Rowan began to move her hands in the air, chanting in anguage I didn’t recognize. Her words were so faint and quiet that even with my enhanced werewolf hearing, I could barely catch any of it. As she continued to chant, she reached into a bowl and pulled out a handful of powder, which she began to gently sprinkle over Lyra’s body.


    I noticed that Rowan’s breathing was bing heavier, clearly strained. The spell was taking a toll on her, draining her strength with every movement. But despite the difficulty, she didn’t need any book or guide to perform what she was doing.


    She’d known this spell all along. She just hadn’t cast it because she believed she couldn’t. That was what made me angriest.


    She was prepared to let her own daughter suffer without even attempting to help.


    It wouldn’t have mattered to me if she failed–but the fact that she wasn’t willing to try in the beginning, simply because she didn’t believe in herself, that’s what infuriated me.


    She keeps saying she doesn’t have much magic, but I think it’s more likely she’s just never made a real effort. She’s repressed that part of who she is, probably out of fear–maybe because it’s the very thing that made Thorne want her dead in the first ce. But who really


    knows?


    I nced back at Rowan. She was focused, more intensely than ever. She continued to chant, now applying different powders over Lyra’s body. But no matter what she did, there was no visible effect.


    Lyra still appeared to be in pain. The suffering hadn’t stopped. That much was clear.


    The bed waspletely soaked from the sweat pouring off of her, but for the moment, she


    had calmed down.


    I didn’t know what she was experiencing internally, but at least she wasn’t screaming anymore. I could hear her whimpering softly, but the yelling had stopped. And for now, no new burns had appeared.


    For that, I was truly thankful.


    It was obvious Rowan was doing everything in her power. She stood beside Lyra’s body, hands moving, chanting nonstop. Still, nothing changed.


    She kept at it for a long time before finally copsing to the floor,pletely drained–and Lyra’s condition remained exactly the same.


    < CHAPTER 64


    More Rewards >


    I helped Rowan off the floor, and she looked utterly worn out, like just attempting the spell had taken every ounce of her energy.


    “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice filled with defeat. “It’s too strong. I can’t fight the ck witch. I never have been able to.”


    “I only asked you to try. And you did. That’s all any of us could ask for. It’s okay,” I told her.


    “I really do want to help her. You have to believe me. I love my daughter more than anything,” Rowan said sincerely.


    “I’ve never doubted that. Even if Lyra has. But right now, we have to focus on figuring out how to break this hex. That’s all that matters,” I replied. She nodded quietly in agreement.


    I helped her back into the chair so she could rest after what she’d done. Now, everything depended on the people in the library digging through books, hoping to uncover a way to


    remove this curse.


    “What do you actually know about hexes?” I asked.


    “Not much, honestly. There are so many different kinds. Some are mild–like people always having bad luck, or being in constant, unexined pain. Those are simple hexes. But this… this one’s more advanced. Lyra’s trapped in a dream–like state with no way to wake up,” Rowan exined.


    “And she’s aware of everything that’s happening to her?” I asked.


    “Yes. I think she can feel all of it,” Rowan confirmed. I turned back to Lyra then, gently wrapping my hand around hers, silently willing our bond to reach her. Praying that somehow, she could still feel that connection. That it would help keep her tethered to me.


    “Alpha,” Luke said as he stood in the doorway, a book held open in his arms.


    “Did you figure out how to break the hex?” I asked quickly.


    “No, not exactly. But I did manage to learn something more about it, if you want to hear it,” Luke responded.


    “Yeah. Bring it over,” I said. He crossed the room and handed me the book, pointing out a specific passage for me to read.


    “I’m sorry, sir, I know this isn’t what you were hoping to find,” Luke added.


    “What does it say?<i>” </i>Rowan asked, watching us closely.


    “It says that if we don’t manage to wake her up, she’ll slowly begin to merge with the dream.


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    That dream world will be her reality, and she won’t evere back,” I read aloud.


    “How long does she have before that happens?” Rowan asked.


    “It doesn’t give a time frame,” Luke answered.


    “Then time is against us now. We have to pull her out of it as soon as we can,” I said firmly.


    “We don’t even know where to begin,” Luke replied.


    “Then get your ass back to the damn library and figure it out,” I growled. Luke turned and dashed from the room, heading back downstairs.


    I knew there had to be something in that library. Lyra had explored it before and told me there were books about werewolves, vampires, witches, humans, fae–every kind of being


    imaginable. Not to mention historical records. Lyra had been fascinated by all of it, eager to learn. She just hadn’t had the time to read most of it yet.


    History had always fascinated her. That was why she always had her nose buried in that royal family book. But of course, that wasn’t just any history–it was hers.


    “Do you have any idea how many distant rtives Lyra might still have out there in the world? Ones descended from the royal bloodline?” I asked.


    “No. I have no clue. But it doesn’t really matter. They wouldn’t have powers like ours. The magic was only passed down through the direct royal line. Anyone not descended from the firstborn didn’t inherit it,” Rowan exined.


    “So, that would mean it passed from you to Lyra,” I said.


    “Exactly. Lyra’s thest one. As far as I’m aware, we’re the only two left alive who carry the bloodline,” she said.


    “What happened to your parents?” I asked.


    “They were killed after I moved in with Thorne. I think it was someone who believed that killing the reigning King and Queen would automatically give them their powers,” Rowan exined. I gave her a curious look.


    “So that happened right after you went to live with Thorne?” I asked her.


    “Yeah, it did. Why?<i>” </i>she asked.


    “You don’t think there’s something a little suspicious or too convenient about that?” I said.


    “You think Thorne arranged it?” she asked, eyes widening.


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    “Who else would have had the motive? You said yourself–he wanted your magic. Then he tried to have you killed, and he kept Lyra hidden away so <i>no </i>one would know she existed,” I


    said.


    “That maniptive bastard,” Rowan muttered, the realization hitting her hard.


    “Alpha,” someone called from the doorway. I looked up to see Stephanie standing there.


    “Where the hell did you run off to?” I asked.


    “I went to get someone I knew might be able to help,” she said calmly.


    “Who exactly?” I asked. But before she could answer, a soft blue glow began to radiate from around Lyra’s body. Rowan and I both instinctively stepped back. The light grew stronger as Stephanie moved aside, making room for a woman dressed entirely in red to enter. <fn49ab> Fresh chapters posted on </fn49ab>


    But the moment I saw the deep red cloak covering her face, I immediately knew who she


    was.


    “No f*****g way. Get that damn witch out of here!” I shouted.