Chapter 4

Days turned into weeks, and Erik's thoughts constantly returned to Astrid. Her name, her eyes, the way she held herself—everything about her lingered in his mind long after she had left. He found himself drawn to her in a way that he hadn't anticipated. There was something magnetic about her, something that spoke to him on a level deeper than the magic and power he had so long cultivated. She was more than just a werewolf, more than the curse that bound her. She was a force, wild and untamed, but beneath it all, there was a quiet strength—a power of her own.

He had seen many people in his long life, each with their own ambitions and desires, but there was something different about Astrid. She wasn't like the others who sought power for the sake of it. No, she sought something more—a chance to rid herself of the curse that had defined her existence. And Erik, for all his cynicism and calculated manipulation, couldn't help but feel a connection to that goal.

But of course, power was never without cost. Helping her meant risking more than just his magic. It meant exposing vulnerabilities he hadn't considered. Still, the pull of her was undeniable.

It was late one evening when he found himself once again walking through the dense woods that surrounded the Mikaelson estate. The sky was dark, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. Erik's steps were quiet, deliberate, as he moved through the shadows, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Astrid. He hadn't seen her since their first encounter, but he knew she was still out there, somewhere. It was just a matter of time before she came back to him.

He wasn't used to being the one who waited. But for some reason, with Astrid, he found himself content to let time pass. She had her own journey to take, and he had his. But perhaps their paths would intersect once again.

As Erik wandered deeper into the forest, he began to feel a subtle shift in the air—a presence, faint at first, but growing stronger with each passing moment. He stopped, his senses sharpening, and he turned slowly to face the direction from which the sensation emanated.

There, standing between the trees, was Astrid.

She was exactly as he remembered—her blonde hair cascading around her shoulders, her green eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. She stood tall and proud, her posture a reflection of her inner strength, and yet, there was a softness to her that Erik hadn't fully appreciated the first time they met. The way she carried herself was both fierce and vulnerable, a juxtaposition that intrigued him even more.

"Astrid," Erik said, his voice a quiet murmur in the stillness of the night. "I didn't expect you so soon."

Astrid gave him a small, almost imperceptible smile. "I didn't think you would," she replied, her voice just as steady, though there was an undertone of something deeper, something he couldn't quite place. "But I've had time to think. About what you said. About... everything."

Erik stepped closer to her, his gaze never leaving hers. "And what have you decided?"

"I've decided that I need your help," she said, her voice firm now, as if she had made peace with her decision. "I can't do this alone. And I know you have the power to help me. I know you can help me rid myself of the curse."

Erik studied her carefully. He could sense the desperation in her words, the quiet determination that had always been a part of her. But there was something else, something more subtle, that he couldn't quite put his finger on. She was hiding something. He could feel it, like a shadow lurking just beneath the surface.

"What's your plan?" he asked, his tone cautious. "How do you intend to rid yourself of the curse?"

Astrid hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking to the ground as if weighing her words. "There's an ancient ritual," she said finally. "One that can sever the bond between the wolf and the human. But it's dangerous. I would need a powerful witch to help me complete it. And I know you're more than just a warlock, Erik. You have power that most people can't even begin to comprehend. That's why I came to you."

Erik's lips curved into a faint smile. "You came to me because you knew I could give you what you needed," he said, the hint of amusement in his voice. "But I'm not some simple spellcaster. This isn't something that can be done easily."

Astrid met his gaze with a resolve that sent a chill down his spine. "I know the risks. But I also know that if I don't do this now, I will never be free. And I refuse to live the rest of my life trapped by this curse."

Erik was silent for a moment, his mind racing. He could sense the weight of her words, the gravity of her decision. He knew the stakes were high—if the ritual went wrong, it could cost her everything. But there was something in her that made him want to help her. Perhaps it was the fact that she didn't ask for help lightly, that she had weighed the consequences and still chosen to come to him. Or perhaps it was something more—something deeper.

"I'll help you," Erik said finally, his voice steady. "But you need to understand that this will not be easy. It will take everything we have. And once it's done, you may never be the same again."

Astrid nodded, her expression unwavering. "I'm willing to take that risk."

Erik stepped closer to her, his gaze never leaving hers. There was a brief silence between them, a moment of shared understanding. He could feel the tension in the air, the electric charge of anticipation. The bond between them had shifted, and Erik knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning.

Over the following days, Erik and Astrid worked together in the quiet of the woods, the Mikaelson estate providing a safe haven for their secret meetings. The ritual was complex, requiring both knowledge and power—things Erik possessed in abundance. But even with his vast knowledge, the ritual was not without its challenges. There were moments of doubt, moments where the spell would falter, and the air between them would grow thick with tension.

But as time passed, Erik found himself growing more attuned to Astrid. Her presence was a constant, her quiet strength becoming a steady anchor in the chaos of his life. There was a connection between them, one that he hadn't expected, one that went beyond the ritual. As they worked side by side, Erik couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him—not with awe or fear, but with trust.

For the first time in a long while, Erik felt something stir within him—something he hadn't felt in centuries.

The night of the ritual arrived, and everything was set. The moon hung low in the sky, casting its pale light across the clearing where Erik and Astrid stood, their hands joined in the center of a circle of ancient runes. The air was heavy with magic, and Erik could feel the power swirling around them, crackling in the air like static.

"You're ready?" Erik asked, his voice low.

Astrid nodded, her gaze steady. "I'm ready."

With that, Erik began the incantation, his voice deep and resonant, the words of the ancient spell flowing from his lips like a river. The air around them vibrated, the magic building in intensity with each passing moment. And then, as the final words left his mouth, the ground beneath them trembled, and a bright light filled the clearing.

Erik's heart raced as the magic surged around them, a whirlwind of power that threatened to overwhelm them both. But he held his ground, his connection to the spell unwavering.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the magic snapped into place, and the clearing fell silent.

Astrid collapsed into his arms, her breath coming in short gasps. The ritual had taken everything from her, but Erik could see the change in her already. The bond that had once held her cursed form was gone.

She was free.

But as Erik held her, he couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning. The ritual had severed one bond, but it had forged another, one that neither of them could ignore.