“Are you aware of what you just said?”
More than aware, Vione had probably thought about it long before her meeting with Ignatius. She had lost count of how many times she had cursed fate, feeling useless despite the power she possessed. She was strong, capable of fighting hundreds of warriors on her own, but it was all useless if she didn’t have the power to protect her pack. All her strength was in vain.
“I’m aware of what I just said,” Vione replied without hesitation; her gaze was steady and full of hope. “Besides, what’s the point of having power if I can’t do anything when destruction threatens the people I love?” She winced and shook her head repeatedly. “I don’t want to be strong just for myself. Power is meant to protect, and if I can’t do that, then what’s the point?”
Ignatius looked deep into Vione’s eyes. For a moment he didn’t react to her words. He could sense the bitterness that Vione felt. There was a wound deeper than the physical battle-a wound that lingered in her heart, hidden behind all her bravery and toughness.
“You are not like me, Vione. The blood of a witch runs through you, but we’re not quite the same,” Ignatius said in a low voice a moment later. “A witch does not need strength. A witch only needs wisdom. Witches can survive in this world without any power at all. They can use the forces of nature to live and help the world. But not you.” He exhaled heavily and looked at Vione with sympathy. “Werewolves need strength. It’s through strength that they survive and fight in this cruel world. And you want to give up the basis of your existence?”
Vione smiled broadly, but it was a bitter smile. “I’ve told you before, Ignatius. It’s pointless for me to have power if I can’t protect the people I love. I don’t want to live with power if I can’t do anything to protect them.” All the painful sights, from the deaths of Usher, Ivan, and Addy to the bodies of the pack filling the refugee tents, swirled in her mind. Her eyes filled with tears. “I will do anything to protect them, even if it means risking my life.”
Ignatius could sense that Vione meant what she said. She was truly overcome with deep sorrow. Behind the firmness that radiated from her, there was a desperation that gnawed at her soul.
Ignatius could pick up pieces of her past wounds in every word Vione uttered. Her gaze reflected a series of painful memories-watching the people she loved die one by one in tragic circumstances while she could do nothing.
On the other hand, Vione was sure that the word “despair” no longer captured her situation. She was truly exhausted and ready to do anything to fix things, even if it meant losing the power she had relied on for so long.
Vione didn’t mind at all. Ignatius’ warnings didn’t shake her resolve. She wasn’t afraid at all. In fact, she silently cursed herself. The power she, her family and her pack had once been so proud of was nothing compared to the losses she had suffered. “Please, Ignatius. Help me.”
“Helping you isn’t difficult for me, Vione, but I just want you to think this through carefully,” Ignatius said wisely, his expression deeply serious. His calm gaze seemed to soothe Vione’s despair. “Because once you change your fate, there’s no going back.” Then the seriousness became even more palpable as he emphasized his next words. “One thread of fate pulled will pull another thread of fate. This means that there will always be consequences for every action taken.”
Vione nodded repeatedly. “I know that, Ignatius. My decision to relinquish this power will undoubtedly have a great impact on the future.” Then the most likely possibility crossed her mind. “I will probably become a weak werewolf.” She closed her eyes for a moment, and the possibility seemed even more real. “I’ll become a hybrid Omega. So, I guess I won’t be worshipped by many people anymore. They might not love me and…” Usher’s face appeared, making her chest tighten. “… I probably won’t be the Luna of the Frostholm Pack.”
A sharp pain appeared. It felt as if Vione’s heart was being crushed by merciless claws. Her wolf spirit howled with grief, but she steeled herself.
Vione was convinced that it would be a thousand times better for Usher to live a long life than for them to be together and for Usher to die so quickly. It might hurt her to see Usher with another woman, but it was worth it for the chance that Usher could live on and lead the pack wisely.
This conviction brought Vione a sense of calm, though the wound in her heart deepened. A part of her wanted to rebel, to hold on to her relationship with Usher, but she knew well that holding on to her power wouldn’t do them any good.
“Maybe I’ll be forgotten,” Vione murmured softly, her voice almost drowned in the whisper of the night wind. “But if it means that Usher will live longer and the Frostholm pack will survive, then all my sacrifices will have been worth it.”
Vione’s eyes filled with tears, but a stronger resolve burned within them. She was willing to lose everything-her power, honor, even love-for a life greater than her own. She knew the path she had chosen would be hard, full of loneliness and pain, but she was ready.
“You are stronger than you know, Vione.” Ignatius reached out and gently placed his hand on Vione’s shoulder. “Not because of your strength as a hybrid, but because of your heart.”
Vione sighed. “I only hope that this decision can really save them, even if it means that I have to lose everything. I hope they can be restored with my power.”
Now Ignatius no longer debated. Vione’s decision was final, and all he could do was help her carry it out.
Ignatius quickly took up his position. He took a few steps back to create enough distance and then said, “Prepare yourself, Vione. This will be painful, but I know you can bear it.”
Vione nodded. “Do it now.”
*