Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 457: The Ritual

Levi’s POV

"Fine," I said quietly, my chest tight. "Let’s do it."

Louis looked at me sharply, his eyes wide. "Levi, are you serious? If Olivia finds out?"

"She’ll hate us," I finished for him. "Yeah, I know. But I’d rather she hate me and live... than die loving him."

Louis didn’t speak. He just looked away, his jaw clenched.

The sorcerer nodded slightly, stepping closer. "Where is she?"

"She’s asleep," Louis said.

"Good," the sorcerer replied. "Then we keep her that way until the ritual is done."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a small glass vial filled with golden liquid. It shimmered faintly under the light.

"What’s that?" I asked, the sweet smell already filling the air.

"A sleeping charm," he said calmly. "Strong, but harmless. You must drink it first. Once it’s in your system, go to her and wake her gently. Kiss her. When she tastes the charm on your lips, it will take effect. She will fall into a deep sleep, long enough for us to draw her blood and perform the ritual."

My stomach turned. "You want me to drug her with a kiss?"

The sorcerer’s eyes stayed cold. "It’s the safest way. The bond trusts the touch of a mate. Any other attempt will wake her, and then she’ll fight us. And if she fights, the ritual fails."

I hesitated, staring at the vial. The scent was sweet, like honey and crushed flowers.

Louis’s hand brushed my arm. "You don’t have to."

"I have to," I cut him off. "Lennox would have wanted this."

I took the vial and drank. The taste lingered, sweet and warm, almost comforting.

"Now," the sorcerer said softly, "go."

The halls were quiet as I walked back to my room. The sound of my heartbeat filled my ears.

When I pushed open the door, the candlelight flickered faintly across her face.

near her chest. She looked peaceful for once, but even in sleep, faint tear tracks glistened

sat beside her and brushed my thumb along her jaw.

soft, tired, and full of worry. "Levi?" she

voice steady. "He’s fine," I

weakly, though her gaze searched mine. "You

though

exhaled shakily, her lips trembling. "I just...

whispered, leaning closer. "And you will.

could see the trust there, the blind, innocent trust that cut deeper

face gently and leaned down. My lips brushed

first, she kissed me back, slow and tender, like

body relax,

Her breathing slowed.

gripping my arm,

eyelids fluttered,

chest heavy. "I’m sorry," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from

door. "She’s asleep," I

entered with two healers. He set a silver bowl on the table beside her and nodded once. "We’ll take

and drawn. His voice shook. "Levi, she’ll hate

at Olivia one last time. Her face was peaceful, unaware of what we were

know," I said softly. "But if this

the glowing potion and pressed it gently against

single drop of blood rolled down and fell into the

blood back to Lennox’s chamber. The air inside was heavy, thick with the scent of burned herbs and power. Seven healers stood in a circle around him, their hands raised, their lips moving in silent chants. The sigils on the floor glowed faintly, pulsing in rhythm with Lennox’s

moved to the center, setting the bowl

this begins," he warned quietly, "you must not

nodded beside me,

sorcerer gestured toward the floor. "Step into the circle, Alpha

breath and stepped forward. The air shifted immediately. I could feel the bond stirring under my skin, the link that tied all four of

me,"

line that

speak

and bond," I echoed, my voice

reject what chains the

what

throwing long shadows across the walls. Lennox’s body jerked once, a violent, involuntary movement that made my

speak her name," the sorcerer

I whispered, then looked