Page 36 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
“Can you get a direction?” I ask, my pulse quickening.
Poppy nods, her aura shimmering brighter as she focuses. “I think… it’s coming from deeper in the woods. There’s a concentration of dark energy that way.” She points toward a narrow path that leads further into the heart of the forest.
“Then that’s where we go,” I say, determination flooding my voice.
As we tread cautiously along the path, I can feel the tension building, each step echoing the urgency of our mission.
The trees grow thicker, their branches intertwining, creating a canopy that blocks out the sunlight.
Shadows flicker around us, and I can hear the distant rustle of leaves — an unsettling reminder that we’re not alone.
Suddenly, a low growl reverberates through the air, making my heart stop. I glance at Harrison, whose eyes narrow as he scans the surroundings. “Stay close,” he warns, positioning himself protectively in front of me.
Poppy’s eyes widen as she senses something approaching. “We need to be ready.”
Before I can respond, a figure emerges from the shadows — a wolf, sleek and with eyes that gleam like molten gold. It stands at the edge of the path, its muscles coiled, ready to spring.
“Harrison, is that…” I start, but before I can finish my thought, the wolf shifts, transforming into a man — tall, muscular, and intimidating. His hair is dark, and his eyes burn with a fierce intensity.
“Witch,” he growls, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Holding a grudge, are we, Alpha Fredrick?” I retort, stepping forward, refusing to show fear. “What do you want? You’re dead, so I know this is the dark magic from your witchy side piece.”
He smirks, a dark glimmer in his eyes. “You think you can stop me? You have no idea the power she has tapped into.”
I can feel Harrison beside me, his presence a grounding force. “You’re a coward,” he growls, stepping forward, his wolf instincts rising to the surface. “You hide behind darkness and deceit instead of facing us.”
Fredrick’s ghostly expression darkens, and I can see the anger boiling beneath the surface. “You’ve meddled in affairs that are beyond your understanding, witch. Your magic is nothing against the forces I’ve aligned with.”
“You think your tricks will protect you?” I challenge, channeling the flames within me, feeling the heat radiate from my fingertips. “You’ve already lost once, and you’ll lose again.”
He lunges forward, but before he can reach us, Poppy raises her hands, a barrier of violet light flaring to life between us. “You’ll have to go through me first!” she shouts, her voice strong and unwavering.
Fredrick’s form snarls, but the barrier holds firm, shimmering with energy. “You think you can stop me? I’ve already secured my power. I know where the witch is, and soon, I will have everything I desire.”
“Then we’ll stop you,” I declare, my resolve hardening. “You won’t take any more lives.”
With a sudden surge of energy, I channel my fire magic, flames flickering to life around my hands. “You’ve underestimated us for the last time.”
Fredrick’s eyes widen in shock, but it’s too late. The flames erupt from my palms, a torrent of fire that licks at the air, illuminating the shadows around us.
“Enough!” he roars, but the barrier Poppy created holds strong. “You think your fire can consume me?”
I step forward, the flames dancing at my fingertips, fueled by my determination. “It’s not just fire; it’s justice. You will pay for what you’ve done. Have you ever wondered what true Hell would feel like?”
As I unleash the flames of Hell Fire toward him, the air crackles with energy, and I can feel the weight of our collective power gathering.
Harrison stands beside me, his wolf energy radiating strength, while Poppy channels her own magic, the violet mist swirling around her like a protective shroud.
Fredrick snarls, but I can see the fear beginning to take root in his eyes. “You think you can defeat me? I am more powerful than you can imagine!”
With a fierce determination, I focus my energy, the flames swirling into a vortex, growing larger and brighter. “You’re wrong,” I shout, my voice ringing out with fierce conviction. “We are stronger together, and we will stop you.”
As the flames collide with the barrier, the impact sends shockwaves through the forest, shaking the trees and causing shadows to dance wildly. The energy crackles, and I can feel the heat radiating off my magic, illuminating the darkness that Fredrick embodies.
It’s a battle of wills, and I can feel the flames growing hotter, fueled by my resolve. “You will not hurt anyone else!” I yell, pushing forward with all my might.
Fredrick’s expression shifts from anger to something akin to desperation. “No! This can’t be happening!”
And in that moment, I know that we’ve cornered him. He may have once been powerful, but his arrogance has blinded him to the strength that lies within us — within our bond, our determination, and our unwavering love for one another.
“Together! Poppy now!” I shout, glancing at Harrison and Poppy, feeling their energy resonate with mine.
With a final surge, we push forward, the flames erupting in a brilliant display of light, engulfing Fredrick in a blaze. The forest seems to come alive around us, the very air vibrating with our collective power.
“No!” he screams, the sound echoing through the trees, a desperate cry that reverberates deep within me.
And then, just like that, the darkness is engulfed in fire, wrapped in a tornado of violet smoke, consumed by the flames of our unity.
The world around us blurs, the light swirling and expanding, and as it does, I can feel the weight of the past lifting, the chains of Fredrick’s betrayal shattering.
When the light finally recedes, I find myself standing in the clearing, the air still and charged with energy. The forest feels different now, as if a weight has been lifted, the shadows retreating into the depths of the woods.
Harrison stands beside me, his expression a mix of awe and relief. “You both did it,” he breathes, his eyes wide.
Poppy looks around, her aura shimmering with a newfound vibrancy. “We really did it,” she echoes, a smile breaking across her face.
As I survey the clearing, a sense of peace washes over me, mingled with the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. We’ve faced the darkness and emerged victorious, and I can feel the bond between us growing stronger in the aftermath.
But as I look deeper into the woods, a flicker of unease settles within me. This battle may be won, but the war is far from over.
“Come on,” I say, breaking the moment of silence. “We need to regroup and find out what this means for the pack. There’s still a lot to uncover.”
Together, we turn back toward the path, the weight of our victory mingling with the knowledge that more challenges await us.
But as we step forward, I can feel the fire within me burning brighter than ever — an unwavering flame of hope and determination that will guide us through whatever lies ahead.