8. Revelations

Aunt, our young void deepens my heart every moment I'm away from Kian. Is this the same darkness that consumed my aunt, seeking a way to fill the emptiness? If this fragmented existence without Kian is my future, I fear losing my sanity.

As I stroll through the lush gardens of my home, the vibrant blooms draw my thoughts to Kian’s enchanting gardens, which seem to burst with life. I pluck a couple of black roses, their velvety petals contrasting starkly against my skin as I cradle them in my arm. I’ll place these dark blossoms in Mother's vase instead. Surprisingly, they emit a sweet, rich fragrance that lingers in the air.

Laughter and deep male voices waft from the entertainment room, and I instantly recognize Alister and his imposing nephew, Specter. Alister's lips curl into a smirk the moment his eyes catch me.

“There you are, Rabitt. When will you learn not to ditch your security detail?"

“It’s good to see you, Alister. But now that I’m 18 and no longer require a guardian, I think it’s high time you divorce my mother and vacate this house.”

A flash of annoyance ignites Alister's eyes, making them darken momentarily.

“Tut tut, Bunny. Is this truly how you address your stepfather? What do you think my nephew Specter would say?”

My gaze flickers to Specter, whose bulky frame looms in the background. His beady eyes roam over me with an unsettling hunger. I roll my eyes and turn away, eager to escape their presence.

“I’m not in the mood for this,” I huff, my patience wearing thin.

In an instant, Alister stands and grabs my elbow with a firm and possessive grip. “Actually, Bunny, you’re here at the perfect time. My nephew and I were hoping to speak with you.” I wrench my arm free and press on. “Alister, you’ll have to wait. I have urgent matters to discuss with Mother.”

“I insist. In fact, she is a crucial part of this conversation and will be here shortly.” Just as he finishes, Mother and Aunt Marilla enter the room, and the air thickens, saturating the space with tension.

“What’s happening?” This unexpected reunion sends unease skimming down my spine. Mother embraces me tightly, planting kisses on my cheeks, but I can’t ignore the deep red mark on her neck. My eyes narrow, venomous, and accusatory as they land on Alister.

“It’s time we establish the law, dear niece,” Aunt Marilla announces, her tone dripping with boredom as she sinks gracefully into the ample sofa.

“Why is Specter still lurking here? This feels like a family affair. Specter isn’t family. Your family is not my family, Alister,” I retort, my disdain sharp knife.

“Sit down, Aminda. Your ascending ceremxt week. My powers are fading. The mantle of the Witch Supreme is searching for a new recipient.”

“I’m ready whenever you are, Aunty.” A thrill runs through me at the prospect of finally claiming my powers.

“Easy there, Bunny. It’s not as simple as you think. Your little entanglement with the werewolf complicates things. You must ensure he stays away from you—forever.”

How dare they make such demands! “Why should I listen to you, Alister?”

“We both know you’re mates, Aminda. A werewolf doesn’t just mark anyone—he chooses. But a mate makes you weak and vulnerable. A Witch Supreme should have no weaknesses. Just look at your mother—a mere shadow of the woman she once was!”

“You speak as if you understand mates well, Aunt Marilla. Did King Killian mark you, too?” The words escape me, sharp and provocative. Aunt Marilla’s complexion drains of color, and she stands abruptly, her face twisted in rage. The lights flicker ominously, and in a simultaneous explosion, Mother’s vases shatter, crystal shards sparkling like fallen stars. The black roses I still hold cascade to the floor, their beauty lost in chaos. The windows rattle violently, responding to the electric surge of power crackling in the room. I catch a glimpse of Specter crouching behind a couch, eyes wide with fear as Aunt Marilla strides toward me.

“Never! Listen to me: never mention that delusional man in my presence again.” For a fleeting moment, pain—even regret—flashes in Aunt Marilla's eyes before it vanishes. Thankfully, she gradually calms, and the surrounding chaos dissipates.

“Well, Aunty, I hope it was worth it to reject your own mate. My mother is not the one who has become a shell of a woman. t is you who has turned into a hollow being, refusing to let yourself love.”

“Welcome to the club, niece. If you wish to possess power, you must let him go. You can not have both, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll choose power.” Aunt Marilla’s satisfaction radiates as if she believes my decision has already been made.

“What if I choose him?” I challenge a fierce determination rising within me. All I truly want is him. Standing before Aunt Marilla and Alister, I see the hollow shells that power has transformed them into. I refuse to become that. A life without Kian will only lead me to mimic Aunt Marilla—a wandering specter thriving in anguish and darkness.

“If you choose him, Rabbit, know that there will be consequences. We are well aware of the mate bond curses between the Wolf Kings and the Witch Supremes, and that’s why we have leverage.”

