71 Chapter 71: A new side of the witch

Elize was leaning against the wall with Irina and Nina standing on either side of her. The witch and the wolf were both relaxed unlike her, who had to try hard not to shrink back in fear every time Zack's family started speaking. Both of them had insisted on accompanying her inside, despite the protests of Meiling. Zack's mother was somehow less friendlier towards her this time. Elize wondered if that had something to do with her calling Alpha Li an "evil man" earlier or if it was something else entirely.

She sneaked a glance at her mate, who had not once looked her way from the time she had entered the room. She wanted to throw a fit and make him look at her, but she didn't, since she was scared of the outcome. What if he refused to look her way even after that? Wouldn't she be humiliated in front of everyone?

"Stupid wolf." She murmured, narrowing her eyes at him.

The next second, every eye in the room was focused on her. An awkward silence fell over the place. Elize laughed nervously, realizing her mistake.

She had sworn at a "wolf" in a room full of werewolves with supernatural hearing. Of course they wouldn't know which wolf she swore at, but that would just make things worse. She looked towards Zack for help, who shook his head in defeat. It was all his fault! He should take responsibility! Elize thought grudgingly.

"Would you mind explaining that, young lady?" Meiling's sharp voice cut through the silence, making her nervous.

"I uh-" Elize said, biting her lips. She didn't know how to explain this situation. What was she supposed to say?!

'Help will you?!' She shouted through the mate bond, glaring daggers at him.

'Why do you keep getting yourself into situations like this?' Zack asked, irritation clearly seeping through. 

His face was still turned away from her, though he was responding. Elize was getting fed up with the treatment. She had half a mind to shout aloud. But what came out, was not what she intended.

'Oh I don't know! Maybe because your grandfather who attacked me insisted on meeting me?!' She said, her eyes growing large with shock right after. 

She slapped her mouth for saying that. Elize never wanted to say that. It just came out during the slight moment of irritation. She could see Zack's head slowly going lower and lower. A flash of heart wrenching pain passed through the bond before it disappeared. After that, she was unable to feel anything from him. It was like a wall was up between the two. Elize felt guilty for letting her emotions get the better of her. She didn't want the situation between them to worsen.

'Zack I-' 

Her apology was cut off, when Zack replied. 

'Fine. I'm sorry. I'll explain.'

He turned towards his mother when Nina replied to the question.

"She was just talking about something I did. Don't mind her." She said, waving her hands in front of Elize's face.

"Oh is that so?" Meiling asked with narrowed eyes.

It appeared that she wasn't ready to believe the explanation. Her green dress was too sharp, making her features stand out. She looked like a woman out to kill.

"Yes yes aunty Meiling." Elize quickly replied, giving a nervous smile. "I was just irritated with Nina here. Nothing to worry about. Continue what you were saying please." 

Meiling huffed at the response and turned back towards Aileen. All of them were seated facing each other. The only exception being the three girls who were standing against the wall and the guards flanking the room. Elize looked at each one of them. The only one that she could recognize was Li Jun who was standing right behind Alpha Li like a rock. She wondered how the man had the guts to return back to the Island after the ruckus he created.

Only two people in the room knew the truth about the stones- Elize and Zack. Although Aileen had her doubts, she was unable to verify it since the Dam Sehlah had disappeared by the time she had arrived at the spot. Elize hoped that Zack would hold the old man accountable and quickly vanquish him from the Island once and for all. She hated sharing the space with the man who she knew was up to something evil.

"As I said, Elize is no more a witch. She is a wereling in all aspects. Since she will be turning in two week's time, we'd like her to go through the same process that all Lunas have to go through." Meiling continued, her poker face back on.

Aileen's face unlike her's reflected her emotions. Elize could see that the old woman would have punched the woman in her face if she was in private. It was the first time that she was seeing her so annoyed with someone. She knew that Aileen had never liked Zack's family. The respect that she had for Meiling was only due to her late husband being a good Alpha. Her grudge with the family seemed to be one that she was willing to forego for the sake of Elize, atleast till the last time they were all together. Alpha Li's presence seemed to have ticked her off anew.

"I will not be repeating this again. Elize was born a witch. She will always be a witch. Her powers will resurface sooner or later. It is not up to you or anyone else in this room to decide that she isn't." Aileen replied, her voice raising in anger.

Elize didn't know exactly what to feel about the reply. It seemed that Aileen was somehow supporting her. But she wasn't ready to trust the old woman yet. Not after what she had read in the Book of Lost Witches. Especially not after the rude comments thrown at her from the Island witches. She didn't want anything to do with them at all.

She just was unsure about Aileen though. That old woman had helped her through her entire life as a witch. For a long time, Aileen was her only family other than Alex. Above all, she was her great grandfather's only sister. Would the head witch sacrifice her own blood? Wouldn't she, if it came down to sacrificing one life for the survival of many?

"That's just wishful thinking. Do you have any guarantee that her powers will come back?" Meiling taunted.

"Well whose fault is that anyway?! Why is this man sitting here with the rest of us after all that he did?" Aileen lashed out.

Meiling stood up in anger, her fists clenched on either side. 

"You insolent woman! How dare you talk to my father-"

"Great. Tear each other apart and do us a favor." Elize murmured, rolling her eyes.

The room fell silent once more. Damn my mouth! Elize covered her mouth in horror. She had done it again! This time, she doubted that anyone could come up with an excuse.

"You arrogant piece of a-" Meiling screamed as she flew towards her. 

Elize cringed back in shock, plastering herself against the wall.

"Mom!" She heard Zack scream at the same time.

Although her human vision was only slightly poorer than a witch's, she could still see a blur of green that was coming towards her in lighting speed. Before she knew what was happening, Nina quickly hugged her, shielding her exposed front side from the arriving attack. She closed her eyes, hoping for the worst to pass. 

Suddenly, a great force pressed against the both of them, making her ears pop. Elize was scared, and for a moment, she didn't recognize the familiar buzz of magic. There was a shrill scream from somewhere far. Or was it close? She couldn't determine.

As Nina's hold on her loosened, Elize slowly opened her eyes, curious as to what was happening. She peeped ahead from behind her friend. That was when she saw it. 

Irina was standing in front of the two of them, her one finger raised in the air languidly. Her face had an arrogant smirk on it- an expression Elize had never seen before. Elize's gaze traveled to a spot a feet ahead of the witch.

Meiling was on the floor, half transformed and screaming her lungs out while clutching her right hand to her chest. Elize focused on the spot, confused. It appeared as if the woman's entire arm up to her elbow was burned. Charred skin covered her hand, replacing her once porcelain limb. Zack was standing behind his mother, with a shocked expression on his face like most other people in the room. Did Irina do that?! Elize looked at her friend in awe and shock. 

She slowly started noticing the familiar static of magic around them. It was now obvious to her that Irina had drawn a shield around them. But what sort of shield can burn people when they touch them?

"You bitch!" Meiling screamed, her face construed in anger.

"That was just a warning." Irina warned, lowering her index finger. "You raise your hand one more time against the Chosen one, and you won't live to tell the tale." 

Elize stared at the back of the witch with her mouth open. Who was this woman and why didn't she know her cool side before?!