[Valerie] This is the end, isn’t it? This marks my exit from this clan and then I will probably be shunned and killed like the other mage wolf. My heart hammers in my chest as I level my glare at Zenit, who was smirking while the clan members gawked and some of the resident mages stared with their mouths agape. “See, she is not only a mage and also a wolf. And all of you know how the legend goes, right?” Her voice echoed across the silent crowd. How did I get myself into this mess? Well, now I honestly don’t blame anyone but my temper and Ruelle’s as well. _____________________________________ [Earlier...] “You have improved by 0.05%” Rudra jests when the meditation comes to a close. I make a face, although subtly, he notices nonetheless. Elias was continuing his research while Jade was going to arrive today with another witch. I have wanted to check up on Viola, but Clyde isn’t here because he has gone somewhere with Fionna. “Only this much won’t do much,” I grumble. “I

[Clyde] This has happened before when Valerie fainted after overexerting herself. I caress her head softly as she lies prone in my bed. Viola had visited despite being injured herself before Elias managed to assure her that Valerie will be okay and had sent her to her room, a new room that has been assigned to her. The atmosphere outside is icy as well. People are scared after the showdown. I don’t know what I will do to Zenith if and when I call her for interrogation. My gaze remains on Valerie. Only a knock on the door gets my attention. It’s Moran no doubt. He enters after I give my permission, and bows before his gaze flickers towards Valerie as well. He frowns. “Has she opened her eyes?” he asks worriedly. I shake my head. “Not yet. Have you..?” Moran nods. “Alpha Xyan is on his way with Queen Erica.” I cast my gaze back at my mate as apprehension curdles in my gut. She won’t take this lightly, nor will Alpha Xyan. I sigh and take her hand in mine. It thankfully feels war

[Valerie]When I woke up, Clyde was there beside me. I was still dazed from the dream or what do they call it? The dreamscape. I groaned and tried to sit up, only to fall back because my body feels weak.“Valerie!” Clyde rushes towards me although he had been a couple of inches away, sitting beside the bed on a low chair. His hand had been clasped in mine. He bends over, cupping one side of my face with his free hand.“Should I call Elias?” Then he got up to leave. “I am calling him.”But I stopped him, tugging at his hand which still remained intertwined in mine. “No need.”He brought back his hand to caress my cheek, his gaze tender.“You gave me a good scare for a moment there,” he said softly.“I didn’t mean to,” I mumbled, moving my head to kiss his palm. I heard him inhale sharply.I gave him a cheeky smile. “What? Surprised that such a pretty girl is showering you with love?”His lips curved upward, and his gaze softened once again, eclipsing the concern that was there in those

[Valerie]My father arrives the next probably after hearing the news from my mom about my decision to go ahead with the bonding ceremony with Clyde.“You are sure about this?” His eyes bore into mine, and I couldn’t help but lower my head.“Yes, I am,” I replied.We were taking a walk down the forest trail as my health had improved overnight and Elias suggested that it would be good for me to go for a walk.“Why did no one tell us about your situation here?” He asked even though I bet he already knew why that was the case.I sighed and unlooped my arm from his and came to a halt.“Dad, neither Viola nor I, wanted you all to worry. With me being banned from becoming a mage and Viola’s urge to learn here, we thought you would take us away.”I stared at my feet and the tiny shrubs trying to raise their head through the snow.“We definitely would. You are my daughter. You don’t think I would just let you stay here and suffer, will I?” He countered, sounding grim.I sighed. “I know that an

[Valerie]There’s no way…. No way, I thought. No way could the man who had been living for so long, who had been the oldest mage I have known could just… not be living anymore.I stared at the corpse in front of me, and then my gaze darted towards my mother, who had gone pale and still. She was staring at the man lying in front of us as well, blood pooling around him and his heart ripped out.I felt someone;’s presence beside me. “Valerie…”I didn’t answer because I didn’t want this to be real.“Valerie….” Clyde called me again.“Who is this?” I asked, turning to look at him, my eyes wide and quizzical.“Who…. Who is this? This is not who I think it is, right?” I asked, my voice quivering despite my trying to control it.Clyde’s eyes conveyed everything. It conveyed what I was fearing and yet… yet I didn’t want to believe it. When I turned to look at Mom again, she looked grief-stricken. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.“This… this isn’t Elias, Mom. This… he cannot be,” I said as I