Nicklaus’s POV
After a lengthy conversation with Dedusa, we were finally able to stop her. Margaret managed to eliminate her eagle, and we discovered that Margaret herself was a descendant of the very ancestors Dedusa despised and wanted to destroy. Thankfully, things are back in order now. However, I can’t shake the feeling of wanting to extract revenge on the old man who attempted to harm our daughter. I won’t let him escape without consequences.
Though we allowed him to go after speaking with him and giving him a warning, I’m perplexed by the revelation that Dedusa had absorbed his powers. This realization implies that any misstep we make in finding the right solution could potentially lead to her absorbing everyone’s powers. What I’m unsure about is whether she can consume the powers of a werewolf. If she can, then the risk is even greater. Yet, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to save my daughter, even if it means putting my own life on the line. Estella, hold on. I’ll rescue you.
“Margaret, find a way and save her,” I said, my hands resting on Gabby’s shoulders.
“I’ll do my best. We still have time. The next full moon is when Dedusa might completely take over your daughter,” she replied.
“The next full moon is happening next Saturday. Can we find a solution by then?” I asked, trying to bolster my faith.
“I can’t be certain, but it’s worth trying,” Margaret responded.
“Does this mean that if we fail to find a solution, we’ll lose our daughter forever?”
“Yes.”
“Margaret, let’s focus on positive energy and find a solution before this escalates into a crisis.”
“I’ll give it my all.”
Leaving them to discuss further, I headed out to the garden to gather the remaining members of my pack. “Prepare yourselves. We don’t have a specific day yet, but we need to be ready to return home.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Any updates on Mateo’s whereabouts?”
“Alpha Nicklaus, we’ve got some information, but it’s not confirmed. We came across a group of people with a peculiar tattoo, and we suspect they might be connected to Mateo.”
“Is that so? In that case, assemble your forces and head there. Retrieve Mateo, ensuring he returns alive at any cost. Is that clear?”
“But Alpha Nick, we can’t be entirely sure that he’s there. It’s just speculation.”
“I trust your instincts, so if there’s a chance he’s there, you know what to do. If he’s truly there, spare no effort to bring back our Beta,” I instructed, and they acknowledged before departing.
I rejoined my mate to discuss the glimmer of hope we had. “There’s a ray of hope. Jessica is our lifeline for now, allowing us time until we can return to the pack,” Gabby shared, and I held her in a tight embrace.
Gabriella’s POV
A few moments after Nick left, Margaret sat down near Estella and began performing some spells to assist her, especially when she started bleeding.
“Stop it, Margaret! Stop whatever you’re doing right now!” I yelled at her.
“Just give me a minute, I’m almost done,” she replied calmly.
“No, you need to halt this immediately. What if she steals your powers? We’re in trouble if that happens. You’re the only ally we have at the moment,” I shouted, my panic evident. Finally, when she ceased her actions, I noticed that she appeared weakened.
“You need some rest now,” I insisted.
She smiled faintly and responded, “I can rest once I’ve found a solution for your daughter. I must do whatever it takes.”
“I understand your determination to save her, but I also don’t want to see you harmed. I don’t want anyone to die because of that wretched witch, Dedusa,” I added, my anger simmering. If only there was a way to eliminate Dedusa swiftly and engage her in battle to defeat her, I would have done so without hesitation.
“I believe everything will turn out fine. Let’s head to the library to double-check,” she suggested. However, leaving my daughter alone made me anxious.
“Do you remember what happened the last time we left her alone? What if the same situation occurs again?” I worriedly expressed my concern.
“No harm will come to her. Evil Dedusa has inadvertently done us a favor by creating a protective barrier. If anyone tries to harm your daughter, the barrier will repel them, and we’ll be alerted as well,” she reassured me. Her logic made sense, and I decided to agree, willing to venture out to search for a solution alongside her.
As we were about to leave, we spotted Jessica approaching us in haste. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger upon seeing her, but my priority was my daughter’s condition. I wondered if she was here again to seek Nick’s company. However, I had to focus on my daughter’s well-being. Perhaps she had developed feelings for Mateo, which explained her repeated visits.
As she came closer, Margaret addressed her, “What brings you here?”
“I heard about the Dedusa situation. I want to offer my assistance,” she stated, surprising me. Did she have a solution for my daughter?
“What do you mean by wanting to help?” I questioned, seeking clarification.
“I heard about the distressing situation here. I don’t like seeing innocent children being manipulated by demons. I genuinely want to help,” she explained.
“In that case, what can you do to assist?” Margaret asked, intrigued by her offer.
“It’s quite straightforward. There’s an invisible book in there that I can read. The solution is contained within it,” Jessica confidently claimed.
Margaret responded skeptically, “Are you here to make jest of us? This is a serious matter, and you’re playing games. Show some compassion. She’s deeply concerned about her daughter. Please don’t give her false hope.”
Before Margaret’s reply could discourage her, I intervened, “Elder Margaret, I don’t think she’s joking. I remember seeing a book like that in there-it had nothing written on it. Could she be referring to that?”
“Gabriella, I saw that book too. It was among the others, seemingly blank,” Margaret acknowledged. She seemed to reconsider and decided to give Jessica a chance.
“Alright, let’s go together and examine the book. We’ll wait for Nate to join us,” Margaret suggested, indicating that we should wait for Nick’s presence.