Alister pulled out his cell phone, a wicked grin dancing across his lips. He navigated through the screen with a few deft movements until he found a video that made my heart plummet. He thrust the device close to my face and pressed play. My breath caught in my throat as I stared in disbelief at the image before me. “Father!” I gasped. He lay motionless on a cold table, covered by a crimson sheet that hung limply over his chest, trapped in a comatose state, helpless and vulnerable.

A surge of fury coursed through me; he navigated through the screen with a fierce, determined, twisting and wringing it like a rag, forcing him to his knees as he clutched his head in agony. Specter moved to assist him, but I wasn't done. A flick of my wrist sent Specter floating in mid-air, gasping as he clutched at his throat, the air escaping him in desperate hitches.

“Where is he?!” I spat, fury boiling over as I caught sight of my mother, her hand clasped tightly over her mouth in shock. Auny Marilla stood nearby, her eyes gleaming with a perverse thrill, feeding off the chaos that enveloped us. Just as I was about to unleash further wrath, Mom snapped back to reality and grabbed my arm with a raw urgency.

“Aminda, stop! You'll kill your father!" The gravity of her words hit me like a fist in the gut. I released my grip on both men and turned to face my mother, confusion and dread swirling in my mind.

“Your aunt,” she continued, her voice trembling. “She bound your father’s life to Alister’s. If one falls, the other follows.” Alister lay on the floor, a twisted smile etched on his face as he chuckled darkly at the revelation.

“I always knew you’d find your mate, Aminda,” he jeered, his confidence brimming. “I just lent a hand to guide you onto your destined path. Just like I did when I was your age. Become the Witch Supreme we need, and your father lives. Fail, and he perishes.”

“This is outrageous!” I yelled, incredulous. “How could you betray your sister like this? How could you give her to him?” I pointed an accusatory finger at Alister, who, with a mocking flourish, blew me a kiss. How many times had he violated my trust since he clawed his way into our lives? My body shook with indignation while Mom's sobs of disbelief echoed through the room.

“Why didn’t you tell me or your aunt?” My mother’s voice trembled, thick with regret.

“What could you have done, Mother? Aunt Marilla knew, and she did nothing!” My voice rose, frustration tightening in my throat.

“I thought he wouldn’t go too far,” she murmured, tears streaming down her cheeks. “All you’ve endured has forged you into the woman you are now. Your parents coddled you like a fragile flower.”

Monsters, they were. Alister and Marilla had toyed with my family like puppeteers, pulling our strings for their twisted amusement.

“I despise you, Aunt Marilla!” My voice cracked, the burning tears threatening to spill, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Enough!” Marilla’s voice sliced through the air. “Next week at 3 AM will be your ascension. You must reject the wolf. I even suggest marrying Specter to spite him, and he could finally move on.”

Specter’s gaze flared with indignation while Alister released a low, primal growl.

“No way. Aminda is mine, Marilla! You promised!” Specter’s voice was a fierce growl, filled with protective wrath.

“This is ridiculous! How could you promise my daughter to that animal? Isn’t it enough that I’ve been forced to betray my husband day after day?”

I could take no more. I stormed to my room, each step heavy with despair. “Just remember, your daddy’s life hangs in the balance!” Aunt Marilla's voice taunted me as I fled, but I couldn’t bear to hear another word from her.

The image of my father on that table replayed in my mind, haunting me throughout the night. The ache of missing him was unbearable. He had always been my steadfast protector, showering both me and Mom with love. I would become the Witch Supreme to save him, no matter the cost. Once I harnessed my powers, I would rid myself of Alister and Marilla. But first, I had to convince Kian that I wanted nothing to do with him, even though I craved him desperately. To feel his strong arms encircling me, the heat of his body igniting a fire within me.

The next day after school, Lance, Tristan, and Cyrus rolled up on their motorcycles, engines purring like playful kittens. They offered me and my friends, Bessa and Deandra, a ride home. We clambered onto the bikes, excitement bubbling over until Lance began fastening my helmet when, out of nowhere, a forceful grip wrenched me away from the bike.

I turned, my heart racing, and faced the embodiment of my desires. Kian stood there, clad in a leather jacket that hugged his robust frame and tight jeans that outlined his athletic legs. My breath hitched in my throat, caught between astonishment and yearning.

“What were you doing on his bike, Aminda?!” His voice was a low growl, thick with tension, and somehow, my body responded with a flood of heat.

“What’s your problem, werewolf? Aminda and I have been friends for years. Yours the intruder here, acting like you own her.” Lance’s voice tried to defend me, but Kian’s fierce glare cut through the air like a knife.

“Tough luck. If you like your hands, keep them away from my woman. Next time, I won’t hesitate,” he warned, muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike.

“It’s fine, guys. I have something to tell Kian." I need to reject him, Goddess Hecate, help me.