Chapter 30

Ylenia was at a loss for words. It was clear that Sorin had deep feelings for this woman, which hinted that they were mates, implying she was part wolf.

But Sorin could be mistaken. Ylenia had her own thoughts, as she kept referring to Colette as a human, even in her mind.

“I’m not sure,” Ylenia admitted with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.

“Just tell me,” Colette pleaded, her large, blue eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Ylenia bit her lip nervously before speaking. “Honestly, Colette, I don’t know. Sorin is convinced you’re his mate, which would mean you’re a wolf, but maybe wolves can have human mates. But that’s never happened before, so we can’t be sure. Even if humans can be mated to wolves, they won’t let you live if you’re…” She clamped her mouth shut abruptly, her eyes widening in realization.

They sat in silence as Colette finished another glass of the bitter drink Ylenia had given her. She’d tried to make it more palatable, but it tasted harsh, like black licorice.

There was a gritty residue at the bottom of the bottle, like dirt mixed with small pebbles. She could see that the she-wolf had added milk and could taste some sort of sweetener, maybe sugar or honey, or even both, but it was beyond saving.

She was slathered from head to toe in the ointment, her stomach bloated and full from the drink, and Ylenia kept repeating the same thing over and over. It went on for hours as Colette grew increasingly dizzy.

“Ylenia,” she moaned, clutching her stomach. She was too full, and the ointment had her smelling like sour milk. “I don’t feel good.”

“I know,” Ylenia said gently, rubbing her arm in an attempt to comfort her. “It’s getting late. You’re going to feel a lot worse.”

Colette winced. “Sorin didn’t like talking about me shifting. What should I expect if I do?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“Well, I can’t say for sure, since I was born a lycan. From what I can guess…” She shifted uncomfortably. “It’s going to hurt. You’ve never done it before, so your body will be doing things it’s never done.”

Colette frowned deeply. She was guessing it wouldn’t be a pleasant transformation.

Suddenly, Avram rose from the corner and stalked over to them. His eyes swept over Colette’s naked body, but he recoiled at the smell of the ointment. “It’s almost time, witch. We need to get going.” There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Colette felt her stomach drop. She wasn’t ready. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be ready. She wanted to shift, of course, to avoid being killed. But the idea of shifting was also terrifying.

Her gaze snapped to Ylenia as she shivered with fear. “Do you think I’ll shift? Just tell me the truth.” It would make her feel more reassured than she was.

Ylenia’s hands clenched into fists. “I…” She wasn’t sure. Ylenia didn’t smell or sense a wolf in Colette’s presence. “Yes, I do,” she lied. She really didn’t.

Colette nodded with relief, sighing as she stood to redress. “I guess we should get a move on, huh?”

Ylenia helped her back into her clothes as the ointment had made her skin sticky. They all remained quiet as Ylenia gathered her things.

She briefly considered drugging Avram with a sleep potion and smuggling Colette out through her secret passageways, but even if she succeeded, she’d be punished severely.

She’d never be killed due to her importance to Dancescu, but she’d probably be watched forever, every spell monitored, every book reviewed before usage.

They left her unit and headed back to the center of the compound. As they walked, Ylenia realized Sorin hadn’t joined them. She’d expected him to be waiting impatiently at the threshold of her unit, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Sorin, Avram?” she asked, noticing Colette perk up at his name.

Avram shot her a glare. “He’s been restrained so he doesn’t try anything,” he said, his voice harsh with hidden meaning.

Colette straightened, her brows furrowing in anger. “Where is Sorin? What did you do to him?” she demanded.

Avram stopped abruptly, spinning around to grab Colette by the throat. He lifted her until their eyes were level. “You do not speak down to me, little human girl.”

Ylenia tugged at his arm, trying to loosen his grip on Colette. “Avram, stop, please. She’s just a ~human~,” she cried.

Colette’s shoulders slumped in defeat at her words.

Avram sneered down at Ylenia before turning back to Colette. “Even the little witch has no hope for you, human girl. What a pity,” he said with a cruel laugh.

Colette could feel the blood rushing to her face and a dizziness clouding her mind until he suddenly dropped her. She fell to the dirt and gasped as air rushed back into her starved lungs.

Ylenia rushed to her side, cradling the woman in her arms. She glared at Avram as she stroked Colette’s hair.

“How could you, Avram? Sorin will make you pay,” she growled, brushing Colette’s hair back to reveal a face dotted with burst blood vessels, like red freckles.

Bruising was already forming around her neck. The whites of her eyes were darkening to a shade of red.

“You know he will punish you.”

Avram shrugged, unconcerned. “I am Dancescu’s right-hand man. He can’t do anything.” He laughed bitterly.

Colette rubbed a hand across her throat. Only a wheezy sound came out. Unlike the wolves, she wouldn’t heal quickly.

Sorin was bound to notice, and if Ylenia had him figured out right, someone was definitely going to meet their end today. Even if it wasn’t Colette.