Liliana wrapped her arms around Cassian, trying to warm him with her embrace.
"Goddess of the Moon, you may use me for anything... but let them stay with me. Don’t take my family away from me again," Liliana said a moment later.
The wind around Liliana blew even stronger, as if welcoming something whose arrival nature had been eagerly awaiting. The autumn leaves began to scatter, creating a magical effect for Liliana.
Liliana looked up at the moon once more. "Goddess of the Moon, use my soul to grant this wish of mine. I will obey all Your will."
Mega shook her head, staring at Liliana.
"Liliana!!! Stop!"
Liliana didn’t answer. She couldn’t hear a thing and could only feel the suffocating silence all around her.
A few moments later, Liliana’s body shook violently, as if a pain were now piercing her soul a thousand times over. She closed her eyes, biting her lip gently to endure the pain. But even so, she didn’t let go of Cassian at all.
Slowly, very slowly... Liliana’s body began to radiate a dazzling silvery-white light. The light continued to grow before her very eyes.
Her black hair, which had been flowing freely in the wind, now began to change color. Slowly but surely, the change spread from the roots to the very tips of her hair.
Blood trickled from her lips as she bit down even harder.
"Liliana, stop!" Mega cried out, her voice growing increasingly panicked.
Cassian’s body, which had begun to grow cold in Liliana’s embrace, was now slowly trembling. The warmth that no one had been able to feel before was now returning. The wound on his stomach was slowly fading away, as if it were being erased.
"Liliana..." Cassian finally called out. He looked up at Liliana’s hair, which had now turned completely silvery white. His eyes widened in surprise. "Liliana..." he called again.
Liliana didn’t respond. She still kept her eyes tightly shut, as if isolated in her own world. A white light continued to radiate from her body, its reach expanding.
"Liliana..." Silver called out in her mind.
Liliana smiled. Silver... you’re finally awake? Liliana thought to herself, and immediately ran over to embrace him.
"It’s because of you. Congratulations on awakening your true power, Liliana," Silver said as he held her close.
"Silver... I missed you. Do you know how panicked I’ve been all this time?"
Silver let out a high-pitched howl, allowing Liliana to keep holding him.
"Liliana, snap out of it now," Silver said a moment later. "You’re not yet able to control your power properly. Cassian is already awake—that’s enough. Your body will be injured if you keep giving off the power you’ve just gained."
Liliana looked up. "Is my brother awake?"
"Yes," Silver replied. "He and the old woman beside you kept calling your name, trying to wake you up."
Liliana nodded. "I’ll be back. It’s good to see you again, Silver."
In an instant, Liliana’s eyes flew open. She looked around in shock. The strong wind had subsided, but the light radiating from her body was still blindingly bright and expanded within seconds.
"Liliana, are you finally opening your eyes?" asked Cassian, who was still standing nearby. His presence wasn’t repelled at all by Liliana’s aura of power, unlike what Mega had experienced.
Liliana blinked, then hugged Cassian tightly.
"Brother... are you really awake? You’re not dead?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"When did I ever say I was going to die?" Cassian asked. "I just wanted to fall asleep sooner, and I deliberately let Aunt Mega finish her fight."
Liliana’s face froze instantly. "Why did you lie to me? You just wanted to calm me down, didn’t you? Your body was already cold... how could you possibly not be dead?"
Cassian raised his hand and gently tapped the top of Liliana’s head.
"I’m the Alpha-in-waiting with the black wolf. How could you think I’m that weak?"
Liliana blinked. "Then why did you ask me to deliver your final message to Mom?"
"When did I say that was my final message?" Cassian muttered weakly. "I just wanted you to tell Mom so she wouldn’t have to worry anymore that I’d poison other werewolves. All this time, she’s even forbidden me from carrying her homemade potions."
"So... this was all just because of my own stupidity?" Liliana asked, still in disbelief.
"Did you just realize how stupid you are?" Cassian sneered.
Liliana’s brow furrowed sharply. She clenched her fist and immediately punched Cassian in the stomach.
"Aghhh..." Cassian fell, rolling over while clutching his stomach. "Why did you punch me in the stomach?!" asked Cassian, his face slowly turning pale.
A look of guilt flashed across Liliana’s face. But before she could speak, Cassian’s pale face turned red in a matter of seconds.
"Are you tricking me again?" Liliana asked.
Cassian was stunned. The pain that had just struck him vanished instantly.
"Wait! Hold on!" Cassian exclaimed, shielding his stomach. "I’m not lying! I really did feel excruciating pain just now, but now, everything’s fine," Cassian replied, looking confused.
Liliana’s expression darkened instantly. She was about to kick Cassian, but Silver’s voice echoed in her mind once more.
Liliana, focus on your surroundings. Ignore Cassian for now.
Liliana frowned, took a step back, and looked around in amazement. The forest, which had been neat just moments ago, now looked chaotic, with many fallen trees. Even stranger—the two remaining tigers had become three. The dead one had come back to life!
"What... what’s going on?" Liliana muttered.
"That is your power as a Silver Wolf," Silver replied in her mind.
"Me?" Liliana stared at her hands, which were still glowing. Her gaze fell on her hair, which had previously been jet black but was now silvery white. "Why did my hair color change? Silver..." she asked anxiously.
You’ve awakened your true power, Liliana. That’s one of the effects. Stay calm for now. You could be in serious trouble if you don’t immediately contain the power that keeps flowing out of your body.
"What should I do?" Liliana asked.
The trees that had fallen earlier were now beginning to sprout new shoots; the fallen leaves were sprouting anew.
"I’m not entirely sure either. My knowledge on this is limited," Silver replied. "But you can ask that woman for help. She should understand more about our power as Silver Wolves."
Liliana looked up at Mega, who was still calling out to her anxiously.
Focus your mind. Break down the aura shield around you; let that woman come closer.
Liliana nodded and closed her eyes for a moment.
"Ms. Mega!" Liliana called out after successfully breaking down her aura barrier.
Mega immediately darted forward. And...
Bugh!
Mega slammed her palm into Liliana’s back, sending her stumbling backward.
Liliana froze, before her eyes shut tightly.