16

Amelia gathered the tears, her hands trembling. The whispers of gratitude and relief filled her ears as she cradled each tear with care. She knew that their sacrifice would not be in vain. These tears held within them the hopes and dreams of a community long oppressed by an ancient curse. Amelia was their last hope, their lone savior in a world plagued by darkness.

As the sun cast its fading rays across the horizon, Amelia made her way to the heart of the forest. Ancient trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches intertwining like the threads of a forgotten tale. She knew what awaited her in these shadowed depths—a confrontation with the formidable Alpha of the werewolf clan.

Amelia's heart raced as she approached the clearing. She had spent years researching spells and ancient rituals, preparing for this moment. She gripped the vial containing the collected tears tightly, hoping that her intentions would be enough to convince the Alpha to accept the cure.

Just as she stepped into