Chapter 174: _The Mate Mark Still Burns

Words : 1077 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Chapter 174: _The Mate Mark Still Burns Odessa’s POV ***** "I believe you." I raised my head after hearing that voice, clutching the suit that covered my body, sniffling because of the lingering scent of my own blood and ash. I shivered when I saw Elder Davina staring at me from outside the cell, a small smile on her face. "Odessa Pierce..." She said with a whisper as the guards outside bowed before her and then gave her space. "Just when I thought I couldn’t get any more impressed by you, you proved that idea wrong." I blinked, confused at what she was talking about until her eyes scrutinized me. "What you’re facing now is something your kind has faced for centuries." She mused, a complicated look in her eyes before she continued. "Hybrids. The inhuman strength of a werewolf and the volatile magic of a witch, but at phenomenal proportions. What the continent saw at the Charity Ball tonight was just the tip of the iceberg... And that’s what they fear." I shivered, not because of the cold prison floor or the fact that I was naked, but because of her words. I parted my lips repeatedly, unsure of what to say or where to even begin. After a while, I sighed and managed to get on my feet, although my legs were wobbly. "S– So, you believe me when I say that the video Celine showed the continent is fake, right?" I asked with a shaky voice, clenching my jaw. "Because it is. I don’t know what sorcery she or the witch she’s working with used but—" "Yes, yes. I don’t believe her." Elder Davina suddenly interrupted, her eyes shining with curiosity and surprise as she pointed at my neck and spoke with a whisper. "Your neck. Is that..." My eyes widened as I gritted my teeth and felt a sting coming from my neck. From the spot Kaelos had marked me on. I placed my right hand on the spot and felt it giving off a warm energy. ’Sirena, what’s happening this time?’ I asked my wolf, clutching the suit around my body tighter. ’Anytime you or Kaelos go through intense emotions, the mark seems to react that way, linking both your emotions.’ Sirena explained but then paused. ’Or, at least, that’s the hypothesis I’ve come up with so far.’ "So, Kaelos..." Elder Davina had her mouth open but she didn’t say anything further, glancing back at the guards who made sure to keep their distance and look away. She cleared her throat, giving me another gesture. "Cover that up, child." I did just that, using my lush hair to try to cover it up while smiling at her awkwardly. She stared at me for a few seconds in silence while I tried talking with Sirena. ’So, you’re telling me Kaelos is going through something intense?’ I asked mentally, dimming my eyes. ’Well, that makes sense. With everything that has happened—’ ’Concentrate, Odessa.’ Sirena mumbled in my mind, causing me to pause. ’These new emotions are unrelated to everything that happened tonight. Our mate is experiencing something... New.’ My eyes squinted more as I concentrated. Indeed, I could feel a plethora of emotions from Kaelos, including confusion, frustration, and rage that seemed tamer than what he felt after seeing the video... I could feel it all as if it were mine and could tell that something or someone else was currently bothering him. But what could that be? "I’ll be on my way now." Elder Davina suddenly cleared her throat, pulling me back to reality. "I’ll try getting Kaelos to come see you. If you’re able to convince him that the video Celine showed the continent is fake, that’ll be one less problem in your head." Right, one less... But that would still leave the fact that I killed several people during that explosion from my magic at the Charity Ball. I gave Elder Davina a grateful smile and watched as she turned around and walked away, leaving me alone in the cell. The only thing I can do now is keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. . . Soon enough, Kaelos arrived at the dungeons to see me and brought a dress and underwear with him. At this point, most of the injuries I’d sustained from the explosion at the Charity Ball had healed up, but my skin was still stained with ash. Anyway, as I slid into the underwear and dress, Kaelos and I got into a conversation that led to us discussing the possibility of Celine faking the video of Marcellus and me. I pointed out the enchanted communication earrings Caroline and I saw and the possibility that Celine was using them to talk with a powerful witch who fabricated the video with illusion magic. And for once... Kaelos seemed to consider my words as a possibility. The anger and disappointment he had felt toward me during the Charity Ball had all disappeared. The only thing that remained was confusion and frustration. Seeing him like that brought me to tears and to my surprise and relief, he hugged me through the metal bars of the cell, caressing my hair. I felt safe in his hold. I felt like all the bad things happening in our relationship right now were background noise. I felt... Whole. But just as I leaned into him, his phone buzzed, snapping the moment in half. Layla’s voice filtered through, urgent as always. Elder Althea of the Luminari Coven was here in the pack to see Kaelos. My aunt was here! ’Hey, I’ve never had the chance to interact with your aunt.’ Sirena remarked in my head as Kaelos left and I paced around in a panic. ’As if me being a powerless witch wasn’t enough of a disgrace for her during the two decades of my existence. Now she has to deal with the fact that I’m a hybrid.’ I lamented mentally, brushing my hands through my hair. Would she request for Kaelos to release me from here so I could go to the Luminari Coven? Would she disown me? "Gods, can this night get any worse?!" I finally yelled out when my frustration hit its peak, hugging myself. "Well, I sure hope not." The voice was low, amused, and all too familiar. I spun around, confused at first. But then my throat clenched and I gulped. "M–Marcellus?"

Chapter 174: _The Mate Mark Still Burns

Comments (0)