Beyond death

The prophesy

Alessandro POV

I hurried upstairs, memories flooding back as soon as we stepped into my ancestral home. The urgency to find those old journals overwhelmed me. The attic held secrets, memories of my family's arrival in Bracciano. I vividly remembered spending countless hours there as a child, devouring the fascinating stories within those ancient journals. The tales of my family's history intrigued me, especially the anticipation that I might manifest a wolf, following in my grandfather's footsteps. The promise was that it would happen when I turned seventeen. The disappointment of its non-arrival was matched only by a sense of relief. I didn't want to be the sole werewolf in a coven of witches who harboured disdain for other supernatural beings.

Entering Frankie's bedroom, I located the trap door to the attic, situated just to the right of his bed. With a swift pull, the flap lowered, revealing a ladder that I ascended. The attic welcomed me with its expansive space, adorned with bookshelves and boxes containing relics of my family's past. Grabbing a nearby lantern, I lit it, the soft glow illuminating the shelves as I headed towards one side of the room.

After a brief search, I laid my eyes on the book I sought – an old journal penned by my grandfather in his distinctive handwriting. Retrieving the worn volume, I turned to the page I had dog-eared as a child. Back then, the notion of a prophecy fascinated me. However, life took a turn after Sofi's sacrifice, and my focus shifted away from our family history. Now, I rediscovered the journal and eagerly turned to the marked page.

"La Profezia del Lago"

Nel regno del destino, 2,5 anni prima che la maledizione del lago si compia e le anime rimaste in limbo, una ragazza di discendenza mista onorerà il nostro mondo. Mentre la sua magia latente si svela e il lupo dormiente dentro di lei rivela la sua presenza sulle rive del lago, si forgerà una profonda unione con il principe delle tenebre.

Nella danza intricata del destino, le fratture della maledizione inizieranno a emergere, permettendo ad alcuni dei caduti di trovare conforto nell'abbraccio della dea. Tuttavia, questa rivelazione non placherà l'inquietudine della Regina del Male. Un viaggio, intrecciato con i fili dell'oscurità e della magia, attende il principe e la ragazza, spingendoli verso le terre del branco dopo il solstizio d'estate.

È all'interno dei territori sacri, che custodiscono la risposta alla loro ricerca, dove solo la Luna, nella sua saggezza e connessione celestiale, possiede la conoscenza che cercano. Mentre le ruote del destino girano, i destini del principe delle tenebre e della ragazza di discendenza mista diventano inestricabilmente legati, dando il via a una serie di eventi che potrebbero spezzare la maledizione o immergere il loro mondo in un'oscurità più profonda.

"The Prophecy of the Lake"

In the realm of fate, 2.5 years preceding the ominous manifestation of the lake's curse and the souls ensnared in limbo, a girl of mixed lineage shall grace our world. As her latent magic unfurls, and the dormant wolf within her makes its presence known on the lake's shores, a profound union uniting as one, with the prince of darkness shall be forged.

In the intricate dance of destiny, the fractures of the curse will begin to surface, permitting some of the fallen to find solace in the embrace of the goddess. Yet, this revelation will not quell the restlessness of the Queen of Evil. A journey, intertwined with the threads of darkness and magic, awaits the prince and the girl, propelling them towards the pack lands after the summer solstice.

It is within the sacred territories that hold the answer to their quest, where only the Luna, in her wisdom and celestial connection, possesses the knowledge they seek. As the wheels of fate turn, the destinies of the prince of darkness and the mixed-species girl become inextricably bound, setting forth a chain of events that will either break the curse or plunge their world into deeper darkness.

As I delved into the intricacies of the prophecy, certain elements became clear, while others remained shrouded in uncertainty. The mention of the "prince of darkness" stirred questions in my mind. Could that be Enzo, my best friend and Alba's soulmate? And who could the ominous "Queen of Evil" be? As my thoughts raced, it became evident that the girl in question must be Alba, aligning perfectly with the prophetic words.

