Chapter 48: Bad choice

*~Author’s POV ~*

The carriage moved slowly along the worn forest path. Inside, Aurora sat upright, flipping through a spellbook as glowing runes danced at her fingertips. Hazel sat beside her, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering silent comfort. Though the ride was calm, tension clung to the air like mist.

Behind them Blue moon wolfs stationed there to ensure Hazel’s safety. Just as Elder O’Brien had ordered, she was being moved from the High House—supposedly for her own good. The Council had agreed. Hazel hadn’t.

And maybe... they were all wrong.

The carriage gave a sudden jolt.

A sharp thud echoed beneath the wheels, and the driver cursed as the horses neighed, rearing slightly. Aurora’s spell flickered out.

"What was that?" she muttered, snapping her book shut.

The driver twisted in his seat. "A rock, I think. I’ll check." He hopped down and approached the obstruction cautiously.

Then—whizz!

An arrow flew from the shadows. The driver caught it just in time, inches from his chest. His eyes widened.

A second arrow struck him dead through the side. He dropped.

Aurora’s eyes darkened. "Hazel, up! Now!"

Hazel jolted awake as Aurora dragged her from the carriage. The forest had gone silent—but not empty.

"Versa," Aurora whispered, and a glowing force-shield burst around them.

Then, from the woods, they emerged.

First, five cloaked figures—witches. But behind them came another: an older woman, cloaked in black, long dark hair draping over her shoulders like a veil.

Hazel gasped. Aurora’s breath caught.

"Dahlia," she hissed.

But it wasn’t just the witches.

Another figure stepped forward.

A man they knew.

"Elder O’Brien," Aurora said in disbelief.

Hazel’s blood ran cold. The wolves guarding them shifted to human form, surrounding her protectively. But it was too late.

own mate out, just like I said he would. And Caspian—Beta Caspian, of all people—how disappointing. All it took was one simple trick to lure

and firm. "So this is where you got the herbs. From

She nodded toward Dahlia.

broken glass. "And there’s the little imposter witch. Should’ve died long ago. Now you

in front of her protectively. "I’ll protect her with

life?

from her mouth. She

out, crouching

should’ve known," Aurora gasped.

"I’m not leaving you—"

eyes flicked black.

"No!"

with a shaky grin.

she whispered the word again, louder, fiercer:

body stiffened, rising slowly from the ground, dark power leaking from every pore. She looked at Dahlia, her mouth bleeding but

love to see

erupted. The witches took

Hazel turned to run.

Dahlia lunged forward, sprinting toward them with terrifying speed. Before Hazel could scream, Aurora stepped

Behind them, chaos erupted.

The wolves who had been secretly guarding Hazel abandoned the shadows and burst forward—shifting midair into

exploded. Screams rang through

Her vision blurred. Her limbs wouldn’t move.

echoed, but Hazel couldn’t

Every sound was muffled.

Every breath felt stolen.

O’Brien tearing through their

And then it happened.

twisting pain shot

to her knees. Blood pooled underneath her

mouth opened to scream, but instead, she choked. Thick,

no," she sobbed, both hands

Then came her voice.

a queen in the center

the fight, untouched, unfazed, her

here," she whispered. "Come to

Hazel didn’t move.

She couldn’t move.

But her body did.

onto her knees before

and mouth. Dahlia tilted

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