Chapter 112: The Test of Hearts
The corrupted troops circled them like hungry wolves. Ronan stood at the front, his eyes glowing with that strange light. Celeste clung to his arm, her face twisted with success.
"Surprised to see me?" Celeste asked sweetly. "I told you I’d never let an omega take my place." "You’re working with them," Elara breathed.
"You’ve been working with them all along." "Working with them? Darling, I AM them." Celeste’s form shimmered and changed. Her human appearance melted away, showing something ancient and terrible underneath. "She’s one of the original beings," Elder Vera gasped.
"Like the stranger!" The silver-haired man nodded approvingly. "My daughter has played her part perfectly. Years of acting to be a jealous Beta’s child, all to get close to you." Kael’s ice burst outward.
"You used Ronan! You corrupted him!" "I gave him what he wanted," Celeste responded. "A family that would never leave him. Look how happy he is now."
Ronan’s corrupted smile was terrible to see. "I don’t hurt anymore," he said in that thick voice. "I don’t fear being left behind. I belong somewhere." "This isn’t belonging!" Darian yelled, his shadows writhing.
"This is slavery!" "Is it?" The man tilted his head. "Or is it simply acceptance? We don’t judge Ronan for his rage. We don’t try to control his nature. We accept it." "You destroyed it!" Kael snarled.
"We perfected it." The twins stepped forward, their too-old eyes studying the corrupted force. "They’re not happy," the first twin noticed.
"They’re hungry," the second added. "Always hungry. Never satisfied." "Quiet!" Celeste snapped. "You’ll understand soon enough." "Understand what?" Elara pulled the twins protectively behind her.
"That you have a choice to make," the stranger stated. "Join us freely, and keep your family together. Refuse, and watch them be torn apart one by one."
"We’ll never join you," Kael stated. "Won’t you?" The stranger pointed to the corrupted wolves surrounding them.