdomen, protecting the tiny life inside me, my hope and future...

"No, it can't be." My lips trembled.

"So," Owen continued with difficulty, "this child, without the FireTree Pack's sacred artifact to purify the curse in their blood, won't be able to come into this world safely."

Just moments ago, we were worried about the child's innate powerful abilities and determined to carve out a path for them. Now, I was being told that the child might not even have a chance to be born.

This was more cruel than any conspiracy against me, more deadly than any direct attack.

The world around me started to spin, teetering on the edge.

"Ella!" Mason's panicked voice pulled me back from the brink.

He scooped me up and carried me to the bed, gently laying me down on the soft covers. He held my cold hand tightly, trying to warm me with his hot palm.

"Look at me, Ella! Look at me!" He cupped my face, forcing me to meet his anxious and worried gaze.

"It's going to be okay. I'm here, everything will be okay. Listen to Owen."

I tried to focus, seeing the turmoil and raging anger in his eyes that I had never seen before.

Owen's face finally showed a glimmer of hope as he saw I wasn't completely crushed, visibly relieved.

"The FireTree Pack possesses the Heart of the Forest, a sacred artifact said to be formed from the core of the first divine tree at the dawn of the world. It has the purest life force and cleansing power, capable of washing away any curse or pollution."

"But the worst part is," Owen's face darkened again, "you know that the witch's next target is the FireTree Pack, where she plans to corrupt the artifact."

This news shattered the hope we had just ignited, scattering it like sparks.

We not only had to find the artifact but also beat the witch to it. This was a race against time, a struggle against fate.

I lay on the bed, feeling weak, but my mind was clearer than ever.

"We're going to the FireTree Pack now," I said, my voice soft but unusually firm.

Mason and Owen looked at me.

I met their gaze, still clutching my lower abdomen tightly.

"Nothing is more important than the child's life. The truth can wait, but my child can't."

Mason looked at me, the panic and anger in his eyes gradually subsiding. He leaned down and placed a solemn kiss on my forehead.

"Alright." He said just one word, but it carried a thousand promises.

"We'll set off for the FireTree Pack immediately. Even if we have to turn the place upside down, we'll find the Heart of the Forest."

He stood up and looked at Owen, the decisive Alpha was back, colder and more determined than before.

Our destination had changed. For my child, I would fear nothing.

Our path shifted from Nachtsonne Pack to the depths of the forest. But our goal had never been clearer.

Go to the FireTree Pack, purify the curse in the blood.

Find the witch and make her pay dearly for what she did to my child.

This war had no room for compromise. It was either her death or ours.

And I would never let anything happen to Mason's and my child.

I lay on the bed, watching the two men from a distance. They had once been adversaries, even recently Mason's eyes were filled with wariness and hostility towards Owen.

But now, they stood side by side at the table, one to protect his wife and child, the other for revenge and to protect his only remaining sister, united by a common, suffocatingly powerful enemy.

This alliance was as fragile as thin ice, but I knew that until we shattered that common enemy, it was stronger than any steel.

Mason traced the map with his fingertip over the dark green marked area, his voice thoughtful, "If we start from here and go full speed, how long will it take?"

"If we go straight, crossing human towns and some small wolf territories, the fastest would be five days."

Owen answered immediately, clearly having calculated this many times in his mind, "But it's too risky. Our movements would be completely exposed, alerting the witch's spies. Since she's targeting this pack next, she must have surveillance along the way."

"Then we'll go through the wilderness." Mason's decision was without hesitation, "Avoid all settlements, cross the Dragonfall Mountains to the west, then head south along the Shadowy River Valley. How much longer will that take?"

Owen frowned, "That route is very dangerous. The Dragonfall Mountains are notoriously treacherous, home to many rogue wolves and fierce beasts. The Shadowy River Valley is shrouded in miasma year-round. Taking that route would take at least ten days, maybe more. And..."

My heart tightened. Yes, me. I was the biggest variable, the biggest burden. The child in my womb was the purpose of this journey, but my pregnant body was the greatest hindrance. A deep sense of guilt and helplessness surged again.

"I'll go with you." I said, my voice hoarse from emotion but unusually clear.

Both men turned to look at me.

I threw off the covers, ignoring my weak body, and walked barefoot towards them. The cold stone floor stimulated my feet, making my chaotic mind clearer.

"I have to go." I reached the table and placed my hand on the map, "Leaving me here, waiting in fear and speculation every day, would drive me insane. My emotions would harm the child more than any difficult journey."

I looked up, meeting Mason's deep eyes. I saw the struggle and worry in them, clearly saying "No."