Evaline:


    The tension in the underground chamber beneath the West Tower was… suffocating.


    There was no other way to describe it.


    It clung to the air, thick and heavy, pressing against my lungs with every breath I took. Even the faint glow ofnterns lining the stone walls did nothing to ease the weight settling deep in my chest.


    This was it and there was no room for mistakes tonight.


    I stood beside Draven''s bed, my gaze fixed on him. He looked... peaceful, like he was simply asleep after a long day and not trapped in a silent void for months.


    But I knew better.


    We all did.


    Still… he looked better. So much better actually.


    A month ago, the sight of him had been unbearable. His skin was pale and lifeless, his body kept growing weaker with each passing day, and his breaths were shallow and uncertain.


    Now?


    Now, there was color in his skin again, and though faint, it was there. His lips no longer held that terrifying pale blue, now they were soft and color had returned to them.


    His chest rose and fell steadily. And even his hair had regained its shine. He looked… like himself. Though not fully, not yet, but close enough to make hope ache inside my chest.


    And it wasn''t just him.


    I nced around the chamber, my gaze drifting over the other five patients resting on their respective beds arranged in a semi-circle at a distance from the dead tree.


    The Revival Elixirs had done their work. After consuming all four doses over the past month, they all looked stronger and healthier, alive in a way they hadn''t been in years or months.


    I let my eyes linger on Naira for a moment. She''s the only one who neede five instead of just four doses since she had been in thea for the longest.


    Rowan stood beside her bed. His posture was rigid and his gaze was locked on her face like he was afraid to look away even for a second.


    I understood that feeling too well.


    I drew in a slow breath and forced myself to steady. This wasn''t the time to drift. Not tonight.


    The witches had done their part.


    Elder Morwen and her circle had worked tirelessly for weeks - decoding ancient texts, weaving spells, testing boundaries no one had dared cross before.


    And finally, they found a spell powerful enough to extract the wolves. To separate them from the Great Evil without destroying them and losing them forever.


    And once they would seed tonight, it would be my turn.


    My hands curled slightly at my sides as I thought about my role in tonight''s mission. It sounded really simple in theory - guiding the wolves back and reconnect them with their bodies.


    I had to use my power to heal their bonds with their owners, stabilize the merge, and ensure nothing went wrong.


    Simple.


    And yet, the weight of it felt anything but.


    Because if I failed, if something slipped and I lost control even for a second... the consequences would be tire. They all might die, and I would be the reason.


    My throat tightened, but I didn''t let the doubt grow.


    I couldn''t.


    I hade too far for that. We all hade too far. Besides, I trusted my power and I trusted myself.


    And more than anything... I trusted them.


    "Are you ready?" The voice came softly from beside me.


    I turned slightly and found River stopping right beside me. He wasn''t touching, but was close enough that I could feel his presence like a shield around me.


    "I am," I said, and I meant it.


    His eyes searched mine for a moment longer, and then he nodded.


    Kieran and Oscar were just behind him, silent and watchful. There was tension in their posture too, but also something else - faith... in me.


    It settled something inside my chest.


    I knew I wasn''t alone in this. Not even close.


    Across the chamber, Elder Morwen in front of the tree with her staff nted firmly against the stone floor. And around her, the high witches had formed a circle.


    Tamsin stood among them, and for a brief second, our eyes met. There was no hostility there anymore, no sharp judgment. Only focus and mutual respect.


    It made something in me soften.


    We had alle a long way from our first meeting.


    Elder Ren and Healer Cao were moving between the beds, making final checks on each patient.


    "Vitals are stable," Elder Ren confirmed after a moment, his voice calm but firm. "They are ready."


    Ready.


    The word echoed in my mind.


    Elion stood near the far wall with his arms crossed and his gaze sharp as he observed everything.


    He didn''t interfere, didn''t speak, but his presence was grounding in its own way. It was like a reminder that this wasn''t just personal. That this mattered to everyone.


    Since I had to use my healing power tonight, River didn''t want any of the Council members to be present. And that''s where Elion came. He volunteered to take part in tonight''s mission with River.


    And since the council had never personally seen the Great Evil until now, none of those Elders or Alphas wanted to actually be present here in case they ended up bing the Great Evil''s next victim if anything went wrong.


    So they all were more than happy to let River and Elion take care of everything.


    Other than all the people present here in the secret chamber, Jasper and his group of elite warriors were also waiting right outside the tower to provide their aid if needed.


    We all were as ready for tonight as we ever could, waiting.


    And then, after a few more long minutes, the moonstone in Elder Morwen''s staff started glowing, indicating the moon had appeared in the sky above.


    She lifted her staff, and just like that, the chamber fellpletely silent. "The time hase," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    "Tonight, we separate what was never meant to be bound."