The Wolf's Queen Vows

Chapter 38: The Temple Of Truth

Galen stepped forward. "What do you mean?"

The Priestess turned her eyes to him. "This pendant is made to draw life energy from its bearer. Over time, it drains the soul slowly and silently until the person becomes an empty vessel. The energy it takes sustains another."

Aveloria felt a chill run through her. "So...whoever gave it to me—"

"Wants to cut your life short," the priestess said flatly. "And feed from your essence to prolong their own."

Aveloria’s breath caught. She swallowed hard, forcing her voice steady. "Is it reversible?"

The Priestess took the pendant with gloved hands and placed it in a sealed crystal container. "It’s good that you brought it here. But I need to see if any damage has been done."

She reached out and took Aveloria’s wrist gently. Her hand was calm and steady. She closed her eyes, and a quiet stillness settled over the room. freēwebnovel.com

Galen watched closely, tense but silent.

The Priestess’s breathing slowed. For a few seconds, nothing happened, and then her eyes snapped open suddenly.

Her expression softened slightly. "You’re fortunate. The pendant hasn’t succeeded in feeding yet."

Aveloria exhaled in relief. "So I’m not—"

"You’re safe for now," the priestess said. "But you must be careful. The energy it carried was strong. Whoever crafted it knows ancient ways of dark binding."

Galen stepped closer. "And it hasn’t harmed her in any way?"

The priestess shook her head. "Not yet. I felt her energy still strong, her wolf unweakened. There’s a force protecting her, something light, something pure."

Her eyes flicked toward Galen briefly before she said, "You may step outside for a moment, Beta."

Galen frowned slightly but obeyed, giving Aveloria one last look before leaving the room.

When the door closed, the priestess turned back to Aveloria.

"You must hold on to him," she said quietly. "The one who just left."

Aveloria blinked in confusion. "Galen?"

The priestess nodded. "His energy connects with yours in a way that strengthens it. I saw it; a thread was pulling between you. You need him. Whatever comes, don’t sever your bond with him or with any of your mates."

Aveloria frowned. "Why?"

"Because there are powers that want to see you divided," the priestess said. "Your bonds are what protect you. They balance your essence. If one is broken, your strength weakens. The darkness will find a way in."

Aveloria was silent, trying to process the warning.

The priestess continued, "Cling to your bonds. Especially his. He is your anchor in the storm that’s coming."

Aveloria’s chest tightened slightly. "You’re saying something’s going to happen?"

The priestess didn’t answer directly. "Just remember what I said. Keep your circle whole."

Aveloria nodded slowly.

The priestess pointed at the sealed crystal container. "This needs to be far from the palace. I’ll send word when it’s been purified."

"Thank you," Aveloria said softly.

She stepped outside, where Galen was waiting in the hallway. He looked at her immediately. "What did she say?"

Aveloria’s expression was guarded. "That I’m fine. But the item was dangerous."

"Did she say anything else? Maybe future dangers or effects?"

"No. It came only from a dark source, and I am safe." Aveloria replied. freewёbnoνel.com

Galen studied her for a moment but didn’t press further. "Then we destroy it."

"She’ll handle it," Aveloria said. "It’s being purified."

They left the temple together. The walk back was quiet. The streets were busier now, the morning sun climbing higher. Merchants opened their stalls, and the sound of people filled the air. But Aveloria barely noticed. Her thoughts were racing.

She clenched her hands tightly at her sides. Eirene. It all made sense now, the false kindness, the carefully placed words, the gifts, and the sudden change of her maids. Aveloria remembered the charm she’d been given in her past life, how it had burned faintly whenever she felt weak, how her energy had drained during her final days without any visible cause. That pendant was on her neck the day she had died.

Could it have been the same kind of magic? Had Eirene been feeding on her soul all along back then, too?

Her heart pounded with anger.

Beside her, Galen finally broke the silence. "Aveloria, who gave you the pendant?"

She stopped walking.

He turned to her, waiting.

She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "I can’t tell you yet."

His brows furrowed. "Why not?"

"Because if I’m wrong, it could destroy everything," she said. "Let me find proof first."

Galen’s jaw tightened. "You shouldn’t carry this alone."

"I’m not," she said quietly, looking up at him. "You’re here."

He searched her face for a long moment before nodding slightly. "Promise me one thing, you won’t keep secrets when it concerns your safety."

Aveloria hesitated, then nodded. "I promise."

They continued walking until the palace came into view again. The guards opened the gates for them. Before they parted ways, Galen stopped and looked at her once more.

"Whatever this is, we’ll handle it," he said firmly.

Aveloria gave a faint nod, though her anger was far from calm inside.

As she walked back toward her chambers, her mind turned over every detail: Alin’s death, Eirene’s involvement, the priestess’s warning.

Eirene wasn’t just dangerous; she was calculating. And if she was working with Rowena, they weren’t simply plotting; they were hunting.

But Aveloria was no longer the same woman they had manipulated once before. This time, she would find the truth herself. When she did, she would ensure they never had the chance to harm anyone again.

********************

Peace was far from Aveloria’s heart. Her thoughts were heavy after the visit to the temple the day before. The priestess’s warning echoed constantly in her mind: Hold on to Galen and never sever your bonds.

She had barely slept. The memory of the pendant, the runes, and what the priestess had said about soul-draining magic all circled her head like flies that wouldn’t leave. The face of Alin, her loyal maid, came to her more than once that morning: her soft voice, the way she used to hum while brushing Aveloria’s hair, and her final expression when death claimed her.

Aveloria walked briskly down the corridor, intending to visit her sisters. She needed something familiar, something grounding. But hushed voices caught her attention before reaching the courtyard to their wing.

She slowed down. The voices came from a side hall, the servants’ corridor. The maids didn’t see her yet.

"...I heard she poisoned the Heiress herself," one said, her tone low but full of curiosity.

"Who told you that?" another asked.

"Someone from the Queen’s quarters," the first replied quickly. "They said the maid, Alin, I think, was practicing dark magic and killed herself out of guilt. They found something strange on her body."

"That’s awful," a third voice whispered. "But why would she do that to the Heiress? She was so loyal."

Aveloria’s chest tightened. Her first instinct was disbelief. How could they twist things so cruelly? She took a few steps closer until they noticed her. The color drained from their faces as they quickly dropped their heads and curtsied.

"What did you just say?" Aveloria demanded, her voice firm but trembling with anger.