Chapter 72
Mira’s POV
The next evening arrived far too quickly. I had barely recovered from the physical trials of the night before. My muscles still ached, and every step I took reminded me of the grueling challenges I had faced. Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I knew that I couldn’t turn back.
Killian arrived just as I was tying my boots. His presence, as always, brought a sense of calm, even when I felt like my nerves might consume me. He leaned against the doorframe, watching me closely.
“You look like you didn’t get much rest,” he said softly.
I shook my head, letting out a tired laugh. “I didn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about tonight.”
Killian stepped into the room and crouched in front of me, his dark eyes steady and full of concern. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Mira. You’ve already made it through two parts of the ritual. This is
the last one.”
“I know,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “But the witch said this one would be the hardest. She called it a test of spirit. What if I’m not strong enough?”
Killian reached out, his hand covering mine. His touch was warm, grounding me in the moment. “You are strong enough. And if you feel like you’re not, remember that I’m here. I’ll be right there with you, every step of
the way.”
His words brought a small flicker of comfort, and I nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”
The drive to the witch’s cottage felt even quieter than the previous nights. My thoughts swirled in an endless loop of doubt and determination. Killian kept glancing at me, his hand occasionally brushing mine in silent
reassurance.
When we arrived, the witch was waiting for us again. Her silver hair gleamed in the moonlight, and her piercing gaze met mine as if she could see straight into my soul.
“You have returned,” she said, her voice calm and steady. “That means you’re ready for the final trial.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “What do I have to do tonight?”
The witch motioned for us to follow her inside. The cottage smelled of herbs and candle wax, the air heavy with magic. On the table, the ritual items remained, untouched and glowing faintly in the dim light.
“The third trial will test your spirit,” the witch explained as she gestured for me to stand in the center of the room. “This is not a test of strength or speed. It is a test of your will, your courage, and the bond you share with your wolf.”
Killian stepped closer, his protective instincts obvious. “What does that mean? What is she going to face?” The witch’s gaze flicked to him, unwavering. “She will face her deepest fears. The trial will manifest them in ways that will feel real, but they are not. She must confront them, overcome them, and prove that her spirit is unbreakable.”
My stomach churned at her words. Fears. My deepest fears. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face them. “What happens if I fail?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
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The witch’s expression softened, but her tone remained firm. “If you fail, the bond with your wolf will remain as it is–dormant and incomplete. But I believe you will succeed, Mira. I see strength in you, even if you don’t see it yourself.”
Killian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he turned to me, his voice low and steady. “You don’t have to do this, Mira. If it’s too much, we can walk away right now.”
I met his gaze. My heart was pounding in my chest. “No. I have to do this, Killian. For myself. For my wolf.”
He nodded, his hand brushing against mine briefly. “Then I’ll be here. Whatever happens, you’re not alone.”
The witch handed me another vial, this one filled with a shimmering silver liquid. “Drink this. It will open your
mind and allow the trial to begin.”
I took the vial with trembling fingers. Killian’s voice was soft but firm. “You’ve got this, Mira. I believe in you.”
His words gave me the courage to lift the vial to my lips and drink. The liquid was cool and sweet, sending a rush of energy through me. Almost immediately, the air around me seemed to shift. The room blurred. The edges dissolved into darkness.
“Stay strong, Mira,” Killian’s voice echoed as the world around me disappeared.
I stood in a forest now, the trees towering above me and casting long shadows in the dim light. The air was thick, heavy, and eerily silent. My wolf stirred within me.
“We’re still in the witch’s magic,” she said. “This is the trial.”
“What do we do?” I asked aloud, my voice trembling.
“We face whatever comes. Together,” she replied firmly.
The first fear came quickly. A figure emerged from the shadows, and my heart froze as I recognized it. My father stood before me, his face twisted in anger.
“You’ve always been a disappointment, Mira,” he said, his voice cold and cutting. “You’ve never been strong enough. You’ll fail this ritual just like you’ve failed everything else.”
Tears stung my eyes as his words pierced me like daggers. “You’re not real,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Oh, I’m real enough,” the figure sneered. “And you know I’m right.”
My wolf growled low in my mind. “He’s a lie, Mira. You know the truth. Fight him.”
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to look into the eyes of the figure before me. “You’re not real,” I said again, louder this time. “And you’re wrong. I am strong enough.”
The figure hesitated, then dissolved into smoke. Relief washed over me, but it was short–lived.
The second fear appeared next–a pack of snarling wolves with glowing red eyes. They surrounded me, their growls filling the air. My wolf’s voice was steady. “Stand your ground. They’re not real either.”
I was feeling very scared but I planted my feet firmly. “You’re not real,” I said, my voice wavering. “You can’t hurt me.”
The wolves lunged, but as they reached me, they vanished, leaving nothing but silence. My breaths came in ragged gasps but I forced myself to keep going.
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The third fear was the hardest. I found myself standing alone in complete darkness. No sound, no light, just an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
“Where are you?” I called out, my voice echoing.
“I’m here,” my wolf said, but her voice sounded distant, faint.
I started to panic. “Don’t leave me! Please!”
“I’m not leaving,” she said softly. “But you have to find me, Mira. You have to believe in our bond.”
Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to calm my racing heart. “I can’t do this without you,” I
whispered.
“You’re never without me,” she said gently. “I’m a part of you. I always will be.”
Her words cut through the darkness, and I closed my eyes, focusing on the bond we shared. Slowly, light began to seep into the void, illuminating the space around me.
When I opened my eyes, I was back in the cottage. My knees gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor,
trembling.
Killian was there in an instant, his arms wrapping around me. “Mira! Are you okay?”
“I… I think so,” I said, my voice weak but steady.
The witch approached, her expression approving. “You have passed the final test, Mira. Your spirit is strong, and your bond with your wolf is now complete.”
I leaned against Killian, my body trembling with exhaustion and relief. “It’s over?”
The witch nodded. “It’s over. Rest now. You’ve earned it.”
Killian helped me to my feet, his arm steadying me as we walked toward the door. “You were incredible,” he said softly, his voice filled with pride.
“I didn’t feel incredible,” I admitted.
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You were. I’m proud of you, Mira. You’ve come so far.” His words warmed my heart, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to feel a flicker of hope. The ritual was over, and I had made it through. Now, I could focus on whatever came next.
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