Chapter 34

"Who on earth leaked our location?" Timothee exclaimed as he saw a group of werewolves approaching me. Timothee held them back with his strength before pulling me out of Grand Avenue.

"From the shape of his body, Timmy. I recognize that traitor very well." I whispered, my voice filled with anger and betrayal.

"Who do you think she or he is, Barbara?" Timothee continued to battle other werewolves as he guided me through the bustling Grand Avenue.

"I can't think, for now, Timmy. Let's settle everything now." I touch the necklace given to me by Fae Aurora, my mother. I sweep my gaze across every corner of Grand Avenue and don't spot her.

"Has mom already left?" I asked Timothee with concern.

"It seems like she and Dwarf Altairs have indeed departed," Timothee replied, glancing at me.

Our focus, both of us, on finding Fae Aurora shattered when someone suddenly appeared with a silver dagger aimed sharply at Timothee's heart.

My subconscious immediately rushed to work, crafting a sigil to ward off the dagger. An odd shimmer enveloped my body, making me feel weightless as if I were floating. The dagger halted inches away from Timothee's chest, frozen by the protective sigil.

Our assailant groaned in frustration and lunged to strike at us once more. Without hesitation, I conjured another magic sigil, propelling them even farther away.

"Barbara, are you okay?" Timothée inquired, his concern evident as he checked my condition, only to quickly realize that the individual lay motionless, face down, and showed no signs of getting up.

Timothée's gaze shifted from me to the assailant, a mix of relief and suspicion clouding his features.

"This was too staged," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he knelt beside the motionless figure.

With a swift motion, he turned the assailant over, revealing the face of someone we least expected - Chase, our trusted ally, his eyes now closed in unconsciousness.

The realization hit us like a physical blow, the betrayal stinging more sharply than the cold night air.

"Chase... why?" I whispered, the question hanging between us, heavy with unspoken accusations and disbelief.

The silence that followed was our only answer, revealing the depth of deception woven into our supposed camaraderie.

Timothee, who initially appeared as a strong Alpha who was never defeated by anything, teared up because of it. He was the one who trusted Chase the most, and this betrayal cut deeper than he could bear. It shook his belief in not only their friendship but also in his capabilities as a leader.

I could feel the weight of Timothée's emotions radiating off him, his shoulders slumped and eyes filled with sadness. He was questioning not only Chase's motives but also his own judgment in placing so much trust in someone who had turned out to be a wolf in sheep.

I walked closer and placed my hand on Timothee's shoulder, feeling guilty for hitting Chase with my sigil.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Timothee looked up at me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and understanding.

"Timothee, I..." I began, but he held up a hand, stopping me mid-sentence. His eyes met mine, and in that moment, I saw a depth of understanding that I hadn't expected.

"I don't blame you," he said softly. "I know your actions were spontaneous, and we were all in a dangerous situation. We all reacted in ways we might not have under different circumstances."

His words cut through the guilt that had been tying knots in my stomach. "But--"

"I just... I just... don't understand why he betray us." Timothee wiped his tears away, trying to regain his composure.

I could see the intense disappointment in her blue eyes that were still glazed over. I knew that before I came into Timothee's life, Chase came first, they were like stamps and glue. Timothee's turmoil was palpable, and I wished there was something more I could do to ease his pain. But as I looked at Chase's unconscious form, the questions swirled in my mind.

Why would he betray us? What could have driven him to this deception? The trust that we had placed in him now lay shattered, and the pieces of our shattered camaraderie felt like a weight on my shoulders.

"Let's go home." Timothee turned his head to me and nodded in agreement. His voice was heavy with the burden of betrayal, but there was also a hint of determination in his eyes. We needed to regroup, to understand what had led to this moment of treachery and to reassess our situation.

As we made our way back to our safe haven, Timothée remained lost in his thoughts, his usual air of confidence replaced by a sense of vulnerability. I knew that the events of tonight would linger in our minds for a long time, casting a shadow over our once unshakable trust in each other.

Upon reaching our mansion, Timothée took a moment to compose himself before addressing the pack.

I left Timothee to brood alone on the mansion's balcony and headed toward Fae Aurora's room. With my two sons already asleep, I felt hesitant about checking on them again. All I wanted was to meet with Fae Aurora and confide in her about my guilt regarding the magic fairy power passed down from her. The attack had been too fast, leaving me unable to control my own magic like a normal fairy.

"Fae aurora, are you certain that she won't notice the magic core in the necklace and that her continued wearing of it will result in Barbara absorbing your magical power? She hasn't practiced at all; I'm concerned she might handle the magic like a baby cobra."

"I've thought it through, Altairs. This is the only way I can help her. I'm getting so old that I can't even promise how long I will last. The pollen poison has already damaged my elixir and might cause me to die."

"But you have become weak and are no longer able to soar, Fae Aurora!"

"I'm okay with that, it's the only thing I can do for Barbara to avenge Alpha Drake. They kicked me out from Moon Glazed Pack, they bully her all the time and they killed her dad..." I listened as Fae Aurora's voice broke with emotion. Her determination to protect Barbara was unwavering, even in the face of her own frailty. I felt a surge of admiration for her selflessness, but also a pang of concern for her well-being.

I feel like I've been struck by a colossal hammer not once, but twice tonight. My head is swirling with confusion and my anxiety feels uncontrollable.

The realization that Fae Aurora chose to relinquish her magical powers for my sake brought tears streaming down my face. The thought of losing her is unbearable.

No.

I don't want to lose it so easily. Not now.

I wiped the evidence of my tears and hurried off to meet with someone who could offer assistance.