Page 78 of The Alpha's Sold Pregnant Mate

“This darkness… That's the curse that plagues this land,” Apiana explained, pointing at a faint light struggling against the darkness. “That… That is the effect of the Shamans' chants.”

“It's… It's not really helping,” Esme said.

“Exactly,” Apiana repeated the hand motion, and the darkness vanished. “The crops are thriving again, but the Pack is on the brink of extinction.”

“I'm…I'm a witch, right? That means I can connect to the spirits of the witches who cursed this land and ask them to remove the curse.”

“It's not that simple, Esme,” she replied. “These witches aren't little girls that you can just connect to and order around. There are levels to these things, and unfortunately, you have not grown to their level just yet.”

“Then what can I do to help?” Esme asked, desperate.

“What's plaguing this land is a curse, and curses go against nature.” Apiana turned to her. “Esme, you're a Nature Witch, which means that you have the ability to purify this land.” She placed a palm on her shoulder. “You, Esme, can return the Ghostbound Pack to its natural state.”

Esme's eyes widened at this realization.

“This is the reason why you're here. Your fate was intertwined with Asher's so you could restore our people to their former glory,” Apiana said to her.

Esme looked at the Shamans as they continued to chant. She had seen just how little the effects of their efforts were, and she needed to help. She couldn't sit back and watch Asher's Pack go extinct even though she was already pregnant. She figured that her pregnancy had to do with the fact that she was a witch.

Whatever the case, Esme was willing to find a way to help.

She looked at her Apiana and said, “Tell me how I can fix this problem.”

Apiana smiled.

Chapter 19 - Asher

When the first firefly buzzed around Esme while she stood glued to Apiana's tree, Asher was quick to rule out the glowing green insect’s presence as nothing. Then, another buzzed past him and joined the previous one to hover over her. Asher watched as a third firefly did the same.

Before he could blink twice, his attention drifted to the sounds of hundreds of fireflies as they approached the tree from every direction.

Their tiny bodies emitted a soft, pulsating green glow that illuminated the night so beautifully as they twirled, circling around Esme in a spiral form.

Her eyes shimmered in their tiny lights, and her hair danced to the rhythm of the gentle breeze. She seemed to be in a trance, and he figured that she must be having a vision.

He watched over her defensively even though he knew no harm would befall her in those woods, which was still his territory.

Asher wondered what she was up to this time,andhe hoped that it was something good.Besides, nothing bad ever came from her visions… Well, except for that one time with Juniper.

As time went by, he started to become rather tense and worried. She was taking too long, and he was tempted to touch her, maybe shake her shoulder or something.

He was still contemplating his next move when he heard her gasp loudly as she withdrew her hand from the tree. Esme had to blink a couple of times before the glowing in her eyes died down.

The fireflies came together in a vertical streak as she seemed to be reflexively muttering some enchantments. Soon, the glowing insects dispersed in different directions, taking their tiny lights with them.

He rushed over to her and held her shoulders, concern showingin his gaze.

“Are you alright?”he asked.

“Never better.” She smiled to her ears. “I know how to end this.”

“What?” His brows knitted in bewilderment.

“Asher…” She looked into those black eyes of his. “I know what to do to purify this land and return the Pack to its natural state.” The confidence in her voice was reassuring.

His eyes widened in a mix of shock and relief. Asher couldn't believe his ears. He'd known that she was supposed to help his Pack with the curse that had plagued them for so long. However, he didn't expect her to say the words that she did,especially in the manner inwhich she did.

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