Chapter 33: Witch Hunt

Luna's POV

The scent of old parchment and leather filled my nostrils as I pored over yet another ancient text. My eyes burned from hours of reading, but I couldn't stop. Not when we were so close to a breakthrough.

"Luna!" Rowan's excited voice cut through my concentration. She burst into the library, her red hair wild, clutching a weathered tome to her chest. "I found something!"

My heart leaped as I jumped to my feet. "About the curse?"

Rowan nodded frantically, her eyes bright with triumph. "Not just about the curse - about the witch who cast it!"

As she spread the book on the table, I felt a surge of hope so strong it made me dizzy. This could be it - the key to freeing Ash from his torment.

"Look here," Rowan pointed to a faded illustration of a woman with piercing eyes and flowing silver hair. "This is Moira, the Witch of the Whispered Woods. According to this text, she was known for casting curses that targeted the heart and soul."

I leaned in, drinking in every detail. "Does it say anything about how to break her curses?"

Rowan's excitement dimmed slightly. "Not exactly. But it does mention her last known location - a hidden grove deep in the Whispering Woods."

"Then that's where we need to go," I said, determination flooding through me. "We need to tell Ash."

As if summoned by his name, Ash appeared in the doorway, his presence instantly filling the room. His eyes found mine, and I felt that familiar pull, accompanied by the sharp pang of knowing I couldn't act on it.

"Tell me what?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "We found information about the witch who cursed you. And a possible lead on her location."

Ash's eyes widened, a flash of hope quickly replaced by guarded skepticism. "Luna, we've been through this. The curse can't be broken."

"You don't know that," I argued, stepping closer to him despite the risk. "Not for sure. This could be our chance, Ash. We have to try."

For a moment, I saw the conflict raging in his eyes - hope warring with fear, longing with resignation. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Even if this lead pans out, we can't spare the resources right now. Pack A is still a threat, and-"

"I'll go," I interrupted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I'll lead a small team to investigate. The pack's defenses won't be compromised."

"Absolutely not," Ash growled, his Alpha authority coloring his tone. "It's too dangerous. I won't risk you on a wild goose chase."

I felt my own anger rising to meet his. "It's not your decision to make, Ash. This is about your curse - our future. I'm going, with or without your blessing."

The tension between us crackled like electricity. I could see the muscle in Ash's jaw ticking as he fought to control his emotions - and the pain they caused him.

"Luna," he said, his voice low and strained. "Please. I can't... I can't bear the thought of you in danger."

My heart ached at the raw emotion in his voice. I wanted nothing more than to close the distance between us, to comfort him. But I couldn't - not without causing him more pain.

"Ash," I said softly, pouring all my love and determination into my words. "This is our best chance. I have to try. For you. For us."

For a long moment, he just stared at me, the conflict clear in his stormy eyes. Then, finally, he nodded.

"Two days," he said, his voice rough. "You have two days to investigate. And you're not going alone. Take Rowan and Kira with you."

Relief and excitement flooded through me. I wanted to hug him, to kiss him, to show him how much this meant to me. But I held myself back, settling for a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Ash. I won't let you down."

As Rowan and I began preparations for our mission, the pack house was a flurry of activity. Pack A's threat still loomed, and defenses needed to be maintained. I felt the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders - not just for the pack's safety, but for Ash's future. Our future.

The night before our departure, I found myself unable to sleep. I slipped out of the pack house, seeking solace in the cool night air. As I walked through the moonlit forest, my mind raced with possibilities and fears.

What if we couldn't find the witch? What if there was no way to break the curse? What if-

A twig snapped behind me, and I whirled around, my heart racing. Ash emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing in the darkness.

"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked, his voice soft.

I shook my head, drinking in the sight of him. Even now, with the curse hanging over us, he took my breath away.

"I'm scared, Ash," I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "What if this doesn't work? What if I fail you?"

In two quick strides, he was in front of me, his hands hovering just inches from my face. The longing in his eyes mirrored my own.

"Luna," he breathed, his voice full of emotion. "You could never fail me. Just by being here, by fighting for us - you've given me more than I ever dared hope for."

Tears pricked at my eyes. "I love you, Ash," I whispered, the words feeling both foreign and perfectly right on my tongue. "I love you, and I'm going to break this curse. I swear it."

For a moment, just a moment, Ash's control slipped. He leaned in, his lips a breath away from mine. I could feel the heat of him, smell his intoxicating scent. My eyes fluttered closed, my body tensing in anticipation.

But then he jerked away with a pained gasp, doubling over. I reached for him instinctively, but he held up a hand, keeping me at bay.

"I'm sorry," he ground out, his breathing labored. "I'm so sorry, Luna."

My heart broke for him, for us. But beneath the pain, I felt my resolve strengthen. This - this moment of agony - was why I had to succeed. Why I would move heaven and earth to break this curse.

"Don't be sorry," I said fiercely. "This isn't your fault, Ash. And I'm going to fix it. I promise you."

As the first light of dawn broke through the trees, I reluctantly headed back to the pack house. In a few short hours, I would be leaving on a mission that could change everything.

The preparations passed in a blur. Before I knew it, I was standing at the edge of the pack's territory with Rowan and Kira, ready to embark on our witch hunt.

Ash stood before us, every inch the powerful Alpha despite the pain I could see lurking in his eyes.

"Be careful," he said, his gaze locked on mine. "All of you. Come back safe."

I nodded, pouring all my love and determination into my eyes. "We will. And we'll come back with answers, Ash. I promise."

As we shifted and began our journey into the unknown, I felt a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through me. This was it - our chance to break the curse, to claim the future we deserved.

Whatever lay ahead in the Whispering Woods, whatever challenges we might face, I was ready. For Ash, for our love, I would face anything.

The witch hunt had begun. And I, Luna Evernight, was determined to emerge victorious.