“How do we begin the ritual?”
“We create a spiritual square with salt and holy water in the physical, and then we summon the spirit into it to begin the banishment.”
With the solution she’d given, Walden only found problem with one word there; summon. He’d never called the spirit that troubled him before. It always came whenever it wanted.
“Summoning the spirit? Do you think I will be able to do that?”
“It depends. The spirit can only be summoned by someone with whom it had a strong relationship with while still alive. Were you such a person?”
He smacked his hand against his forehead after realizing this, “I had no strong relationship with Conor, the only person who did was my sister, Sandy.”
“Then, we will need her for the ritual.”
**********
That night, Walden tossed and turned on his bed, awaiting his regular visitor who comes every night. As he did, he thought of the things he and Maggie discussed during the day. She assured him that no one else would be in a better position to summon the spirit than Sandy, his lover.
Walden didn’t know the best way he was going to head to the siltus pack to convince his sister not only to return home, but to help banish the spirit of the man she loved with all her heart while he was still alive. It seemed better to just leave her brother to keep suffering. But for Maggie, Maggie had not only been so helpful in agreeing to help with the ritual, she also offered to travel along with him to the siltus terrain tomorrow so they could both talk to his sister. He didn’t know what he would have done if he hadn’t agreed to save her that day they met, of course he knew, he would have been dead by now.
Something startled him then, slow footsteps, the sound of blood dripping. His visitor had come back to take away his sleep just like it had always done. With the regular torture Walden received, you would have thought that he’d have gotten used to all the scares now, but no, every night it seemed like a new time. His fears never died; it always reawakened each time he saw the face of the man he killed.
He closed his eyes, trying to shut it all out to no avail. Soon it would all be over, he prayed for the night to pass quickly so they would be on their way to the siltus pack by morning.
**********
***IN THE SILTUS PACK***
The dispersed soldiers are gradually regrouping, the wolves had been split into groups, and there’s been a lot of work clearing out the ruins of what happened during the last battle. The past few months have been busy for alpha Damian and his mate who was currently away, now, things were just getting settled after this time.
Alpha Damian received a surprise visit that day from someone he didn’t expect. He’d thought that their last collaboration would be their last, and that Walden wouldn’t want anything to do with him afterwards, but then, surprise!
“Alpha Walden. Long time no see,” Damian greeted as he walked into the siltus court where Walden was there, waiting. It also surprised Damian to see that unlike before, this time he’d come with a very beautiful lady friend. Who was she? Maybe a replacement for Samara?
“Yes. Hello, Damian. Indeed, it’s been quite a while since we last saw.”
“How have you been all this time, alpha Walden? I’m sorry that I have been too occupied to even drop by.”
Of course, Walden couldn’t tell him the truth with all that he’s been going through. He’ll be damned if he ever confides in Damian for anything. He might have let go of the girl he once loved to him, he might have been over that, but he still didn’t like the siltus alpha.
“Everything is fine, Damain. There was no need for you to visit me anyways. I know you’ve been busy.”
Damain nodded with a smile, “glad to hear that.”
“You must probably be wondering the purpose for which I came here.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Let me not waste any time letting you know of that. Remember that there is something of mine that still here.”
“Which is?”
“My sister.”
“Oh! Of course, Sandy!” Damian called, remembering the one said to be Walden’s sister who’d come to live with them a few months back. She’s been the first visitor ever since Damian reopened the siltus borders to all wolves, and she’s blended in so quite well that everyone had forgotten she was even an outsider.
“Yes, Sandy. I’ve come to take her home.”
Damian gave a look of uncertainty. “What made her leave in the first place? I mean… it’s so hard to think she’s a princess with how humble and obedient she is. She seems really happy being here, it made me wonder why you sent her away.”
Walden then raised his voice, “I didn’t send her away. She was…” what made him stop was when he felt a soft hand rub against his, he turned to see her face. Maggie was silently telling him to calm down with the way he was acting, he then whispered an “I’m sorry” to her before turning back to Damian with a lower tone this time.
“She left the night shadow pack willingly on her own for reasons which I won’t be discussing. I only came here to bring her back.”
Damian nodded, “I’m sorry if I probably pushed some buttons with my inquiries. Sandy should be in her room now. I’ll send some guards to call her for you.”
“No… There’s no need to. Is it okay if I go to meet her myself? I have some things I want to say to her in private.”
“Sure, you can. Madame Jane will direct you to her chambers.” After alpha Damian’s gesture, madame Jane got up from where she was sitting to heed to the order of the siltus alpha, and with that, Walden left Maggie to follow the keeper to the direction of his sister’s room.
A few moments later, they were knocking on her door.
“Come in,” Sandy answered from inside, expecting it to be just a regular guest, but one could tell that she was beyond shocked to see him with the way he entered.
“What are you doing here?” She growled.