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.

quiet but shaking. “No… Richard has no pulse. No

that possible?” I demanded, my

Williamson was already at the door, throwing it open,

knew it

at the lifeless body, my breath

the Eclipse Pack, was gone. And

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

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363 How

* Pearls

inside, his eyes sharp with concern. How is my

barely audible. The Alpha…

features. “What? The word was barely

Williamson trembled, wiping a nervous hand across his forehead. I’m sorry. Mr. Holbrook. I don’t understand… Everything seemed fine. Then… his heart just stopped. We

with a white sheet. They wheeled him out, leaving the room cold and

toward Caden, waiting, expectant, as if

and Eleanor stood to the side, their gazes fixed

softened as she approached Caden, her voice low and comforting. “Caden, you need to look after yourself. Richard wouldn’t

thick with tension. No one dared to speak, not even to

the Eclipse Pack, the iron fist that had ruled the Werewolf Continent for nearly a century, was gone.

an eternity, finally spoke. His eyes–cold, unforgiving- locked onto me.

a whisper. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t think… I never meant for this to happen.”

he’s dead because of you. You’re a killer!” Queenie’s voice was sharp, full of venom. “You selfish

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

to Caden, “I told you she’s a no–good Omega. You can’t count on her for anything. That quack doctor

The chill in his gaze could’ve frozen fire. “You killed my grandfather.”

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

ling as they