Chapter15
Clara’s POV
Europe, the ancient Moonlight Castle.
From a room in the high tower, tablet in hand, I watched everything unfold an ocean away.
The live stream of the memorial, Selene’s downfall, Ethan’s ruin, and Kael’s final, desperate rage.
“Miss, are you alright?” Ben, the butler, asked with concern from behind me.
“I’m fine,” I replied softly, my eyes never leaving the screen. “It’s… profoundly satisfying.”
Three years of pain, three years of humiliation, had finally come to a conclusion.
Even if it came far too late.
I turned off the stream, set the tablet down, and walked to the floor–to–ceiling window.
Moonlight Castle was nestled deep in the Alps, one of the oldest sacred sites for werewolves in Europe. For a thousand years, countless wolves who had lost their power came here seeking healing and rebirth.
“Miss, your grandfather requests your presence in the grand hall,” Ben reported respectfully from the doorway.
I smoothed my clothes and followed him to the castle’s main hall.
My grandfather, Aldric, sat in an ancient oak chair.
At over three hundred years old, he was one of the most powerful wolf elders in Europe.
Even in his human form, he radiated an awesome, ancient power.
“My child,” he looked at me gently. “You look much better than you did three months ago.”
“Thank you for saving me, Grandfather,” I knelt before him. “If you hadn’t arranged my faked death and escape, I would have…”
“Rise,” he helped me up. “Your mother died trying to find you. You are my only granddaughter, the last heir of the Moonlight bloodline. I would never allow you to die at the hands of those fools.”
“You saw what happened in North America?”
“I did,” a flicker of satisfaction crossed Aldric’s eyes. “That Kael boy finally did one thing right, even if it was too late.”
“It’s time for you to reclaim your true power,” he said seriously. “Three years of Silver Dust suppression have done great harm to your wolf. If we wait any longer, even our ancient rituals won’t be able to fully heal you.”
I nodded.
This was why I had coine back.
“When does the ritual begin?”
“Tonight, on the full moon,” Aldric stood. “I have arranged for the family’s best healer to preside over the ceremony.”
“Is it Elder Samuel?” I asked.
Samuel was the family’s chief shaman, with nearly two hundred years of healing experience.
“No,” Aldric shook his head. “Samuel is too old. A high–intensity healing ritual like this requires a stronger wolf to guide it. I’ve arranged for… an old friend.”
His tone was peculiar, his eyes holding a hidden meaning.
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“This old friend is?”
“Someone you haven’t seen in a long, long time,” Aldric smiled mysteriously. “Go and prepare. When the moon rises tonight, it will all begin.”
At dusk, I was led to the ancient sanctuary beneath the castle.
This was the heart of Moonlight Castle, where countless sacred rituals had been held for a thousand years.
The walls were covered in ancient wolf runes that glowed with a faint silver light.
In the center of the sanctuary was a massive stone altar, surrounded by rare herbs and crystals.
Moonlight shone down through the crystal dome in the ceiling, bathing the entire space in a sacred, mystical glow.
“Clara?”
A familiar voice came from behind me.
I turned to see a tall figure walking toward the altar.
The moonlight fell on him, outlining a perfect silhouette. Golden hair, deep blue eyes, and that unique, gentle aura.
“Asher?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Is it really you?”
Asher Moonwhisper. Heir of the Moon–Ember pack and my best friend from childhood.
Ten years ago, his family had left North America due to a shift in pack alliances.
Later, I got lost and lost my memory. I thought I’d never see him again.
“I’m back,” he smiled gently, striding toward me. “Your grandfather told me you needed help.”
“You… you’re the healer my grandfather arranged?”
“I am,” Asher stood before me, studying my face: His voice was soft, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow. “Clara, what have they
done to you?”
His eyes were full of compassion, a pure concern that made my heart flutter.
Ten years. I had forgotten what it felt like to be genuinely cared for.
“I’m fine,” I said softly. “It’s all in the past now.”
“In the past?” Asher gently touched my cheek. “Clara, your wolf is almost completely suppressed. What those people did to you can’t be brushed aside with an ‘I’m fine“.”
His wolf radiated a fierce protectiveness and anger, which he quickly tempered with gentle healing energy.
“But it’s alright,” he took my hand. “I’ll help you get it all back. Your power, your dignity, and… your happiness.”
I looked into his sincere eyes, a warmth spreading through my chest.
This was the Asher I remembered–always so warm, so trustworthy.
The ritual is complex and dangerous,” he said seriously. “I’ll need to use my wolf to guide yours, to re–establish the connection to your inner power. The process might be painful.”
“I’m not afraid of pain,” I said firmly. “I’ve had more than enough of it these last three years.”
Asher nodded and led me to the altar.
The ancient stone pulsed with sacred energy, and the surrounding runes began to glow under the moonlight.
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“Lie down,” he said softly. “Relax, and trust me.”
I lay on the altar, feeling the ancient power flow from the stone.
Asher stood beside me and began to chant an ancient healing spell. His wolf radiated a pure silver light, as gentle and powerful as the moon itself.
“Clara,” his voice was as soft as a feather. “I’m about to link my power to your soul. The connection might feel intense. Are
you ready?”
