Beyond the Living

o hear the news from their leaders. She had finally gaine

meeting is about?" she a

ard some of the others saying the head witches

formation for Lord Nicholas and Lucas. But f

lder than thirty, but their eyes held the wisdom of centuries, swirling with anci

her voice resonating with power. "The night creatures and those pathetic humans have ensu

hey had lived too long in fear, feeding on

he head witch continued, her voice rising above the clamor. "But now, it is time for al

atched with bated breath, wonder

*

la said, waving goodbye as she stepped into

She glanced at the remaining carriages and sighed wearily. Some guests had opte

ight?" Gina asked Lun

e fine. Besides, your brothe

. Lucas was busy charming the Duke's sister,

ise in her voice. She noticed Gina's purs

red, one hand in his pocket, th

odded.

ye and retreated

ning room, Lady Gina?" Michael asked

replied. "Too many people. Plea

hurried off to arr

*

her gaze to the passing scenery. They had bee

Nicholas remarked, breaking the silen

red her throat. "I wanted to apologize for no

at the mention of

" he said quietly. "It

that her presence wouldn'

lopping of hooves against the cobblestones. As they r

ed a monstrous wolf snap a

attacking

*

ad saved a portion for Luna, anticipating her late arrival. However, her husband w

he burst through the doo

ce urgent, his face streaked with sweat.

back soon," she protested,

ake care of her. We need to go.

e terrified screams echoing th

rab a few

d inwards, reveali

re?" the figure growled, sniffi

d-red eyes and monstrous fan

d the gun, aiming

ered. "Haven't you learne

d the trigger, and the silver bullet found its

is eyes fixated on the gun

pated the move and dodged. He lunged forward, seizing Lu

eamed, pointing her gun with

is free hand, sending her crashing into the wall. Her

s his wife crumpled to the floor

*

proaching wolf, a sne

," the creature mocke

?" Nicholas demanded, hi

s the terrified villagers, "my pack and I

. He briefly considered asking the wolf's pack affili

icholas as the wolf sn

rding the wolf, much to its annoyance. "Can

ok her h

tructed, placing the gun in her hand. He then turned t

he neck, holding it suspended in mid-air. He stared at the creature for a

wolf's still-beating heart clutched in hi

" Luna cried, rushi

with a handkerchief, dropped

She found her aunt lying motionless on the floor, surrounded by a

lling back the hammer and squeezing the trigger. The deafening ro

or air and rushed

hear two heartbeats in the room: Luna's and her u

streaming down her face. With trembl