Chapter 33: A Womb of Shadows

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~Hazel’s POV~

"That child is an abomination. That child needs to be gotten rid of," she said.

Her voice didn’t sound like it belonged in this room. It turned—low, dark, guttural. Like something ancient had just borrowed her tongue. It was Dahlia, yes—but it wasn’t her. Or not the Dahlia I’d met.

My breath caught in my throat.

This was the second time I’d heard those exact words.

The first time was in my dream.

The one I’d convinced myself was just a nightmare.

But now, hearing it spoken again... like an echo rippling through my bones...

I shot up from the table.

My chair clattered backwards.

Caspian was by my side in a blink. His hand on my lower back. His other hand reached for my hand, trying to keep me steady. I barely noticed when Cayden moved.

He was on her.. Dahlia..faster than I could blink.

His fingers wrapped tightly around her throat, lifting her just enough to draw a sharp gasp from the onlookers.

"What do you mean, my child is an abomination?" Cayden’s voice thundered. I could feel it in my chest, vibrating through the air. "I told you to tell me. Why are the damn witches and wolves after my child’s life? Why are you calling my child an abomination? How dare you?"

But she didn’t flinch.

Dahlia just looked him straight in the eye with an eerie calmness, like she’d already accepted something none of us knew.

"I’m only saying the truth," she whispered hoarsely.

She twisted her face from his grasp and stared blankly ahead. "You don’t know what I saw."

"Then say it!" Cayden’s roar made even the walls seem to tremble.

"WHAT. DID. YOU. SEE?!"

Dahlia’s lips quirked slightly, and her tone turned almost pitying.

"I cannot say it," she said, voice hollow. "But I will advise you. Even if it hurts you, or this pack... or even if you love your own life... get rid of that child. Kill it. Kill that monster, before nature does."

A beat passed. Then another.

And then.

CRACK.

sound like a tree snapping

twisted grotesquely as Cayden’s hand snapped it cleanly, ruthlessly. Blood spurted like a fountain as her lifeless body slumped to

She was dead.

in the war room. In

the elders stood in stunned silence, his mouth opening

splattered across his

rang out, hard

to her lifeless form. "She promised she’d share what she saw. She

the shadows near the door. "Aurora," he said,

forward cautiously, her

of your coven," Cayden announced, with absolute

not possible. My coven

choose next," Cayden cut in, "I’ll make sure I befriend that one. It’ll be nice

lips parted in disbelief. "You think they’ll work with you after you just killed their

have no

gaze turned to

take Hazel to her

slid his hand into mine, holding it tightly. Protective. Grounding. I followed him,

from the tension, the blood, the madness—I finally let my breath

found its way

What does this mean?

my baby

His

has. Don’t let her words get to you, Hazel. She’s a cunning woman.

gave a small nod. But his words were paper trying to

brought a warm cup of coffee for me

"I’ve got things to handle. But I’ll call Aurora. She’s the only person you’ve truly bonded with

came out barely a whisper. "I need my sister.

His brow furrowed.

Marcus won’t let us just take her. You know

Beta, Caspian," I said quietly. "And he fears you. I’m her sister. I need her. I

and nodded. "I’ll

then, Aurora will stay with you. She’s a witch. She can check on you...

He left soon after.

my hand again around my belly, trying to feel a heartbeat, a flutter,

But I felt... nothing.

I swallowed hard.

whispered to myself, "I’ll protect

the tea.

into sleep, heavy and dreamless

I was there

That other

just a figment of

But it was real.

the middle of a dark, loomy forest. The trees reached up like arms into an endless black sky. A bone-deep chill swept through the

am I doing

a branch, hoping pain

I saw

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