Chapter 8: Whispers of the Old Ones
Darius's POV
The vision fadad, leaving behind a chilling fear. Living, Roman. The monster is still out there. They both desired Aria and placed a danger.
I needed to break the bound, and I needed to do it fast. There was a danger involved in the blood ritual, but I was prepared to take the risk.
With my eyes focused on Aria and my voice low, I added, "I need to speak to the elders."
Her face was pallid but resolute as she nodded. "They may have some information. Regarding the ceremony.
"They will," I said firmly. "They preserve the ancient customs and lost knowledge."
With deliberate and swift movements, I walked out of the room.
The elders' room, a haven of old strength and peaceful wisdom, was located deep inside the pack house.
The smell of ancient paper and spices filled the air as I walked inside the room. The elders sat in a circle, their eyes closed, their features engraved with the knowledge of millennia.
One of them said, "Alpha," in a powerful yet raspy voice. We could feel how urgent you were.
What is bothering you?
"Aria," I uttered softly. She is restrained. via a coerced relationship. To Roman.
With keen and perceptive eyes, the elders opened their eyes. They had felt the connection, the gloom that held her.
"A dark bond," added another elder solemnly. "Such ties are seldom severed."
"We must shatter it," I said firmly. "If at all possible, without hurting Roman."
With worried expressions on their faces, the elders looked at one another. One of them said, "Alpha, that will be challenging." "There must be a sacrifice for the blood ritual."
With a sad voice, I responded, "I know." However, there must be an alternative. a method that doesn't involve using force.
The elders became quiet, their eyes closed, their thoughts studying the old teachings. The anticipation in the air increased.
Then, one of them said, his voice barely a whisper. "There is another way.
A method of severance that is based on spirit rather than blood.
"Spirit?" With a tone of astonishment, I questioned.
"A cleansing ritual," the elder replied, his voice becoming more forceful. "A ritual that breaks the bond through acceptance rather than coercion."
"Acknowledgment?" I asked, my brow wrinkled. "What is meant by that?"
According to the elder, "the wolves involved in the bond must face their past." They have to face the hurt, the betrayal, the reality.
"The reality?" My voice was quiet as I asked.
"The bond's truth," the elder said. "The reality of their emotions. The reality of their relationship.
My heart was racing. Bound. How may Aria and Roman be related?
With a solemn tone, another elder said, "It's a dangerous ritual." "Vulnerability is necessary. A weakness that may shatter them.
"But it's possible," I answered with optimism in my voice. "Can the bond be broken?"
The first elder responded, "It can." However, it needs a guide. Someone capable of guiding them through the shadows.
"Who?" My voice was urgent as I inquired.
The elders looked at one other and then at me, a silent power shining in their eyes. "You," one of them said, "Alpha."
You are her partner. Her anchor is you.
Me? Was I supposed to lead her through the shadows?
I said in a doubtful tone, "But I don't know how."
"You will," answered the elder. "You will be guided by your bound. Have faith in your intuition. Have faith in your heart.
With my head spinning, I nodded. It was a risk—a very big one. But I had to take the chance.
"What are we in need of?" With a firm voice, I asked. "For the ceremony."
The elder described it as a "holy place." "A place of harmony and balance." By the whispering falls, in the ancient clearing.
"And?" My voice was enthusiastic as I requested.
The elder went on, "We need three objects." A stone that symbolizes the past. The present is symbolized by a feather. and a flame, which stands for the future.
"I'll gather them," I responded, my voice firm. "When do we begin?"
"When the moon is at its zenith," the elder remarked. "When the veil between worlds is thin."
I nodded, my head filled with purpose. We had a plan. A non-violent method of severing the connection. A means of saving Aria.
With deliberate and swift steps, I exited the room. I needed to get Aria ready and locate the items.
In our room, I discovered her seated on the bed with a calm power in her eyes.
"We have a way," I answered quietly. "A method to sever the connection."
Her eyes became wide with optimism. "How?"
I explained the ceremony, the purification, and the acceptance to her. Her face was pallid but resolute as she listened.
"It's risky," I murmured quietly. Vulnerability is necessary. A weakness that may shatter you.
Her eyes remained focused on mine as she nodded. "I'm not scared," she said firmly. "I'll carry it out."
I responded softly, "We'll do it together." "I'll be by your side the entire time."
She put her hand out and cupped my face. "Darius, I have faith in you," she muttered.
Heavy with unsaid feelings, the words lingered in the air. Have faith. It was a priceless gift, brittle.
With my pulse racing, I nodded. We had a strategy. We trusted each other. We had one another.
Then the pack house was filled with a piercing, abrupt scream. A scream of agony and fear.
Our eyes locked and we both stiffened. There was a problem.
I got up and reached for my sword. "Remain here," I whispered quietly. "I'll investigate."
I exited the room, my feet fast and quiet. Deep within the pack house, the scream had emanated from the holding cells.
When I arrived to the cells, my eyes widened.
Wolves were bleeding and their bodies were ripped apart as they lay on the ground. Roman stood in the middle of the chaos, his hands smeared in blood, his eyes crazed.
His voice was a deep, guttural growl as he talked. "I own her."