Zander loosened his grip on me, and I swiftly broke free, dashing towards Blair. I grasped her hand tightly, pulling her along with me.
“Let’s go, Blair,” I urged, my voice laced with urgency, determined to escape from that place, or rather, from him.
To hell with the face mask. I would lie to Avery and tell her I couldn’t find the herbs.
“Selena, will you finally tell me?” Blair demanded, her eyes narrowed with a mix of frustration and curiosity as we walked briskly.
“It’s not what you think, Blair. I was actually there to search for some herbs that Avery needed for her face pack. And coincidentally, Zander happened to be on patrol,” I explained, hoping my assumption about his duty was correct.
Blair’s expression softened slightly as she processed my words.
“Herbs for Avery’s face pack? That’s why you were in that very unusual place with Zander?” she asked, her tone a mixture of skepticism and taunt.
“Yes, exactly. It was purely coincidental, I swear,” I emphasized, trying to assure her.
“Oh, really?!” Blair exclaimed, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “What was that I saw with my own eyes? Zander had been holding you so possessively, and you still smell like him.”
A surge of panic gripped me, my mind racing to find a way to downplay the situation.
“It was.. it was nothing, just a fleeting moment,” I stammered, desperation lacing my words. “Please, Blair, promise me you won’t tell anyone about this.”
Blair’s expression softened.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” she reassured me with a gentler tone. “I know my brother is undeniably hot, and women can’t resist him.” Her playful nature resurfaced, teasingly easing the tension.
I let out an exasperated sigh and rolled my eyes. “Shut up, Blair.”
Blair giggled, clearly enjoying it. She always had a way of lightening up even the most serious moments.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I couldn’t help but ask, “So, how did you find me?”
“I asked Lola when I didn’t find you in the pack house,” she replied. “And she said you went to the royal medicinal garden.”
As we walked together, Blair suddenly took a different turn, leading us away from the usual route. I raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her unexpected choice.
“Which way are you taking us?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
Blair flashed me a mischievous grin.
“It’s a shortcut,” she explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Otherwise, we’ll be late for training session.”
Just as we were about to hurry along, a firm grip took hold of my hand, causing me to come to an abrupt stop. Startled, I turned to see an old lady with long, flowing white hair, her gaze fixed upon me.
“Stop!” Her voice pierced the air, catching me off guard. I regarded her curiously, unsure of her intentions.
“Excuse me, how can I help you?” I inquired softly.
With a mysterious intensity, she uttered softly, “Only you can stop this. You’re here to perform a task. You’re here to do it.”
Her words sent a shockwave through me, leaving me bewildered. Was she referring to the task I currently held in my hand or was she meant by something else?!
“Alethea, leave her,” Blair insisted, attempting to pull me away from the enigmatic old lady.
However, she remained steadfast, refusing to let me go.
“Everything is decisive and will move you around. Only through belief shall salvation be found,” she chanted, her voice carrying an otherworldly resonance.
Her eyes closed, and her head tilted towards the sky, as if seeking guidance from the heavens above.
“What are you talking about?!” I blurted out, furrowing.
She slowly opened her eyes, a serene smile gracing her weathered face.
“Just believe in yourself and don’t believe anything else,” Alethea replied, her tone serene yet tinged with an air of mystery. With a gentle touch, she released my hand.
“Remember it’s belief that will lead you through the darkness toward the light,” she warned again and melted into the shadows of the surrounding woods, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.
“Who was she?” I asked, my gaze fixed on the spot where Alethea had gone.
Blair sighed, her expression tinged with uncertainty.
“She is Alethea, a seer,” she explained. “She seldom reveals herself to others, and it’s rare for her to appear at all. I have no idea why she came before you.”
Alethea’s unexpected appearance only deepened my intrigue. The words she had spoken echoed in my mind, their meaning shrouded in enigma. What secrets did they hold? What path had she set me upon?
But before I could ponder further, Blair’s urging broke through my thoughts. “Come on, Selena, we’re running late,” she urged, a sense of urgency in her voice.
“Why are we going to the main training ground? You can practice on the grounds near the pack house,” I demanded.
Blair turned to me, her expression resolute.
“Someone needs to know the consequences of messing with me,” she declared, her voice carrying a potent mix of determination and vengeful anticipation. I saw there was a fire in her eyes, a hunger for retribution.
Realization struck me. So, she was going there for Beta Maddox.
I sighed inwardly, my gaze fixed on Blair’s unwavering face.
Only Moon Goddess can save Maddox from his mate’s wrath.