Bella’s P.O.V.
The late-night sky bled into pale shades of gray and lavender as we all settled in the War Room, the map still spread out, the red ring of blood now faded into a soft crimson shadow. The silence was a different kind now—not from shock or fear, but anticipation.
Rachel broke it with a question that had clearly been building for some time.
"Why can’t Bella go to the veil herself? I mean... she’s the Mystique Wolf, right? Isn’t she supposed to be powerful enough to resist spells like these?"
Everyone turned toward her. She wasn’t accusing me—I could tell—but genuinely confused, seeking logic in all of this.
Aunt Claire didn’t answer right away. She looked at me, as if silently asking if I wanted to field the response. I nodded and turned to Rachel.
"Being the Mystique Wol
