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Chapter 355
~Zara’s POV~
We walked into the packhouse, the familiar space bustling with activity. Members of the pack greeted me warmly as we passed through the main hall, but I was too preoccupied to exchange more than polite smiles.
Once we reached the living room, my mother gestured for me to sit, but I shook my head. "We need to talk in private." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Her gaze sharpened, and she nodded again. "My office."
The walk to her private office was tense, and the moment the door clicked shut behind us, the air felt heavy. She motioned for me to sit across from her desk, and I complied.
"What’s going on, Zara?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with concern.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Mother, I know."
Her brow furrowed. "You know what?"
I leaned forward, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know I’m a witch. And I know Thorned Crescent and Shadow Clave want me because of my powers."
Her eyes widened in shock, her usually composed demeanour faltering. She opened her mouth to speak, but seemed to reconsider, instead leaning back in her chair with a troubled expression.
"How... how did you find out?" she asked finally.
"I’ve been having these... experiences. At first, I thought they were visions or nightmares, but last night, it was more than that. They tried to unlock my powers. They tried to take them from me."
My mother’s face paled, and she clasped her hands tightly on the desk. "This is... worse than I thought."
"You knew?" I accused, my voice rising slightly. "You knew I was a witch, and you never told me?"
"I was trying to protect you!" she shot back, her voice breaking. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a witch like you? Your powers are rare, Zara. They make you a target."
"I’m already a target, Mother," I said, my tone softer now. "They know who I am. They’re coming for me. I need to know the truth."
She sighed heavily, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Alright. I’ll tell you everything. But you must promise me, Zara—promise me you’ll be careful."
"I promise," I said firmly.
She looked at me for a long moment before nodding. "Your powers... they’re tied to your bloodline. Our family comes from a long line of witches who specialised in light magic—magic meant to protect and heal. But with that power came a curse. Dark witches have always sought to corrupt and control our magic, to twist it for their own gain."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. "And Thorned Crescent and Shadow Clave?"
"That was because your father asked all pack alphas not to discuss it to prevent another incident."
"I see."
"Yes," she confirmed. "But your father, wise as he was, saw that the unity of the packs was fragile. Too many power struggles, too many egos clashing. He feared that if one Alpha became too ambitious, the entire kingdom would fall into chaos. So he made a decision—a controversial one."
"What decision?" I asked softly.
"He dissolved the kingdom," she said. "He allowed each pack to govern themselves, believing that it would lead to peace and autonomy. It worked for a time. But it also painted a target on his back."
I leaned back in my chair, trying to process it all. My father had been the King Alpha... and he gave it all up for peace?
"The witches were the first to object," my mother continued, her tone growing darker. "They had long been allied with the werewolves, serving as advisors and guardians. But after your father’s decision, a rift formed among them. Some remained loyal, but others—those who sought power—saw it as an opportunity."
My chest tightened. "Shadow Clave."
"Exactly," she confirmed grimly. "The dark witches of Shadow Clave allied themselves with Thorned Crescent, the most dangerous rogue pack in existence. Together, they sought to undo everything your father had done. They wanted to use you to restore their control—not just over the werewolf packs, but over the entire supernatural realm."
I swallowed hard. "Why me?"
"Because you are the descendant of your great-grandmother, Aurelia. She was one of the most powerful witches of her time—a guardian of light magic. Her powers were passed down through the bloodline, but they lay dormant for generations. Until you."
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