Chapter 8 Disclosures and Falsehoods
Amara’s POV
Once more, the night was still, but my heart wasn't.
Gazing up at the half-moon, I stood on the edge of the training grounds of the Obsidian Pack. Everything was touched by silver light, quiet, gentle, and serene. However, I felt as though a storm was brewing inside of me.
Not too close, but Rowan was standing next to me. His face was strained, and his arms were crossed. The weight in his eyes persisted even after the blood and grime had disappeared.
"You've been silent," he finally said.
Without glancing at him, I answered, "I'm thinking."
"About me?" he said softly.
Slowly, I turned. "Almost everything."
He gave a nod. "I have answers for you."
I said nothing, allowing him to talk. His jaw was clenched as if he were holding back something terrible and harsh as he looked down at the ground.
"When I was twelve, my mother passed away," he stated. "Or... I believed she did."
I blinked. "What took place?"
He paused. "A fire broke out. She vanished. Not a single person. Only ashes and the jewellery she wore every day remained. They told me she was taken by rogues. To keep the pack safe, she burned.
There was a slight shudder at the margins of his voice. I was shocked.
He went on to say, "She was the only one who ever made me feel... safe." "I changed after losing her."
"I apologise," I said.
Something changed in his countenance when he turned to face me. "But I don't think she's gone at all now."
A shiver ran down my back. "The Witch is to blame?"
He gave a nod. "The voice you heard." Her spell. The symbols. Even the name. Lilith. He took a swallow. "My mother's name was that."
I went cold.
He went on, "I can't prove it yet." However, I sense it. The day I exiled you was the last time my wolf spoke. Something seems to have broken inside of me. And now, following everything... I believe she is responsible for this.
My heart was racing.
"What made your mother turn into... that?" Quietly, I asked.
He curled his mouth. "I'm not sure. However, she must be stopped if she is still alive and has committed all these crimes.
His features appeared older and more weathered in the moonlight. Not merely a vicious Alpha. A wounded son.
I was at a loss for words. I simply said, "We'll discover the truth."
He gave a single nod before averting his look and smothering the feeling.
From the outer wall came the sound of a shrill horn.
Kian's face was tight as he jogged toward us. "Just now, a messenger showed up. From Lichen Pack.
Rowan and I looked at each other. “From Lilith?” I inquired.
Kian tightened his jaw. Even worse. She issued an official demand.
He gave me a scroll that was folded up and sealed in crimson wax.
With unsteady hands, I cracked it open.
By the full moonrise, return the traitor Amara Moonshadow, or risk war. Lichen owns her. What was never yours has been taken by you.
Quick and to the point, Kian said. "The coward didn't even show up."
Rowan had stone-black eyes. "She is holding back for something."
"She desires me," I said.
Kian took a step forward. "You won't get anywhere."
I said, "She'll come get me." "With force."
"We'll be prepared," Rowan stated resolutely.
My chest constricted. Two Alphas. Various forms of strength. However, both are standing by me. For me.
I was unsure about how to feel.
I took another look at the scroll. There was more to the letters than ink. They were throbbing. Alive.
Dark magic.
A flaming pulse rushed through my wrist.
I clutched my arm as I gasped.
"Amara?" I was caught by Kian.
My skin was flashing bright gold, then black, where the Moon Priestess' mark had been. It wavered as though a tempest was building beneath my skin.
Rowan took over. "What is going on?!"
"I'm not sure!"
Then it dawned on me.
An idea.
The training field was no longer where I was. I was in a pitch-black woodland. The trees groaned. The wind gave a snake-like hiss. Above, the moon was blood-red.
And there she was, standing on a pile of bones.
"The Hollow Witch"
A crown of shadow was worn by her. Her speech was distinct, but her face was smoke-blurred.
Then she said, "Priestess."
My throat became parched. I attempted to move but was unable. Frozen.
"You didn't think I'd find you?" "I said," she said. In my mind, her voice twisted like a dagger. "I allowed you to come back." I'll take what I'm due now.
"Who are you?" I yelled.
She chuckled. "You are aware already."
She was surrounded by dancing shadows. I had flashbacks of Reagan laughing in a garden as a kid. A female cradling him. The pendant.
Her expression grew stern.
She was the one.
Rowan's mom.
Calmly, she declared, "I will burn your little pack to ash." "And I'll drink your soul and wear your power like a crown when your body breaks."
"No!" I let out a yell.
The vision broke.
I fell into Kian's embrace.
Beside me, Rowan was kneeling with wide eyes. "What did you witness?"
I had trouble breathing. "She won't just show up. She has already begun.
"What do you mean?" Kian inquired.
I glanced up at each of them. She's using evil magic in a ceremony. Powerful but far away. Something is waking her up.
With his fists clenched, Rowan stood. We don't wait after that. We attack first.
"No," I answered, getting up unsteadily. "Her entire strength is yet unknown to us. However, we must defend the borders.
"She desires war," Kian said. "She isn't bluffing either."
Slowly, I nodded. She is also aware of my fear. She enters in this way.
Rowan lightly touched my arm. "You are no longer alone."
Kian also gave a nod. We're going to stop her. Together.
However, her voice continued to reverberate like a curse in my mind.
Amara, I'm coming to get you.
And I was aware...
The conflict was already underway.