Everyone settled onto the couches, anticipating what Ravenna was about to say.
"I studied the pendant last night," Ravenna began in a solemn voice. "The stone set within it is no ordinary gem. It’s an ancient relic, last recorded nearly two centuries ago, when a desperate wolf prayed to the Moon Goddess to save her dying child. The Goddess answered that prayer, embedding divine power into the stone. Whoever entrusted this pendant to Her Majesty clearly knew of the curse mark her son has carried since birth."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over them. "And it is true its power will not last forever. In ti, it will wane. The stone itself was never ant to remain. It will either vanish on its own or risk being used for darker purposes if it lingers too long."
"How did you uncover all this, Lady Ravenna?" Mabel asked out of curiosity.
Carlos spoke before his grandmother could answer. "Grandma has been invoking deities since she was a child. Witchcraft takes many forms, and everyone practices it differently. Her Majesty can describe it as... her gift."
Gabriel leaned forward with concern. "Then what do we do now? Alie needs another charm, doesn’t she?"
"You both need charms stronger than the last," Ravenna replied gravely. "Ophelia continues to hide, but her malice lingers. Protection is necessary, not just for Alie, but for the entire Sinclair family. Each of you must be safeguarded." Her eyes shifted toward Alie. "And you, call for your family. I have yet to et your mother."
Alie gave a small nod. "Of course, Grandma."
"Grandma and I are unable to detect the energy of Ophelia. She’s hiding herself well," Carlos said.
"That’s how she was able to hide herself all these years," Ravenna answered. Then, turning her gaze to Alie and Gabriel, she continued, "I’ll make sure that for these two months, you both are untouchable."
"Thank you, Grandma," Alie said, passing a small smile to her.
~~~~
"Thank you for dropping , Karn," Katelyn said softly, her heart fluttering in a way she hadn’t felt in years.
"Hmm," Karn murmured, already stepping out to open the door for her. But before he could move away, her voice stopped him.
"I... wanted to say sothing," she admitted, hesitating.
He glanced back at her. "Yes?"
Katelyn drew in a breath, gathering courage. "I’ll prove to you that I can beco your type," she declared, her tone bright with determination.
But Karn’s response was imdiate, almost sharp. "Please, don’t."
Her smile faltered at once, fading from her lips. A flicker of embarrassnt crossed her face, her brows knitting as she was again rejected.
"Why?" Katelyn whispered, her fingers trembling at her sides. "Do you... already like soone else?"
Karn let out a sigh before answering. "Kate, I don’t see you that way as a woman I could desire. You don’t need to change yourself for . If I ever choose to mate in the future, it’ll likely be with a beta... maybe even an oga."
Her eyes widened, her chest tightening. "So you’re not with Flora then? I saw you picking her up last evening. She’s an alpha, isn’t she?" Katelyn pressed.
Karn’s gaze darkened, his tone turning colder. "I don’t owe you an explanation about Flora, or anyone else. And you need to stop caring about who I’m with and who I’m not."
"Karn, why do you hate so much?" Katelyn’s voice cracked, her eyes shimring with unshed tears.
"I don’t hate you," Karn said firmly, eting her gaze. "But I don’t like being forced. Think about it. What if soone tried to push you into sothing you didn’t want? What if you were bound to soone you didn’t like, against your will? How would that feel to you?"
Katelyn’s fists curled tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.
"Answer ," Karn pressed, his tone low but commanding.
"I... I wouldn’t like it," Katelyn admitted at last.
"The sa I feel when you keep pushing your feelings toward . You deserve better guy than . I’m not up for any commitnt. And I-I simply care for you as Gabriel’s sister. Katelyn, you are beautiful in your own way. But if you change yourself solely for , then it’s not good. No matter what you do, I can’t bring my heart open up for you."
Katelyn nodded her head. "I get it," she said. She wiped the tears from the edges of her eyes.
"Kate, I’m sorry," Karn said quietly. "But rember this, a man who makes you cry isn’t good for you. Think of it that way."
Katelyn’s lips parted as if to respond, but no words ca. Her eyes glistened, and instead of answering, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Karn watched her go, his chest tightening despite himself. "The truth is bitter," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. "But I hope she stops holding on to false hopes about ." With a heavy sigh, he slid back into his car and drove off.
anwhile, Katelyn forced herself to keep her composure as she arrived at the company. She went straight to the top floor, sank into her chair, and drank a glass of water in an attempt to calm the storm inside her. Just as her heartbeat began to settle, the sharp ring of the director’s office bell echoed.
She rose and entered the office. Her eyes imdiately caught sight of Sage, standing there with a grim expression, and in his hand was the very sa gift bag she had discarded yesterday.
Her stomach dropped, but she steeled herself. "If this isn’t about work, I’m leaving," Katelyn said flatly.
In an instant, Sage moved, cutting off her path. His tall fra lood in front of her, his tone sharp. "Why did you throw it away?" he demanded.
"Didn’t you ask to throw it away if I didn’t want it?" Katelyn questioned.
"It has my mother’s amulet! Are you serious, Katelyn? How could you do this to ? You could’ve checked it once," Sage yelled at her.
"Why should I care about your mother and her amulet?" Katelyn retorted.
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