Chapter 178: A Reforged Bond

The wind whistled through the forest, carrying with it scents of wet earth and another—something dark and ominous. Alpha Lleus's hand around the hilt of his sword grew tighter as he and his pack stood at the edge of the forest, the Witches' Coven waiting on the other side, hidden deep in the shadows of ancient tree and old magic. "We're close," Viktor panted, his hard eyes scouring the line of trees. Lleus felt it too. Power resonated in the air, his spine stinging with goosebumps. Reika was out there. He could feel it in his own bones, but their bond hung precariously black. "Go just go charge in or something?" Daisy complained, restless. "That's going to do nothing." "We don't have time to creep around," Lleus snarled. "I have to see her." Alfonso agreed. "Then let us get on with it." And thus they ventured into the forest, night falling upon their heads. Behind the Walls of the Coven Reika stood on the witches' castle balcony, looking out into the darkness. Her hand grasped the railing as she leaned out once more, attempting to catch hold of her tie to Lleus. Nothing. She inhaled in frustration. It had been hours since she had heard the words from Elira that Lleus was alive, and yet, no matter how hard she tried to focus, she could not feel him. It was as if that connection had been severed through—or at least disabled by some sort of power she did not understand. Elira moved up beside her, worry written on her face. "You're still trying." Reika gasped. "Of course I am. If he is alive, I should be able to sense him." Elira recoiled. "What if. what if something's blocking your bond? Ariadne's gotten stronger. She might have learned to break you out of him." Reika's hands balled into tight fists. "Then I'll fight my way through." She said the words, and the air around them shifted—a pressure on her chest. Elira's eyes went wide. "Something's coming." A howl echoed through the trees in the distance. Reika's heart clenched. "Lleus." The Encounter Lleus moved fast, his boots scraping against the undergrowth. He could feel it now—an invisible pressure pressing against him, like wading through water. Magic. They were close to the coven's protective barrier. Viktor was the first to sense the movement ahead. "We're not alone." Lleus followed his gaze and saw them—witches, cloaked in midnight robes, standing between them and the entrance to the coven. The leader, an older woman with piercing green eyes, stepped forward. "Turn back, outsiders," she commanded. "You are not welcome here." Lleus squared his shoulders. "I'm here for Reika." The witch's expression hardened. "The High Priestess does not receive uninvited guests." Viktor tensed beside him, his fingers inching toward his dagger. "We're not leaving without her." The witches' hands began to glow with dark energy, their intent clear. Lleus clenched his fists. "I don't want a fight." "Then leave." "No." Lleus stepped forward, his blue eyes burning with determination. "I have to see her. She's my mate." The witches exchanged glances. It was clear they did not trust him. And then— "Let him through." The voice cut through tension like a knife. Lleus stepped forward to confront the speaker, his heart pounding. Reika. She stood in the doorway of the coven, her hair of gold afire in the dim light of the torches behind her. Her eyes narrowed on his, and for one instant, everything else was forgotten. "Reika," Lleus gasped. Her lips parted fractions, as though she hadn't assumed she knew what she had seen. She stepped forward, another step, until they stood inches from one another. "You're alive," she whispered. Lleus inched his face closer, his head descending. "I am." There flashed across her eyes a moment of something—hope, not believing, a longing—then vanished. "Why can't I feel you?" Lleus swallowed compulsively. "I don't know. But I'll get it right." Reika tentatively extended her hand, fingertips against the palm of his. When skin made contact, a surge of power through both of them. Reika's eyes flew open on a instinctive gasp. "Lleus. there is something in the way." He nodded. "Then we push it." The Breaking of the Barrier Elira and the witches stood firm as Reika and Lleus focused their energies, trying to mend what was broken. Reika's eyes snapped shut as she felt below the fuzz in her head. "There is something… heavy. Something weighing on us. Keeping us. Back." Lleus's jaws were locked. "Ariadne." Saying that name brought out all of Reika's fury. "Just burn it then." She stretched deep, summoning every shred of magic she had access to, sensing out to Lleus. The nothingness of the wall between them quivered, burst walls shuddering in the unphysical screen. Lleus did the same, wolf howling deep inside him, clawing at contact. And then— Light flashed between them. Reika gasped as the bond re-formed somehow, a flood of emotions washing through her. "Lleus!" she cried, holding on to his arms as she felt it all—his love, his pain, his desperation. Lleus held her close, his face in her hair. "I've missed you." Reika held him close, crying. "I thought I lost you." Elira sighed in relief. "The bond is sealed." They couldn't linger over their reunion, though— Mournful laughter echoed up from the air. Lleus' body stiffened. Reika spoke to the shadows, palm slapping with magic. A dark figure emerged from the pines, bright red eyes blazing with amusement. "Ariadne," Reika snarled. The witch queen laughed with contempt. "Sentimental reunion. And it won't last." She lifted her hand, and the earth under them trembled in rage. Lleus pushed Reika back, covering her. "What are you going to do?" Ariadne smiled. "You'll see. Have your victory, Reika. For the next time that we meet—" Her eyes flashed with purpose. "I will kill you." And disappeared. A New War Begins Little had Ariadne disappeared before the very atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Reika spun round on Lleus, jaws set. "She's after us." Lleus gestured. "Then we're ready." Viktor intervened. "Whatever she's trying to do, we must halt her before she goes too far." Reika inhaled deeply. "Agreed. We have to call forth our allies. The last battle is at hand." Elira placed a hand on Reika's shoulder. "Then let us prepare." And as night shadows fell across the coven, one thing was certain— War was coming. And this time, there was to be no mercy.