Chapter 16

Sophia

It feels like a rock is weighing down my heart.

I should have listened to Elsa. She tried to warn me, but I had myself convinced that she was just biased, that I knew better. But she wasn't just biased. She knew exactly what she was talking about.

As I trudge after Logan, I feel like I am also not without fault.

I was too arrogant. I let my arrogance come between me and common sense. I wasted all this time coming to the Central Alliance and for what? My hands are still empty.

I don't even have the strength to cry. It all just seems so pointless.

I'm torn in several directions. I am angry at Alex. I am angry at myself. I'm angry at the world.

It's like my brain and heart are pulling me in two different directions. I want to scream and scream until my voice runs out. I want somebody to feel an ounce of what I'm feeling, this helplessness, this despair. Supposedly, I am so powerful, but there's nothing I can do for my mother.

"It should be here around somewhere."

Logan's voice breaks through my dark thoughts, and I realize we are standing on a hilltop. He's looking around, his eyes searching for something.

"What are we looking for?" I ask.

He doesn't answer me, but his gaze finally settles on an oak tree in the distance. Without uttering a word, he begins walking over to it. I follow him, not knowing what else to do. His hands run over the bark of the tree as if he's embracing an old friend.

"You're freaking me out, Logan," I warn him. "What is going on?"

He shakes his head silently and when I walk around to look at him, I see a wistfulness in his eyes.

"This tree was important to me." His voice is rough. "I've spent time here. A lot of it."

He looks like he's mourning the loss of something, or possibly someone.

It must be so terrifying to not remember anything about your past. He doesn't even have a mating mark to let him know that there is someone out there waiting for him. The loneliness must be crippling.

"You'll remember in time." I put my hand on his shoulder. "The memories are buried somewhere inside you. You'll get them back."

He stares at the tree for a couple of minutes and his voice is hoarse as he murmurs to himself. "What if I don't want to remember? What if my memories are filled with nothing but pain?"

I'm quiet. There's nothing I can say to that.

"Let's hope that's not the case."

"There's a village over there." Alex's voice reaches my ears. I look over my shoulder to see where he's pointing, and I follow his gaze.

There is a village. And it's bustling with activity.

"Is that the coven you were talking about?" I ask Logan.

He studies the village, his forehead creased in thought. "Possibly. We should go and check."

"If I get close enough, I can tell whether they're witches or shifters," I say. "But are you sure these people are not anything like the dark witches we encountered before?"

"There are no dark witches in the Central Alliance," Logan tells me.

"He's right," Alex adds. "The Central Alliance drove out the dark witches years ago. And if any appear, they are hunted down and killed off. They avoid this place."

I feel somewhat relieved.

"Let's go find something to eat, and see if these witches can help us get back to the South Alliance," I murmur.

It's time to go home.

***

"I don't think this is a good idea." Alex is it resistant to the idea of running into another coven.

"We have no choice," I reply irritably. "Do you know how to get out of here, then? Because I don't. I have no clue where the border of the Center Alliance is. We came here through a portal. I don't know how to create a portal. We need the help of witches."

"The last time we trusted witches, it didn't end well for us," Alex argues.

I turn around and face him. "Fine. Do you have a better idea? Let's hear it. Because I don't. We cannot go back to the Silver Mist Wolf Pack to ask them to send us home. Their Alpha will probably kill you and imprison me. Our maps are useless since we don't know where we are. We need a portal. I don't know how to create one. That leaves a witch. Unless, of course, you've suddenly developed magical abilities, and can get us home…"

I can hear the ugliness of the words I'm spewing, but I can't stop myself. It's like all the hurt is bubbling inside of me and Alex is the most convenient target right now. I want him to get angry. I want him to yell at me so that I don't feel guilty for unloading on him. But he does nothing. He just watches me so calmly that I want to shake him and tell him to react.

"That's quite enough." To my surprise, it's Logan, who steps between us. "Go cool down. Take a walk. He's not trying to aggravate you. We are all stuck in the same situation."

I glare at the two of them. "Why are you even taking his side? He doesn't even want you here."

"That's besides the point. He's not being a little shit right now. You are." Logan narrows his eyes at me. "There's no reason to be rude to your mate. Especially when he's not done anything to deserve it."

Clenching my jaw at being called out so bluntly, I storm off, down the hill, toward the stretch of forest. Of course I know I'm being a little shit. I'm behaving like a jerk. Walking through the trees, I suddenly feel short of breath.

Stumbling to a stop, I close my eyes and crouch to the ground, trying to calm down. I can't get my emotions under control right now. I always thought I was mature and that I knew how to process my feelings but I feel like a child right now, lashing out at everybody. I want to hurt everybody. I'm not thinking straight, and I know it.

Slumping down on the ground, I know they will give me some time to cool off. Alex is probably just as pissed at me. I don't blame him.

I let out a shaky breath and lean my head against the tree, closing my eyes again.

"You look like you're having a hard day."

My eyes fly open and I see an older woman standing before me, a small basket in her hands.

"Something like that."

