Chapter 251

The gentle hum of the private jet's engines provided a soothing backdrop as we soared through the night sky, heading back home after the eventful evening at the palace.

Kendrick had excused himself to his room, leaving Lucas and me to share the cabin in relative quiet.

After we had passed through the portal, I had felt incredibly dizzy, but once I sat down on the jet, the feeling slowly dissipated.

Yet, even as the physical discomfort waned, my mind was still reeling.

It was hard to describe how I felt. I wasn't even sure if I really felt like myself anymore.

There had been so many changes and surprises in the past few weeks. From discovering my true identity as the White Wolf to navigating the complexities of losing my father, managing relationships and politics in the supernatural world, I found myself constantly on edge, never quite sure what to expect next.

I didn't have any other choice but to accept everything that was thrown at me, and I was scrambling to learn how to adapt to all of it.

Each new revelation and challenge seemed to push me further from the person I once thought I was, and I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever find my footing amidst the chaos.

As the jet continued its journey home, I sank deeper into my thoughts, feeling conflicted.

I'd been silent ever since we took off, my brain conflicted.

Yet, amidst the lingering sense of unease, Lucas sat beside me, keeping me company.

"How are you feeling?" he asked silently, his voice a gentle whisper that cut through the quiet.

I turned to look at him, finding solace in his presence. "Confused," I admitted, my voice barely audible above the hum of the engines.

Lucas nodded understandingly, his gaze softening with empathy. "I know what you mean. It's a lot to process, but you're handling it better than most."

His words offered a small comfort, but the weight of uncertainty still lingered heavily on my shoulders. "I don't even know who I am anymore," I confessed, the admission hanging heavy in the air between us.

Lucas reached out, his hand finding mine in a reassuring gesture. "You're still you, Shana. No matter what happens, remember that."

I wanted to believe him, but deep down, I couldn't shake the nagging doubt that everything had changed, and I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to find my way back to the person I once was.

As if sensing my doubts, Lucas's expression changed.

There was a glimmer of curiosity as Lucas leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, I might have something that'll cheer you up," he said, his eyes alight with a mixture of emotions.

"Show me?" Curiosity piqued, I leaned forward, anticipation coursing through my veins. "What is it?"

With a careful motion, Lucas reached into his pocket, retrieving a small, weathered book. He handed it to me, and I accepted it with trembling hands, feeling the weight of its significance settle into my palm.

I stared at the book in disbelief, my mind struggling to comprehend what I was seeing. "Is this...?"

Lucas nodded solemnly. "Yes, Shana. It's the locked book from the secret room. I took it."

Shock coursed through me, mingling with a wave of conflicting emotions. "Lucas, you... you stole it? You actually stole it?"

He met my gaze unwaveringly, his expression earnest. "I did. But only because it belongs to you, Shana. I couldn't just leave it there knowing what it means to you."

"How?" My eyes were glued to the book as it's weight rested in my hands. "How did you do it without getting caught by anyone?"

"I was careful," Lucas replied, his voice tinged with pride. "I waited for the right moment when nobody was around, and I made sure to cover my tracks."

Despite his confidence, I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at the edges of my mind. "But what if someone finds out? What if they come looking for it?"

"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Lucas said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "For now, let's focus on what's important... figuring out what this book is and why it's so important."

"Well first, we need to unlock it," I said, gently touching the cover of the book.

It's energy felt powerful, and something about it didn't feel right.

Lucas nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the book.

"Agreed. We need to figure out how to unlock it, but we also need to be careful. Whatever is inside this book, it's clearly significant."

I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that washed over me as I traced the intricate patterns on the book's cover. "I don't even know where to begin. It could be protected by all sorts of enchantments or spells."

"We'll figure it out," Lucas reassured me, his voice steady despite the uncertainty lingering in the air. "If anyone can open it, it's you."

His words touched something deep within me, stirring a sense of gratitude and uncertainty. "What about Professor Black, should we tell him that we have this? What if he knows something about this book?"

"We should tell him," Lucas said, his features softening. "We'll tell him together when we land."

"What do you think he'll say?"

"He'll probably be surprised that I stole it," Lucas said in a thoughtful way that almost made me laugh.

"I'm surprised you were able to do it," I said, teasingly.

Lucas smiled. "But on a serious note, I'm not sure what he'll say," Lucas admitted, his brow furrowing in thought. "But Professor Black has always been forthcoming with information. If anyone knows about the significance of this book or how to unlock it, it's likely him."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at the thought of consulting with Professor Black. "You're right. We'll tell him everything, and hopefully, he can shed some light on this book."

"I hope so," I said, looking into Lucas's blue eyes. "I want some answers. Finally."

"I know," Lucas agreed. "We've been waiting for this for a long time now, but we'll get there eventually."

His reassurance offered a measure of comfort, and with a heavy sigh, I nodded, tucking the book safely into my bag. "Thank you, Lucas. For everything."

Lucas offered me a soft smile, his gaze warm and understanding. "Anytime, Shana. You know I'll always be here for you. Just like I know you'll always be there for me."

"You're my Bear, how could I ever forget that?"

Lucas laughed, letting his hand intertwine with mine. "I haven't heard that nickname in awhile."

"It's been too long since I've used it. But you'll always be my Bear, no matter what."

His laughter filled the cabin, a sound that eased the tension and brought a sense of familiarity amidst the uncertainty. "Well, as long as you promise not to call me that in front of anyone else."

"I can't make any promises," I teased, squeezing his hand gently. "But I'll do my best to keep it between us."

A quiet understanding passed between us, and as the gentle rhythm of the jet lulled us into a state of sleepiness. We settled into our seats, each lost in our own thoughts.

As sleep eventually claimed us both, I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden within the pages of the book, and what mysteries awaited us on the journey ahead.