Chapter 374 The Blood Moon Rises

Emilia’s POV

I stood in the doorway, watching Sebastian. The Alpha of Silver Moon was begging me to stay, his shoulders slumped and his voice shaking. I’d never seen him so helpless.

My anger eased. It didn’t erase what had happened, but I couldn’t ignore his pain either. I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around his waist, and pressed my face against his chest.

“Sebastian,” I whispered through my tears. “I’ll wait for the results.”

I didn’t know what I would do afterward. But I wasn’t ready to end our marriage.

He let out a shaky breath and held me tightly. When I looked up, his eyes were wet. Through the bond, I felt his relief that I hadn’t left him when he needed me most.

We stood in the quiet bedroom and cried. Nothing had been fixed, but we both still wanted to save what we had.

The fifteenth arrived, and to my relief, Sebastian had forgotten about the blood moon and the ritual to seal my witch bloodline. Abigail’s pregnancy had taken up all his attention. For once, that worked in my favor.

I wasn’t about to remind him. An overprotective Alpha and forbidden magic were unlikely to make a peaceful evening.

Instead, I asked Fynn to arrange an urgent dinner with investors Sebastian couldn’t offend. Sebastian complained, kissed my forehead, and left in a black suit.

The charity gala went smoothly. Chandeliers lit the room, champagne flowed, and I greeted the guests in a long blue gown. For once, looking like a confident Luna was easier than feeling like one.

My speech focused on the pack’s children and helping struggling families keep them in school. Guests opened their purses and signed checks while I thanked them. Whatever else happened tonight, at least the children would benefit.

“You look good, Luna.”

I turned to find Lily smiling over her champagne glass. Her familiar face helped me relax.

“You came. I wasn’t sure you’d survive the small talk.”

“I’ve had worse. Though your father-in-law did give me a ten-minute lecture on hunting regulations.” She leaned closer. “Are we ready?”

“Everything’s in place.”

She squeezed my hand. “Then go scare some witches.”

While the band kept the guests dancing, I slipped through a side door and crossed the lawn. My heels sank into the grass, so I took them off. Apparently, forbidden magic didn’t come with a sensible dress code.

Vesper and her coven waited in the clearing, their catering uniforms replaced by dark robes. The decorations now formed a ritual circle marked with silver, salt, and a few things I chose not to examine.

“You’re late,” Vesper said.

“I was raising money for children. Sorry to interrupt your evening.”

I stepped into the circle, and the salt line closed behind me with a hiss. Beyond the trees, Margarita remained hidden. I could sense her nearby, and knowing she was watching helped steady me.

The blood moon climbed above the pines. When it reached its highest point, the witches began chanting.

The unfamiliar words made my skin prickle. Then my witch blood grew hot, resisting the spell, and Eve rose to meet it. The two powers clashed inside me, making my knees buckle.

“Hold on,” Eve said, her voice strained. “Don’t fight me. Let me keep you steady.”

Pain spread through my body as the chanting grew louder. I could feel my witch power being forced into a smaller space, fighting the spell at every step. I clenched my teeth, struggling not to scream.

Sweat ran down my back, and the clearing blurred. For one frightening moment, I couldn’t tell whether the spell would seal my witch blood or destroy me.

Then the pressure released. The chanting stopped, and the circle went dark.

I swayed, gasping for breath, my gown damp with sweat. My witch power was sealed beyond my reach, but Eve was still there. I held on to her presence until I could stand steadily again.

When I lifted my head, Vesper and the other witches were staring at me.

“You’re breathing,” she said.

“Still a habit of mine.”

She didn’t smile. Behind her, three witches leaned against one another, pale and trembling. One needed help just to stay upright.

Vesper stepped closer and studied me. “This shouldn’t be possible. The sealing should have destroyed your bloodline. Half-bloods don’t survive it.”

Her frown deepened. “But your witch power is gone. Completely.”

“Disappointed?”

“It’s a miracle,” she said, without a trace of sarcasm. “I’ve performed this ritual before. No one survived.”

I kept quiet. Eve had kept me steady when the spell might otherwise have killed me, but Vesper didn’t need to know that. She could enjoy the mystery.

“The rest of your payment will arrive by morning,” I said, straightening my gown. “Transport is ready. My people will get you out of the territory within an hour, without anyone noticing.”

“It’s been a pleasure, Luna.” Vesper gave me a tired smile. “You keep your word. That’s rare.”

“Maybe we’ll work together again. Keep in touch.”

She laughed. “Once we get paid and settle things back home, we’re moving. New city, fresh start.”

“Why leave?”

“More clients. Better money.” She glanced at her exhausted coven. “I have people to feed and girls to keep off the streets. Good intentions don’t pay the bills.”

I followed her gaze. Soon, people would depend on me in the same way. For the first time, I understood some of the choices she made.

“Then I hope things go well for you.”

We exchanged contact information before she led her coven away. Vesper was dangerous and disliked wolves, but we’d found more common ground than I’d expected.

The gala was still in full swing when I returned. Guests danced and drank champagne, unaware of what had happened beyond the trees. I smoothed my gown and joined them as though I’d never left.

The plan had worked, almost too smoothly for my comfort. But the silence inside me was harder to get used to. I kept reaching for my witch power out of habit and finding nothing.

“Feels strange, doesn’t it?” Eve asked.

“Yes. But it’s done.” I took a slow breath.

Margarita stood near the garden doors, watching the party. She’d slipped inside after the ritual and blended into the crowd.

“Grandmother.” I took her hands. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You did it yourself, child. I only watched over you.”

I glanced across the room. Sebastian should have been beside me, sharing the evening we’d worked so hard to make possible. Despite everything, I still wasn’t ready to leave this life unfinished.

“In two months, I want to come back to Thornhaven,” I said quietly. “There are things I need to settle here first.”

Margarita followed my gaze, then rested a hand against my cheek.

“Darling,” she said, “you’ll always have a home with us.”