<h4>Chapter 326: Astral Project 1</h4>
<strong>***************</strong>
<strong>Chapter 326</strong>
<strong>~Kent’s POV~</strong>
<strong><i>—The Shadow ve—</i></strong>
The air inside the Shadow ve’s hall was thick with incense, the scent of burning herbs mingling with something darker—something ancient.
The torches lining the stone walls flickered unnaturally, their blue mes casting eerie shadows that danced like spectres.
I kept my posture straight, my hands sped behind my back as I followed my father through the towering ck doors.
The moment we stepped inside, a cold shiver ran down my spine. Not from fear—I had long since learned to keep my emotions locked away—but from the raw power that pulsed through this ce.
At the far end of the chamber, Luna ton sat on a throne carved from obsidian, her sharp gaze fixed on us.
As beautiful as she was, she was a vision of control, her raven-ck hair woven into an intricate braid, her deep violet robes pooling around her like liquid darkness.
Her daughter, Vera ton, stood at her right—the woman I was expected to marry. And the one who made me lose my love, E.
Vera’s lips curved in a knowing smirk the moment our eyes met, but I didn’t return the expression.
She was beautiful in the way all witches were—otherworldly, almost too perfect. But there was something else beneath her porcin skin and ice-blue eyes. A hunger.
"Kent Wayne," Luna ton greeted, her voice smooth as silk yet sharp as a de. Her gaze flickered to my father. "And Alpha Wayne. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
My father stepped forward, offering a small nod of respect. "Luna ton, wee to discuss the matter of the Astral projection with Zia Gold."
The room tensed at the mention of her name. The witches of the Shadow ve did not take failure lightly, and so far, every attempt to capture Zara had ended in disaster.
Luna ton’s expression remained unreadable, but Vera’s smirk widened.
"I assume your presence here means you have finally decided to be of use," Luna mused, her fingers tapping against the armrest of her throne.
I clenched my jaw, ignoring the sh of irritation in my father’s eyes. We weren’t here to be insulted.
The Thorned Crescent had been allies of the Shadow ve for generations, but Luna ton enjoyed reminding us that she was the one pulling the strings.
"I am here because I want this resolved," I said evenly. "Zia has evaded us long enough. We need a new approach."
Luna tilted her head slightly. "Go on."
I nced at Vera, already knowing she was waiting for her moment to speak.
"She has power," Vera purred, stepping forward and soon she was standing beside me, her fingers trailing along the edge of my sleeve before she turned to her mother.
"That much we know. But brute force won’t work against someone like her. She is too well protected, too well-guarded by Snow and his people. So..." She paused, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "We don’t take her by force. Mum tried that in the Astral Projection to try and awaken her powers and take them but even that failed."
I noticed how Luna’s eyes narrowed, waiting to see the piint in her daughter bringing out her failure.
"We take her by trust."
Luna smiled faintly. "Exin."
Vera straightened, her confidence radiating. "Send me into Snow’s mansion. I will go as one of his own—a maid, a servant, whatever it takes. I will earn their trust, get close to Zara, and when the time is right..." She nced at me, then back at her mother. "We take her down from the inside."
Silence stretched through the room.
It was a bold n. Dangerous. But it made sense.
Luna tapped her nails against the throne, considering. "It will take time."
"I’m patient," Vera said smoothly. "Besides, what’s a few weekspared to the power we will gain?"
Luna’s gaze flickered to me, her piercing eyes searching for hesitation. She wouldn’t find any. I had already made peace with what needed to be done.
"If this fails," Luna finally spoke, "there will be consequences."
Vera smiled sweetly. "I never fail."
I wasn’t sure if that was arrogance or delusion, but I kept my thoughts to myself.
Luna rose from her throne, her dark robes shifting like shadows. "Very well. You will go to Snow’s mansion. You will do whatever is necessary. And when the timees..." Her lips curled into something cruel. "Zara will belong to <i>us</i>."
The torches flickered violently as the words settled into the air. I exhaled slowly, my gaze meeting Vera’s.
This was it.
The hunt for Zara was no longer about chasing shadows in the night.
Now, the game had changed. However, I had one question. "Is that all the n? Or is there something more?"
Vera’s eyes narrowed and then Luna’s smile broke. "Pardon?"
"Something tells me there should be more."
"More?" My father asked.
"Yes. It cannot be simple. Isn’t that right, Luna ton, Vera?"
Both mother and daughter exchanged nces before looking at us. "Fine, there’s more."
"I expected such from Luna here but you, Vera?"
Before Vera or her mother could respond, my father cut in. "The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Like mother like daughter."
"I’m pleased to impress," Vera enunciated and then her mood changed. "What, mother? You thought I wouldn’t include you in my ns of power domination? My n, once inside, I initiate project Astral Projection again and this time, lock her in a way where she cannot break from your enchantment and you can try unlocking her powers."
Luna beamed. "It’s more like a conduit... a plug. You are that cord to ensuring we achieve our goal. I must say, baby. I am impressed with that brain of yours."
"Yes, just what we all wished," my father added. "Well, looks like this n is a go. Whatever and whenever you need Thorned Crescent, we will be there."
"Oh, you will," Vera drawled. "Cause we need you for this n toe to fruition."
My smile broadened. "Finally. I was beginning to think you forgot al, about us."
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