Chapter 161

I stood at outside the pack house. After everything, after Gloria, after Gilly—the eerie silence was unnatural. As if even the earth mourned. I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling the chill in the wind biting at my skin despite the sunlight that peeked through the tree branches. I knew it was coming—consequences always did. I went back into the pack house and just then, there was a soft knock on the pack house door. When I opened it, a witch stood before me. I recognised her type immediately. Though I didn’t know her name, she reeked of magic. I narrowed my eyes but stepped aside to let her enter. “Why are you here?” I said stiffly. The witch bowed her head. “To bring you news... and to seek forgiveness.” “Forgiveness? For what exactly?” She hesitated. “The witches’ coven is broken. Without Gloria, it... it crumbled,” she said softly. “Many of us were loyal to her out of fear, and without her... there’s nothing left to bind us.” She looked up at me then her pale eyes met mine. “I am