Lucas’s POV

The choice was mine.

...A choice that I didn’t want to make.

The choice of whether or not we take the risk to save Harper’s life. It should have been an easy decision—a no-brainer. I had begged the world to give me a miracle, and it came in the form of a witch that held the power to potentially heal my mate.

But the risks were not to be taken lightly...Not to mention the potential aftermath.

Even if Harper managed to survive the power transference, she would be gaining a whole new group of enemies. How would those within the pack react when they eventually discover her new abilities?

Would they accept her or see her as a threat?

Keeping in mind that was considered to be the best case scenario. That was all in the event that everything regarding the transfer went well...

What if Harper’s body wasn’t willing to accept the power transference? What if I end up losing her anyway?

“No! We have to try!” Levi argued fervently. “If nothing is done, we lose her anyway. We have to try!”

He was right.

Even though it felt like dealing with a double-edged sword, if we didn’t at least try to help Harper, then her fate was as good as sealed.

Both the pack and I needed her. Her skills. Her strength. Her intellect. Her loyalty. Her kindness. Her love. The very thought of giving up on that because of my own fears would have been outrageous.

I knew Harper was strong. It wasn’t in her nature to give up—especially when it came to survival. I wanted to believe that she would make it through this.

I slowly nodded my head.

“Okay,” I confirmed.

Aurora tilted her head downward. “Alright. I’m going to need to prep Harper and get a few things ready before I can officially begin.”

A sudden pain pinched in my hands as I glanced down to find numerous nail-shaped marks embedded in my palms. I hadn’t realized I’d been clenching my hands so fiercely that I ended up breaking through my skin.

I stared blankly at the small, bloodied marks until a spontaneous idea came to mind.

A blood ritual...

Surely, I was crazy for even thinking such an idea. Maybe I was.

But I felt as though I was already walking a thin line of morality. Why not take another step further?

Unfortunately, the information that I needed was tucked away in our archives.

A cold numbness seeped through me. Although I wasn’t keen on leaving Harper’s side, I knew that she would be safe with Aurora in my absence.

“In that case, I will leave you to get ready,” I commented.

There was a slight tremble to my hands as I reached for the door. I missed the strain that I would have felt in my chest had our connection not been so damaged.

I slipped out of the room and silently traveled down the hall, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. What I was considering wasn’t exactly legal in the eyes of our pack.

From what I’d been told about blood rituals, they were as unpredictable as anything. So much so that every person taking part in it was placing their lives at unknown risk.

I made it to the lower levels of the house, and I came upon the archive room. Standing in front of the door was one of our guards. With a curt nod, he stepped aside, and I began scanning the shelves for the necessary material.

My fingers lightly skimmed along the spines of the books until I finally found the section I needed.

I pulled out a large, dusty tome that looked like it could have been dated a century back. I carefully carried it back over to one of the tables and began searching through it.

Blood rituals were not only risky but also insanely picky when it came to the one who would be orchestrating it. Not everyone had the ability to perform said ritual. Those in high positions or with natural power had an easier time carrying out the practice.

My eyes gingerly studied all the important markings and memorized the steps.

“Alpha?” Mason’s voice echoed amongst the shelves.

I lifted my head up to find him standing at the head of the room, along with one of the council’s representatives. I fought back a sneer.

“As you can see, I’m busy,” I said gruffly.

“Yes, we can, Sir. Believe me, we don’t mean to intrude on your research,” Mason stated. “It’s just that many have been asking about Harper. They want to know how she is and what’s being done.”

I knew I couldn’t fault him for that. Of course, people were concerned for Harper’s well-being.

“There is someone who is currently in the midst of getting ready to heal Harper,” I said.

Mason’s expression lightened with enthusiasm. “That’s wonderful.”

“Who?” the delegate questioned, pointedly.

I snapped my attention to him and held back a snarl. “A sorceress. She’s been gracious enough to heal Harper, given her reputation as a healer.”

The delegate’s eyes widened. “You mean that she’s within the walls of this house?”

I could feel my wolf rising to the surface. “Would you and the Council prefer that I carry my dying mate through the woods where anything could potentially harm her in such a vulnerable state?”

The foolish man stuttered over his words.

“I suspect that you’re merely here to bring word back to your fellow council members,” I said venomously. “Tell them this. I am doing everything in my power to ensure that my mate survives through this very night. I am prepared to raise Hell if I have to in order to make it happen.”

The man made the smart decision to bow his head and leave the room. Mason, on the other hand, came to stand beside me.

“What is it that you’re actually researching here?” he asked. “Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

I let out a loose breath and leaned back in my chair. “Not unless you know something I don’t when it comes to blood rituals.”

Mason froze. He gave me a wary look while shaking his head. “Please tell me you’re not serious...Sir, with all due respect, you cannot possibly be considering something so insanely volatile?”

“I have to. I need all the assurance I can get,” I told him. “This sorceress made it clear that Harper may not even make it through the process in her current state. Which is why I need to have this as a potential fallback.”

“I understand that, but...What if—”

“I can’t think about the ‘what ifs’, Mason,” I said firmly. I closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. “I know that what I’m willing to do is considered a huge risk on my part. Yes, I may very well be splitting my soul in half in order to ensure that Harper survives this.”

He lowered his head in silence. I was touched by his concern for my well-being. But the truth was, if I ended up losing Harper, there would be nothing that anyone could do that would be able to console or save me then.

With the knowledge fresh in my mind, I headed back to the room.

“She will make it through this,” I said to myself.

“Even if we have to raise Hell,” Levi added.