She's a witch. I can tell. Her skin has tendrils of magic attached to it.

"Want an apple?" She plucks out avibrant red apple from the basket and holds it out to me. "I've learned that food is often the best source of healing for a troubled mind."

I give her a wan smile. "Thanks, but no. The last time a witch tried to feed me, she drugged me and kidnapped my mate."

The woman tosses the apple at me. "You can check for yourself if there's any magic in this. I'm sure the Silver Wolf should be able to discern that much."

I give her a long look. "How are witches able to figure out what I am? The dark witches I ran into before knew what I was even though I never told them. You knew what I was and we have hardly exchanged a few words."

The woman sits down across from me, smiling. "You're young. You've not yet mastered the ability to conceal your magic. When an ordinary witch meets another, the magic that clings to our skin is subtle. You, on the other hand, are vibrant. You glow. Even from a distance, I could tell."

She holds out the apple. "Check. It's not cursed."

I reluctantly accept the apple and study it. I feel no trace of magic on it.

I'm about to lift it to my mouth when she stops me. "I'm guessing you just checked for magic. There's also a way to check if this apple is harmful to you."

I look at it curiously, so weary that even the idea of being duped doesn't matter to me.

"As the Silver Wolf, the way you practice magic is different from how us witches practice magic. Touch the apple, and send out your magic, searching for impurities. Focus on the negative. If there's anything that can harm you, you will sense it. That feeling can come in the form of anything—a wave of nausea, your skin crawling, anything. Try it."

Looking at her doubtfully, I give it a shot. Wrapping my hand around the apple, I send out a tendril of my magic and watch it pierce the apple. I feel nothing.

When I open my eyes, the witch takes out another apple from her basket. She whispers something in a strange language and then hands the fruit to me. "Now try it with this one."

It takes a few seconds for me to drop the apple from my hand almost instantly, goosebumps on my skin. I lift my head to look at her. "What did you do to it?"

"I cast a spell that would give the eater a bad case of the stomach flu." The witch grins at me. "Not life threatening, but your magic could sense something was off. You were able to catch it."

"You're very good at teaching magic." I take a bite of the safe apple. "Are you a teacher?"

She smiles at me. "My name is Marlene. I come from a line of witches who educate the Silver Wolves. And you must be Grace's daughter. It's an honor to finally meet you. You look just like your mother."

My voice gets stuck in my throat, and I remember what Elsa told me: the coven she belonged to had trained the Silver Wolves in magic.

"I know about you," I stare at her. "Elsa told me about you."

Marlene's expression flickers. "Elsa? How is…my niece is still alive?"

"Your niece?" I would have fallen on my behind if I had been standing. "It's hard to imagine Elsa being somebody's niece. She told me how her coven turned its back on her."

Marlene sighs. "She's not wrong. Elsa helped Grace break through the barriers around the Central Alliance, the ones that are meant to keep the Silver Wolf in. The Silver Mist Wolf Pack demanded Elsa's head. One thing you should know about witch covens—we are fiercely loyal to each other. So we shunned my niece in an attempt to protect her. But when I heard words of your father's death and Grace's disappearance, I feared the worst. How is my niece? Is she well?"

I smile slightly. "Elsa has been like a mother to me. She nags like one too. She's always been watching over me."

Marlene smiles, sadly. "Your mother and Elsa grew up together. They considered each other sisters, even though Cyrus, your grandfather, disapproved of your mother having friends, claiming they would be a negative influence on her. Your mother just loved Elsa. Nothing could separate the two of them. I'm glad she's alive and well."

I look at Marlene. "My grandfather wants to capture me and keep me here."

"Oh, he would," the old witch sneers. "That old geezer simply does not understand that he cannot control every single being within the Central Alliance. He never got over your mother leaving him. And now that he has seen you, he probably wants to make sure you can't leave."

"Are you going to hand me over to him?"

"No." Marlene pats my hand. "You have a wild spirit within you and Cyrus would just break it. And I see that you are already mated. I'm sure your grandfather had words to say about that."

"He wanted to break the bond," I tell her. "My mate and I are fated mates. Surely that's not a bond that can be broken…"

"It can be broken," Marlene says darkly. "The Central Alliance has an abundance of ancient covens who practice the old arts. But breaking a fated mate bond would have broken your mind. Your grandfather is prideful enough not to let that tiny little detail stop him. As long as he gets his way. You can never return to the Central Alliance, child. He will try his best to keep you here. Why did you come here in the first place?"

"My mother is dying," I say, bluntly. I relate the events which led to my mother draining herself to the point of death. Marlene's eyes grow misty.

"Elsa must have been devastated to know that her own child harmed the woman she considered her sister. But she is right. The only way to save your mother is the cure that Cyrus has. But he will not give it to her. The cost is such that your mother will never be happy, even if she were to wake up and realize that her daughter gave up her entire life just for her to live for a few more years."

"Surely there must be another way," I plead. "What's the point of being the Silver Wolf if I cannot even save my mother's life? I've been keeping her alive by sharing a little bit of my life force with her. If need be, I can share half…"

"Don't make that mistake," Marlene says severely. "Sharing your life isn't as simple as it sounds. It can harm your mother in ways you cannot understand. Even if she lives, she will never wake up."

