Chapter 57
Aaron’s POV_
Pain radiated through my body, sharp and unrelenting, as I forced my eyes open. The dim light of the room blurred my vision, but the scent of burning herbs and damp earth grounded me. I was alive. Barely.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
The voice was familiar, smooth and condescending. I turned my head, wincing at the effort, to find the witch standing near a bubbling cauldron.
“You didn’t let me die,” I said, my voice raspy, more an accusation than gratitude.
She smirked, stirring the pot with deliberate slowness. “Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t save you out of kindness. You’re useful to me, Aaron, and you’re far from finished.”
I pushed myself upright, the movement sending a wave of nausea through me. “I know what needs to be
done,” I said, cutting to the chase. “The full moon is close, and I need Mira.”
The witch turned to me, her dark eyes gleaming. “Yes, you do. But time is running out. The curse is spreading faster than even I anticipated. If you fail to complete the ritual, not even my magic will keep you alive.”
“I won’t fail,” I growled, ignoring the sting of her words. “She’ll be mine soon enough.”
The witch arched a brow, unimpressed. “And how exactly do you plan to get her? You’re not exactly at full
strength, and the Firemoon pack isn’t going to hand her over willingly.”
I clenched my fists, fury igniting within me. “I’ll build an army. I’ll take her by force if I have to.”
Her smirk returned, as if she had been waiting for me to say those words. “Good. Then you’ll need allies.
Rogues. They’re desperate, ruthless, and easy to manipulate. Promise them power, and they’ll follow you without question.”
I met her gaze, my resolve hardening. “Then I’ll start tonight.”
Over the next few days, the witch worked tirelessly to stabilize my condition. Her magic kept me alive, but I
could feel my strength waning with each passing moment. The clock was ticking.
“You’ll need help,” she said one evening, her tone as casual as if she were commenting on the weather.
I glared at her. “What kind of help?”
“Rogues,” she replied, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Desperate men are easy to manipulate. Promise them
power and protection, and they’ll follow you anywhere.”
I frowned. “And what do you get out of this?”
Her smile didn’t falter. “Let’s just say I have my reasons. But don’t worry, Aaron. Your success benefits me too.
I didn’t trust her, but I didn’t have a choice. She was my only lifeline, and if I was going to survive, I needed to play her game.
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< Chapter 57
It didn’t take long to find the rogues. They were scattered across the forests, living like scavengers.
“What do you want?” one of them demanded when I approached their camp,
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“I’m here to offer you a choice,” I said, my voice firm despite my weakened state. “Join me, and I’ll give you the strength to take what is yours. Or stay here, hiding like cowards, and wait to be hunted down.”
The group exchanged wary glances. The leader, a wiry man with a scarred face, stepped forward. “And why should we believe you?”
I smirked, letting the rage and determination simmer in my eyes. “Because I have been where you are. Left for dead, betrayed by those I trusted. But I survived, and now I am going to take back everything that was stolen from me. Follow me, and you’ll have the power to do the same.”
The rogue leader hesitated, his gaze flicking to his men. “What’s the catch?”
“Loyalty,” I said simply. “Fight for me, and I’ll make sure you’re never weak again.”
After a long pause, he nodded. “We’re in.”
With each passing day, my army grew. The rogues were drawn to my promise of power and revenge, their desperation making them easy to sway.
But even as I planned and trained, my thoughts always returned to Mira. Her face haunted me, a constant reminder of everything I had lost–and everything I was about to gain.
“She is the key,” I told the witch one evening as we watched the rogues spar.
“She is,” she agreed, her tone devoid of emotion. “But don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment.”
I glared at her. “This isn’t personal. It’s survival.”
Her knowing smile made my blood boil. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, Aaron. Just remember- hesitation will cost you everything.”
As the full moon approached, I stood before my army, the firelight casting long shadows across the clearing. “Tomorrow, we strike,” I announced, my voice echoing through the night. “The Firemoon Pack thinks they’re safe, but we will show them the truth. We will take what is ours.”
The rogues roared their approval, their bloodlust palpable.
I turned to the witch, who stood at the edge of the clearing, watching silently.
“Are you ready?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the noise.
I met her gaze, my resolve hardening.
“Mira will be mine,” I said, my voice a promise. “And nothing will stop me.”
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