Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 95: Introductions

Chapter 95: Introductions

Lady Morgana led Vivian and Ronan to the ritual chambers, where she would explain the Triune Circle procedure. The Coven Leader was awfully silent for the entirety of the time they walked there, her boots thumping much more noisily than usual.

She was tense.

Uneasy.

When they arrived at the ritual chambers, there were candles burning steadily at precise points around the chamber. The flames flickered so wildly they appeared like dancing spirits with a mind of their own.

Lady Morgana approached the centre of the ritual chambers, scrutinising the area carefully while Ronan and Vivian stood to the side.

Anxious of what more ill bearings her fate would bring, Vivian clung to Ronan’s side and clutched his arm tightly. The Lycan Alpha didn’t seem to mind and offered her the solace of his arm wrapped around her waist.

She smiled gratefully.

However, his gaze grew sharper and his stance more protective when the other two Coven Leaders arrived shortly. His eyes narrowed warily, analysing them to assess if they were trustworthy at a glance or not.

He still utterly despised Wickans and found them insufferable.

Sabre Coven was the only exception.

Vivian, on the contrary, shuffled her feet nervously. While she knew it wasn’t fair to associate all Wickans with Alaric’s wicked character and wrongdoings, she couldn’t suppress the fear that rose to her chest when she sighted the two Coven Leaders.

She pressed her lips into a thin line, fixing her gaze to the cold stone floor.

"This is Eldric," Lady Morgana introduced, gesturing to the tall, broad-shouldered man with iron-grey hair and a weathered but commanding face. "He is the master of Ashenhold Coven, known for his expertise in energy stabilisation."

Lord Eldric bowed his head in greeting. He nodded to Ronan, who glowered at him without masking his evident hostility. The Ashenhold Coven Master’s hazel eyes wandered over to Vivian, but she didn’t lift her head to regard his presence.

’Perhaps she is afraid,’

Understanding that Vivian was not comfortable enough to greet him, Lord Eldric stepped aside and allowed Orion to proceed forward.

"And this is Orion, from Starlight Grove Coven." Lady Morgana inclined her head toward the young prodigy with lavender eyes and black hair with white streaks. He walked with a pretty flair about himself, wearing knee-high leather boots with heels. "He is somewhat unorthodox but he is a young prodigy and... volatile."

Lady Morgana’s introduction of Orion wasn’t entirely reassuring, but Vivian appeared less guarded around him. She even emerged slightly from behind Ronan’s arm, captivated by Orion’s stunning appeal.

She admired the way he was dressed—flashy and unusual in a way that made him stand out.

Ronan wasn’t too pleased with the way her gaze was fixed on Orion and he suppressed a rumble emanating from his throat.

"Fancy him, do you?" Ronan muttered to her, his eyes dark with jealousy.

Vivian shook her head with a smile.

"I just like the way he’s dressed," she admitted in a whisper, reassuring Ronan that there was no romantic attraction to Orion.

"He has an interesting fashion sense."

Ronan still grumbled quietly to himself and folded his arms across his chest.

Orion was quite flattered by Vivian’s obvious admiration for his appearance and on the other hand, he also took notice of Ronan’s undisguised envy. The Lycan Alpha didn’t shy away from displaying his evident disdain, nor was he bothered to mask it.

Shaking his head with understanding, Orion bowed his upper body dramatically in a poised manner, offering a gentlemanly smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Wolfsbane," Orion addressed her with emphasis, placing a hand over the region of his heart as he stood up straight again.

Mrs Wolfsbane

Vivian flushed immediately.

She was not Ronan’s betrothed just yet, nor were they joint in marriage, nor did she take his surname as her own.

Ronan, on the contrary, was quite content with the addressment, his lips curling upwards proudly. If he could, in a heartbeat he’d claim Vivian through marriage and grant her his family name.

If people assumed they were already joined together in holy matrimony, who was he to correct them otherwise?

Vivian responded with a tentative nod, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "It’s an honour," she said to both the Coven Leaders, though her voice was soft and almost inaudible.

