Rowena had never felt such overwhelming exhaustion. Her body felt heavy, every movement seemed to take all of her remaining strength. Even moving a finger was an immense effort. But she realized that it was not only her body that was exhausted, her mind was even more so.
Rowena’s breathing was erratic. Her heartbeat was irregular. Sweat was pouring down, soaking her face and body. She shivered and struggled to reach for the ancient book that had slipped from her grasp.
A faint blue glow appeared as Rowena cast a spell. The book closed and was sealed. Then she leaned her back against the stone wall. She let the water from the Mystoria Falls wet her body. She needed a moment to calm herself from the surge of magic she had just experienced, especially from a few moments ago when she had tried to master an ancient spell.
Closing her eyes, Rowena managed a faint smile despite the fatigue that was gripping her. “Just a little more,” she whispered softly. “Just a little more and I’ll master the ancient spell. I will open a time portal and we will meet again, Ivan.”
Beautiful visions began to fill Rowena’s mind. Her imagination played vividly with all sorts of happy things she would soon experience again. Everything felt so…
“Rowena!”
All illusions vanished in an instant. Rowena’s eyes opened. Ayla’s voice, carried on the wind, had brought her back to the real world. “Ayla.”
Rowena sighed with a guilty look on her face. She had not heard Ayla’s call literally, but she could understand every word directed at her, including the implied concern.
Ayla was concerned about Rowena’s condition. Ayla wanted to make sure she was okay. Ayla begged to see her, and Rowena understood. She was sure that Ayla was aware of the romantic relationship between her and Ivan. Otherwise, Ayla wouldn’t have come looking for her in the Amerotha Forest after Ivan’s death.
Rowena felt terrible about the attention and concern Ayla had shown her. But it was not easy for her to reconnect with the outside world. She simply didn’t want to add to the grief by letting Ayla see her in such a state-fragile, wounded, and grieving.
“Alpha Kendrick has instructed me to give you this invitation, Rowena. So please. Help me this time, Rowena. I can’t go back without an answer from you.”
Rowena’s expression changed. Her decision to avoid Ayla put her in a dilemma. On the one hand, she wanted to continue to immerse herself in solitude, to continue to hide in the Amerotha Forest, to stay away from all the painful memories. On the other hand, she could not ignore Ayla when it came to Kendrick’s orders. Her decision might affect Ayla. She couldn’t make Ayla bear the responsibility for her choices.
In the end, Rowena got up. She left Mystoria Falls and made her way to where Ayla was.
From a distance, Ayla sat on the ground in despair. Rowena immediately felt guilty and quickened her pace. She stepped out of the magical barrier and Ayla turned to face her.
“Ayla.”
Ayla hurried to her feet. Fearing that Rowena might leave, she ran towards her.
On the other hand, Rowena remained unmoved when she saw Ayla running. She didn’t move at all, as if she wanted to assure Ayla that this time she wouldn’t leave, at least not before they talked. “Ayla.”
Ayla gasped in front of Rowena. She looked at Rowena and then hugged her tightly. “Oh, God. Do you know how worried I was, Rowena?”
Rowena didn’t answer but patted Ayla’s back. Then she blinked, feeling the cold that made Ayla shiver. Her guilt grew uncontrollably. “I’m sorry, Ayla.”
“I don’t need your apology,” Ayla replied quickly as she released the hug. Then she took Rowena’s hands, as if she expected Rowena to walk away. She examined Rowena’s condition from top to bottom. “I just want to know how you are.”
Rowena smiled calmly. “As you can see, Ayla. I’m fine.”
Ayla remained silent and continued to look at Rowena. She knew that Rowena was not well. She could feel it clearly. But she was willing to accept the lie. After all, Rowena was still alive. Rowena had not done anything terrible that she had feared.
“I know,” Ayla said, nodding repeatedly. “You’re fine, and does that mean you’ll accept the invitation from Frostholm Palace?” She immediately handed the invitation to Rowena. “Alpha Kendrick has specially invited you to the palace, Rowena. I hope you won’t refuse.”
Rowena took the invitation. She looked at it briefly, then nodded. “Of course I won’t refuse. I’m not stupid enough to turn down a special invitation from an Alpha.”
Ayla dramatically closed her eyes and let out a sigh of relief, and Rowena felt a similar relief. For the same reason, she found the right moment to truly end all her insecurities.
Three days later, Rowena accepted Kendrick’s invitation. She arrived at Frostholm Palace, where the pack greeted her with great honor.
Confusion filled Rowena’s mind, and upon reflection, she belatedly asked a question. Why did Alpha Kendrick personally invite me? Have I done something to deserve such an honor?
Rowena received the answer shortly thereafter. Specifically, when they were at the banquet table and the conversation flowed naturally. According to Kendrick and Jemma, the Frostholm Pack owed her a great deal for all the warnings and indirect help she had provided over the years.
The answer came, but Rowena’s confusion only grew. Especially when she remembered the strange event after Ivan’s death in Amerotha Forest. A warrior had approached her and apologized for something she could not understand.
Rowena’s brow furrowed slightly. She gave up when she didn’t get a clear answer. Besides, it was irrelevant because she had other priorities. So, she said to Kendrick, “Thank you for this honor, Alpha. I feel very fortunate that the Frostholm Pack has welcomed me with open arms. However, I don’t think I’ll be able to help you in the future.”
“What do you mean, Rowena?” Kendrick asked with a puzzled expression. “Did something in the pack offend you? Perhaps because the officials underestimated your warnings?”
Rowena shook her head. “No, Alpha. On the contrary, I never expected the Frostholm pack to value my presence so much,” she assured. She took a short breath before continuing. “I am very happy to have been a part of the Frostholm Pack, but I have decided to no longer interfere in the chaos of the world.”
The banquet fell silent. Everyone was quiet, occasionally exchanging glances until their focus was drawn to Rowena’s happy smile.
“Now I just want to live out my days peacefully in the Amerotha forest.”
No one could deny Rowena her wish. They all respected her decision.
“Very well, Rowena. I’m sure that’s what’s best for you,” Jemma said with a friendly look. She smiled reassuringly. “I hope you won’t forget us, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need anything.”
Rowena just nodded. The smile on her face continued to grow as a certainty came into her mind. She didn’t need anything. She didn’t need anything else. For she had already found what she needed.
A great opportunity lay before Rowena. The path stretched before her eyes. A swirling circle in the center of the Mystoria Falls glowed with a golden-blue light.
Rowena had successfully awakened the long-dormant time portal. The moon necklace and the ancient spell had ripped through the fabric of time, giving her a path to a second chance. Then she stepped forward, and without hesitation, she let herself be pulled in.
*