The moon was nearing its zenith, casting an eerie glow over the pack's training grounds. Callista stood at the center of a circle, the same runes that had marked her earlier training now drawn into the dirt in an intricate pattern. Lucien was by her side, his presence a constant reassurance, yet his worry was evident.
Elira, standing at a distance with her hands still bound, watched intently, her face shadowed by the flickering light of torches. The air felt thick with anticipation-magic was brewing, and something deeper, darker, lingered just beneath the surface.
"This ritual... are you sure about it?" Lucien's voice was low, but the concern was unmistakable. He stepped closer to Callista, his fingers brushing against hers, grounding her.
Callista gave him a reassuring glance, though the unease in her chest hadn't disappeared. "I don't have a choice. I need to sever Sabrina's hold before it's too late. If I can't control my power, if I let it go unchecked, I might lose myself."
Lucien's expression hardened. "I won't let you lose yourself."
"I trust you," she said softly, squeezing his hand before letting it go.
Elira stepped forward hesitantly, speaking in a soft voice. "The ritual requires more than just power-it requires a sacrifice. You'll have to give up something in exchange for the severance of your bond with Sabrina. Your connection with the wolves. A part of your soul."
Callista met her gaze. "A sacrifice. I know. I'm ready."
Lucien's eyes flickered with worry, but he didn't say anything. He knew better than to question her resolve now. He only nodded, stepping back to give her space.
Elira continued, "Once the ritual begins, there's no turning back. It's irreversible."
"I've already made my choice," Callista said firmly. "Do it."
Elira raised her hands, chanting softly in a language Callista couldn't understand. The runes around her began to glow, pulsing with an energy so intense that the ground beneath them trembled. Callista could feel the magic swirling around her, drawing on every ounce of her power. Her skin burned with the sensation, but she stayed focused, breathing through the discomfort.
Sabrina's magic-dark and oppressive-pressed against her, trying to force its way into her mind, but she pushed it back, keeping her focus on the ritual.
"Callista..." Lucien's voice called out from the edge of the circle. "Don't forget who you are."
Her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice, grounding her once more. She closed her eyes, focusing on the center of the circle, where Elira's chanting grew louder.
Then, there was a sharp, burning pain that pierced through her chest-like her soul was being pulled in two. She gasped, collapsing to her knees as the magic ripped through her.
"No!" Lucien shouted, but the spell couldn't be stopped.
The pain intensified as something inside her snapped, and she felt the weight of her bond with Lucien, the connection with her werewolf heritage, and the pull of Sabrina's darkness begin to tear at the seams. For a moment, it felt as though she was being shredded apart.
And then, as quickly as it came, it was gone.
Callista collapsed, panting heavily, her body drenched in sweat. Her eyes were wide, the world around her spinning.
Lucien was at her side in an instant, his hands gentle but insistent, pulling her into his arms. "Callista... are you okay?"
Her breaths were shallow, but she managed a strained smile. "I'm... I'm still here."
Elira stood a few feet away, watching the aftermath in silence. Her expression was unreadable.
"Did it work?" Callista asked, her voice shaky.
Elira nodded slowly. "The connection is severed. Sabrina's influence should be gone. But the magic... it will take time for you to fully recover."
Callista's eyes drifted to Lucien. He was still holding her, his gaze never leaving her face.
"You're safe now," he whispered.
But Callista could feel it-a subtle shift in the air, a darkness that still lingered. Sabrina might have lost this battle, but the war was far from over.