Seeing him actually do everything he could to try and make her feel better caused a fluttery feeling in her stomach and she tried to convince herself that it was that way because that was the nicest thing Cedric had done for her since their encounter, but it was all lies. There was a giddy smile on her face as she took a seat at the table and began to update her journal, the fluttery feeling stubbornly remaining.
A thought formed in her head as Marisol finished her last sentence, causing her to worry with her lip between her teeth. If Cedric was going to be serious about their deal, shouldn't she be doing the same? That would only be fair, wouldn't it?
She'd been warned by Lily and even Cedric that she might be in danger, but Marisol had never been one to cower and hide in fear. She was going to need some more information about this new enemy of hers.
Who was Guinevere, and what had driven her to cast such a malevolent spell?
She'd read of the wars between Ember Coven and Redwood Pack, but there was no mention of a 'Guinevere'. The only place she'd come across her name was in the prophecy. The same one that mentioned that war was coming to Redwood.
After spending some time lost in thought, Marisol resolved to seek out Cedric once more, hoping to find some answers amidst the silence of the hidden castle. But to her surprise, when she arrived, the castle was eerily empty, devoid of any sign of Cedric's presence. Panic rose with each second as she began to frantically search every nook and cranny, even the ones a person of Cedric's size, let alone his wolf would fit in, her heart pounding with fear at the thought of what might have become of him.
As she scoured the castle for any sign of Cedric, Marisol couldn't shake the nagging feeling of apprehension that gnawed at her insides. Since she had begun staying with him, Cedric had exhibited a newfound sense of control, refraining from the reckless behavior that had once characterized his actions. But now, with his sudden disappearance, Marisol couldn't help but wonder if he had regressed in her absence, succumbing once again to the wild impulses that had plagued him before. Had he lost control once more?
Mind racing with worry, Marisol rushed out of the castle in search of Lily, hoping that her friend might have some insight into Cedric's whereabouts. Just as she is about to enter the pack house, she collides with another body, the unexpected encounter catching her off guard.
"M- My apologies," Marisol muttered hastily, attempting to sidestep the person who turned out to be Sophia and continue on her way and she'd done that successfully, already rushing away with hurried steps when Sophia called out to her, her voice stopping Marisol in her tracks.
"Wait!"
Reluctantly, Marisol turned to face Sophia, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she awaited an explanation for the interruption.
"Cedric is in a meeting with the council," she explained hurriedly, almost like she was afraid of being cut off or walked out on as she added, "They're deliberating whether he's fit to reclaim his position as alpha."
Marisol's heart skipped a beat at the news, her thoughts racing as she processed the implications of Sophia's revelation. Why would the council be questioning Cedric's fitness to lead? And what did it mean for his future - and hers? Wasn't it too rushed? It was still too early to make a decision, wasn't it?
He may be cognizant and seemingly stable right now, but there was still a chance that he could regress at any time. Did they think that the curse was broken because he was back in human form? Couldn't they feel the darkness lurking within him?
"Thanks," she finally muttered, turning around to walk away, distractedly wondering why Sophia would want to help her, especially unprompted after everything that had transpired between them.
"Before you go," Sophia called out again, and Marisol could not help a tinge of irritation at being continuously held back, "I just wanted to make one thing clear," Sophia said, quietly this time. "I really am sorry about everything. I wasn't pretending earlier."
Marisol regarded Sophia with cautious scrutiny, her mind buzzing with suspicion. If Sophia was truly remorseful, perhaps there was more to her than met the eye.
Gathering her resolve, Marisol decided to put Sophia's sincerity to the test. With a tentative step closer, she regarded Sophia with narrowed eyes, "What do you know about Guinevere?" she inquired, "And who gave the prophecy?"
At Marisol's question, she watched Sophia's solemn expression relax, and then her lips pressed into a thin line before she beckoned her closer, "Come with me," she said conspiratorially.
Intrigued by Sophia's invitation, Marisol fell into step behind her, her mind buzzing with anticipation as she followed Sophia into the depths of the pack house, eager to uncover the secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface.
Sophia led Marisol out of the bustling pack house and into the quiet streets of the town, the cool evening air brushing against their skin as they walked. Eventually, they arrived at a quaint little café nestled in a corner, its warm lights and inviting atmosphere beckoning passersby.
Marisol groaned unconsciously as they entered the café, the sight and pleasing smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods overwhelming her senses. The familiar aroma stirred something within her, a longing for the simple pleasures of life that she had been deprived of for so long.
As they made their way to a secluded corner of the café, Marisol took in the cozy ambiance around her, the soft hum of conversation, the gentle clinking of cups, and the comforting warmth of the surroundings.
It filled her with nostalgia and longing. It had been so long since she had visited anywhere beyond the confines of the pack house, and the prospect of indulging in the familiar comforts of coffee and conversation excited her despite herself. Everything about the café reminded her of simpler times before the chaos of Redwood had consumed her life.