Prologue

'I can remember my father being so angry, him telling me something was wrong with me. The first time I shifted into my wolf, I was so happy, but when my father saw that I had a white wolf, he told me I would never be able to shift in front of anyone besides him or my brother.'

~

A week has passed, but the heaviness in my heart remains. Despite being told I'm free to leave at any time, I can't shake this suffocating feeling of being trapped in this place.

Let's rewind to the moment when I made that heart-wrenching decision, one that changed everything a week ago. The moment I ran through that portal, leaving Wolf behind, tearing myself away from the only man I'll love for all eternity.

Deep down, I knew running was the only way to do it. My heart pounded, my wolf howled, urging me to turn back, but I had to be strong. I had to free him from the entrapment caused by my existence.

The decision weighed heavily on me, and it still does.

SASHA

My soul felt like it would shatter, but I pressed on. I can't recall the exact moment I crossed into the witch's world, but I'll never forget the feeling that surged through me.

It resonated within me, down to my very core. Falling into the unknown, it strangely felt like coming home.

Little did I know, from that moment on, my life would never be the same...

As I reached what seemed like the other side, my knees gave way, and I fell to the ground, gasping for breath, clutching my chest.

Everything was different, and the air carried a peculiar scent. I knew I wasn't in Erebus anymore, but the earthy smell of dew-covered grass made me feel connected to this new place.

Taking deep breaths, I tried to steady my emotions, but a wave of disorientation washed over me. It felt like my stomach and head were detached from my body, like being tossed in a vacuum-sealed tumble drier without warning. How do witches consider this normal?

The impact of landing on the soft grass made me lose my breakfast. There was no holding it back. Noah was there as promised, offering some comfort in this strange new world. Raising my head to look at him felt like lifting a heavy burden.

Noah's eyes showed concern and apology. Fatigue set in, and I felt shaky. His earlier words echoed in my mind, "It will feel a bit strange, but nothing heavy." Irony at its finest, reminding me that I was no longer in my world.

And then, darkness enveloped me, the stars consuming my consciousness.

As I woke up, I found myself in a quaint and cozy cottage. The soft glow of candlelight bathed the room, and I could hear the crackling of the fireplace. Noah sat by my side, his eyes filled with worry and relief.

"Welcome back," he said, his voice soothing.

I managed a weak smile, grateful for his presence in this unfamiliar place. He explained that the journey between worlds had taken a toll on me, but assured me that I would adapt with time.

Days turned into nights, and I slowly acclimated to this new realm. Noah patiently taught me about the ways of witches, their customs, and their magic. He had a kindness in his heart that I hadn't expected, and I found myself drawn to him in a different way.

As the days passed, I couldn't shake the guilt and sorrow that consumed me whenever I thought of Wolf. I wondered how he was coping without me, if he understood why I had to leave. The love we shared had been a rare and precious bond, and breaking it had been the most agonizing choice I'd ever made.

But as I spent more time with Noah, I began to feel something I hadn't anticipated. His compassion and understanding made me feel seen and valued, like I wasn't just a burden to be rid of. He made me laugh, and for a brief moment, the weight of my past lifted.

I knew I couldn't replace Wolf, nor did I want to. He would always hold a piece of my heart. But being with Noah taught me that life could hold unexpected twists and turns, leading us to places we never thought we'd go.

As the stars glittered in the night sky, I allowed myself to feel hope again. Maybe, just maybe, in this strange and mystical world, I could find a new beginning. One where my love for Wolf would forever remain, but where I could also embrace a future I hadn't imagined. In this enchanted realm, I would discover more about myself, my abilities, and perhaps, the possibilities of love in its many forms.