Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 61: One Last Lesson

Two weeks pass, and I find myself sitting on a chair in the patio, the obsidian stone resting in my hands. I’ve tried everything—every technique, every spell Luna Vireena has taught me—but the barrier of dark magic remains intact, defiant.

I remember seeing Luna Vireena do it once, as if it were nothing. The way she effortlessly dismantled the dark magic, her eyes shifting color when she used her fae power. Red, blood-red. The same eyes that stared at me in the cell whenever she infiltrated my thoughts. And that was only when she used her magic on a low level. If she used her full power, if she showed her true self, she would shine with divinity—pointed ears, inhuman wings... at least, that’s what the stories in the books say about the fae. They call her Luna, because she was a werewolf's mate, the Alpha, because she leads this pack. But she is so much more than that.

I shake my head, focusing back on the stone in my hands. I’ve had enough. Frustration boils within me, and without thinking, I curse the stone and throw it away, anger bubbling to the surface. Then, almost like my mind has a will of its own, I start muttering words, a makeshift incantation fed by my frustration and anger.

And then... I feel nothing. The weight of the barrier, the tangible dark magic surrounding the stone—it’s gone. I blink, barely able to believe it. I finally broke through it.

I try to stand up, my excitement surging, but a wave of dizziness overtakes me. Of course, the price must be paid. My vision blurs, and before I can steady myself, I collapse, slipping into darkness.

***

I wake up on the cold ground, my body heavy, hands shaking my shoulders. My eyes flutter open, and I lift myself slightly, seeing Alpha Jahir crouched beside me. A bit further, I hear Alpha Damar's voice murmuring, “She’ll live.”

I force myself upright, noticing a pool of blood on the ground. My hands instinctively reach for my head, and I feel it—blood, warm and wet, from where I must’ve hit the ground. But why isn't it healing?

Luna Vireena’s voice cuts through the air, almost as if she’d heard the question straight from my thoughts. She’s seated comfortably in a chair, Alpha Damar standing beside her. She holds the amulet between two fingers, looking at me with an unreadable expression. “The price has been paid, Princess. You passed out, and it seems your wounds aren’t healing as they should right now... But hey, congratulations. You can finally go home.” She tosses the stone towards me.

I catch it, my hand still slick with blood. Immediately, I can feel it—the barrier is gone, replaced by a light, almost soothing energy radiating from the amulet. Alpha Jahir helps me to my feet.

“So that’s it?” I ask, my voice unsteady. “I can just leave? Now? Who’s taking me back to the edge of the coastal packs?”

Luna Vireena tilts her head, her eyes gleaming. “Ah, I did say you could go once you dismantled the dark magic on the stone, didn’t I?” She pauses, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. “But I never said I or anyone else from my pack would take you back.”

I glance between Luna Vireena, Alpha Damar, and Alpha Jahir, all of whom wear that same wicked smile. I curse inwardly, feeling frustration bubbling up once again. I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Then how am I supposed to get home?” I ask as evenly as I can manage.

Luna Vireena looks at the amulet in my hand. “With the stone in your hands, Princess.”

I raise an eyebrow, waiting for Luna Vireena to elaborate.

She just smiles. “The stone will guide you home. You’ll feel a pull, a direction to follow. All you need to do is focus—visualize the place you want to go to. But you’ll have to do it on foot. In wolf form, the stone’s magic won’t signal where to go.”

My jaw drops. “On foot? Through the desert? For who knows how long?”

Alpha Jahir, standing beside me, says with a smirk, “Until you’re home… or dead.”

I open my mouth to argue, but no words come out. Alpha Damar adds, “Fortunately, we’ve kept you well-trained. Plenty of dangers lurk in the desert. We’ll give you a sword or two.” He grins, clearly enjoying my frustration.

I look at Luna Vireena, desperation creeping into my voice. “Please tell me this is a joke.”

Luna Vireena tilts her head, her expression amused. “A joke? No, dear Princess. Consider it... one last lesson before you return home.”

I lift a brow, unable to stop myself from asking, "And what exactly is the lesson in all of this?"

Luna Vireena shrugs, her lips curling into a smirk. "To persevere, to rely on yourself, to prove that you have the strength to fight... and of course, simply not to die." Her tone is casual, but the weight of her words leaves me speechless.

She stands and continues, “I must say, I've enjoyed your company these past two months. You were a refreshing distraction. But now, I have other pressing pack matters to attend to." She waves a dismissive hand in my direction. "Off you go, your backpack is already packed—with food, water flasks, and a sleeping bag. My sons will give you some weapons and escort you to the edge of our territory."

With that, Alpha Damar and Alpha Jahir lead me away, their strides confident as they guide me. I catch a final murmur from Luna Vireena, barely audible, "I hope that, if my daughter is still alive, she has a spirit like you." My heart aches for a brief moment, a pang of sympathy for the grief Luna Vireena must carry deep within her.

