Usher fell silent as Rowena's question managed to spark a glimmer of hope in his mind. Frankly, there was nothing he hoped for more than a second chance, a chance to make things right, a chance to avoid all the unfortunate incidents.But Usher's logic scoffed at the suggestion. It sounded irrational. There were no second chances in this world, especially not for someone as guilty as he was. Yet there was a part of Usher that hoped for the opposite. If there was a second chance, could he change everything that had happened?Usher took a deep breath and shifted his focus. He narrowed his eyes on Rowena. "Who are you?""I am Rowena, a witch who once cured you of the effects of Mireya's magic. I am also well acquainted with Jemma and Kendrick."Immediately, Usher's expression changed. "Do you... do you know my parents?""Very well," Rowena replied with a slight grin. Her chest felt tight, so she took a deep breath to calm herself. "We've been friends for many years. We are good friends."
The loud sound echoed repeatedly, filling Rowena's ritual room. It came from a large mortar filled with fresh herbs that emitted a pungent aroma. With blank eyes and an expressionless face, Rowena's hands continued to lift the pestle and pound the fresh herbs. It seemed that something had taken over her mind, making her unaware that the herbs had been crushed ten minutes ago.The faint sound of footsteps gradually drew Rowena's attention. She blinked, instantly alerting her entire body. Rowena stopped pounding. She put down the pestle and turned to greet them. "Alpha."Usher's steps suddenly stopped and he looked at Rowena as he returned the salute. "Rowena.""What is it, Alpha?" Rowena asked, leaving the crushed herbs in the mortar. She went to the table to get more ingredients. "Was there something you wanted to say by coming to see me?"Usher squinted. He hadn't expected Rowena to speak so casually."Surely there's a reason you sought me out here." Rowena picked up a crystal bottle
"Vione, what do you think? Do you feel the strangeness as I do?"For a moment, Vione was silent as Usher expressed his suspicions. She said nothing and seemed to become a statue. Even for a moment, her gaze seemed empty.Usher narrowed his eyes. He waited a moment, hoping Vione would respond to his words, but she didn't. After five minutes, Vione remained silent."Vione?" Usher called with a furrowed brow. He touched Vione's shoulder gently. "Are you listening to me?"Vione flinched slightly. She blinked several times before finally focusing on his eyes. Then she nodded. "Uh-oh, yes, Usher. O-of course I heard what you said earlier."Vione's behavior puzzled Usher. The furrows in his forehead deepened. "What is it?" Usher asked later, watching Vione's condition. "Is something wrong? You don't seem like yourself, Vione."Vione shook his head hastily. "No, Usher. There's nothing wrong. I'm fine and nothing happened. You don't have to worry."That was not the case in Usher's eyes. So, he
Vione tried to calm herself, but Rowena's words kept echoing in her head. She couldn't hold back her emotions and would have cried if Ayla hadn't arrived.Ayla approached Vione worriedly. "Vione, what's wrong? Why are you crying?""No," Vione said, shaking her head. She quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall. "I wasn't crying because you came suddenly, Ayla."Ayla groaned. "Vione."A small laugh escaped Vione's lips. "I'm fine. I just feel..." She took a deep breath and lifted her head, then continued. "...very happy, Ayla.""Well, for someone who is happy, you express it in a way that worries me," Ayla said.Vione smiled playfully. "I'm fine. I'm just preparing snacks for Usher."Ayla glanced at the nice spread of snacks and a cup of tea on the table. She sighed with the realization that Vione would always love Usher. She could be sure that Vione would stay by Usher's side no matter what, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.A dilemma arose in Ayla's mind. On the
It was all too late; there was nothing Usher could do now. He could only sit there, lost in thought, and watch Vione fall asleep in his embrace. And then it dawned on him that there was a selfishness within him that was rejoicing. He was glad, he was overjoyed, he was happy.Usher truly hated himself. He had proven himself unworthy of Vione, incapable of protecting her. And now all he had to do was lead Vione into the abyss with him.There was no guarantee that going back in time would change everything. The possibility of failure still existed, no matter how hard Usher tried. So, he should not risk Vione's life. He had caused Vione pain and the last thing he wanted was for Vione to die because of him.*It was the brightest morning Vione had felt in months, especially considering the time she had been imprisoned underground. Even in her hiding cave, she rarely felt the sunlight for fear of being discovered by the Mireya people. So, it was only natural that a smile immediately broke o
"Basically, there's only one thing you need to change the past. You must have an unwavering determination, and for that..." Rowena continued, taking a moment to catch her breath. Then she looked back at the waterfall before returning her gaze to Usher. "...the time portal behind the waterfall will return you to the time you desire. You must not hesitate, Alpha. Otherwise, at worst, you'll be trapped in the past forever."It was a huge risk, but Usher was not afraid. He showed his strong resolve."Another important thing is that you must be bound to both times."Rowena's confusing statement prompted a spontaneous question from Ayla. "What do you mean, Rowena?""I mean that Alpha must have a balance in both the present and the past. When he goes to the past, it's like he's in the middle of reality, caught between two dimensions of time. So, balance is needed to keep both worlds stable and harmonious.Usher shook his head slightly. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Rowena. So, wh
Usher closed his eyes as soon as his foot stepped through the portal. The reason for this was a strange vibration that immediately greeted him, flowing through his body like an invisible force that pulled him into the portal.Behind the golden-blue hue of the magical aura, a vortex of energy enveloped Usher. He felt like he was being swallowed by an unstoppable force, separated from space and time, like being caught in the eye of a storm.The blinding blue light filled Usher's vision as if trying to penetrate his tightly closed eyelids. The vibrations coursing through his body intensified, making him feel as if he were waking from a long dream and being thrown into an unimaginable reality.Usher's feet no longer touched the ground. He had been lifted off the ground and was now floating between unimaginable dimensions.Everything around him was suddenly changing. Usher felt himself thrust into a different time span, slicing through layers of time like an ocean with unexpected force. He
Little Vione couldn't speak anymore. Little Usher's words were true. The people loved her, even Usher's parents, the Alpha and the Luna, loved her. But she couldn't ignore the fact that there were naughty children who always tried to make her sad."Stop it. You don't have to worry about what they say. Don't be sad," the little Usher said as he thought. Then he looked around and his eyes were wide with excitement. "Vione, since we've come this far, how about we play by the lake for a while? You know, there are rumors that the lotus flowers will bloom this week."Little Vione wasn't sure if that was a good idea. But it was Usher, the future Alpha of the Frostholm Pack, who invited her. No matter how nice Usher was to her, she probably shouldn't refuse his invitation.Finally, little Vione sighed and nodded. "Let's go."Little Usher smiled and immediately took little Vione's hand. He led them away. They walked toward the southeast side of the forest, and it wasn't long before they could