The Alpha's Betrayal Rise Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 19 Witchfire The afternoon sun filters through the courtyard trees , scattering light over stone and #Finished grass . his size , Finn stands in the middle , a wooden staff in hand . He swings clumsily at another pup their sticks clacking together before both burst into laughter and tumble to the ground . I stand at the edge of the courtyard , watching them , my heart tightening and softening all at once . It's been so long since I've seen him laugh like that . He's safe . For now . Jax did what I asked him to do . He went to Kade quietly , mentioned the Conclave , hinted that the High Council might find it improper for the children to stay with Izel - or with me . Said it would look better if they were neutral , kept in the nursery until the Conclave was done . Kade , in his typical pride , had thought it his own idea . And now , for the first time in months , Izel sees the children only rarely . I still remember the way she had snapped at Finn that night - too cruel for a boy his age . The memory makes me grip my cloak tighter . Seeing him smiling now , even if only for a few moments , feels like balm over a wound that refuses to close . Finn spots me before I can decide whether to call out . His little head jerks up , bright eyes widening . Then he drops the staff and runs straight to me . " Mama ! " The word hits me like sunlight after endless winter . My throat closes with a gasp . He wraps his small arms around my waist with all the force he can muster . I bend down , gathering him up . He's heavier than I remember , taller too - his legs dangle past my knees now . My little boy isn't so little anymore . " I missed you ," he says , his voice muffled against my shoulder . I press my lips to his hair . " And I missed you every day ." From the corner of my eye , I see Jax leaning against a pillar , arms folded . He's watching us quietly . When he catches me looking , he gives the faintest nod . It almost looks like a smile . I lower Finn back to the ground , brushing his hair from his face . " Come on , " I say softly . " I'll walk you back to the nursery ." He slips his hand into mine , and we walk through the courtyard path lined with climbing ivy and carved stone wolves . 1/4 21:36 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 19 Witchtile A Finished He chatters the whole way , " Atlas says when he grows up , he'll be the best warrior in all Silvercrest ! But I told him he has to beat me first ! " " Oh ? " I tease gently . " And will you let him win ? " " Never ! " He grins , missing a front tooth . His laughter fills the hallway as we approach the nursery doors . My heart feels lighter than it has in weeks - until Nyx's voice slices through my thoughts like a blade . Save her . The air leaves my lungs . ' Save Ivy ! ' she roars again , so loud it rattles my bones . I freeze mid - step . " What- " Then I smell it . Smoke . " Finn ! " I grab him , scooping him into my arms before he can protest . I run . The corridor fills with shouting voices and the faint sound of crackling flames . Smoke thickens the air as I reach the nursery doors . The chemical stench hits me first , tinged with something unnatural . Green light flickers under the door . I kick it open . " Stay here ! " I shout , dropping Finn outside before dragging my eyes back to the smoke . " Ivy ! " Flames crawl up the drapes , eating through silk and wood , burning an eerie green . The stench of roses , almonds , and blood is thick enough to make me throw up , but I hold myself steady . Ivy is on her bed , crying , her eyes closed . Without a thought , I run straight through the smoke . " Nyx ! " I call . Power surges inside me . My vision floods silver . A translucent barrier bursts to life around us , shimmering like glass . The flames slam against it and scatter , heat roaring around but never touching . I grab Ivy , clutching her against my chest . Her small arms cling to my neck , her sobs shaking through me . " You're safe ," I whisper , coughing . " You're safe , baby ." Guards rush in then , splashing buckets of water , their shouts enveloping us . The flames die 2/4 21:36 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 19 Witchfire slowly , hissing , leaving blackened curtains and smoke curling through the ceiling . Finished I fall to my knees near the doorway , holding both my children close . Ivy sobs against me and Finn clings to my arm , eyes wide in shock . My body shakes uncontrollably . Ivy could've died . My sweet little girl could've died . Where were the guards ?! " What happened ? " Kade's furious voice cuts through the noise . He strides in , Jax close behind him . I lift my head , still coughing . " The fire was green , " I choke out . " It wasn't an accident . It's witchfire . " The guards exchange uneasy looks . One mutters , " It - it looked normal at first , Alpha . Then- then it changed ." " Changed ? " Kade's tone hardens . " Why did it take you this long to act ? " They look dazed , confused , like men waking from a dream . " We ... we didn't see or hear anything , " one stammers . " It was as if - something fogged our minds . " Jax crouches near the scorched drapes , fingers brushing the singed fabric . " It has an odd smell . " " How could this happen ? " Kade demands . " Who let this happen in my house ? " A new voice answers , smooth and calm . " Perhaps a candle fell . " Izel stands in the doorway , her auburn hair falling in ringlets around her shoulders . " I came as soon as I heard . " I stand , still holding Ivy . " Witchfire doesn't come from falling candles . " For a heartbeat , something flashes in her eyes - just enough for me to see satisfaction buried deep under her mask . Then it's gone . " Witchfire ? " she repeats softly , almost laughing . " You're frightened , Freya . You must have seen it wrong in all that smoke . " " I know what I saw , " I say . " And what I smelled . " Kade glances between us , suspicion warring with denial in his eyes . Jax steps closer to him , murmuring something low I can't hear . Kade's expression tightens . " Enough ," he says finally . " I don't want excuses . The children are moving out of here tonight ." Izel blinks . " Out ? To where ? " 3/4 21:36 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 10 watchfire He looks at me . " With Freya . " Her mask slips , and I catch the flicker of anger in her face before she schools it back into softness . " Of course , " she says tightly . " If that's your wish , Alpha . " " It's not a wish . " he replies . " It's an order . " He turns to me . " Take them to the Queen's wing . Post guards you trust . I'll send more later . " I nod , still breathless and shaking , soot streaking my sleeves . " Thank you . " As Kade leaves with the guards . Izel lingers one moment longer , her gaze burning into mine . " This . " she murmurs , " is exactly why I kept her with me . Some mothers invite disaster wherever they go . " She glides away before I can speak . I look down at Ivy and Finn and whisper to them , " Not anymore ." Nyx stirs within me . ' We'll burn brighter than her fire . Send Gifts 四 21:36 Wed , Oct 15