Chapter 7: The Weight of Power

 The morning sun barely pierced the thick canopy of trees surrounding Crestmoon territory, leaving a relaxation within the air. Olivia stood at the brink of the education area, watching as members ran through their morning drills. Her thoughts changed into miles away, misplaced inside the typhoon of uncertainty that had gripped her ever on account of Jessica’s traumatic revelation. Immortality, blood rituals, hidden curses—it all appeared an excessive amount for her to address.

 She absentmindedly traced her hands over the amulet striking around her neck, a reminder of her newfound electricity. But that energy felt foreign, like a heavy cloak she hadn’t quite found out to put on. She turned out to be Crestmoon's Luna, their protector, but all she felt became weak points and doubt.

 "Hey," a smooth voice interrupted her mind.

 Olivia turned to look at Caroline drawing near, her expression careful, however. There has been an uneasy anxiety among them since the activities that opened up with Jessica and Amelia. Caroline had been worried about the betrayal, but her movements to save Olivia ultimately had redeemed her in the eyes of many, together with Olivia herself. Still, consider it turned into something that took time to rebuild.

 "Hey," Olivia replied, looking to provide a small smile.

 

Caroline stopped beside her, watching the pack. Educate for a moment. "You appear to be wearing the weight of the sector to your shoulders."

 Olivia let loose a soft, humorless giggle. "That’s due to the fact I am."

 Caroline’s brow furrowed. "Is it about what Jessica stated?"

 Olivia nodded, her arms tightening across the amulet. "If what she stated is actual, then I’m not only a werewolf-witch hybrid. I’m some kind of key to a historic curse. And Amelia... She’s accessible, awaiting me to make the incorrect circulation."

 Caroline positioned a mild hand on Olivia’s arm. "You don’t have to face this on my own. The pack. Is with you."

 "Am I even suited to lead them?" Olivia blurted out, the frustration in the end effervescent to the floor. "I can slightly control my magic. I’m not like Ralph, who’s been the main pack. His entire life. I don’t even understand where to begin."

 Caroline’s gaze softened. "You’re stronger than you suspect, Olivia. Strength isn’t pretty much electricity—it’s approximately coronary heart. And you’ve been given an extra coronary heart than each person I recognise. That’s what makes you an excellent Luna, even if you don’t see it yet."

 Before Olivia could reply, the sound of footsteps approached from behind them. She turned to look at Ralph, his presence instantly calming and commanding. His tall body and the confidence with which he moved exuded power, and Olivia located herself each comforted and intimidated by it.

 "Training’s going properly," Ralph said, his voice regular, even though Olivia ought to feel the anxiety under his phrases. "But we’re nevertheless not equipped for what’s coming."

 Olivia swallowed tough, her belly twisting with guilt. Ralph had been shouldering so much recently, and here she became, falling aside whilst he wished her to be robust. "I’m sorry, Ralph. I’m trying, however..."

 He located a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "You don’t need to express regret. None of this is simple, and also you’ve been via greater than anyone should. But we need to move forward. We want a plan."

 Olivia met his gaze, looking for power in his eyes. "Did you see that I can try this? Lead them? Protect them ?"

 Ralph’s eyes softened, his voice low but cooperative. "I realize you may. I wouldn’t have chosen you in any other case."

 His words wrapped around her like a defensive shield, and for the first time in days, Olivia felt a flicker of desire. But that desire turned into quick shadowed by fear. "Jessica stated Amelia needs me for the ritual. What if... What if I’m not robust enough to forestall her?"

 Ralph’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t appear away. "We’ll forestall her. Together."

 Olivia nodded, her coronary heart heavy however resolute. She had to consider Ralph's religion in her, although she couldn’t locate that faith within herself.

 Suddenly, one of the per cent’s scouts, Mark, appeared at the edge of the education discipline, his face fading with urgency. "Alpha, Luna—you want to come fast. There’s something you want to look at."

 Without hesitation, Ralph and Olivia observed him, with Caroline trailing close behind. The tension inside the air grew thicker with each step, and Olivia’s pulse quickened. They reached the northern border of Crestmoon territory, where numerous packs. Contributors stood in a decent circle, their faces etched with unease.

 In the center of the group lay the body of a lone wolf, its fur matted with blood and its eyes extensively open, frozen in worry. Olivia’s coronary heart skipped a beat as she stepped closer, recognizing the familiar markings on the wolf’s body.

 "It’s considered one of ours," Ralph stated quietly, crouching beside the body.

 Olivia felt a wave of nausea upward thrust in her throat. "What happened to him?"

 Mark shook his head. "No concept. We observed him like this. There’s no fragrance of combat, no signal of warfare."

 "Look closer," Ralph stated, his voice grim as he pointed to the wolf’s neck. Olivia leaned in, her breath catching in her throat. A small, tricky symbol had been carved into the wolf’s pores and skin—an image Olivia diagnosed all too well.

 "It’s a witch’s mark," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Amelia."

 Ralph stood, his expression darkening. "This isn’t only a warning. She’s sending a message."

 Olivia’s heart pounded in her chest. The attack wasn’t just random—it became calculated, deliberate. Amelia changed into permitting them to know that she changed into close and that no person in Crest Moon turned secure.

 "We need to move rapidly," Ralph said, turning to the per cent. "Double the patrols. No one goes anywhere alone. We’re on high alert till in addition be aware."

 

The per cent contributors nodded and scattered, the tension palpable. Olivia stood frozen, her mind racing. This became her fault. Amelia changed into coming for her, and now the pack. Was paying the charge.

 "Olivia," Ralph’s voice pulled her back to the present. He stepped closer, his eyes looking at hers. "We’re going to forestall her. But you have to consider me, and you have to accept it as true with yourself."

 She desired to trust him, however, doubt gnawed at her insides. How should she prevent a person like Amelia? How may she want to guard the pack? While she may want to slightly protect herself?

 As if sensing her turmoil, Ralph placed a hand on her cheek, his touch grounding her. "I'm not going to let something manifest to you. Or to the per cent."

 His words had been a promise, one she desperately desired to consider. But as the memory of the witch’s mark burned in her mind, Olivia couldn’t shake the sensation that something darker, something worse, became lurking simply beyond the horizon. Amelia turned into coming, and Olivia wasn’t sure she turned into preparing for what lay beforehand.

 The per cent’s protection, their very survival rested on her shoulders—and Olivia became terrified she turned into about to fail them all.