Realizing that Vione had reached a point of desperation, Ayla understood that Vione would do anything to cure Usher. Vione would not hesitate to trade her own life if it meant bringing Usher back. Unfortunately, Vione’s determination meant nothing without Rowena’s intervention. Ayla could not deny that Vione’s hopes clashed with the principles of life that Rowena had steadfastly clung to.
Rowena no longer wanted to be involved in the problems of the world. She had withdrawn from the outside world. But Ayla could not forget that Rowena had broken that principle some time ago, especially when she asked for medicine for Usher. Now hope grew. Hopefully Vione’s determination would touch Rowena’s compassion.
“Please, Rowena. Have mercy on me. Heal Usher and I will give you anything you want.”
Rowena was taken aback. Her face dropped. She saw Vione, now hugging her knees with tears streaming down her face. Vione looked truly desperate, her eyes unconsciously welling up.
“I promise I will give you anything you want as long as you can cure Usher,” Vione begged, tightening her grip on Rowena’s knees. “Please, Rowena.”
For a moment, Rowena stood still, and suddenly tears fell from her eyes. Then she lowered herself and held Vione. She looked into Vione’s tear-filled eyes. “Are you ready to lose your life for him?”
Ayla’s eyes widened. She knew that there were many unusual magical practices in this world. But that did not mean she wanted to see Vione sacrifice herself for Usher’s recovery. She was sure that Usher would refuse such a thing.
So, Ayla stepped forward. “Rowena, you’re not-”
“I can’t live without Usher, Rowena. So, my life is meaningless if Usher is not in this world.”
“Then do you think Usher can live without you?” Rowena’s question immediately silenced Vione. “Do you think Usher would agree to you sacrificing yourself for him?”
Vione could not answer. Her eyes closed and she could not say anything more, only her tears continued to flow as time passed. “Please.”
The shadow of despair darkened Vione’s hope. There was nothing more she could do. Her body weakened instantly. All her strength seemed to vanish without a trace. Her grip on Rowena’s knees loosened and she curled up in a pitiful state.
Ayla rushed to Vione. “Vione, calm down.”
“I can’t, Ayla,” Vione whispered, sounding completely heartbroken. Her eyes and voice conveyed deep sadness. “I can’t live without Usher. He’s the only one who was with me. The only one who’s accepted my faults. The only one who loved me with all my faults. The only one who loved a clawless shewolf like me.”
There were no more words for Ayla to say. The only thing she could do now was to pull Vione into her arms. She held Vione gently, knowing that if there was one person who had witnessed the closeness between Vione and Usher from the beginning, it was surely her.
Ayla vividly remembered the vision she had seen: Vione and Usher were playing with an adorable puppy, and then the vision unfolded. She saw Vione and Usher holding hands by the cool lake. Next to them were a son and two daughters who were happy and healthy. They seemed incredibly happy.
Ayla had prayed for this vision every night, and of all her visions, this was the one she hoped would not be wrong. She wanted to see that happiness, but it seemed that this was the first time her vision had not come true.
“I will help you,” Rowena’s sudden statement made Vione and Ayla turn around immediately. They both looked at Rowena to make sure she meant it.
Rowena closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath to calm herself from the emotional turmoil. When she opened her eyes, she looked at Vione. “I’ll do my best, but like I said, I can’t promise anything.”
Vione nodded and stood. She reached for Rowena’s hand and held it tightly. “Please, do whatever it takes to cure Usher, and I will do whatever you want.”
Rowena did not speak again, but released herself from Vione’s grip. “Ayla, take care of Vione and don’t forget to put Alpha on the altar. I must prepare immediately,” she said and looked at the sky. “Tonight is the full moon.”
Rowena left, leaving Ayla and Vione behind. They did not sit still, but immediately followed Rowena’s orders. They carefully moved Usher’s body to the altar behind Rowena’s house.
Vione brushed a speck of dirt from Usher’s hair. Then she cupped Usher’s cheek, which was beginning to grow cold. “We will meet again soon, Usher. I will be waiting for you.”
The sight made Ayla’s chest tighten. She could not count how many times she had prayed silently in her heart. Then something occurred to her, and she felt she had to tell Vione.
“Vione.”
Vione continued to stroke Usher’s cheek. “Yes, Ayla?”
“I’m sure you need to know. All this time Alpha has been under Mireya’s spell.”
Vione’s caress stopped instantly. Her body felt cold and she turned. “A spell?”
“Yes,” Ayla nodded and exhaled deeply. “That’s why Alpha has been neglecting us all this time.”
“You can’t be serious, can you?”
Ayla shook her head. “As proof, Rowena made medicine for Alpha. Garth gave it to Alpha, and after that Alpha woke up immediately. But we acted too late, so all these unfortunate events couldn’t be avoided.”
The reason was that Ayla had never considered the possibility of magical intervention causing Usher’s behavior to change. At first, she had thought that Usher and Mireya’s affair was a shameful event that often happened due to sheer infidelity. So, it was too late when Scott suspected it.
Ayla was sure that Vione needed to know the truth, especially since it was Mireya who had caused their separation. “Alpha loves you, Vione.”
The tightness in Vione’s chest became unbearable, and her hope continued to gnaw at her with fervor. Please, Usher. You must come back to me.
*