The weight of realisation settled on me – this prophecy, carefully inscribed in my great-grandfather's journal, pointed directly to Alba. The threads of destiny intertwined with her existence, leaving me to ponder the implications of her connection to the prince of darkness and the looming figure of the evil queen. As I grappled with these revelations, the gravity of the prophecy unfolded, weaving a tale that entwined the fates of those involved, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency to comprehend its full meaning.

Securing the ancient journal under my arm, I delicately extinguished the lantern, descended the ladder, and sealed the trap door with care. Descending to the lower floor, where the atmosphere hummed with anticipation, I joined the gathering in the living area. The L-shaped couch cradled Frankie, Sofi, and Giulia, while Frankie's parents occupied chairs from the bar, pulled over to accommodate the assembly. My attention was swiftly drawn to Enzo, who occupied a chair, sporting a conspicuous bite mark on his neck – a distinctive mark indicating a werewolf's claim on their mate. My mind raced with questions, seeking to unravel the mysterious circumstances that led to such a profound connection.

I raised an eyebrow, scrutinising the conspicuous mark on Enzo's neck. "What's that on your neck, Enzo?" I inquired, unable to conceal my curiosity.

A subtle air of embarrassment enveloped him, revealing that he had already navigated through this uncomfortable conversation with the others. "Um, well," he hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We were kissing, and then she unexpectedly revealed her werewolf fangs, bit me, claimed me as hers, and promptly drifted into slumber. Honestly, I'm as perplexed as you are. Is this a normal werewolf thing?"

Ah, the classic werewolf claim, I thought. Enzo was now bound, although I suspected he wasn't exactly eager to escape, not with the way he'd been carrying a torch for Alba all this time.

I leaned in with a knowing grin. "Yes, Enzo, my friend, according to my grandfather's extensive family journals, that's how a werewolf marks their mate. You've completed half of your mate bond; now, you just need to mark her in the traditional witch way, and it'll be sealed."

To craft the enchanting potion for the witch's mark, one needed rare ingredients, carefully measured and combined under the influence of an ancient spell. The concoction, a shimmering elixir, emitted a faint, otherworldly glow. As the words of the incantation echoed in the air, the potion began to swirl with magical energy, creating an ethereal ambience.

The couple would then share a chalice of the potion, their intertwined fingers dipping into the enchanted liquid. The taste, a blend of sweetness and subtle bitterness, carried the essence of their shared magical connection. The potion worked swiftly, the mark revealing itself on their skin in a mesmerising display of arcane artistry.

In the case of Frankie and Sofi, the mark emerged gracefully on their wrists. It depicted a tranquil lake, its waters rippling under the soft glow of the moon, symbolising the harmonious union of wind and water magic within their bond. Each detail, from the moonlit waters to the gentle breeze, told the story of their intertwined powers.

As Alba embarked on this mystical journey with Enzo, I couldn't help but wonder how her unique connection with him, marked in the way of werewolves, would complement the subtle elegance of the witch's mark.

"We can assist you with the preparations, Enzo," Agnese offered.

"I'd appreciate it. We could use our spell room just beyond the kitchen for the ritual. Does that work for you?" Frankie suggested.

"Yes, please. Sooner is better for me," Enzo replied, expressing his readiness.

"Now that the realisation has set in that my daughter is no longer solely my responsibility, I'm still committed to supporting her in any way I can. Let's examine this prophecy she's part of, and we can decipher it together," Frankie declared.

I presented them with the prophecy, and each of them made a copy for reference. I took a seat beside Giulia.

"We understand Alba is the mixed-species girl. Does that mean you, Enzo, are the prince of darkness? Considering your father is the coven leader, akin to the king of the coven, and he has turned dark since the completion of the curse?" Sofi inquired.

"Yes, it would make sense that I am the prince of darkness, but when they say 'become one,' does that mean marking and mating? Do we have to do the deed for the first time ever after marking to signify our union?" Enzo inquired, his embarrassment evident as he discussed intimate matters in front of Alba's entire family.

"I'm not thrilled to hear about it, but if it's written in the prophecy, I suppose it's something I'll have to come to terms with. In our supernatural world, it's quite normal for us to mate and get married at a young age. It's just not the most pleasant topic for a father to hear concerning his baby girl," Frankie admitted, sharing a similar shade of discomfort with Enzo.

