"I'm saying the truth, Martin. I saw him in his wolf form!"
The words left my mouth louder than I meant, my voice shaking as I faced the long table of the council.
Their eyes were sharp, doubtful, almost pitying. They didn't believe me. In fact, nobody did.
And honestly, I couldn't blame them. It wasn't supposed to be possible. It had never happened in our history. Wolves always turned back.
Always.
So why did my Alpha,my Andrew remain trapped?
Martin, the council leader, leaned forward in his chair, his face twisted with frustration. He didn't even give me a chance before he shook his head.
"Helena, enough. This is madness."
My chest burned. "It's not madness, it's the truth! I saw him with my own eyes. His eyes, his fur,it was him. He's stuck."
A few of the elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats, whispering to each other.
I hated that look on their faces, like I was some poor delusional girl, tired and confused from the hunt.
Davidson, one of the kinder council members, gave me a soft, almost fatherly smile.
"Helena, dear… I think you're just exhausted. You need rest. The full moon takes its toll on everyone. Maybe you..."
"I swear!"
I cut him off, my voice breaking. My hands shook as I gripped the edge of the table.
"I promise you, I'm not lying. I know what I saw. It was Andrew."
That's when Martin exploded. His fist slammed against the wood, making everyone flinch.
"Shit, just stop it! Stop it right now! This is wrong."
His voice rose with each word, spitting venom at me.
"He's our Alpha. Do you understand? Our Alpha! And if you two are having relationship problems, go fix them in private. Don't drag the entire pack into your drama!"
His words hit hard. I swallowed,I felt so ashamed as all eyes turned to me.
This wasn't about our stuipd fight.
He stood halfway from his chair, pointing straight at me like I was the enemy.
His jaw was tight, his chest heaving. For a second, I thought might actually make the guards hit me or something.
I couldn't fight him. I couldn't convince him. My throat ached with unshed tears. So I lowered my head,
''If you won't believe then it's fine,''
I turned quietly, and began to leave the room.
But then,
A wolf howled
Every head turned.
The doors of the hall banged open, and there he was.
Andrew. My Alpha. My boyfriend. My wolf.
In his Black form, standing tall yet trembling at the entrance.
His fur shined in the dim light. He was breathing hard. He looked at the council.
Everyone froze.
"This… this is impossible," Martin whispered, he looked so shocked.
Gasps echoed around the table. Elders whispered to themselves.
For once, nobody argued. Nobody doubted. Because there he was, proof of everything I had said.
The silence was thick, suffocating.
Devastation washed over the room.
Their Alpha, the one meant to lead, protect, and guide, was trapped like a beast.
I could feel their fear filling the air, wrapping around my throat like a rope.
But inside me, there was something else. Hope.
Because now they knew. Now they had to believe me. And if the note was real,if the witch in Calibo truly existed,
then maybe, just maybe, I could bring him back.
"H-how are we going to fix this?"
Davidson's voice trembled.
"The earlier we act, the better."
He added.
I frowned, cautious.
"Why? What happens if we wait?"
One of the older council women whispered,
"Because if we leave him like this for too long, he'll lose his humanity. Even if he is turned back later… Andrew won't be Andrew anymore."
The words hit me like a dagger. I staggered,
my knees weak. Lose his humanity? My Andrew? No. No, I couldn't let that happen.
I held the note from the witch tightly
"A witch said she could help him. But I need to find her first."
That got their attention. Murmurs rose like a storm.
"Where did she come from?"
"Do you know this witch?"
"Who did this to him?!"
And then, Martin's accusing voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"I know what's happening. You have a hand in this."
My blood ran cold. I whipped my head toward him.
"What the hell do you mean? Why would I ever do that to my own boyfriend?''
Tears blurred my vision, my voice trembling with rage.
Martin sneered, tilting his head.
"Who knows? Maybe power. Maybe jealousy. Maybe you're not as innocent as you look."
The sarcasm burned. But I didn't care. I wasn't here to fight him. Let him rot in his suspicions.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and looked around at the others.
"For those who actually care about Andrew, I promise you this,I will bring him back. No matter what it takes."
The room fell silent.
They could doubt me. They could mock me. But they wouldn't stop me.
I walked to Andrew, kneeling in front of his trembling wolf body. I pressed my forehead lightly against his fur,
whispering so only he could hear.
"I'll find her, babe. I'll fix this. Just hold on for me."
When I stood again, I could feel their eyes burning holes into my back. Some with pity, some with fear, some with doubt.
###
"Impossible… how did this even happen? Well…"
Josephine paused, then sighed.
"Look, girl, I've heard a lot about Calibo City,and none of it was good. Who do you even know there?"
she asked, trying to convince me not to go.
"Does that even matter? When it comes to Andrew, I'd do anything,"
I said, locking my eyes with hers.
"You don't know anybody. You could get lost and what if…"
She trailed off, clearly holding back so she wouldn't upset me.
"What if what?"
I snapped, rolling my eyes.
"I mean… what if there is no witch? What if they're just trying to trap you or something?"
she said, her voice soft, filled with genuine worry.
"Then I stay trapped. I love you, girl. And I promise I'll be back."
I pulled her into a hug, tears spilling from both our eyes.
"Goodbye,"
I whispered, wiping her cheeks with trembling hands.
And when the moon rose that night, I left the packhouse behind.
I didn't look back.