Chapter 7
“Future witch?” I echoed, my heart pounding. “Are you saying… I’m the next witch?”
Tanya nodded, her expression calm yet knowing. “Yes. The markings on your body will become complete when you officially take my place.”
My excitement froze.
The inheritance of a witch’s power meant one thing.
Tanya’s impending death.
A heavy silence filled the cottage.
Gabriel shifted beside me, his voice unusually quiet. “How long have you known?”
Tanya’s gaze softened. “Since the moment you went to receive the Moon Goddess’s blessing.”
She reached out, patting my hand gently. “Don’t be sad, child. Disappearance is just another form of rebirth. You should be happy.”
Happy?
How could I be happy knowing she wouldn’t be here much longer?
Still, I forced a smile, squeezing her frail hand. “You’re right.”
But deep down, a quiet grief had already settled in my heart.
Time became a blur.
With Tanya’s life force dwindling. I had to take over before the year’s end.
There was no time to hesitate. No time to second–guess.
I threw myself into training, studying ancient texts, incantations, healing spells, and rituals.
I was so consumed by learning that everything else faded into the background.
Andrew. Elsa. The past.
None of it mattered anymore.
A light rain misted over the pack as I stepped out of the library, books. pressed against my chest.
The world smelled fresh, clean.
People huddled under the awnings, waiting for the rain to pass.
Among them–Elsa.
It had been a while since I’d last seen her,
She approached, wearing her usual soft smile. “Elisabeth, I didn’t know you came to the library.”
Her gaze flickered down to the books in my arms,
A delicate pause.
Then, with just the right amount of feigned surprise-
“Witchcraft books? Those are hard to understand. If you’re bored, maybe try a novel instead?”
13:06
11
The word ‘witch‘ landed like a stone in water.
A splash. A ripple. A wave.
Voices stirred around us.
A snicker. “An omega reading witchcraft books? Can you even understand them?”
“Yeah, maybe she doesn’t even know what the spells mean.”
The mocking laughter rang through the rain, sharp and cruel.
Elsa sighed, her voice laced with false sympathy. “Oh, Elisabeth, I didn’t mean for this to happen…”
I tilted my head, watching her with amusement rather than anger.
She was predictable.
So painfully predictable.
A slow, knowing smile spread across my lips. “Being a Rogue must be tough.”
Elsa stiffened.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “That’s why you’re trying so hard to become Luna, isn’t it?”
Her face paled.
A Rogue who couldn’t shift had only two choices–earn their place, or be
cast out.
Elsa had chosen the latter.
11
She had deliberately made herself unable to transform.
And to secure her place in the pack. she had to become Andrew’s Luna.
My words hit their mark.
Her expression twisted, and for the first time, the mask cracked.
“Elisabeth!” she snapped, dropping the sweet, gentle act.
I arched a brow, my tone almost lazy. “You should be smarter, Elsa. Instead of causing trouble, you should just cling to Andrew’s leg and play the good little Luna.”
Her hands curled into fists. “You’re gloating.”
“No. I just don’t care.
Her eyes burned with resentment. “You’re just a useless omega. Without Andrew, who’s going to protect you?”
“Elisabeth.”
Gabriel’s voice cut through the rain.
Calm. Certain. Unshakable.
He stood at the edge of the street, the soft drizzle beading against his light–colored windbreaker.
Tall. Confident. Untouchable.
His sharp features were slightly shadowed, his eyes flickering with a hint of vertical pupils.
Something dangerous.
Something inhuman.
The sight of him drew several admiring glances.
I didn’t hesitate.
With a smile. I took the umbrella he offered and slipped effortlessly into
his arms.
Behind me, hidden in the dim light, Gabriel cast Elsa a warning glance.
Cold. Lethal.
Cold
A silent promise.
She would regret pushing me.
