Chapter 297: The darkness within...
My blood simmered with anger as Belinda stood there, smirking, her gaze drifting toward my daughters. The audacity she had—to show up here, under Alpha Jared’s orders no less, and to even hint at taking me away from my children—had already pushed me to my limit. But when her eyes narrowed on Maeve and Vina, her lips curling with that twisted smile, something snapped in me.
"Belinda," I said, my voice low and trembling with fury, "you will not lay a finger on my daughters."
Belinda tilted her head, unfazed, looking amused by my outburst. She stepped closer, ignoring my words as she reached a hand out toward Maeve and Vina, who huddled close, their eyes wide with fear. "Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Selene," she cooed mockingly. "Alpha Jared is simply looking out for you. He wants you to join our cause, to be where you belong." Her hand extended further toward Maeve, and that was it.
"No!" I shouted, feeling something deep within me surge. I raised my hand, instinctively reaching out to stop her, and a brilliant, silver energy burst from my palm, streaking through the air and striking Belinda square in the chest.
The impact was so sudden and powerful that Belinda was flung across the room, hitting the wall with a loud thud before crumpling to the floor. Silence filled the space, every eye fixed on her unmoving form sprawled against the wall. My hand trembled as I looked at it, realizing the extent of what I had just done. The silver energy I’d wielded had vanished, but the air was still crackling, shimmering faintly where the energy had been only seconds before.
Maeve and Vina stared at me in awe, their small faces alight with both fear and wonder. The maids and guards looked equally stunned, eyes wide, some casting fearful glances between Belinda and me. For a moment, I was terrified myself. I had no idea that I could wield such power.
Swallowing hard, I took a breath, gathering myself. I forced my voice to stay calm, even though I felt anything but. "Take Maeve, Vina, and the baby," I instructed the nannies who hovered nearby, "and bring them to their room. Stay there with them, and do not come out until I say it’s safe."
The nannies nodded, hurrying to gather my children. Maeve looked at me with worried eyes, her tiny hand clutching my sleeve. "Mama, are you going to be okay?"
I crouched down, cupping her face gently. "I’ll be fine, my love," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I just need you to be brave and stay with the nannies for a little while, okay?"
Maeve nodded reluctantly, her little fingers loosening their grip. I watched as the nannies ushered the girls and the baby away, their small forms disappearing around the corner. Once they were out of sight, I turned my attention back to Belinda.
The house was eerily quiet. I approached her slowly, my footsteps soft as I crossed the room. Part of me was reluctant to get too close, unsure of what I might find. But I had to know—I had to be sure. Kneeling beside her, I hesitated, watching her chest rise and fall faintly. She was alive, but barely.
I exhaled, relief mingling with wariness. This wasn’t over yet.