Chapter 195
Celena’s POV Ren arrived with her medical kit, quietly settling into a corner and offering us a gentle smile. The room soon filled with the chatter of women. They discussed the unusually warm weather lately, the pretty new dresses at the town’s clothing store, and what new words Lily’s daughter Aurora had learned at her grandmother’s house. Ren even shared a new herbal tea recipe she’d been trying. They didn’t deliberately gather around me, but I felt enveloped by this relaxed, warm atmosphere, and it was very comfortable. I rarely chimed in, just listened, occasionally nodding awkwardly when Lily asked me, “Would blue or red look better on Celena for this dress?” The twin brothers peeked furtively through the doorway several times, clearly curious about what their witch was up to. Each time, Rose laughed them away with “Girls’ time—no men allowed.” Watching them slink off, glancing back longingly, even I couldn’t help but curve my lips slightly. They were so close. Finally, Lily even sealed the deal, arranging for us all to go into town next week to pick out a dress for me, for the upcoming winter dance. I… I’d never even considered dances or dresses before. A strange, faint sense of anticipation stirred within me. Time slipped away unnoticed as the sky outside gradually darkened. Lily’s POV This afternoon turned out unexpectedly pleasant. Seeing Celena, though still quiet, with less of that lifeless look in her eyes and more of the curiosity about dresses and parties that a girl her age should have, made me think this idea was brilliant. Forget the magic ritual—if it could help this child relax just a little, it was worth every penny. As night fell completely, the witches began to “solemnly” slip into their roles. Maya and Rose, faces solemn, instructed Celena on the tongue-twisting incantation said to summon the forest witches. Watching their earnest performance, I felt like I was attending an intensely dedicated drama class. Though as an observer, my acting skills were admittedly poor, and I had to fight hard not to laugh. The ritual “officially” commenced. Candles flickered, herbal smoke swirled, the witches chanted in hushed tones, and Celena recited the spell nervously yet reverently. The atmosphere was perfectly set. The more I watched, the more I admired Maya and Rose. Even their bewilderment and disappointment after the ritual failed were so convincingly portrayed, utterly flawless. When the last wisp of smoke dissipated and the candles burned steadily again, the room seemed unchanged. Rose sighed “frustratedly,” while Maya “seriously” suggested it might be poor timing or insufficient energy connection. A flicker of hesitation crossed Celena’s face, but soon she looked at us and softly said, “Thank you.” In that moment, I knew this absurd afternoon had achieved its true purpose. It had briefly returned a wounded girl to a world filled with the warmth of girlhood and friendship. As for the forest witches? Let them stay in fairy tales. But the next instant, I felt Ethan’s wolf erupt. It wasn’t like gunpowder that exploded, but because of extreme terror, my husband, Ethan, an Alpha, got his hair blown up. Newest update provıded by ÍŸ.net