*NEW* Chapter XXXV

Lydia's POV

The night air was frigid as I slipped away from the hotel, my breath coming out in small puffs of mist. Every step away from Derek felt like ripping a piece of myself apart, but I knew this was the only way. He would never let me go if I told him. He would fight, and people would die for me. I couldn't allow that.

Vanessa was distracted, still fuming over another fight with Caleb, and Derek's security had their focus elsewhere, convinced I was locked safely away. They had underestimated me.

It took time, but I finally reached the witches' dwelling. The wooden door was closed, the windows dark. I hesitated before knocking, my heart hammering against my ribs.

After a moment, hesitant footsteps approached. The door creaked open, revealing a woman with wary eyes. She squinted at me, confused.

"Who are you?" she asked, voice thick with sleep.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you," I said quickly, my voice shaking slightly. "My name is Lydia."

At the mention of my name, her eyes widened. She stared, transfixed, much like the other witches I had encountered before. Without a word, she grabbed my wrist and yanked me inside, locking the door behind us.

"I wasn't entirely convinced about Arabella's claims," she admitted, her breathing quickening. "But now that I see you... it's true. You're the carrier."

A cold shiver ran through me. "Why does everyone look at me like that? My aunt always told me I was a bad omen. Maybe she was right."

The woman sighed, almost pitying. "Child, what are you doing here at this hour?"

I took a deep breath. "I know what I carry inside me. Now that the world knows, those around me are in danger. More than anyone, Derek. His coronation, the peace he's trying to build—it's all at risk because of me. I want the witches to take me away. The werewolf world needs stability."

She hesitated before pulling out her phone. It took time, but soon, two women and a man arrived, their gazes locking onto me with the same intensity.

"This is Mbalika, Veronica, and Ali," she introduced them.

Mbalika spoke first, confirming what the woman had already said. "It's undeniable. The power is inside you. You are the chest that holds the long-lost treasure of the witches—the same power that ignited the war."

Veronica stepped forward, gently taking my hands. "I met your mother," she said softly. "She was brave, powerful. Locking that power inside you and sending you away wasn't an easy decision. She suffered greatly, but she did it for the greater good."

Ali nodded. "This isn't a curse, Lydia. It's a blessing. It was foretold that this day would come. But there are always those who wish to manipulate fate to fulfill their own agendas. That's why people are afraid. They fear reliving the past war. But fate always finds its course."

Mbalika frowned. "If she stays, the wolves will have no mercy. They'll see her as a threat and destroy her."

Veronica countered, "If fate placed her in Derek's hands, then perhaps he is the righteous king meant to rise."

I swallowed hard, gripping Veronica's hands tighter. "Please. You have to help me leave. Derek would wage war for me. I can't let that happen."

The three witches exchanged thoughtful glances before nodding.

"We need to leave before dawn," Ali decided. "If we stay any longer, we'll be caught."

By the time Derek found my letter, I would already be miles away.

The car ride was silent except for the rhythmic hum of the engine. I sat in the backseat between Veronica and Mbalika, my hands folded tightly in my lap. Outside, the snowy mountains had long disappeared, replaced by dark stretches of deserted roads. We were heading far from werewolf territory, toward the airport where I would be taken somewhere safe.

Or so I thought.

The first sign of trouble came as a sudden jolt—the car skidding violently to the side. Mbalika cursed, grabbing onto the seat in front of her. "What the hell—"

Then came the howls.

The vehicle lurched again, tires screeching as something massive slammed into the side. My breath caught in my throat. Wolves.

"They found us!" Ali shouted from the front seat. He barely had time to react before the windshield shattered, claws ripping through the glass as a monstrous wolf lunged inside.

Screams erupted. The car spun wildly before flipping over, metal crumpling as we crashed into the roadside ditch.

For a moment, everything went silent except for the ringing in my ears. My body ached all over, but I forced myself to move. I had to get out.

A pair of hands yanked the door open, dragging me out before I could fight back. My vision blurred as I was pulled to my feet, a cold hand gripping my jaw roughly.