motions. My eyes were already brimming with tears, and my heart was pounding lo

are banned from staying out this late. Especially females!" His deep voic

re. My gaze remained fixed on the ground, unable to meet the piercing gaze

to leave the coven after dark. The consequences of violating it were di

t of the coven so late, and with your luggage for that matter," he prompted, his tone brim

they would see right through it, and the consequences would be even worse. I lifted my gaze slightly enough

just my fate but the carefully maintained peace between our coven and the wer

laws – falling in love with a werewolf and being outside the coven's bounds after dark. These rules were rooted in history and shaped b

– they would see through it, and the truth would eventually emerge. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I bit down hard on my lips, fi

ed this to trap me? It was unfathomable, the hurt deep and raw. I had trusted him with my heart, and he had seemingly turne

th tension, a weight that pressed against my chest and made breathing difficult. I

ed. Seize her!" His command cut through the haze, sharp and commanding. The guard

een countless witches being arrested, their fate sealed by the unyielding

mirage, a cruel deception that had led me astray. It was a tale woven with pain and betrayal, a realization that had left my heart slashed and bleeding. I realiz

tered, my voice a whisper carried by the wind as I forced myself to move forward. The guards shoved me roughly as if they had forgotten I

ked her, their eyes trained on me with suspicion and curiosity. Yet, my focus was elsewhere. My eyes met those of the woman who

ng through the air. "So, you vehemently refuse to admit the t

ears clung to my lashes, threatening to spill at any moment, but I refused to l

ally found its way out, steadier than I had

's voice pierced the air, a mix of reprimand and desperation, but it barely

disbelief I could almost taste, her gaze shifting from me to my

accusations, I found s

shame I had brought our family. Her eyes bore into me with a mix of an

t state why she was out so late, call in the older witches to check the memory of this stubborn child." The room agreed, and the d

g to spill over. I fought to keep them in check, t

he room, my own beating heart. This was it – a moment I had dreaded that would lay bare my secrets and vulnerabilities fo

through the silence, her presence commanding attention. my gaze sn

med to radiate an otherworldly beauty. I couldn't help but be captivated by her, her appearance defying the passage o

he queen's words carried a mixture of gratitude and authority. She pointed toward me, a

out from her, your majesty?" Cassandra's voice held a pol