Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 96: Uncertainty with the Triune Circle

Chapter 96: Uncertainty with the Triune Circle

Considerate of Vivian’s fears, Orion’s lavender eyes softened slightly but his voice remained steady so as to not falter when speaking with her.

"The symbols of the curse will no longer float freely within your soul; instead, they will become part of you, etched into your skin and bound to you," Orion informed, his expression hardening a moment later. "It will hurt and will leave a permanent mark."

At the least, the young prodigy was somewhat truthful with Vivian and he earned an approving nod from Lord Eldric.

"But it will also give you control," Lady Morgana interjected, placing a comforting hand on Vivian’s shoulder. "A chance to live without the curse overpowering you."

Binding the curse to her body would simply mean that she would always be a slave to its collar. Just a collared slave who would be granted freedom from death.

Sensing Vivian’s spike in anxiety and noticing the tears threatening to release from the corner of her eyes, Ronan pulled her into his arms. He cradled her head against his chest with his other arm around her waist.

Snarling at Lady Morgana, he cast a severe look in her direction.

"And what happens if the binding ritual fails?" The Lycan Alpha demanded to know.

Vivian’s life was his main priority and for the life of him, he would not forgive himself if he lost her forever. He was unwilling to make hasty decisions or consent to risky methods.

Not when her life was at stake.

And certainly not when it terrified her so much.

Lord Eldric was the one to challenge Ronan’s sharp gaze.

"Then we’ll stop the ritual immediately," the Ashenhold Coven Master spoke, folding his arms across his broad chest. "But this isn’t something we can pause lightly. Once the magic is in motion, failure to complete the process could unleash the curse’s full power. That risk is why we must work together, with absolute focus."

Ronan threaded his fingers into Vivian’s hair, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

"Vivi, there is another way to do this," Ronan stated, immediately earning Vivian’s attention. "If you wish it, I will hunt down the bastard who did this to you, force him into submission and ensure that he reverses what has been done to you. Then he will pay dearly with his own life."

Ronan’s tone was filled with conviction and rage, a promise of the dark fate and punishment awaiting Alaric Alessandro Crowley when he found him.

Vivian’s body ran cold with fear and uncertainty. She stiffened in Ronan’s arms at the mention of Alaric, her captor and curse caster.

Just his name alone was enough to rouse unpleasant memories. The more she recalled his dastardly touches, eerie voice, and menacing demeanour, the more she wanted to crawl out of her own skin and erase her mind of his existence.

However, that was wishful thinking.

"We already discussed why engaging Alaric with a hostile approach is unwise," Lady Morgana reminded sternly, her tone forceful. "You attack Alaric; you risk war with the entire South and other allied Covens with Estwood Coven will head into an uproar."

"A chaotic war will spark between the South and North," Orion said with a wry smile. "As much as I would enjoy witnessing Alaric being impaled on a wooden stake and burnt to a crisp, we all can’t have what we want now, can we, Mr. Wolfsbane?"

As usual, Orion spoke with a hint of mockery to his voice and it irked Ronan to no end.

"I don’t want to be anywhere near him," Vivian declared desperately and frantically shook her head as she looked up at Ronan. "Please...I cannot bear another second next to him. The things he’s done... I do not want to remember them. I would rather die than go through another process with him!" She yelled out the last bit of her words, blinking away tears.

Ronan’s eyes widened with shock, as did Lady Morgana and Lord Eldric.

Just what did Alaric do when he cast the Umbrafyre curse? Just how cruel and despicable was he that Vivian would gladly embrace death over him?

She trembled in his arms as if a gelid hand had reached into her being.

"It was an awful suggestion; forgive me," Ronan apologised sincerely, cupping her face. "I will never force you to do anything against your will, especially not when it hurts you this much." He kissed away her tears, showing no regard for their audience.

His arm tightened around her waist and his lips met hers in a searing but slow and soft kiss.

Orion whistled in amusement with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Lord Eldric closed his eyes with his head bowed for the sake of decency and Lady Morgana sighed.

Ronan broke the kiss shortly, holding her head against his chest.

Vivian’s mind and body immediately relaxed, feeling the tension relieved from her body.

"No matter what you choose, I will always be here," Ronan affirmed, whispering to her sweetly. "Every step of the way, you will have my hand and arms to hold you."

The more Lady Morgana observed the affection and the start of an undying love between Ronan and Vivian, the more she had come to understand just how catastrophic their union would be.

After all, love never cured a Lycan’s curse.

Vivian took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she grasped his shirt between her fingers.

"I want to think it over until tomorrow morning and then make a decision," Vivian stated. "I need time to think clearly."

Lady Morgana nodded approvingly. "Very well, as you wish. However, regardless of your decision, we will still prepare for the binding ritual. The Triune Circle requires precision and unity. We will begin at the next full moon in three days, when the energies are most aligned."

The Coven Leader approached her two Wickan companions, engaging them in a discussion on the side.

And Vivian, exhausted from the day’s weary events, held no desire to remain idle in the ritual chambers any longer. There was much on her mind—an endless cycle of worries at the forefront and background of her mind.

She wasn’t at liberty to make her decisions freely, especially since Avery’s whereabouts were still unknown and the dark possibilities of what Alaric might do to harm her niece if she didn’t obey his command.

Vivian was practically living on borrowed time.

Living a life that wasn’t hers to own since the Umbrafyre curse was a leash looped around her neck and soul by Alaric.

She was still gambling with her niece’s life by considering the Triune Circle binding ritual; however, she wanted to place her utmost faith in the most feared and beastly Lycan Alpha, who was her mate.

If it was anyone who had the highest chance of rescuing her from her situation and securing her niece safely, it was Ronan.

However, that was also a high-end risk she wasn’t prepared for.

For all she knew, Alaric must have undoubtedly placed some sort of magical surveillance on her.

Thus, deciding not to dwell in the area for much longer, Ronan immediately took Vivian back to their private chambers. The Lycan Alpha, as much as he didn’t wish to leave her alone when her mind was in a distraught state, it was important for him to seek further information from Lady Morgana.

Vivian settled into bed with her whirling tempest of thoughts, comforted by a kiss on her forehead before Ronan left. She could feel the day’s weariness settle into her bones, suddenly feeling discomfort from the burning symbols on her body. She hugged her arms around her body, groaning from the pain that returned after such a long while.

On the other hand, Soran, who was only partially successful in his endeavours to sabotage the Triune Circle ritual, could only rely on Vivian as a last resort.

Since he was discovered by Orion, who now discovered him, when the ritual backfired, he would undoubtedly be ruled out as the immediate suspect.

Thus, now his only chance was to persuade and convince Vivian to reject going through with the binding ritual.

Thankfully, she found him somewhat trustworthy due to the fact that he rescued her from the Mirror World.

Vivian seemed much more warm and open to him now; thus, if he chose his words carefully, then she would surely believe his reasons.

Hence, she would make for a fine and easily manipulated target.