The air was thick with tension as the shadowy figure stepped into the light, revealing a woman of unparalleled regality. Her gown flowed like liquid silver, and her piercing violet eyes held an otherworldly power. Her voice was calm but commanding as she spoke, "At last."
Archer positioned himself protectively in front of Haelyn, his golden eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
Rowena's breath hitched as recognition dawned on her. "The High Priestess," she whispered, her voice tinged with both awe and fear. "Lady Seraphis."
"High Priestess?" Archer growled, his body tensing. "What do you want with her?"
Lady Seraphis's lips curved into a faint smile, her gaze shifting to Haelyn. "I have co for what is mine."
Haelyn's body trembled, her grip on Archer tightening. Her eyes were wide with terror as she whispered, "No... not her... anyone but her..."
Rowena frowned, stepping forward. "Haelyn, what's going on? Why are you so afraid?"
Haelyn didn't answer. Her gaze remained locked on Lady Seraphis, who extended a hand toward her. "Co to , child. It is ti."
"No!" Archer barked, his voice echoing through the clearing. He lunged forward, but Haelyn's body stiffened. Her eyes glazed over as if she had fallen into a trance, and her trembling stopped.
"Haelyn?" Rowena called, alarm rising in her voice.
Without a word, Haelyn stepped forward, her movents robotic and devoid of emotion.
"Stop her!" Artemis growled, shifting into his wolf form and charging toward Lady Seraphis.
With a flick of her wrist, Lady Seraphis sent Artemis flying backward, his massive body crashing into the trees. Ravi and Xander lunged next, only to et the sa fate, their bodies thrown like rag dolls.
"Enough," Lady Seraphis said coolly, her voice resonating with ancient power.
Archer snarled, his wolf struggling to break free. "You won't take her!" He grabbed Haelyn's arm, his claws barely grazing her skin before a wave of energy sent him hurtling to the ground.
Haelyn's voice finally broke through the chaos. "Archer!" she scread, her tears streaming down her face as her feet continued to carry her toward Lady Seraphis.
Archer struggled to rise, his entire body trembling with rage. "Haelyn, fight it!"
But Haelyn didn't respond. Lady Seraphis turned to her, her voice soft but firm. "You belong with now."
The High Priestess's servants, cloaked in white, stepped forward and surrounded Haelyn, their chants low and rhythmic.
"No!" Archer roared, his voice raw with desperation as he charged again, only to be slamd back by an invisible force.
Haelyn's scream pierced the night as the servants escorted her away. "Don't let them take ! Archer!"
The clearing was silent, save for the distant echoes of Haelyn's screams. Archer, battered and bloodied, forced himself to his feet.
"We can't let her go," Rowena said, her voice shaky but determined. "We have to follow them."
"They're taking her to the altar," Artemis groaned, clutching his side as he stood. "We have to move now."
Archer's jaw tightened, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Then we'll tear that altar down."
The altar was a circular platform of ancient stone, surrounded by towering white trees. Lady Seraphis stood at its center, her servants forming a perfect circle around her as they chanted in unison. Haelyn was laid on the stone slab, her body trembling as she begged for rcy.
"Please... let go," she sobbed, her voice hoarse.
The chanting grew louder, the energy in the air crackling with raw power. Lady Seraphis raised her hands, and Haelyn's body began to levitate, hovering above the altar.
"No!" Haelyn scread, her body twisting as if trying to break free of an invisible grip.
Lady Seraphis's expression was serene, her voice cutting through the chants. "Be still, child. The truth must be revealed."
The servants' chants reached a crescendo, and a brilliant light engulfed Haelyn's body. Lady Seraphis's gaze sharpened as she studied the light, her serene deanor suddenly faltering.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she stepped back as if struck. "No... it cannot be."
The chanting ceased abruptly, the servants looking to Lady Seraphis for guidance.
"What is it, High Priestess?" one of them asked hesitantly.
Lady Seraphis's voice trembled for the first ti. "She's... pregnant."
At that mont, Archer and the others burst into the clearing, their wolves snarling and ready for battle. But they froze as Lady Seraphis's words echoed through the air.
"Pregnant?" Archer repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
His golden eyes locked onto Haelyn's floating form, her tear-streaked face twisted in pain.
Lady Seraphis turned to Archer, her expression a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Do you have any idea what this ans?"
Archer took a step forward, his voice a growl. "What are you talking about?"
Lady Seraphis shook her head, her regal composure shattered. "This changes everything. The child... it's an impossibility. A threat to us all."
Haelyn's screams echoed through the night as her glowing form hovered above the altar, Archer's frozen gaze locked on her in a mixture of shock and determination.
Arthur paced back and forth in his dimly lit office, his fists clenched. The tension in the air was palpable, the echoes of the chaos from the banquet still fresh in his mind.
"Where the hell is Haelyn?" he muttered, slamming his fist onto the desk. His mind reeled with questions. "And that white wolf... who is it? How dare it disrupt my banquet!"
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Co in," Arthur barked.
The door creaked open, revealing a wiry man with a nervous deanor. His eyes darted around the room as he stepped inside.
"Speak," Arthur demanded, glaring at him. "You're supposed to be my eyes and ears within Archer's pack. Tell what's going on."
The informant shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alpha, I... I've got nothing. No one knows anything about the white wolf or why they were there. Archer's pack is tight-lipped as ever."
Arthur's nostrils flared, and he slamd a hand onto the desk. "Nothing? You an to tell you're completely useless? That wolf disrupted everything...everything!"
The informant flinched but held his ground. "I swear, Alpha. I've tried. Even Archer's closest wolves aren't saying a word. If they know, they're keeping it locked up tight."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Find out. I don't care how you do it. Bribe soone, threaten them...I want answers!"
The informant nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. I'll do everything I can." He backed out of the room, practically tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape Arthur's fury.
Arthur exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Haelyn," he muttered under his breath. "What are you hiding?"
anwhile, in Helen and Layla's lavishly decorated bedroom, the atmosphere was no less tense.
Layla sat on the edge of her bed, fuming. "This is your fault, Mother!" she snapped, her voice dripping with venom.
"My fault?" Helen retorted, crossing her arms. "You were the one who couldn't keep the plan on track!"
Layla shot to her feet, her fists clenched. "I had everything under control until that... that thing showed up!"
Helen's eyes narrowed. "Don't raise your voice at , Layla. I'm as furious as you are. That wolf—whatever it was....ruined everything. And Haelyn.....where did she even disappear to?"
Layla began pacing, her movents jerky with frustration. "I don't know! She vanished right before the chaos started, and then that... that white wolf appeared. Do you think it could be connected to her sohow?"
Helen paused, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "Haelyn? Don't be ridiculous. She's too weak to be involved in anything like this."
"But what if she's not as weak as we think?" Layla challenged, her voice quieter now. "What if we've underestimated her?"
Helen's eyes darkened. "Even if that's true, we have bigger problems now. Archer will have questions, and your father won't let this go. We need to tread carefully."
Layla slumped back onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. "This was supposed to be my mont," she mumbled bitterly. "Archer was supposed to see , not her. And now..."
Helen sighed, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "We'll regroup, Layla. We'll find another way to deal with Haelyn. But first, we need to figure out what really happened tonight."
Layla nodded reluctantly, her expression hardening. "We will. And this ti, I won't let anything or anyone ruin it."
Outside, under the cover of darkness, a figure stood watching Arthur's estate from a distance. Their eyes glead unnaturally in the moonlight as they observed the faint glow of lights in the windows.
The figure tilted their head slightly, their lips curling into a chilling smile. "Soon," they whispered, their voice barely audible.
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