MY CURSED MATE

| The final war |

Warning! This chapter is not edited, so expect typos, misspelled words, and grammatical errors. Thanks and enjoy reading!

KABANATA LXXV

Third Person's POV

Nang tuluyan nang makabawi ng kaunting lakas si Everly, alam niyang kailangan na niyang bumalik sa pack. She turned toward Zerta, her expression softening as she looked at the woman who had risked everything for Lukariah.

"Aasahan ko ang iyong pangangalaga sa aking kapatid hangga't hindi pa siya nagigising," mahinang usal niya.

A faint smile touched Zerta's lips before she bowed her head. "After everything that you have done for us, my lady, rest assured that your sister will be safe here with me. I'll protect them with all my heart."

Bahagyang ngumiti si Everly sa kanyang sinabi. Their gazes eventually shifted toward the horizon, where the first colors of dawn were beginning to break through the darkness. Halos sumikat na ang araw, ngunit nanatiling walang malay si Lukariah. Fortunately, there had been no complications, and both women had regained enough strength after resting.

"Here." Inabot ni Everly kay Zerta ang isang maliit na bilog na kristal.

"Break that if you're ever in danger. I'll come as quickly as I can."

Tumango si Zerta habang maingat iyong tinanggap. "Thank you, my lady."

For several seconds, Everly studied her face. Hindi niya maiwasang magtaka kung paano napunta sa isang taong kagaya ni Zerta sa coven na iyon.

After everything she had witnessed, she was beginning to believe that perhaps there were others trapped inside the dark coven—people like Zerta and Ganesha, misunderstood, mistreated, and forced to survive beneath the shadow of creatures they never truly chose to become.

Tuluyan na siyang nagpaalam at naglaho sa isang bugso ng liwanag, returning to the pack.

Sa kakahuyan ng central forest muling nagpakita si Everly. She immediately scanned the surroundings, finding the forest still cloaked in darkness, though the sky was slowly brightening beyond the trees.

Huminga siya nang malalim. The weight of everything that had happened throughout the night settled heavily upon her shoulders.

The crunch of leaves behind her made her tense.

"Everly!"

Napalingon siya at nakita si Greyson na mabilis na lumalabas mula sa mga anino ng kakahuyan. His usually composed face was shattered by worry, and before she could speak, he crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Don't do that again," he murmured against her hair, his voice trembling with relief and fear.

Ramdam ni Everly ang matinding pag-aalala nito, ngunit pilit niyang pinanatiling malamig ang kanyang ekspresyon. Kaagad niya itong itinulak palayo.

"I'm just taking a walk. Stop overreacting." Her words cut through the silence.

Sa paligid, tahimik na nakatingin ang mga kawal na buong gabi siyang hinanap. They lowered their heads, carefully concealing the pity they felt for their alpha.

Greyson stared at her, confusion and hurt replacing his relief. Ngunit bago pa man siya makapagsalita, Everly vanished in another burst of light.

Pagbalik niya sa kanyang silid, tuluyan nang bumigay ang katawan niya. She barely removed her cloak before collapsing onto the bed. Every muscle ached, her magic felt depleted, and the consequences of her decisions weighed heavily against her heart.