I thought moments of my life were painful, but watching the woman I love slip away takes the fucking cake.
“Are you nervous?” I ask. Even the smallest conversations with her have been uncomfortable.
But as she thumbs the collar of my jacket and lightly inhales my scent, it’s the first time I’ve felt hope in a really long time.
“What if they can’t get my memories back. What if I’m not a wolf anymore?” she asks me, her emotionless face is startling as I drop down to my haunches.
“Then we’ll just have to start over.”
She shakes her head and looks around as everyone is busying themselves getting ready for the ritual.
“What if I never feel again?” she asks, this time fear is nearly wafting off of her.
“Everyone here cares about you; if you think this is the last resort, you’re wrong. We just all want you to be safe and happy,” I tell her.
“You were happy with me?” she asks, wrapping my jacket firmly around her body.
I smile at her. “The happiest I’ve ever been.”
She looks down at the ground, her boot rubbing into the dirt.
“I hope I remember you,” she says, and I swallow thickly, not wanting to think of the alternative.
“Me too, little witch.”
She clears her throat at the pet name as I walk over to Lavender. She’s bossing everyone around, clearly anxious for this to work.
“What do you want the wolves to do?” I ask.
She gives me a small smile. “I think it’s best for you to stay in this form, but Oberyn and I agree that the magic might be more powerful if the pack is shifted. Members of the Salvador Coven are coming as well. I won’t stop until the harm my mother caused is remedied, until Violet is the vibrant witch she once was,” she says.
I look back at Violet, who looks so out of place, so small and lost.
“I’ll go talk to the pack.”
The High Priestess nods, and as I’m walking toward the pack, a hand grips mine. One covered in bangles and bracelets. I recognize her before she even speaks. Delphine, Iris’ grandmother.
“A word, wolf,” she says, and I turn to face her.
Her hands clasp over her wooden cane, as she looks nowhere in particular.
“No matter what happens tonight, it’s important you don’t breach the circle, not until the ritual is complete.”
I tilt my head at her and she sighs.
“If you can’t promise me that you’ll stay out of the circle, I can subdue you,” she says, it’s not in a mean tone, she’s being extremely serious.
“Why would I want to break the circle?” I ask.
“Violet’s mind and body are about to go through what may be a painful transformation. I understand your protectiveness of her as your mate is unparalleled. No matter how much shescreams or her body trembles, you can not break the circle. Breaking the connection of witches could ruin everything.”
“I won’t break the circle.”
“She’ll be fine, I’ve seen it,” she says, before turning and joining the witches.
I reiterate what Lavender told me, and watch as my community undresses, piling their clothes in a safe area as they all shift. I take a moment to not let fear and hopelessness fill me, because what I see right now is magical.
Two groups who have hated each other for centuries are here today, working together to strengthen this truce. No, it’s far more than a truce. It’s the dawn of a new era—one where we work together to protect our secrets and the families we care about.
