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.

but shaking. “No… Richard has no pulse. No breath!”

possible?” I demanded, my

was already at the door, throwing it open, shouting

I knew. I knew it was too

staring at the lifeless body, my breath

Richard, the Alpha of the Eclipse Pack, was gone. And it was my

flooding in as they gathered at the

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363 How

* Pearls

stepped inside, his eyes sharp with concern. How is my grandfather?” His voice was urgent and

cracked, barely audible. The

disbelief flashing across his features. “What? The word was barely a whisper, full of confusion and

hand across his forehead. I’m sorry. Mr. Holbrook. I don’t understand… Everything seemed fine. Then…

a white sheet. They wheeled him out, leaving the room cold and quiet in their wake.

elders and board members gathered outside exchanged uneasy glances. Their eyes darted toward Caden, waiting,

the side, their gazes

to look after yourself. Richard wouldn’t want to see you like this. Rosaline tried. No one could have foreseen this. Don’t place the blame

with tension.

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

eyes–cold, unforgiving- locked onto me. His words cut through the stillness. “Rosaline,

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

he might still be here. But now… now he’s dead because of

had a heart attack right

you she’s a no–good Omega. You can’t count on her for anything. That quack doctor only saved the Alpha through

me. The chill in his gaze could’ve frozen

that! You have to believe me! My

ling as they