Chapter 134

Lucas’s POV

“You’re the sorceress Ms. Sage spoke of.”

The woman’s angelic features curved into a gentle smile as she bowed her head in greeting. My curiosity was exceedingly piqued as my eyes roamed over this alluring creature. I couldn't identify what it was, but...There was something about her that made me want to gravitate toward her.

She was beautiful, yes. But this feeling wasn’t exactly a romantic attraction. A compulsion. A need to be close. My own wolf was scratching beneath the surface for me to move closer.

“And you must be Harper's wolf,” she remarked directly.

My brows lifted in shock. There weren’t many people who dared to refer to me in such a way. There again, I knew I had to set my own pride aside if it meant getting Harper the aid she desperately needed.

“I’m Harper’s mate, yes,” I clarified.

Something mischievous glinted in her eyes as she glanced about the room, only to let her gaze fall to Harper. I cautiously watched her move closer toward the bed.

“Sage has informed me about the girl’s condition. An arrow struck deep into her side,” she hummed.

“Please, can you help her?” My nervous system was on the verge of collapsing. I couldn’t take any more disappointment.

“Has there been any other doctor here to assess her?” she asked.

“Yes, I had one of my other doctors remove the arrow and try to treat the infection,” I said.

I could feel the unspoken tension fill the air. Based on her closed-off expression, I could only imagine the sorts of thoughts that were running through her mind.

I watched Aurora reach her arm out to hover her hand over Harper’s head. Her palm gradually roamed over the full length of my mate’s body as though she were conducting some kind of bodily scan.

“Oh, dear. Just as I suspected,” she whispered.

My heart jolted in my throat when I heard the witch gasp. That couldn’t have been a good sign.

“What is it?”

“The only side of Harper I can sense is purely the wolf half, and even then, that’s considerably weak,” she explained tensely. “In other words, the side of her that was responsible for her healing abilities has been completely depleted.”

I froze. “The doctor has said that Harper’s wolf has been the sole factor keeping Harper alive at this point.” Aurora nodded, leaving me in a silent frenzy. “Please, tell me. Are you able to help her?”

“Yes,” she answered swiftly. “I can save her. But as my friend clearly stated before on my behalf, it will come at a price.”

“The consequences.” The corner of her mouth turned upward into a knowing smirk. “And just what exactly are they?”

“In order for me to restore Harper’s healing abilities, there needs to be something already rooted within her to keep it stabilized.”

“Such as what?”

“A transference of power. New power—the kind that not many can easily handle.” She glanced down at Harper once more. “But based on what I've heard of Harper’s accomplishment, I genuinely believe that she is the one who is the most deserving of such a gift.”

A line formed between my brows. “Forgive me, I still don’t understand.”

Aurora lowered herself into the chair beside Harper. “I am a descendant of an extremely old and powerful line of witches. When I came of age, my mother passed on this unique gift to me. Mater Luporum—loosely translates to Mother of Wolves.”

A streak of fear crept down my spine.

“Whoever is in possession of this gift wields the power over every wolf soul within their general vicinity. Not quite a trance but rather a tie of unbreakable loyalty.”

An icy sensation coursed through my body. “Is that why my own wolf feels oddly hinged to you?”

Aurora gently smiled. “It is. My bloodline has a kinship to wolves. I always dedicated my talents toward healing illnesses, aiding fertility, and keeping death at bay. My focus has always been mainly on women and children. Unfortunately, with every bright side there is, in fact, a dark one to match it.”

I drew closer, prompting her to continue.

“This gift grants me the ability to force someone like you, a wolf by nature, to fully shift at my will. I could command your wolf to do my bidding, regardless of morality and ethics. I could wage war without ever getting a drop of blood on my hands.”

A defensive growl escaped the back of my throat. Her smile deepened as she raised her hand, instantly calming the storm inside of me.

“Rest assured, I have no desire to control anyone. Never did. However, there have been others in the past who have tried to use me for their own gain. Sage told you that I choose to live in solitude, that’s because for most of my life I’ve been actively hunted. Either out of fear of my power or the desire to harness it themselves. Life has not been easy.”

I took in an uneasy breath. Despite this unfathomable revelation, I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic toward Aurora.

“So, how does this apply to Harper?”

The witch paused. She took a moment to choose her words carefully.

“A gift like this is meant to be passed down to my next of kin. However, because my true mate had proved himself to be a tyrant and absolutely monstrous, I’ve been running from him for years. I have no children of my own to pass this power on to. It is my wish to give it to Harper. If anyone deserves to become the next Mater Luporum, it’s her.”

My mind fell into a daze.

“Wait, you were mated to a wolf?” I questioned dubiously.

Aurora gravely nodded her head. “Unfortunately, I was. But he and I were never officially bonded. Thankfully, I discovered the kind of person he was long before he got a chance to claim me. He was very enamored with the idea of owning a wife who could produce powerful heirs.”

This caused my stomach to churn in knots. “I’m sorry. Did you sense that same malice from his wolf, too?”

For what it was worth, the witch shook her head. “No. As ironic as it may sound, his wolf side was more humane than the actual human side.”

“I must make it absolutely clear that this kind of power transference comes at a high risk,” she stated firmly. “Harper could end up losing her life should she decide to reject this foreign power that is seeking a new host. On the contrary, there is also the chance that it will heal her and restore her abilities, making her far more powerful than ever before.”

She rose from her chair. “Believe me, Lucas. This is not something to be taken lightly. Once word gets out about there being a new Mater Luporum, Harper will gain a new group of enemies. Those who will try and kill her out of fear of subjugation, and then those who wish to claim her for themselves.”

“I won’t ever let that happen,” I said fiercely.

“I know,” she affirmed. “I knew you were different the moment I heard of your willingness to reach out to a witch for help. Not many would do such a risky thing.”

My heart clenched in my chest as my gaze cast over Harper. “For you to help her...It’s still a risk, isn’t it?”

“That’s why it’s up to you to make this choice for her.”