The dim light of dawn filtered through the cracks in Sapphire's hut, casting faint streaks across the wooden floor. She sat on the edge of her straw mattress, her hands trembling as she stared at the small bowl of water on the table before her. Her heart pounded erratically, a mixture of fear and disbelief coursing through her veins.
For the past two weeks, she had been plagued by an unsettling suspicion. Her monthly flow had not come, and though she tried to dismiss it as stress or exhaustion, a gnawing dread had taken root in her mind. She had cast the spell six times already—each time hoping for a different result—but the answer remained the same. Now, as she prepared to cast it for the seventh time, her hands shook so violently that she nearly spilled the water.
Sapphire took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She reached for a small vial of moonstone powder and sprinkled it into the water. The liquid shimmered faintly under the dim light, and she began to chant softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Reveal the truth that lies within,
By moon's light and forest's kin.
Show me what my future holds,
In silver threads or truths untold."
The water rippled as if stirred by an invisible hand. Slowly, an image began to form—a faint glow that pulsed like a heartbeat. Sapphire's breath hitched as she watched it grow brighter with each passing second until it filled the bowl with a radiant light.
"No…" she whispered, her voice cracking.
She pushed the bowl away as though it had burned her, but the image lingered in her mind: a tiny spark of life growing within her. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched her stomach, overwhelmed by a wave of emotions—fear, confusion, and an undeniable sense of awe.
"How is this possible?" she muttered to herself, pacing frantically around the room. "I took the potion… I always take the potion."
The ancient brew was supposed to prevent conception—a safeguard for witches like her who lived dangerous lives. She had trusted it implicitly. Had it failed? Or was this something beyond even magic's control?
Her thoughts spiraled into panic as she considered what this meant. A child… Kellan's child. The realization hit her like a thunderclap. What would her people say if they found out? What would they *do* to her? A witch carrying a werewolf's child was more than forbidden—it was sacrilege.
Sapphire sank to her knees, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body. For a brief moment, she wished for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. But deep down, she knew there was no escaping this reality. She had to tell Kellan—he deserved to know. He was her only hope now.
The moon hung high in the sky by the time Sapphire reached their meeting place—a secluded clearing deep within Eldergrove Forest where they often met in secret. The journey had been agonizing; each step felt heavier than the last as doubt gnawed at her resolve.
When she arrived, Kellan was already there, his tall frame illuminated by the silvery light filtering through the trees. His tousled dark hair fell over his forehead as he paced back and forth, his sharp green eyes scanning the clearing until they landed on her.
"Sapphire," he called out, his voice warm but tinged with concern. "You're late."
Sapphire hesitated at the edge of the clearing, clutching the charm she had crafted earlier that evening for protection. Her fingers tightened around it as she forced herself to step forward.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.
Kellan frowned as he approached her. "What's wrong? You look… shaken."
Sapphire opened her mouth to speak but faltered, unsure how to begin. Her hands trembled as she fidgeted with the charm in her grasp.
Kellan placed a hand on her shoulder gently but firmly. "Sapphire," he said more seriously now. "What is it?"
She took a deep breath and finally blurted out the words that had been weighing on her soul: "I'm pregnant."
For a moment, Kellan simply stared at her as if he hadn't heard correctly. Then his expression shifted—shock giving way to anger.
"What?" he snapped, stepping back abruptly. "How could this happen? You were supposed to take the potion!"
"I did!" Sapphire cried, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know how… I don't know why it didn't work."
Kellan ran both hands through his hair, pacing frantically around the clearing like a caged animal. "Do you have any idea what this means? What my father will do if he finds out?"
Sapphire's sobs grew louder as she sank onto a nearby log. "Do you think I don't know?" she choked out between gasps for air. "I've been terrified ever since I found out."
Kellan stopped pacing and turned back toward her, his expression softening slightly as guilt flickered across his face. He knelt beside her and placed a hand on hers.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have reacted like that."
Sapphire looked up at him through tear-streaked lashes but said nothing.
"We'll figure this out," Kellan continued after a pause. "But I need help—I need someone who can think clearly right now." He stood abruptly and added, "Wait here—I'll go get Ronan."
Before Sapphire could protest, Kellan disappeared into the forest.
Kellan's footsteps were hurried and uneven as he made his way through the tangled undergrowth toward Ronan's cabin. The moonlight barely pierced the dense canopy, but he knew the path by heart. He found Ronan outside, tending to a small fire, the blade of his hunting knife glinting as he sharpened it with practiced strokes.
Ronan looked up, instantly alert at the sight of Kellan's pale, anxious face. "You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, voice low and steady, but his eyes searched Kellan's for the real story.
Kellan didn't waste time. "I need you. It's Sapphire—she's in trouble. Please, just come."
Ronan's expression shifted from curiosity to concern in a heartbeat. He sheathed his knife and grabbed his cloak, falling into step beside Kellan without another word. "What happened?" he pressed as they moved swiftly through the trees.
Kellan hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's pregnant. With my child."
Ronan stopped short, his eyes widening. For a moment, the only sound was the distant call of an owl. Then, with a sharp exhale, Ronan's features hardened—not with judgment, but with resolve. "You realize what this means, don't you? If Magnus finds out—"
"I know," Kellan cut in, his voice raw. "That's why I need your help. I don't know what to do."
Ronan clapped a hand on Kellan's shoulder, steadying him. "We'll figure it out. But you need to be strong for her now.
Unbeknownst to them both, Alpha Magnus had been watching from afar when Kellan approached Ronan's cabin earlier that evening. The alpha's sharp instincts told him something was amiss—his son's hurried movements and hushed whispers were unlike him.
Magnus followed them silently through the forest like a predator stalking its prey until they reached Sapphire waiting nervously in the clearing…
They reached the clearing where Sapphire waited, her silhouette tense in the moonlight. Ronan approached her with a gentleness that belied his rugged appearance. "Sapphire," he greeted, his tone reassuring. "Kellan told me. I'm here to help, whatever it takes."
Sapphire's eyes brimmed with tears, but she managed a grateful nod. Ronan crouched beside her, his presence grounding, and looked between the two of them. "You both need to decide what you want. If you're together in this, then you stand together—no matter what Magnus or anyone else says."
A twig snapped in the darkness, and all three tensed. Ronan's hand went instinctively to his knife, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed through the trees, sending chills down their spines. "Kellan! Come here!"
Kellan's face paled, and he instinctively took a step back. "It's my father," he whispered, panic flashing in his eyes.
Before they could react, the imposing figure of Kellan's father, Alpha Magnus, emerged from the shadows. His presence was as commanding as it was intimidating, the air thick with authority. "You've been summoned, Kellan. Now."
Sapphire's heart raced as she exchanged a quick glance with Kellan. This was it — the moment of truth.
Kellan hesitated, his eyes darting to Sapphire. "Father, I—"
"Now," Magnus interrupted, his voice brooking no argument. "We need to talk."
As Kellan stepped forward, Sapphire felt a surge of fear. What would happen now? Would Kellan stand up for them, or would he succumb to his father's will? The uncertainty hung in the air like a storm cloud, threatening to unleash chaos.
With one last lingering look, Kellan disappeared into the shadows,
leaving Sapphire and Ronan standing in the clearing, the silence echoing the weight of what was to come.