Usher wasted no time. He immediately called Garth, while Berg prepared the guards. Together with Rowena and Ayla, they left for the Amerotha Forest.
The journey to Amerotha Forest felt tense and took longer than usual. Usher’s heartbeat quickened with each passing moment. He hoped they would find Vione safe and sound.
“Don’t worry, Alpha.”
Suddenly Rowena’s voice broke the silence. Usher turned to her. “Rowena.”
“My gut tells me that nothing bad has happened to Vione,” Rowena continued, looking up at the night sky. She saw the full moon shining brightly as usual. “She will be fine.”
Usher hoped that was true, although he couldn’t be sure until he saw Vione with his own eyes. So, when they arrived in the Amerotha Forest, he hurried. He immediately began searching for Vione, while Garth coordinated the others.
“Vione!”
Usher called her name, his voice echoing through the towering trees. His legs moved quickly, tracing every corner of the forest with labored breaths. His heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins as worry tightened in his chest.
“Vione!” Usher called again, desperation seeping into his loud voice. He hoped for an answer, but the forest remained silent. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves could be heard. No response, no sign of human presence. “Vione!”
Rowena and Ayla followed closely behind him. They, too, looked around cautiously, continuing their search.
Usher was beginning to lose hope. The brief calm that Rowena’s words had brought was now shattered. His panic grew until he heard the sound of a waterfall.
Usher quickened his pace, almost breaking into a run. He pushed through the underbrush, leaping over tree roots. He ran until a sight ahead made him scream in hysteria. “Vione!”
There, not far from the Mystoria Falls, lay Vione. She was alone, motionless, her body soaked from the spray.
Usher ran to her immediately. He carefully cradled Vione’s body in his arms. “Oh, God, Vione,” he murmured as he checked her wrist. When he felt a pulse, his eyes closed dramatically in relief. “You’re okay. You’re still with me.”
The relief Usher felt was indescribable. The others also expressed their gratitude when they realized that Vione had been found safe.
“You’re all right, Vione,” Usher whispered as he kissed her head. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth of her skin touching his. Relief spread through him, filling his chest with the certainty that Vione was still alive. “You are with me now. I will take care of you.”
A faint moan escaped a moment later, followed by a soft movement from Vione. Usher looked down, his relief swelling even more.
He stroked Vione’s cheek with the utmost tenderness and care. “Vione? Are you awake? Can you hear my voice?”
Vione didn’t respond; instead, she winced, trying to hold back the pain that seemed to pulse through her entire body. Her forehead was furrowed and her eyes were closed tightly, as if she were fighting a wave of pain.
“Vione?”
Darkness still tried to obscure Vione’s vision, but the voice startled her soul. She forced her eyes to open. Her vision was blurry at first, but she soon recognized Usher’s face. “Usher.”
“Oh, God,” Usher whispered with gratitude. He hugged Vione as tightly as he could, and this time he felt her hug him back. Vione put her hand on his chest, as if to calm the erratic beating of his heart. “Thank you, Vione. Thank you.”
Vione could clearly feel the worry and fear coursing through Usher. Not only from the rapid beating of his heart and his labored breathing, but also from the trembling that ran through his body. So, she gathered her strength and spoke, though it was difficult. “I’m all right, Usher.”
Usher nodded. “Yes, Vione. I know you’re all right.”
Still, Usher needed more time to really calm down. The tense, anxious moments had passed, but that didn’t mean his emotions could be settled so easily.
Usher loosened their embrace. Then he cupped Vione’s face to make sure she was indeed unharmed. Vione wasn’t hurt at all.
Now Usher finally felt true relief and all the dark thoughts vanished from his mind. He took a deep breath. “Let’s go back to the palace.”
Vione nodded and didn’t resist as Usher prepared to carry her. She wrapped her arms around Usher’s neck, but her gaze accidentally met Ayla and Rowena.
Vione’s eyes locked with Rowena’s and immediately her expression changed. A wave of tension stiffened her body and her hands fell back into her lap.
“Vione?” Usher noticed the change in her and hesitated. Instead of moving, he asked, “What is it?”
Vione ignored Usher’s question and continued to stare at Rowena with an unreadable expression. She didn’t answer, so Usher turned to follow her gaze and looked at Rowena.
Usher remained silent, as did Ayla. They both watched the scene with suspicion. Vione’s behavior sent a signal that raised questions in their minds, especially Rowena’s.
Rowena swallowed hard. Trying to remain calm, she smiled. “Vione.”
Vione flinched. Her eyes closed briefly as she heard voices in her head.
“Be honest with me, Ma. Have you ever regretted giving birth to me? You know I’ll never be your successor.”
“Oh, God, Vione. What are you saying? How could I regret giving birth to you? It’s impossible.”
“I would rather live as a werewolf than as a witch. I can’t inherit your magic.”
“Oh my, Vione. You really make me laugh.”
“Mama.”
“All right, I’ll answer. So, listen carefully to what I’m about to say. I’ve never regretted giving birth to you. It’s impossible for me to regret having such a wonderful daughter as you. I once risked my life to bring you into this world, and it was all worth it. In fact, I’ve often asked God, what good did I do to deserve you?”
“Oh, Mom.”
“Besides, no mother could be unhappy to see her child happy. So as long as you’re happy with the life you’ve chosen, I’ll be happy too. I’ll always support you. Even if the world turns against you, believe me, I’ll always be there for you.”
Vione opened her eyes with the sudden realization that this memory wasn’t hers. It belonged to the future Vione. Still, she couldn’t hold back the wave of emotion that was swelling in her chest. This memory spread warmth and love she had never imagined before, something she had once dreamed of.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Vione’s eyes brimmed with tears, and from somewhere inside, she found the strength to get up and run. “Mama.”
*