The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, exotic spices, and the unmistakable fragrance of aged wine. The grand hall of the castle had been transformed into a magnificent feast hall, filled with flickering candlelight, shimmering decorations, and long tables overflowing with food and drink. The witches had truly gone all out to celebrate our victory in the trials.
Yet, despite the lavish setup, my eyes remained fixed on one thing–the thirty–two High Witches who sat at the head of the table, their faces concealed behind their scarlet veils.
Among them was Mother.
I hadn’t seen her face once since arriving here.
I hadn’t even questioned it before. Why did they wear veils? Was
adition? A rule? Or something deeper?
The thought nagged at me, but tonight wasn’t the time for such questions. Tonight was meant to be a celebration, a moment to breathe before we embarked on our dangerous quest to find the Moon Keystone.
Elijah nudged me as a servant placed a goblet of wine in front of me. “Stormi, stop glaring at them. It’s a party, not an interrogation.”
I turned my gaze away from the High Witches and exhaled. “I know. It’s just… I don’t understand why they hide their faces.”
Austin smirked, biting into a piece of roasted pheasant. “Maybe they’re all hideous under there.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Or maybe it’s some ancient tradition that they can’t break, like a vow of secrecy or something.”
Isaiah, who had been silent for most of the meal, finally spoke. “Or maybe they hide because power comes at a cost.”
I looked at him curiously, but he didn’t elaborate.
Before I could press him for an answer, one of the High Witches, seated at the very center, lifted her goblet. The room fell silent.
“Tonight, we honor the warriors who have passed their final trial,” she said, her voice smooth yet commanding. “You have proven yourselves worthy, not just in strength but in unity. The path ahead of you is uncertain, but know this–you do not walk it alone.”
The witches around us murmured in agreement, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. Despite the challenges, despite the losses, we had earned our place here.
The High Witch raised her goblet higher. “To the Silver Wolf and her mates–may your journey be
Victorious!”
“To the Silver Wolf!” the room echoed, and everyone lifted their drinks in a toast.
I accepted it with grace, drinking the wine slowly. It was richer than anything I had ever tasted, but the weight of the moment made it hard to enjoy.
And just like that, the High Witches stood–and without another word, they filed out of the room neatly they all left, including Rowena,e Eira, and some other instructors.
The silence they left behind lingered for only a moment before the real celebration began.
The moment the High Witches were gone, the atmosphere changed completely,
The tension in the air evaporated, replaced by laughter, music, and citement.
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It was as if the witches had been holding back in the presence of their elders, but now, they were free to enjoy the feast properly.
Witches danced in the open space between the tables, swirling their robes, their laughter ringing through the hall. Trays of desserts, fruits, and glasses of enchanted drinks floated in from the kitchen sparkling with magic.
Austin stretched and grinned. “Finally, we can actually enjoy this.”
Elijah grabbed a bottle from the table and waved it in front of me. “Stormi, I think it’s time you had your first beer.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t drink.”
Austin smirked. “You also didn’t dance, but look at you now–a gladiator champion.”
I scowled at him, but before I could argue, Alex nudged me. “C chance to celebrate again?”
Isaiah chuckled. “I second that.”
on, just one drink. We leave soon. Who knows when we’ll get a
Elijah popped the cap off the bottle and handed
it
to
- me. “Just try it.
I sighed, accepting the bottle. “Fine.”
Taking a small sip, I braced myself for the worst-
And nearly choked.
Austin burst out laughing. “Oh, that face was priceless!”
I coughed, glaring at them. “It tastes awful!”
Elijah grinned. “Yeah, but keep drinking. It grows on you.”
I took another sip, my face scrunching again. “I don’t believe you.”
But strangely enough, after a few more sips, I started to understand what he meant.
It was bitter, but there was something oddly satisfying about it.
Before I knew it, I had finished the bottle.
Austin threw an arm around my shoulder. “Now you’re officially one of us!“,
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the warmth in my chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax.
At some point during the night, the celebration spilled out into the courtyard.
The witches had lit enchanted lanterns, their lights floating through the night sky like tiny stars. The music from inside carried out into the cool night air, and a few witches had started dancing beneath the moonlight.
I was perfectly fine watching from the sidelines–until Elijah grabbed my hand.
“Come dance with me,” he said, his golden eyes shimmering.
Thesitated. “I don’t-
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Chapter 122
“You fought a gladiator match, but you’re scared of a dance?”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s not the same thing.”
Austin smirked, nudging me forward. “Go on, Silver Wolf. Show him what you’ve got.”
I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to win this argument.
Elijah pulled me toward the dancing witches. At first, I felt awkward, unsure of what to do. But Elijah’s movements were easy to follow, his confidence guiding me.
Before I knew it, I was laughing.
The music swelled, and we spun beneath the moon, my heart light for the first time in ages.
I had spent so long preparing for war–I had forgotten what it felt like to simply live.
Alex and Isaiah soon joined us, pulling reluctant Austin along.
And for that night, there were no enemies. No battles. No looming threats.
Just us.
Dancing. Laughing. Living.
Later, after the music had slowed and the others had drifted back inside, I found myself standing at the edge of the courtyard, staring up at the moon.
Isaiah came up beside me, silent as ever.
“You’re thinking about what comes next,” he said.
I nodded. “It’s hard not to.”
ething.”
He exhaled slowly. “We don’t know what we’ll face out there. But I do know one
I turned to him, waiting.
His dark eyes met mine. “We’ll face it together.”
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Despite everything, I believed him.
Because for the first time, I truly felt it-
We were ready.
The Omega: Mated To The Four
