“I’d be careful what insults you throw around,” Sadie says. “Since you’re the one about to go to hell.”
Darla tries to speak again, but the earth around her begins to bubble. Darla sinks into it as if the soft grass has become a deep pond, and she screams as her body is slowly swallowed by the soil, until nothing but thick green grass remains.
“That was one of the freakiest things I’ve ever seen,” I mutter, still staring at the green patch of grass.
“It was the final act of the curse,” Sadie explains. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen or not, but the lingering resentment from Lynette and even Darian sought out the only living soul connected to the betrayal and took her to sate itself.”
“Are we done now?” Owen asks. “Seriously, I don’t know if I can take much more of this. Every time I think the curse has been broken, we stumble over another layer.”
“It’s done,” Hyacinth says. “But we have to find Darian and Lynette’s remains and lay them in a grave together. Then their souls will truly have peace.”
“That won’t be easy,” Rhys says. “Even if every wolf regains his full power. We’ll be searching the woods for years.”
“We can help,” Sadie reminds him, laughing. “Did you forget about magic?”
“You can do a locator spell on old bones?” he asks.
Sadie nods. “Of course. We’ll need the wolves to help, too, but we can definitely narrow down the search. We are connected to Lynette by blood.” She gestures to Hyacinth and Trina.
“That’s been bugging me,” Trina says. “How are we all related? I know we have zero knowledge of our family history, but still—how did Lynette have a child if she was locked in the manor?”
“There aren’t any direct records,” Sadie says. “They would have deliberately avoided official documents, but in Lynette’s diary, she mentions her sister, as well as her mother and aunts. Some of them must have made it out, and those women are our ancestors.”
“What now?” a voice asks, and I look around to see us surrounded by random pack members, including the remaining elders.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask.
Neville shrugs. “We were here already, obviously. Once the spell got going, people just showed up and joined the circle.”
“All of you felt the magic,” Sadie says, smiling. “Thank you—all of you. Your energy made a difference. It took all of us to break the curse.”
“And still,” Neville laughs. “What now?”
“Now, we find Lynette and Darian,” Trina says. “And lay them to rest.”
“And go and hug our loved ones,” I add. “And find out if everyone is healed from the curse.”
“And reassure everyone that the curse is broken, and we’re safe,” Sadie says.
“And sleep,” Hyacinth says, leaning against me. “Sleep for a whole week. And a hot bath. I’m pretty hungry, too.”
“I can’t argue with any of that,” Neville says. “Come on, everyone. We’ve got work to do!”
The six of us stand in the garden, watching the others go ahead of us. The elders show relief as they walk past the manor and down the drive, proving to themselves they’re no longer trapped. Others get into their cars, calling out to each other as they plan the next course of action.
Hyacinth leans heavily against me, and I reach down and pick her up, snuggling her against my chest as she passes out. I suddenly realize that my strength has returned. My alpha senses are sharper than ever.
“What will you do?” Rhys asks me.
“I’ve got to get this girl home,” I say. “Would the two of you check in on my infirmary for me and spread the word?”
“Yes, for sure we will,” Rhys says, smiling.
“Thank you,” I reply. “I have to get her home. She risked herself for all of us.”
“She’ll be okay,” Sadie says. “All she needs is a bit of rest—and you.”
“She’s got me,” I reply, holding Hyacinth even tighter to my chest. I turn and walk towards the car, still too shocked by everything that’s happened to process any of it. The only thing that feels real is Hyacinth’s weight in my arms.
