Far to the west of Amerotha Forest, at the point where the sun set, was a place untouched by the outside world, including the Frostholm Pack. They were there, but it was as if they didn’t exist.
The forest rangers who often patrolled it never noticed the existence of that place, let alone knew about it. What always happened when they crossed this place was that they kept on walking and “passing through” as if there was a portal that instantly moved them to the next place.
The reason for this was that there was a magic in the place, like a curtain, that blinded everyone without exception. Thus, the place became like a secret room, known only to its owner, accessible only to the owner.
Her name was Rowena. A witch whose age and how long she had lived on the edge of the Amerotha Forest were unknown. She certainly had a good relationship with the Frostholm pack, including Jemma and Kendrick.
Rowena was one of the few witches who had a relationship with werewolves. They often kept their distance from each other for the most basic of reasons, fear and mistrust.
It was common for werewolves to dislike witches. Werewolves hated magic. To them, magic was the only thing to be wary of because of its effects, which could deceive their senses and instincts.
Witches, on the other hand, saw werewolves as creatures not of their kind. Werewolves seemed brutal and lacked humanity. Worse, they considered werewolves to be uncivilized and uneducated creatures.
As time passed, the two factions slowly began to accept each other’s presence. Gradual interactions had opened their eyes to the fact that things were not as bad as they had first thought. In fact, they could live together for years and maintain a good relationship.
Peace and quiet became Rowena’s last memory before she retired from the outside world. She decided to no longer interfere in worldly affairs. Her only hope was to live the rest of her life in peace.
The wilderness granted Rowena her wish. Wild animals became her friends, and the trees became her home. Her soul was filled with perfect comfort, without restlessness or fear, until that day came.
Rowena realized the strangeness when she awoke from sleep and opened her eyes. She felt uneasy. Then she went outside and felt an unusual aura emanating everywhere.
Nature was giving her a message. It was a warning. Rowena’s body trembled and she decided to check out the forest.
Rowena’s instinct ignited. Her intuition was on guard to catch any sign that nature might give. She watched her surroundings with an uncomfortable heartbeat.
The wind was blowing. Its breeze was not at all refreshing. Rowena grew restless and something stopped her footsteps. She looked up and saw the sky covered with a pile of gray clouds.
Rowena’s face grew pale. Her mouth opened, but not a word came out. She was trembling and the only thing she could do was shake her head.
Rowena couldn’t hold on. Nature’s message made her weak in an instant. Her knees gave way and she sat on the ground.
Rowena’s eyes caught sight of something familiar, hidden in the grass and shimmering in the dim sunlight. She was stunned for a moment, then reached out with a cold feeling that began to spread throughout her body.
Rowena froze. Her eyes stared, without blinking, at the object now in her hand, a strand of necklace, specifically a strand of necklace with a half moon pendant.
“It can’t be.”
Rowena’s fingers slowly cleaned the necklace. She wiped away the dirt with great care. The necklace was clean again and she froze, body and soul.
“Rowena.”
Rowena jerked and immediately stood up. She looked around and felt the wind bring the voice to her again and again. She was silent for a few seconds, then spoke softly.
“Ayla.”
*
It should have been a joyous reunion between two long lost friends. Especially considering that they had gone through those years without any communication. Longing and different stories must have accumulated, so it was only natural that everything overflowed from the moment their eyes met.
But what happened was just the opposite. Rowena and Ayla were silent. They let time pass without exchanging a single word. All they did was stare at each other, as if there were no words to accurately describe their feelings at that moment.
Rowena’s fear grew. As much as she longed for Ayla and often fantasized about meeting her, a hint of dark thoughts inevitably filled her mind. For she realized that Ayla wouldn’t have sought her out unless something bad had happened.
Rowena took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Then she found the courage to ask. “What is it, Ayla?”
“I need your help, Rowena,” Ayla answered without hesitation. She realized they had no time for small talk. Time was ticking and no one could predict what would happen next. “Alpha is sick and we think it’s because of magic.”
“Magic?” Rowena raised an eyebrow.
Ayla nodded. “Scott has examined her repeatedly, even calling his friends in Germany, but there has been no progress at all. Worse, the examinations showed no signs of disease.”
Rowena knew Scott as the werewolf responsible for the health of the Alpha’s family. They hadn’t interacted much in the past. But she knew that Scott’s medical knowledge was not to be underestimated. In fact, Scott wasn’t just a doctor for the Frostholm pack, but for humans as well.
There was no doubt about Scott’s expertise. So, Rowena understood Ayla’s thoughts if Scott couldn’t heal Usher.
“Do you know who sent the spell?” Rowena asked, looking seriously at Ayla. Her growing concern pressed on her. She had to stay calm. “I may be able to heal Alpha, but healing without knowing the origin of the magic is a risky move. That person might send stronger magic back, endangering Alpha’s life.”
Ayla believed that Rowena could easily heal Usher, but Rowena’s concern made sense. Who could guarantee that the witch wouldn’t cast a stronger spell on Usher? “We suspect someone, but we don’t know who the witch working with them is.”
Rowena was silent for a moment. Her mind was racing as she tried to find the safest way out. At the same time, Ayla spoke again.
“It would actually be better if you could come to The Palace and examine Alpha directly. The Frostholm Pack and I would be very grateful, but…”
Rowena frowned. “Why? Did something happen at The Palace?”
“Too much has happened, Rowena,” Ayla said, exhaling deeply. Her gaze darkened, indicating sadness and helplessness. “I hate to say it, but the Frostholm Pack is not in good shape.”
All the events that had unfolded were summarized in a short story that made Rowena hold her breath several times. Ayla told her everything without hiding anything. Rowena was shocked and her hands clenched tightly.
“Our hope now lies in you alone, Rowena. Alpha must recover quickly so that all this chaos can end.”
Rowena seemed nervous. She almost couldn’t breathe as she nodded. “I will do my best, Ayla. I will try to concoct a cure for Alpha.” She took another deep breath. “Come tomorrow.”
Ayla nodded and they parted. While Ayla left the forest, Rowena returned to her home. She quickly entered the forest and made her way to her house.
The mask that had been on Rowena’s face was immediately removed. When she arrived home, worry, fear, and confusion were evident on her face. She gasped for air and rushed into her room.
Rowena opened a small cupboard near the bed. She took out a black box and recited an incantation to unseal its magic.
Her heart pounded. Sweat began to form on her forehead. Rowena bit her lower lip to steady herself as she opened the box. In her heart she whispered, hoping that her suspicions were wrong.
The box opened. There was nothing inside. Rowena froze, and now her heart seemed to stop altogether.
“W-why is it missing? How could this happen?” Rowena asked herself, her voice shaking. “How could the moon necklace disappear?”
Rowena reached into her pocket and pulled out the crescent necklace. She looked at it for a moment, then asked herself again, “Where is its counterpart?”
*