Chapter 35 - Preparing for the Battle

Brielle was ecstatic; Celeste had found the Emerald Stone witch without being caught. She told her to stay hidden until the other witches got there. Brielle was not stupid; she knew that the Emerald Stone witch knew who had placed the spell on the she-wolf so she would know they would be coming for her. Brielle would send her best witches with the most potent spells to kill the White Raven pack members and bring the Emerald Stone witch to her.

Brielle planned to send them in two days; that would give her time to have everything in place and give Celeste time to observe the pack. Brielle didn't want any surprises when her witches got there; they should be able to beat the pack quickly. She thought about letting Celeste live now that she had completed the task and kept herself from being found by the Emerald Stone witch. Brielle would decide once Celeste came back to her; she would make Celeste be the one to bring the witch to her.

Brielle let Celeste know when to expect the others and what she is to do until they get there. She also told her that once the Dark Sphere witches come, she wanted Celeste to bring the Emerald Stone witch to her while the others take care of the pack members. Brielle could feel Celeste's disappointment; she assumed it was because she wanted to be part of the battle with the wolves. Brielle called her witches to come for a meeting immediately; she needed to prepare them for those sneaky werewolves.
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Celeste informed Kaleigh when to expect the witches of the Dark Sphere and that Brielle wanted Celeste to take Kaleigh to her. Kaleigh thought about this; she didn't like putting Celeste at risk by going back to Brielle's coven. Although if Celeste can fool Brielle into believing that she is still one of them, it would give Kaleigh an ally inside.

"Celeste, I know you don't want to return to Dark Sphere; however, I think this is actually the best option. You will need to convince Brielle that you are still working with her, and then you will be able to help me from the inside. I don't want to make you do anything that you are uncomfortable with, though." Kaleigh looked at Celeste as they sat at one of the tables in the dining hall.

"Kaleigh, I am worried about being back face to face with Brielle, but I will do whatever you need me to do to keep you safe and defeat her. I agree that having me there with you will be better than you being there alone. Brielle thinks I am weak and would not defy her. The witches she is sending are her most lethal ones; there will be about fifty of them. I would like to talk to your pack members if you let me. I want to prepare them for the spells they will try and use and what they can do to defeat them. Witches are not fighters, and if they cannot use their spells, they will be helpless."

Celeste admired Kaleigh. She was not scared that she would be taken to Brielle and that Brielle would torture her to get the stone from her. Celeste wanted to see the stone for herself, but she was unwilling to ask Kaleigh to show it to her. She was afraid that she would misconstrue her intentions.

"Thank you for helping Celeste. I will have Dominick call a pack meeting so you can talk to the pack later today. How do you feel about all of this? I know it's hard switching paths, but you will be welcome here for as long as you want to stay." Kaleigh could tell Celeste was weary, and she wanted to ease her mind. She also wanted to make sure that she continued down the path of good and didn't get sucked back into evil.

"I am feeling good, Kaleigh; it is something new for me. I always felt out of place at Dark Sphere, pretending to be something I wasn't, but here I can sit outside or watch the pups play without hiding my enjoyment. I can't thank you enough for allowing me to stay with your pack. I will go with you to Dark Sphere so that I can help you get out." Celeste would do this for the young witch, she was scared, but if it meant Kaleigh coming out alive, she would help her.

"Thank you, Celeste." Kaleigh mindlinked Dominick and asked him to call a pack meeting later today because they had an update. He responded that he would have everyone meet in two hours.

During the pack meeting, Kaleigh informed everyone when they could expect the witches of the Dark Sphere. Celeste was nervous addressing the entire pack, but they listened to her intently. She told them about the spells they would try to use and what they could do to decrease the effectiveness. She also talked to Kaleigh about a spell she could place on those fighting to protect them from some of the Dark Sphere spells. Kaleigh was grateful for all the help that Celeste was giving them.

Later that night, when Dominick and Kaleigh were finally alone in their bedroom, Kaleigh lay in his arms, exhausted. She was ready for this battle to be over, but more importantly, she wanted her pack to survive. Kaleigh wouldn't be able to live with herself if there were casualties because of her.

"Kaleigh, are you alright? You are very quiet." Dominick was worried about his mate. He knew she would be taken from him to Brielle in two days. He wished he could go with her, but Kaleigh had told him that it was important that he stay behind for everyone's survival. Kaleigh was confident that her chances were even better now that Celeste would be going with her. Dominick was not as sure about Celeste as Kaleigh was. Ash didn't pick up anything sinister about her. Still, because she is from Dark Sphere, Dominick decided he would not trust her until she proved herself.

"I am just thinking about all that we have been through in the short time we have been together. We have not been able to do all the things that new mates usually do. Instead, we have spent all our time preparing for these witches to come. When we are past this, I would like to spend time with you alone. Usually, new mates spend the first couple of days in bed because they can't get enough of each other after marking one another. We have not had that pleasure, though; there is always too much to do." Kaleigh didn't want to tell Dominick her real fear that she may not return when she leaves for Dark Sphere.

"We will spend as much time alone as you want, Kaleigh. You're right; we have not had the typical beginning, but that is because you are so unique. There is nothing typical about you, and I love that. I want to ask you something, Kaleigh; I have been waiting for the right time." Kaleigh turned in his arms so she could look up into his face.

"What is it, Dominick?" She frowned, looking up into his worried expression.

"I know we have already marked each other without having a commitment ceremony, but I think I would like to do something different for our ceremony. Kaleigh, I don't just want you as my mate; I want you to be my wife. Kaleigh, will you marry me? We can have a commitment ceremony and wedding at the same time. What do you say?"

Kaleigh was stunned. She was not worried about the commitment ceremony; they had already marked each other, which was enough for her. She had no idea that Dominick wanted to marry her as well. It was not usual for their pack members to have weddings, but she smiled as she thought about it.

"Yes, Dominick, I will marry you. I love you so much that my heart feels like it will explode." Dominick signed in relief. He was worried that she wouldn't want a wedding, but he knew he wanted the same thing for Kaleigh after seeing Lenny and Allie's wedding.

"I love you too, Kaleigh, with my entire heart and soul." They were both laughing in happiness, talking about the future. It was a small interlude of light in the darkness that was coming.