- 10.
I stood, the iris mark blazing on my forehead.
Someone shouted, “Witch! A new witch!”
There was no time for more. Howls echoed
from the surrounding hills. Rogues.
Gabriel met my eyes and sprang into action, leaping onto a ridge and attacking the rogues gathering there. I unleashed a volley of purple fire, chanting the words of power. The pack, rallied by Gabriel, joined the fight, driving the
Г
rogues back. Their howls faded into the
distance.
In the chaos, I saw Elsa’s terrified face. She
tried to run, but my spell held her fast. “Elsa,” I said, looking down at her. “You
conspired with rogues and thought you’d get
away with it?”
After the battle, Elsa was banished. Andrew, unable to shift, was demoted. No one wanted a powerless alpha. Following my divination,
Gabriel became the new alpha.
Soon after, Tanya passed away. I inherited her place, the iris on my shoulder now whole. After laying Tanya to rest, Gabriel held me close.
“Andrew wants to see you.”
I nodded. He held me tighter, afraid I’d go back to Andrew. I smiled and kissed him. “Come with me.”
Andrew now lived in the omega quarters, my former home. The room was dark and damp, smelling of mildew. I stood at the threshold, unwilling to step inside. Gabriel stayed by my
<
side, his eyes complex as he looked at the
former alpha.
Andrew opened his eyes, focusing on me. His
gaze…it was the look he used to give me when
I loved him most.
“Why are you here?”
“You really don’t love me anymore?” His voice
was thick with pain. “You used to care so
much…..”
I cut him off. “Andrew, why would I still love
you?”
After he pushed me into the river for Elsa?
After he always chose Elsa’s side? His sudden
“love” was just regret, a realization of what
he’d lost, not genuine affection. Andrew only
truly loved himself.
If he’d stood by Elsa even after she betrayed
the pack, I might have respected him a little.
But he hadn’t. His love was cheaper than
weeds. He saw the mockery in my eyes and covered his face, a sob escaping him,
“I know I messed up. But Elisabeth, for old
times‘ sake, can’t you give me another
<
the pack, I might have respected him a little.
But he hadn’t. His love was cheaper than
weeds. He saw the mockery in my eyes and
covered his face, a sob escaping him.
“I know I messed up. But Elisabeth, for old
times‘ sake, can’t you give me another
chance?”
“No.” I leaned into Gabriel, letting him hold me
close. “But you can come to our wedding.”
The last light in Andrew’s eyes died. He
slumped to the floor, defeated.
I didn’t see Andrew again until Gabriel and I
were married. We chose the day of the mating
ceremony. As moonlight filtered through the
goddess’s hands, bathing us in its glow, the
pack cheered, showering us with flowers. I laughed, meeting Gabriel’s loving gaze, and kissed him deeply.
Finally, I knew what happiness felt like.