Giulia leaned forward, her voice filled with purpose. "If Enzo’s father adheres to the title of king, then the Queen of Darkness must be his companion—Aradia. The prophecy warns us about her restlessness. This isn't just about Alba and Enzo. If Aradia senses Alba's magic awakening, she may view her as a direct threat to her position of power."

"We need to ensure that Alba and Aradia are not in the same room," she continued. "If she is as dark as we believe, and she notices the cracks in the curse, she may sense the power emanating from Alba that she never had previously. We can't risk it. Enzo, you need to leave soon. Act as normal as ever around them, making them believe you're organising dinner for her. But it will not happen. You need to go where the prophecy is pointing – the pack lands. Do you think that means the Tuscan pack lands, where your grandfather’s pack is? Did they renounce the pack, or was he still a pack member who had just moved? Is Alba a rogue, an ex-pack rogue, or is she a member of the pack? We don't know what she will be walking into otherwise."

How did she possess such extensive knowledge about werewolves? Her understanding seemed remarkably deep for someone who had never left Bracciano after the curse. I found myself genuinely surprised by Giulia's insights into them.

"He never renounced the pack, so let's hope it means she's still a member of the pack through the family legacy, although I'm not sure if it holds any significance," I shared with her. "I'm not actually sure where the pack lands are. I just know they’re somewhere in Tuscany. I'll need to spend some time in the attic to see if I can find a more specific location within the region to send them both. Enzo, are you okay with all of this?"

"It is what it is, and as you know Ale, you and I have tried everything to break this curse. So, if this is what must be done, I’m ready to do it, and this time I have Alba with me. I am exhausted and must have a family dinner tomorrow evening with the King and Queen of Darkness," he said, rolling his eyes. "So, I better get home, grab some shut-eye. I’ll be over for lunch; I hope you'll have me?" He looked towards Frankie.

"You are part of the family now; Alba would be sad if she didn’t see you. We will expect you at 2 pm for lunch here, okay?" replied Sofi, surprising me with her warm invitation.

I suppose it is the Summer Solstice, and we need to engage in family activities to spend as much time with my sister as possible until we can't see her anymore.

It was nearly 3 am, and I decided to crash in the spare room here. I didn't want to go anywhere else tonight and intended to start exploring the journals in the attic in the morning to find that location.

The others began heading back to their homes: Enzo mounted his horse, Frankie's parents and sister climbed into their carriage, and I trudged back upstairs, collapsing onto the spare bed. These Summer Solstice festivity days were bound to be long.

Unknown POV

The ominous surge of power I sensed earlier hinted at trouble. Losing one of my souls was a setback; my usual method of eroding them into nothingness was thwarted, and instead, it returned to the goddess. The interference with my curse needed to be eliminated. Sensing the source, I focused my energy.

The wolf girl’s power was awakening—faint but unmistakable. How amusing that this child, whose very existence teeters on irrelevance, dares to disrupt my carefully constructed plans. But no matter. Every move she makes only tightens the snare.

I shifted my attention to the prince of darkness. Enzo. My Enzo. His stubbornness infuriates me, yet I’ve always known he would prove useful. The prophecy may tie him to that girl, but his fate lies elsewhere—by my design. My daughter, Diana, is the rightful queen, destined to rule at his side. Together, they will cement the future I have envisioned.

A sinister smile crept across my face as I conjured an image of Diana—radiant, powerful, and obedient. Unlike the mongrel who dares to challenge me, Diana understands the balance of power and will bend it to our will. Enzo's hesitation is a mere obstacle, easily overcome. Whether he realises it or not, he is mine to shape.

"Soon," I whispered, the word laced with malice. "Soon, my dear prince, you will see that your path leads not to her but to the darkness where you belong. And Diana will be waiting."

With a flick of my wrist, the vision dissolved, and the room darkened once more. The curse would hold, and the prophecy’s tangled web would serve my purpose. Let them run, let them believe they have a chance. In the end, all roads lead to me.

"After all," I murmured, stepping into the light of the solitary candle that flickered in the chamber, "I am Aradia, Queen of Darkness, and they are mere pawns in my game."