CHAPTER 200

  As the dust settled, Cedric frantically searched for Marisol, his heart pounding with fear and desperation. When he finally found her, lying unconscious amidst the wreckage of the battle, his world came crashing down around him. He fell to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he checked for signs of life. There was none.

  With a sense of urgency, Cedric gathered Marisol into his arms and carried her back to Redwood, ignoring everything in his path as he raced, praying that Leticia's spell had worked. As they returned to the safety of their pack, Cedric's mind raced with worry, his thoughts consumed by the fear of losing the woman he loved.

  Upon their arrival, Leticia was nowhere to be found. Looking sickly pale, Lily had explained that she suddenly puffed into smoke after clenching at her heart in pain.

  Caleb was frantic, even though Lily and Sophia assured them that Leticia had finished her spell before the tragedy happened.