Lady Morgana snorted to herself, reading Orion’s intentions, which were as clear as day to her.

Lord Eldric gave Vivian a contemplative nod, with a subtle smile that made his scar running across his eye crinkle in a way that was intimidating.

"The honour is ours, Mrs. Wolfsbane," he followed suit. "Few would have the courage to endure something as despicable and dangerous as the Umbrafyre Curse and remain standing."

"Indeed," Orion interjected. "You’ve shown remarkable strength. In the Era of Chains, when the Umbrafyre Curse was used to collar shifters and enslave them, many died almost immediately or in a matter of a few hours due to its instability. You are incredible for enduring it thus far and surviving."

Lord Eldric shot Orion a questioning glare.

’Such a blatant lie,’ the Ashenhold Coven Master commented mentally, displeased with Orion’s approach. ’Shifters were highly compatible with the Umbrafyre curse; none ever died from the curse itself unless they disobeyed the caster. Why is he giving her false reassurance?’

Lady Morgana shared the same displeasure as Lord Eldric and while she disagreed with Orion’s unorthodox ways, she didn’t deny that his white lie was essential in empowering Vivian.

The she-wolf needed to be mentally prepared just as she was physically.

However, the Lycan Alpha was not of the same opinion.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Strength doesn’t mean she should be put through this," he muttered, his tone laced with frustration. "You Wickans created such a dastardly curse in the past yet have no way of revoking it? I find that highly incompetent."

Orion’s lavender eyes blazed with amusement and he smirked almost wickedly.

"Indeed, Mr. Wolfsbane, the old methods are outdated and ineffective. I tried to reason with my brethren; however, they are adamant on utilising the Triune Circle ritual," Orion sighed dramatically, perching a hand on his right hip. "Umbrafyre requires modern solutions."

Lady Morgana swatted Orion on the back of his head for his bold insolence, causing him to stumble forward into Lord Eldric’s arms.

There was absolute silence.

Raw, suffocating silence filled the atmosphere.

Caught off guard, Lord Eldric was at a dumbfounded stance as to what he should do next. Easily, he’d caught Orion without hesitation and the young brat made no effort to move.

"I think I hurt my ankle," Orion said with a feigned sob, faking a wince when he tapped his right foot on the ground. "Lady Morgana is so harsh at times. I don’t think I can walk, Lord Eldric. Will you please help me?" His light pink lipstick-coloured lips protruded into a small pout as he gazed up at the Ashenhold Coven Master.

"Oh my..." Vivian mumbled to herself, her eyes glued to the entertaining scene as she brought her hand to her mouth in surprise.

Lord Eldric cleared his throat firmly, gently taking Orion by the shoulders. He steadied the young prodigy on his feet and helped him sit nearby on a stone-carved bench seat.

"You’re so thoughtful, Lord Eldric," Orion commented gleefully with a closed-eyed smile. "If not for you, I would have been severely hurt."

"This brat..." Lady Morgana let out a frustrated sigh, pinging the bridge of her nose.

Lord Eldric refrained from commenting, his expression stern and unwavering.

Lady Morgana dismissed the situation with Orion and answered Ronan, her expression stoic. "This is not a choice any of us take lightly, Ronan. The curse must be bound, or it will consume Vivian completely. The Triune Circle is the safest way to ensure her survival."

Vivian tensed.

Her fate was either to have herself bound to darkness or be devoured by it until her death came.

Orion, who had been silent until that moment, spoke again. His voice was calm and gentle. "The Triune Circle is a convergence of three distinct roles: the anchor, the stabiliser, and the sealer. Lady Morgana will anchor the ritual, holding the curse in place as we work."

He further explained, "Lord Eldric will stabilise the energy flow between Mrs. Wolfsbane’s shifter nature and the curse to ensure there is balance. I will handle the final stage—sealing the curse’s symbols onto her body."

Vivian’s breath hitched. "What does that mean, exactly? Sealing the symbols onto me?"

She didn’t like the sound of that.

Did that mean Alaric’s dark magic would always be a part of her?

Would the marks remain on her body forever?