CHAPTER 136: YOUNG LILITH VIII

*~Young Lilith’s POV~*

Then the swearing had begun. We were all seated in a dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with tension, as a silver bowl was passed around the circle. One by one, the newly chosen were told to drink.

The first two did without hesitation. As soon as the thick, metallic liquid touched their lips, a strange shimmer rippled through their eyes—shifting their color—and their entire appearance seemed to sharpen, almost predatory. Their presence alone felt heavier, like the room tilted toward them.

The bowl was lifted toward the third initiate when chaos struck.

The door slammed open. Someone barged in, knocking the bowl from Dahlia’s hand just as the third was about to drink. The crimson liquid splashed across the stone floor like spilled life.

Dahlia’s voice cracked like a whip. "What are you doing?"

"This isn’t what we signed up for!" the intruder shouted, chest heaving. "You’re poisoning them—turning them into something they’re not! This is wrong!"

"They are supposed to be under my control," Dahlia hissed, eyes flashing unnaturally bright. "Did you forget who breeds the Crescents? Who gives them their gift?"

"No!" the intruder shot back. "The whole point was to unite witches and wolves—no more war. Not enslave them to your will!"

Dahlia laughed, a sharp, cruel sound. "Unite? Fool. Power should never be shared. I created them, and I will rule through them."

From the shadows, a calm but firm voice rang out. "No. You won’t."

The cave burst open, revealing our Luna. Behind her stood my father and several others—parents, warriors—eyes fierce with defiance.

Dahlia stiffened. "So... you’re all turning against me now?"

Our Luna stepped forward, unwavering. "We’re ending this before it goes too far."

"Oh?" Dahlia tilted her head, a cruel smile spreading across her lips. "What will your Alpha say when he finds out what you’ve been hiding? This little secret organization of yours?"

"The Alpha won’t know...Unless I tell him," Luna replied smoothly, refusing to flinch.

"Hmmm... His darling pregnant wife, of course he will only listen to you... But they’ll kill you before then."

A smile curved on the Luna’s mouth..." Really.. How can you do that old witch?"

Dahlia’s smile widened, sharp as glass. "Two of them have already drunk from the bowl. They’re mine now. And I can command them to tear you all apart before you take another step."

My father stepped forward, shoulders squared. "They are two young Crescents. We are full-blooded wolves. You overestimate your hold on them."

"Do I?" Dahlia snapped her fingers.

The two who had drunk lunged forward with a speed and ferocity that left the air crackling. Parents shifted mid-stride, fur bristling, teeth flashing, colliding with the Crescents in a blur of violence.

Those two were strong. Strong enough to slam two fully shifted wolves into the cavern wall like they were nothing. My father’s body came flying towards me, and still, he gritted his teeth and went back in.

Seventeen wolves against two half-formed Crescents—and it was barely enough.

A shiver slid down my spine. If that is their strength without tapping into their witch blood... what am I capable of?

The thought both terrified and thrilled me. A dangerous, intoxicating spark curled in my chest.

Alice caught me smirking. "What is it?"

"Nothing," I murmured, masking the rush of exhilaration.

Finally, the Crescents were subdued, forced to the ground with sheer weight of numbers. Dahlia stood still, smirking like a queen unbothered by defeat.

"Very well, then," she said softly—and vanished.

My father stormed toward me, eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You didn’t drink, did you?"

"No."

"Good." He seized my wrist and pulled me toward the exit. "You’re not going to fall under her control. Not tonight."

Alice tried to hold me back, but Father shoved her aside, urgency in his grip. We didn’t look back. We ran for the carriage.

Chaos exploded in the cave. Parents scrambled for their children the second Dahlia vanished, as if the very walls of that cursed place might collapse on us. The secret organization they had built—shrouded in lies and fear—was crumbling before their eyes.

The carriage ride back felt endless. My body was trembling, my skin prickling like fire was licking through my veins. I felt like I wanted to die... like the moment my wolf had died. I doubled over and vomited on the carriage floor.

Father made the carriage halt instantly. His voice broke through the ringing in my ears. "Lilith, are you okay?"

I forced a nod. "Just... a little nauseous."

But it was a lie.

By the time we reached the Dome, my body was screaming. I bolted from the carriage, ran to my bedroom, and locked the door behind me. The heat inside my body was unbearable, searing through skin, bone, and blood. I ripped off my clothes, clawing at my own skin until I feared it might peel away.

Knocking. Voices. Father. Mother. But their words blurred into a distant hum. My vision swam. My breath came in harsh, broken pulls. I barely noticed when Father barged in...only to retreat instantly at the sight of my trembling, naked frame.

Then Mother entered. Her voice shook. "Lilith... oh my God. Lilith, are you okay? Please, baby, talk to me."

I raised a hand, stopping her from coming closer. "No... stay back. I’m not fine."

That’s when it started. Smoke—thin tendrils of air...escaping from my skin like I was burning from the inside out. My veins turned black, writhing like ink beneath my flesh. My bones cracked, shifted, broke, then reformed....but not like a wolf’s transformation. This... this was something else.

Something wrong....Mother screamed, stumbling back in horror. I saw it—the fear in her eyes....not of what was happening, but of me.

She ran. Father stayed outside. Neither could bear to face what I was becoming. The monster they had created.

I clutched my head, shaking, whispering to myself, Control it, Lilith. Don’t lose yourself. Control yourself, Lilith.. You can do this.

Then... a voice. Not mine. Not human.

"Turn it off."

My breathing hitched. My body convulsed....then stilled. The heat, the pain, the chaos... all of it stopped. Instantly.