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.

shaking. “No… Richard

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

was already at the door, throwing it open, shouting

I knew

lifeless body, my breath catching.

Pack, was gone. And it was my fault.

creaked open, whispers flooding in as they gathered at the threshold,

1/3

How

* Pearls

his eyes sharp with concern. How is my grandfather?” His voice was

audible. The

“What? The word was barely

I don’t understand…

sheet. They wheeled him out, leaving the room cold and quiet in

Their eyes darted toward Caden, waiting, expectant, as if they could already taste the

the side,

yourself. Richard wouldn’t

The air grew thick with tension. No one dared to speak, not

impossible to believe–Mr. Richard, the Alpha of the Eclipse Pack, the iron fist

eternity, finally spoke. His eyes–cold, unforgiving- locked onto me. His words cut through the stillness.

my gaze, my voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.

he might still be here. But now… now he’s dead because of you. You’re a

Queenie spat, her face contorted with fury. “You humiliated us all ar the banquet, and Grandpa had a heart attack right after. Now look–the Alpha’s dead, too. You’ve done it again,

Omega. You can’t count on her for anything. That quack doctor only saved the Alpha through chance. They’re nothing but witch doctors. Now look at what they did!”

The chill in his gaze could’ve frozen fire.

it wasn’t like that! You have to believe me! My voice cracked, my hands u hung

ling as they