Ella’s POV
“Stop, stop now, everyone, don’t go any deeper into the forest!”
I shouted desperately, hoping it wasn’t too late.
Dr. Helena and Holly halted, looking at me with confusion, but Ada and the other soldiers seemed oblivious, continuing forward, and the ringing grew louder.
“Dr. Helena, Holly, quickly stop them, don’t go any further! Can’t you hear the bells? It’s the bewitching sound of the illusion grass!”
“What is illusion grass?” Holly asked.
I didn’t have time to answer her. I knocked out the two soldiers closest to me; their vacant eyes clearly showed they had lost their senses.
“Oh my, Anna, what are you doing? Are you out of your mind?”
I was frantic. “I’m not joking. They’ve lost consciousness. Knock them out now, or we’ll all die here!”
Dr. Helena gave me a deep look and swiftly knocked out the remaining wolf soldiers.
Holly looked at Dr. Helena in astonishment, then gritted her teeth at me. “Anna, you better be right about this, or I won’t spare you.” She knocked out Ada beside her.
I gasped as I approached them.
“Anna, did you find something?” Dr. Helena brushed off the dirt and looked at me.
“What is illusion grass?” Holly was still puzzled.
“Illusion grass is a green plant that emits pleasant sounds, containing illusion essence, which can affect the body’s hearing and thinking, making people obey the grass’s commands and ultimately becoming its slaves.”
“It can unearth the deepest desires in people’s hearts. Those enchanted by its sound will be trapped in illusions until consumed by it. In other words, those white ashes are actually the remains of werewolves devoured by illusion grass.”
“Oh, dear, that’s terrifying,” Holly fearfully covering her ears.
“But as far as I know, illusion grass should grow in the south, not in the north where The Darkwood belongs,” Dr. Helena said.
I nodded. “Indeed, the soil and climate of The Darkwood are similar to those of the Blue River Tribe. It’s likely someone intentionally planted it here, and I suspect it’s Rogue.”
“Rogue?” Dr. Helena’s expression changed. “Anna, do you know much about Rogue?”
“I can’t explain much now, Dr. Helena, Holly. Quickly, plug your ears; werewolves’ willpower can’t resist the sound of illusion grass for long.” I took out medical cotton from my backpack and handed it to them. “Stay here to take care of these unconscious comrades and bring them back to the tower.”
“What about you, Anna?”
“I have to go after Beta Aaron. He’s unconscious, and illusion grass rests before dawn. I know how to deal with it.” I put on the cotton, swiftly transforming into a wolf, and ran towards the depths of The Darkwood.
“Anna!” Dr. Helena and Holly shouted from behind.
I ran wildly without looking back.
My wolf body dashed through the trees, still unable to see him. I leaped onto the treetops, sniffing around.
There!
I ran in the direction of the scent for more than ten minutes, finally spotting Beta Aaron. He stood in front of a huge purple flower emitting the same putrid smell as the ashes.
“Beta Aaron, stop!” I shouted.
But he kept walking forward. His expression wasn’t vacant but smiling, filled with happiness.
His consciousness was completely bewitched, immersed in a world of illusion,
just like a moth drawn to flame.
I ran madly towards him, transforming into human form and knocking him unconscious. Yet, when I looked back at the giant purple flower, its enchanting sound entered my ears again, and tears welled up in my eyes.
I saw my mother.
Ariana Moore.
She stood before me, smiling and waving like when I was a child.
I couldn’t help but move forward.
“Mom…”
“My little wolf, you’ve grown into a beautiful she-wolf. Come here, come to me.” She opened her arms.
“Okay, Mom.” I smiled and walked towards her.
Kevin’s POV
“Ella, stop!” My pupils contracted in panic.
I was losing it; that damn man-eating flower was about to devour Ella, and the meeting I had planned for a week turned into this scene.
I sprinted wildly on wolf legs towards her, wishing I had eight legs.
Luckily, just as Ella’s body entered the disgusting heart of the flower, I grabbed her arm, flinging her onto my back. But she seemed trance-like, jumping off my back and desperately moving towards the flower.
“Mom, don’t go, I miss you.” She was extremely sad, her eyes empty, as if grasping for something.
I transformed into a human and held her. “Ella, it’s okay, I’m Kevin, you’re fine now.”
“No, I don’t want Kevin, I want my mom, I only want her.” She struggled forcefully, pushing me away.
I held her hand, her tears dropping on my hand, and my heart skipped a beat.
Her mother died because of me; it was only natural for her to hate me.
“Ella, then I can be your mom or your dad, as long as you want, I can do anything for you.” I wiped her tears, gently kissing her forehead.
But she struggled harder, biting my shoulder.
I was puzzled. What was wrong with her?
Then I fiercely stared at that purple flower.
“Alpha, don’t look at it, that flower is called illusion grass, it can seduce the heart!”
Beta Liam’s voice came from behind me, then a knife flew to cut off the flower’s roots, causing it to wither instantly.
And Ella collapsed along with the flower’s demise.
“Ella!” I called out nervously.
“Alpha, don’t worry, Ella should have been bewitched by the illusion grass’s sound, trapped in a fantasy,” Beta Liam explained.
“Okay, but when will she regain consciousness?” I frowned with concern.
“She should wake up like the Blue River Tribe werewolves we encountered earlier.”
“Alright.” I stared at Ella’s pale face, terrified by the scene I almost lost her in just now. “Now, let’s go back to the inn.”
“Okay, Alpha.”
Liam turned into a brown wolf, and I picked up Ella, jumping onto its back.