Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 363 How Disappointing

+8 Pearls

The sterile air of the operating room hung heavy, as if had swallowed every breath. I stood over Richard, the witch’s stone clutched tightly in my hand, its weight pressing down on me. It felt as though the very fate of the Eclipse Pack rested on its smooth surface.

Dr. Williamson approached, his steps measured, offering a wordless help. I nodded, letting him place the stone carefully on Richard’s chest.

I took a slow, deliberate breath and drew a needle across my brow, the sharp sting a reminder of the gravity of the moment. The drop of blood was cold, its metallic scent biting the air. With a steady hand, I transferred it onto the stone, watching as it absorbed the blood like a living creature.

Dr. Williamson remained silent, his eyes fixed on my every move, his expression unreadable. That silence unsettled me, its weight more suffocating than any words could be.

This was it. The final treatment.

According to Hughie, after this, Richard’s blood would low freely again. The magic would stir within him, and he would rise.

The chant began low on my lips, a rhythm from the ancient words that filled the room with a somber -pulse.

As the incantation flowed, the blood on the witch’s stone began to shimmer, sinking into the stone’s surface.

It pulsed with a faint energy, and I felt it–deep, shifting, alive. The magic was awakening.

The heart monitor beeped in a steady, unchanging rhythm, a soft murmur in the still room.

His chest rose and fell, steady as always.

I circled his bed, continuing the chant. Each word woven deeper, stronger. The stone pulsed in time with the magic. When I reached the third round of the chant, a sharp, discordant beep echoed through the

room.

My heart skipped a beat. I turned, dread filling me as I saw the heart monitor. The steady lines had flattened into an unbroken, horizontal line.

silence, quiet but shaking. “No… Richard has

clawed at my chest. “How is that possible?” I demanded,

was already at the door, throwing it

I knew it was too late.

stood frozen, staring at the lifeless body, my breath catching. The

Eclipse Pack, was gone. And it

open, whispers flooding in as they gathered

1/3

363 How

* Pearls

concern. How is my

voice cracked, barely audible. The

The word was

sorry. Mr. Holbrook. I don’t understand… Everything seemed fine. Then… his heart

covering Richard’s body with a white sheet. They wheeled him

glances. Their eyes darted toward Caden, waiting, expectant, as if they

stood to the side, their gazes fixed on Caden.

look after yourself. Richard wouldn’t

a suffocating silence. The air grew thick with tension. No one dared to

of the Eclipse Pack, the iron fist that had ruled the Werewolf Continent

for what felt like an eternity, finally spoke. His eyes–cold, unforgiving- locked onto me. His

gaze, my voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t think… I never meant for

save Grandpa, he might still be here. But now… now he’s dead because of you. You’re a killer!” Queenie’s

all ar the banquet, and Grandpa had a heart attack right after. Now look–the Alpha’s dead, too. You’ve done it again, haven’t you?

her for anything. That quack doctor only saved the Alpha through chance.

he turned to me. The chill in his gaze

believe me! My voice cracked, my hands u hung at my

ling as they