My fingers dig into the earth beside me. "That's not possible."

"Sharing your life force with another is a risky act. Each life force is unique. You can sustain someone's life for a while using your life force, but at some point, it starts affecting the other person's soul. That's why it is far too dangerous to keep doing this."

I feel my last bit of hope fading away. "There has to be a way. I refuse to believe that the cure is the only…wait…why can't I re-create that cure?" I get to my feet, looking at Marlene. "Surely I can recreate it."

I see the hesitation in her eyes. "What?"

"The cure was something that your ancestors produced. We call it a cure, but it is really a way to sustain the life of the Silver Wolf. It is a formula that even my coven, which has been around for centuries, does not know of. Even if I wanted to, I could not help you with that."

My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut, trying to think. There has to be something I can do. This cannot be the end of the road for me.

"Although," Marlene begins, "it is true that the Silver Wolf can perform miracles." She gets to her feet and puts her hands on my shoulders. "I'm not going to give you false hope. But I'm also not going to tell you to give up hope. You came this far to save your mother. Stay here for a week. Let me teach you to the best of my abilities. I taught your mother, you know. Although a week is very little time, you have clearly already harnessed your magic, and you seem to be a natural at using it. I'll teach you what you need to know. And maybe it'll help you to save your mother."

Before I can say anything, she touches my cheek tenderly. "But child, don't be too hard on yourself if you don't succeed. Your mother may be in a coma, but she is very well aware of what is happening around her. She knows you're fighting for her, even if nobody else is. And if she passes, she will know you fought till your last breath."

My shoulders shake, a ball of grief stuck in my throat. I wanted to give my mother back the life she lost. I wanted to her to enjoy life like she had wanted to when she was young. I don't want her to die knowing only pain and suffering.

"All right." I give her a small smile. "Can you also teach me how to create a portal?"

Marlene smiles. "Creating a portal is very advanced magic. I can show you the basics, but you're going to have to keep practicing till you are able to form one. It takes years to master it. Although, it might be a couple of months for you. Your type of magic is different from ours."

"Sophia!" I hear Alex call out my name, and I brush the twigs and dirt off my clothes. He comes to a stop before us, Logan not far behind him.

The minute both of them see Marlene, their posture turns from worried to protective in a heartbeat. It's strange that the two of them don't get along, seeing as they are so similar at times in their behavior.

"Who is this?"

Alex is already shoving me behind him, and I roll my eyes. "This is Marlene. She's from Elsa's coven."

Instead of looking relieved, Alex becomes even more agitated. "They are in cahoots with Cyrus, then! This is the witch coven you were talking about?" He glares at Logan.

Marlene makes a face. "We are not in cahoots with anybody, young man. And my coven has not pledged its loyalty to any wolf pack, much less the Silver Mist Wolf Pack. We provide services to the different packs and we are the only coven to assume the responsibility of training the Silver Wolves. However, I'm under no obligation to reveal your mate's presence to Alpha Cyrus."

"I want to get a week's worth of training from Marlene," I inform both Alex and Logan. "She's Elsa's aunt."

"Does she have proof that she's related to Elsa?" Alex demands.

Marlene's lips twitch. "Well, aren't you a suspicious one? And yes, I do."

To my surprise, she brings out a phone from her pocket. "One of the younger witches here showed me what an album is on this thing. I have some photos on it of Elsa and your mother. Here."

She shows me a picture that she has taken of an old faded photograph of two girls standing side-by-side. I recognize Elsa and my mother. As I move through the pictures, I see the two of them growing up. My heart warms.

They were indeed sisters. In one of the pictures, my mother is sitting on Elsa's back, throwing flowers in the air.

I look at Marlene, my eyes wet. "I don't have a phone on me. But is there any way I can get a hold of these photographs for myself?"

Marlene beams at me. "Don't worry. We have one of those scanner things in the village as well. These young witches are really into technology. They have a whole office set up for these things. I'm training a young witch who told me she could print these photographs in color. I'll see if she can do that for you. And when you see Elsa, you tell her that Aunt Marlene was asking after her. I will come and visit her. There has not been a day when I have not missed my Elsa."

Alex looks reluctant but agrees to the training. He stops me for a moment, however. "A week is a long time, Sophia. I thought you were in a hurry."

"I am," I admit. "But we don't have the cure, Alex. Maybe if I learn some things from Marlene, I might be able to help my mother. I'm at my wit's end."

It seems like he wants to say something, but then he gives me a small smile. "If this is what you think is best, then I'll do what you want."

I study him and I feel a tremendous amount of guilt. I want to apologize, but the words get stuck in my throat.

"Alex, I…"

Marlene puts her hand in mine. "Come on. Cyrus' men might be after you. I have to put up a barrier. Let's not stay out here."

As she drags me away, I look over my shoulder at Alex, who is following us.

I have to apologize. So why can't I muster up the words?