A Warrior’s Second Chance novel Chapter 260

FAYE

We followed Anna down the aisle between tall shelves, Cole just a step behind me. She led us to a small, secluded room at the back of the library. Shelves lined every wall, crammed with leather–bound volumes and folders in archaic handwriting.

“This is it,” Anna said softly. “Most people don’t get access to these. Be careful with what you handle.”

I nodded as I watched her step back out. The moment she was gone, my eyes were already scanning the titles: Rituals of the Ancient Lycanthrope Lineages, Blood Rites and Ascension Practices, The Hidden Gifts: Manifestation of the Wolf Spirit. My pulse quickened. This might be what I had been looking for–or maybe dreading to Cole cleared his throat. “Take your time. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

I hesitated for a moment, then crouched to pick a thick, dusty volume from the bottom shelf. The smell of old ink and parchment filled my senses as skimmed the pages. Rituals, prophecies, rules for pack hierarchy, ceremonies I’d never imagined… none of it quite matched what I was looking for, as I had thought. Every time I thought I had a lead, it fizzled.

Cole stayed behind me, silent but attentive. He didn’t hover or judge, just gave me space while

staying close enough that I knew I wasn’t alone.

I set the first book aside and grabbed another. Rituals for pack loyalty, ceremonies for marking the transition of a Luna… interesting, but not what I needed. My mind kept flashing back to Alexanderand Irene’s conversation, Helen’s warning, the ritual.. my blood. I needed specifics. Why was what flowed in my veins so important?

Finally, I found a slim volume bound in black leather untitled. My stomach tightened. References to blood rites involving a gifted wolf, prophecies about creating a new breed of werewolves, mentions of ascension rituals capable of elevating an entire pack… my hands trembled as I turned the pages.

“This… this might be it,” I whispered.

Cole leaned closer slightly. “What did you find?”

I hesitated. “I… I think it’s what Helen meant,” I admitted. “The ritual she was talking about… it’s here. At least part of it. But it’s incomplete. I don’t understand all of it yet.”

Cole nodded. “That’s a start,” he said.

I flipped through more pages, tracing the steps of the ritual, the significance of bloodlines, warnings of misuse. Every line twisted my stomach further. Written in a mix of old languages and symbols, the meaning was clear: a wolf like me could be used to create something… powerful. Dangerous. Irrevocable.

Cole crouched beside me. “Maybe you’re thinking too far ahead. Understand it first. Then we talked about the implications.”

I shook my head. “It’s impossible not to think ahead!”

He nodded slowly. “I understand more than you think. Just calm down and take it one step at a time. You’re not going through this alone.”

I exhaled shakily, feeling the weight in my chest ease a fraction. “I… I’m done here,” I said finally.

Cole raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? We could go through more books. Maybe find something more-”

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head. “I don’t care anymore. It doesn’t matter right now. I just… I need to see Alexander. I can’t wait for him to come home. I’m going to see him at the company.”

Cole nodded. He didn’t argue. “Alright. I’ll drop you off,” he said.

We met Anna as we went out of the secluded room, thanking her politely. She smiled warmly, then saw us off toward the exit.

Once outside, I walked a few steps ahead, feeling lighter now that I had some clarity, even if it was mixed with dread. I gave Cole a glance over my shoulder, letting him finish his quick chat with

Anna.

By the time he joined me again, I was already settled in the car.