169 The Trance I Miriam ( 07 I would not let Jeremys bitterness and hatred tear me apart .


    I have spent too long living with regret , but Ls future was still unwritten .


    I would fight for my daughters happiness no matter what it took .


    It was already evening , and I headed towards the bonfire area , where many young people were gathered .


    When I reached there , I spotted L and Nathanughing together near the mes .


    Ls face lit up with joy as she spoke , her hands gesturing animatedly rissa was there too and Nathan watched her with a soft smile , his eyes filled with adoration .


    For a moment , my heart swelled with pride and hope .


    Maybe Jeremy was wrong .


    Maybe L and Nathan could find happiness together despite everything .


    But then , out of the corner of my eye , I saw a figure standing in the shadows , watching two of them .


    It was Ramsey .


    My heart sank as I watched the way his eyes followed L , filled with a mixture of longing and SOTTOW .


    I knew then that Jeremys fears werent entirely unfounded .


    Secrets and old wounds had a way of resurfacing , and the past was never truly buried .


    As I watched , the young people talking around the fire , Terras words and Jeremys words took turns flitting into my mind .


    While Terras words filled me with guilt and defiance , Jeremys words .


    scared the shit out of me .


    I couldnt imagine , L going through another phase of heartbreak .


    The mere thought of it breaks my heart .


    I just lingered at the edge of the clearing where the bonfire was watching them since I didnt know what to do .


    From the corner of my eyes , I caught sight of a Blue Ridge delegation .


    I know because he was wearing the packs id .


    But something was different .


    This time , a chill ran down my spine as I watched the figure moving towards L and Nathan- someone I hadnt seen before .


    The mans presence was subtle , almost too subtle , but my instincts screamed at me to pay attention .


    I couldnt ce him , but something about him felt … wrong .


    Before I could dwell on it further , a soft voice broke through my thoughts ..


    Miriam .


    I turned to see Terra approaching me with a serious expression on her face .


    What now ? I asked , coldly .


    Terra didnt flinch .


    You need to be careful , she said quietly .


    The Harvest Moon has a way of revealing truths whether were ready for them or not .


    1/4 0 My stomach tightened , but I kept my face neutral .


    I know what Im doing .


    Terra .


    I hope so , she said .


    For Ls sake , and yours .


    Terra , I heard you the first time , I sighed .


    One more time and it would be pure nagging .


    Cmon , girl … I turned to face her now , The only reason why Im still being polite to you is because youre my friend but you should know your boundaries .


    Stop meddling , I dont appreciate it .


    Terra stared at me for a few seconds then shook her head .


    Anyways , they need you .


    Superior Priestess Diana is asking for you .


    I arched a brow .


    And why is that ? To gloat that Jemima is a better recement for me or what ? Tell her you didnt see me .


    Far from it , Terra said quietly .


    Its Mother Liora , she said quietly .


    My heart leapt as I turned to her , trying not to show the fear that crept into my heart at the information .


    Whats wrong with her ? Shes fallen into a trance and were trying to wake her up because a high priestess needs to open the Harvest Moon Festival .


    Theyve tried everything they can but shes not responding .


    So , they need you .


    I paused for a minute , the details of the vision I had in the early hours of today flitting into my mind .


    If the dream woulde true … the chances of Mother Liora waking up from the trance was tiny .


    But I couldnt voice that out .


    Each High priestess had a gift … For Mother Liora , she had insights into seeing things that have happened in the past while I had insight into the future .


    What of Jemima ? I asked quietly .


    Terra sighed .


    Please , Miriam .


    Stop acting dumb .


    Only the one who bears the silver mark can orchestrate any Harvest Moon and these are delicate times , the Priestesses have all agreed that more than ever , things need to be done in the correct order to avoid cmity which is what theyre doing .


    I cant , Terra , I shook my head .


    Im not ready to … Miriam , for Moons sake ! Terra snapped .


    Do you want us to cancel the Harvest Moon ? The moon will be up anytime soon and we arent even ready .


    For once in your life , can you just do as youre told ? Youre driving me crazy with this logical side of you .


    Lets go She turned on her heel and started walking away .


    I stared at her retreating back , sighing deeply .


    Remembering the strange man I saw , I quickly turned back to check on him but he was nowhere .


    to be found and Ramsey … Ramsey was gazing intently at me .


    From across the roaring me , our gazes met and held .


    I had a feeling that he wanted to give me an earful which Ive managed to avoid since I arrived at White Moon Pack but it was inevitable .


    I averted my gaze and began to walk away when I noticed someone was standing directly behind .


    me .


    I froze when I realized it was that strange man I had seen earlier .


    Up close , his face was 169 The Trance I averted my gaze and began to walk away when I noticed someone was standing directly behind .


    me .


    I froze when I realized it was that strange man I had seen earlier .


    Up close , his face was hooded but he had this weird energy about him .


    Composing myself , and not allowing him to realise that his ominous presence was affecting me , I made to brush past him when his hands shot out and grabbed my arm pulling me back .


    I staggered backwards ; my lips pressed into a thin line .


    What the heck is that for ? Who will you choose , Miriam ? the man said quietly .


    His voice was distorted , making it difficult for me to hear the words clearly .


    I shook his hand off my arm , ring at him .


    Who are you and what makes you think you can touch me ? Heughed , producing a throaty sound .


    I ask you again , the man said .


    Who will you choose ? Your daughter or the High Priestess ? My blood ran cold as my brain put together what he could possibly mean but I decided to y it cool .


    Who are you ? Do you want to go back to serving as a High Priestess ? Imagine all the thing you would miss out on ? Youve always hated to be confined … would you want to spend your life confined in the walls of that temple no fun , no booze and no man , the man let out a known chuckle You like your men long and thick right ? I blushed to my roots , looking around to make sure no one had heard him but everyone seemed to be busy with any other thing except me .


    Who are you ? I demanded again then deftly , I reached for the hood on his face , determined to it away so as to reveal his face but my hand passed through the form .


    I gasped with fear , as I took a step backward realizing this was an apparition .


    Miriam ! the manughed Choose one .


    You can decide to take the pearl of your daughters neck and Ill spare your dear High Priestess and make her live longer , so you wouldnt spend the rest of your life in confinement .


    If you refuse , Im not sure what I would do but there are lots of options .


    If you want something for me , stop using people who I love to threaten me .


    It doesnt work on me , havent you heard .


    Another throaty chuckle .


    I could walk up to her or go to her in her dreams and tell her everything you are , the voice continued So , you need to be super nice to me .


    Anyways , take off the pearl from her neck and we have a deal .


    I would preserve your precious High Priestess and let your daughter be .


    I studied the figure of the man standing in front of me , trying to interpret the energy around it .


    This was definitely a Trinax and from the way it was acting with me , I was wondering if it was Mr Dupree .


    It was acting too familiar .


    Why ? What is your reason ? Isnt it enough that you took her powers away ? What else do you want with her ? 169 The Trance There was a short pause from its end before it spoke again .


    Im not sure my master took all of her power because how can she still she fight us ? And the pearls are not allowing me to contact her .


    With dedication and grit , Im sure wed be able to disable the powers in the pearl blocking her but we have a lot of things going on and little time .


    Is that all ? I asked suspiciously .


    Is that the only reason you need her for ? Yes ! Why would we need her for something else .


    That could mean one thing , they dont know that she has a wolf yet .


    My eyes widened with realization ….


    Oh ! I gasped , cing my hand on my chest Mother Liora … I need to go to her .


    I ran into the form in front of me and started sprinting towards the pack house .


    I need to get to Mother Liora now .