Chapter 106
The day began in quiet relief, the first in weeks where my heart wasn’t pounding with fear or rage. Our enemies were gone, their plans shattered, and for the first time, the pack felt safe. Jake and I had spent the morning walking hand in hand through the pack lands, greeting smiling faces and soaking in the serenity of it all.
But beneath it, I could feel a dull ache—a longing that gnawed at me. My babies. It had been too long since I held them, kissed their soft cheeks, or heard their tiny giggles. The joy of victory felt incomplete without them.
Jake noticed my distraction as we sat in the living room that afternoon. He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re thinking about them.”
I nodded, unable to stop the tears from welling up. “I just need to see them, Jake. I need to hold them, know they’re okay.”
He kissed my forehead, his touch warm and grounding. “Then let’s bring them home. Selena will understand.”
I smiled at him, grateful for his unwavering support. Picking up my phone, I dialed Selena’s number, expecting her familiar voice to answer. The line rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail. I frowned and tried again. Still no answer.
“Selena always answers,” I murmured, the first threads of unease coiling in my chest.
Jake’s brow furrowed. “Maybe the signal’s bad. Let’s head out there and check. Better safe than sorry.”
The safe house was an unassuming cottage on the outskirts of town, surrounded by dense woods. It had been the perfect hiding place, far from prying eyes and filled with protective wards. As we approached, I noticed how still everything seemed. No lights shone from the windows, and the air carried a strange, oppressive silence.
“Something’s wrong,” I whispered, gripping Jake’s hand.
He nodded, his jaw tightening. “Stay close.”
We entered cautiously, the creak of the front door echoing in the darkened space. The house smelled faintly of burnt wood and herbs, remnants of the spells Selena had used to protect my children. My heart raced as I scanned the shadows, my magic buzzing under my skin.
And then I felt it—a faint, familiar warmth. My babies.
“They’re here,” I said, rushing toward the back room.
Jake followed, his steps heavy with tension. We pushed open the door, and there they were—my sweet angels, lying side by side on the bed. Their chests rose and fell with peaceful breaths, and I nearly collapsed with relief.
“They’re okay,” I choked out, tears streaming down my face as I reached for them.
But before I could take another step, a figure emerged from the shadows. Selena.
She stood in the doorway, her face pale and drawn, her eyes bloodshot as though she’d been crying for hours. Her hands trembled at her sides, and there was a strange, wild energy about her that made my stomach twist.
“Selena,” I said cautiously. “What’s going on? Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
Her lips curled into a bitter smile, and a shiver ran down my spine. “Why didn’t I answer?” she repeated, her voice trembling with both sorrow and anger. “Maybe because I was busy burying my sister.”
I froze, the weight of her words slamming into me like a physical blow. “Your… sister?”
“Yes, my sister,” she spat, tears streaming down her face. “Jena.”
Shock coursed through me. “Jena was your sister?”
Jake stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Selena, whatever pain you’re feeling, don’t let it cloud your judgment. Let’s talk—”
“Talk?” Selena’s voice rose, shrill and broken. “You think words can fix this? My sister is dead because of you, Priscilla!” She pointed a trembling finger at me, her eyes blazing with fury. “She told me it would work. She said she had a plan, and now she’s gone. The only family I had left—gone!”
Tears blurred my vision as I tried to make sense of it all. “Selena, I didn’t know. I didn’t want this.”
“She told me not to help her,” Selena sobbed, clutching her head. “She said it would kill her, but she went through with it anyway. And now I’m alone. Alone because of you!”
“Selena,” Jake said, his voice gentle. “Please. Don’t hurt the children.”
Her laughter was cold and sharp, cutting through the room like a blade. “Hurt them? Oh, Jake, you sweet, naïve fool. I wouldn’t hurt them.” Her gaze turned back to me, her expression twisting into something dark. “But I will make her pay.”
I stepped in front of the bed, shielding my babies with my body. “Selena, I’m sorry for your loss. I truly am. But don’t do this. Don’t let grief consume you.”
Her face crumpled, tears falling freely now. “You don’t understand. You can’t understand. She was my sister. My blood. She gave everything to fight for a better world, and you destroyed her. Why won’t you just die?”
The words struck like a dagger, but I didn’t waver. I took a step forward, my voice steady. “Because my children need me. Because Jake needs me. And because Jena made her choice, just like I’m making mine now.”
Selena’s eyes widened as I raised my hand, magic crackling at my fingertips. Before she could react, I unleashed a wave of energy, slamming her against the wall.
“Jake,” I said urgently, turning to him. “Take the babies and go.”
“No,” he growled. “Not without you.”
I smiled through my tears, my heart breaking with every word. “We’ll meet again. I promise. But right now, I need you to protect them. Always.”
Jake hesitated, his eyes filled with anguish. “Prisca, please—”
“Go!” I shouted, my voice cracking.
Reluctantly, he scooped up the twins, his movements swift and careful. He gave me one last, desperate look before vanishing out the door.
Selena was on her feet now, her magic surging as she hurled a bolt of energy at me. I countered it with my own, the force of our powers colliding in a blinding explosion.
“You think you can stop me?” Selena screamed, her voice raw with pain. “You’ll die for what you’ve done!”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I closed the distance between us, grabbing her by the shoulders and holding on tightly. Her magic burned against my skin, but I didn’t let go.
“I’m sorry, Selena,” I whispered. “I truly am.”
And then I unleashed everything.
The fire erupted from within me, consuming us both in an inferno of light and heat. Selena screamed, her power lashing out in wild, frantic bursts, but it wasn’t enough. I held on, pouring every ounce of my magic into the flames.
The last thing I saw was Jake, standing in the distance with the twins in his arms, his face a mask of grief as the house exploded around me.
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