64ANNALISEThe morning air felt crisp and fresh as I stepped out of the tent, the sunlight spilling through the trees like golden syrup. Today was different. I could sense it in the way the wind rustled the leaves and how the birds chirped cheerfully, as if they knew something I didn’t. Janet had told me she had a surprise for today, and I was both excited and anxious about what that might entail.“Are you ready?” Janet stood beside a woman I had never seen before. The woman had long, flowing hair and wore a robe that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Her presence radiated a sense of calmness that drew me in, even though I felt a flicker of doubt.“What’s happening?” I asked, my heart racing.“This is Selene, a spiritualist. She’s here to guide you today,” Janet explained, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. “I thought it might help you find some peace and focus on forgiveness.”“Forgiveness?” The word felt heavy in my mouth. I didn’t know if I was ready to forgive anyone, least
65ANNALISEThe sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the dining table. It felt good to finally relax. I sat at the table with Adrian, Janet, and Molu, surrounded by the scent of grilled meat and roasted vegetables. We laughed and shared stories, the kind of moments that made everything else fade away, even if just for a little while.“Do you remember the time you tried to cook that fancy dinner for me?” Adrian’s voice was teasing, his eyes sparkling with mischief.I groaned, pretending to cover my face in embarrassment. “Don’t remind me! I almost burned the kitchen down.”Janet burst out laughing, her laughter ringing like music. “You almost burned the water! I still can’t believe you thought boiling water was a cooking technique.”“Hey, I was trying to impress you!” I shot back, a grin creeping onto my face. “And I thought boiling pasta was a good start.”“Boiling pasta is definitely a start,” Adrian chuckled, “but you forgot the sauce. All I got was plain noodles. I f
66ANNALISESitting across from Adrian at the dinner table, I felt a mix of comfort and nervousness. The warmth of the meal we shared was overshadowed by the weight of everything that had happened. The shadows of the past loomed over us, especially the memories of Spencer and Marcus. The candle flickered between us, casting playful shapes on the walls, and I wondered how to begin unraveling the tangled web of feelings inside me.“I’ve been thinking a lot about Spencer,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “It feels like he’s always there, lurking in the back of my mind.”Adrian leaned back, his gaze steady. “I get that. He had a big impact on you. But you’ve grown so much since then.”“Maybe,” I admitted, swirling the remnants of my pasta on the plate. “But I can’t shake the feeling that I let him control my life for too long. I trusted him.”“You weren’t wrong for trusting him,” Adrian said. “He was a friend, and you opened your heart. That’s not something to regret.”I
67ANNALISEThe night air was thick with tension as Adrian and I crept through the shadows toward the sacred cave. The moon hung high, casting silvery light over the rocky path. My heart raced, not just from the thrill of sneaking around but from the fear of what lay ahead.“We need to be quiet,” Adrian whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “Marcus’s pack is around here somewhere.”I nodded, scanning the area. A few of Marcus’s men loitered at the entrance, their eyes scanning the darkness. They looked relaxed, but I knew better. We couldn’t afford any mistakes.Closing my eyes, I focused on them, picturing their bodies sinking into a deep sleep. “Just a little longer,” I thought, pushing the image of their peaceful slumber into my mind. I opened my eyes, and to my relief, they dropped down, unconscious, sprawled on the ground like fallen trees.“We need to move!” Adrian urged, grabbing my hand. Together, we slipped into the cave, the entrance cool and shadowy.Inside, the atmosp
68JANETI watched as Annalise stepped into the portal, the swirling energy surrounding her like a whirlwind. The air crackled with electricity, lifting her off her feet. My heart raced, a mix of awe and fear flooding through me. This was it. She was embracing her destiny, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of danger looming just out of sight.“Hold on, Annalise!” I whispered, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me. The power surged through her, illuminating the cave, and I felt the energy pulse like a heartbeat.Suddenly, she vanished, swallowed by the light. I stood frozen, my mind racing. I had to trust her. She was strong, and she had come so far. But the thought of what awaited her on the other side sent a chill down my spine.Time seemed to stretch as I waited, anxious and restless. I closed my eyes, trying to center myself. “She can do this,” I repeated in my mind. “She has to.”Then, the cave rumbled again, and I felt the ground shake beneath my feet. I opened my eyes just in t
69ADRAINThe bright light from the cave pulsed like a heartbeat, drawing all attention. I felt the vibrations rumble beneath my feet as I turned to face the entrance. My instincts screamed that something was coming, and it wasn’t good.“Get ready!” I shouted to Janet and her guards, adrenaline coursing through me. I could hear the growls and snarls of Marcus’s pack outside, their footsteps echoing ominously as they rushed toward us.The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I could see Janet’s guards exchanging nervous glances. They shifted, their bodies rippling, and in an instant, they transformed into wolves, their fur shining like steel in the light. They formed a protective ring around me, ready to defend against whatever came next.“Stay close,” I urged, my heart racing. “We can’t let them breach our defenses.”From outside, the sounds of Marcus’s pack grew louder. The growls morphed into a chorus of howls that sent shivers down my spine. They were shifting too, preparing for
70ANNALISEThe moment I stepped through the portal, I felt the familiar rush of energy envelop me. The sacred cave loomed before me, vibrant with the power I had just experienced. I stood at the entrance, breathless, my heart pounding as I took in the scene before me.Marcus’s pack was there, a chaos of fur and growls, locked in battle with Adrian and Janet’s wolves. My instincts kicked in, and I blinked slowly, trying to assess the situation. My mind raced as I recalled the elder guardian’s words. I needed to maintain balance; I needed to act fast.“Enough!” I thought, focusing on the pack. With a surge of power, I directed my will toward them, feeling the energy ripple through the air. The atmosphere shifted, heavy with tension, and I felt the ground vibrate beneath me.In an instant, the wolves that had been so ready to fight were lifted off their feet, suspended in the air by an unseen force. I watched in disbelief, my heart racing. They were thrown over the edge of the cliff lik
71SPENCERThe alley was dark and cold, a perfect hiding spot for shady dealings. I leaned against the damp brick wall, the shadows swallowing me whole. I had just left another frustrating meeting, my mind racing with all the ways I had to regain control. This was not how things were supposed to go.Suddenly, I heard footsteps echoing off the cobblestone. A guard stumbled into view, bloodied and panting. His face was pale, and I could see he had been in a fight. I pushed myself off the wall, curiosity piqued.“What happened?” I asked, my voice steady, though anger simmered just below the surface. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”The guard leaned against the wall for support, wincing as he tried to catch his breath. “It’s Annalise,” he gasped, struggling to speak. “She’s back. And she’s regained her powers.”A chill ran down my spine. I felt my blood boil at the mention of her name. “What do you mean, ‘regained her powers’?”“Something happened in the sacred cave,” the guard e