As we walk, I finally get a glimpse of the pack's daily life. Beautiful white houses adorned with golden accents, werewolves and halflings working and relaxing together, all in a lively, exotic atmosphere. It's mesmerizing. For almost two months, I had only seen the grand pack house and the surrounding estates, but this… this is a different world. If I weren't so eager to return home, I’d want to explore every corner of it.

We finally reach the boundary. I'm clad in my light brown cargo pants with knife straps around my thighs, a beige crop top, and a light scarf ready to shield my mouth and head from any sandstorms. My backpack rests securely on my shoulders, and a rope slings across my body, holding a pair of swords. The amulet hangs around my neck—Alpha Jahir’s way of making things “easier” for me, giving me free hands should I need to fight. How thoughtful, I think, my mind dripping with sarcasm.

Alpha Damar gestures towards the vast stretch of desert. "Here it is—our oasis ends, and the wild desert begins."

Alpha Jahir adds, “Oh, and one last thing from our mother. If you ever wish to contact her, just try speaking to the stone and hope that, somehow, she hears you and maybe responds." He grins, the hint of cruel humor clear.

Both of them bow slightly, their gazes meeting mine. “Good luck, Princess Namaari,” they say in unison.

Zyméo’s POV

The sun had just started to dip below the horizon as we made our way back to Alpha Reed’s pack lands. The desert had once again proven itself a frustrating labyrinth—an endless expanse that seemed determined to keep its secrets. Every direction we took brought us back to the same place, as if some unseen force was mocking us, making us walk in circles. I could still taste the dryness of the air, feel the grit of sand caught in my teeth.

We had purposefully avoided Alpha Flint's territory on our way back. The mere mention of him left a bitter taste in all our mouths. Currently, we weren't exactly on speaking terms, and frankly, none of us had the patience for him after what he’d pulled. His refusal to assist in the search for Namaari had sparked a fury within us all. Apparently, his pack had suffered enough from the battle at Duneshadow, and now, he was too busy trying to "restore order" within his borders. As if our losses didn’t matter.

"Flint’s nothing but a selfish bastard," Kaynim growls, a sharp edge in his voice as we approach the familiar dune grass at the edge of Reed's territory. "He’s never been worthy of the title of Alpha."

I can’t help but nod, my own anger simmering beneath the surface. "If it weren’t for that cowardly attack of his—for reasons no one can even fathom—Namaari wouldn’t even be missing," I add, my voice dripping with resentment.

Tazzym, walking alongside me, lets out a scoff. "He’s just an i***t. If his pack suffers, it’s because they’ve got him as a leader."

"Can’t argue with that." Alpha Reed’s voice is calm, but there's an unmistakable tone of agreement. He turns to face us, a contemplative look crossing his face. "She’s something else, though, isn’t she? Namaari. The way she carries herself, her strength, her resilience... there’s no one quite like her." His eyes soften for a moment, showing a rare vulnerability.

That comment makes my brothers and me stiffen. There’s an edge to his admiration that doesn’t sit right with us—something a little too personal, too reverent. Tazzym turns to him, narrowing his eyes. "What’s going on here, Alpha Reed?" he asks, suspicion lacing his words. "You’re acting weird every time Namaari comes up."

Alpha Reed raises his eyebrows, a small grin forming at the corner of his lips. "Nothing weird about it. She has everything—intelligence, strength, beauty. If she’s interested, I’d gladly have her as my chosen mate."

He doesn’t even get the chance to finish before Kaynim and Tazzym speak over each other, voices sharp and dripping with defiance. "She would never want that."

Reed gives a mock pout, then grins at the three of us. "Ouch, tough crowd." He chuckles, but there's a curiosity in his eyes, his smile faltering slightly. "You guys are always so protective of her. Why is that?"

I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation settle between us. Alpha Reed has always been a good ally. "It’s because she’s our mate," I say, my voice steady. Alpha Reed’s eyes widen, and for a moment, he just stares, processing the information.

"Really?" he asks, a note of understanding dawning in his expression. Then his gaze shifts to Kaynim, a playful glint appearing in his eyes. "You know, I had a feeling. Especially with you, Alpha Kaynim. The way you act around her—like the world’s about to end if anyone gets too close."

Kaynim huffs, clearly not in the mood for Alpha Reed’s teasing. "That’s not true," he says, his voice defensive.

Alpha Reed just smiles, unbothered by Kaynim's reaction. "Right, right. It’s just that, out of all of you, I swear the tension between you and Namaari is the thickest. It’s pretty obvious, mate or not."

I bite back a laugh, unable to help myself. The truth in Alpha Reed’s words is painfully evident, and Tazzym and I exchange a knowing glance before both of us break into a fit of laughter. The way Kaynim's face darkens, the indignation written all over his expression—it’s priceless. It feels good, a break from the frustration and hopelessness we've been feeling for weeks now.

Alpha Reed gives us a sly grin, his eyes flickering between us and Kaynim, clearly pleased with himself. The weight of our mission still looms over us, the desperation to find Namaari still pressing heavily on our minds, but for this one moment, we find a sliver of relief in the teasing. And I hope, somehow, that Namaari knows—even if she can’t feel it—that we’re fighting our hardest to find her and bring her home.