Chapter 451
Chapter 451
3rd Person’s POV
That had been Seraphina’s intention from the very beginning.
She wanted Lylah beneath her.
Because every moment Lylah remained here-calmly earning admiration without even trying-felt like a thorn lodged beneath Seraphina’s skin. She could not endure watching another student outshine her. Especially not here. Especially not in front of Jude.
If Lylah were forced to leave Lunera Valley, then the position beside Jude during his outreach project woul naturally fall into Seraphina’s hands instead.
“Isn’t that a little excessive?” one of the volunteers asked hesitantly.
“Seraphina, this really isn’t necessary p>
“Oh, but it is.” Seraphina flicked her curly hair over her shoulder gracefully, her voice dripping with confidence. “As healers, every judgment we make carries responsibility. A single mistake can cost a patient their life.” Her gaze slid toward Lylah, sharp as polished glass. “I’m not doing this simply to corner her p>
She paused deliberately.
Then her lips curved. “Because if Lylah proves to be correct… then I will publicly apologize and willingly serve as her assistant instead.” A dangerous gleam entered her eyes. “I swear it upon the Goddess’s name p>
The entire hut fell silent.
Students stiffened instinctively at the sacred vow. Even the air itself seemed to tighten beneath the weight of divine witness.
But Seraphina remained composed, burning with the kind of arrogance that came from someone who had never truly imagined losing.
Lylah simply looked at her. “If that’s what you want,” she answered quietly.
After that, they waited for Tessalonika’s return.
The atmosphere inside the small hut grew strained, thick with clashing scents and restless wolves. Even Abba looked visibly troubled by the confrontation unfolding around her.
The old she-wolf wrung her trembling hands together before cautiously turning toward Lylah.
“Lady Healer… are you alright p>
Lylah’s expression softened immediately.
“Yes,” she reassured gently. “Disagreements like this are common among us. We’re still students learning different paths of treatment.” Her voice remained steady and warm, “But I promise you this, none of us will make a decision that harms you p>
“Thank you “The elderly wolf murinured
Lylah knelt beside her firepit, lowering herself to Abba’s level instead of towering over her
“Can you tell me more about your condition?” she asked softly. “Anything you remember could help me connect the pieces together p>
Abba frowned thoughtfully. “After I woke from the coma, I tried to shift.” Her weathered fingers tightened around the thick bear fur wrapped over her lap. “But nothing happened p>
Fear flickered through her scent even now, years later.
“The others in the Valley said I’d been cursed.” Her voice roughened painfully. “They said Lunera itself was cursed… that any wolf who remains here too long eventually loses the ability to leave p>
The old she-wolf lowered her gaze.
“But I didn’t want to believe that.” A faint, stubborn smile touched her lips. “As long as I’m still breathing, there should still be hope, shouldn’t there p>
“There is,” Lylah answered immediately.
And for the first time since they arrived, genuine warmth entered Abba’s cloudy eyes.
As the old wolf continued speaking, Lylah quietly allowed Selestine closer to the surface.
The shift was subtle.
But instantly, the world sharpened.
The scent of damp earth thickened around her senses. The crackling firepit sounded louder. Every heartbeat inside the hut became distinct beneath the hush of the Valley winds.
Silver energy stirred faintly beneath her skin.
Selestine awakened within her like moonlight rising beneath dark water.
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The Betrayed Princess Rising