The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 73: Werewolf Realm

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Werewolf Realm

As Zara entered her room, her gaze softened at the sight before her—Grace, peacefully sleeping on the bed, her face calm, lips slightly parted in tranquil rest.

A fond smile tugged at Zara’s lips. She walked over and leaned down, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Wake up, sleepyhead."

Grace stirred with a quiet groan, rubbing her eyes groggily. As her vision cleared, her eyes met Zara’s face above her—close, tender, amused.

A mischievous grin spread across Grace’s lips. Without a word, she reached up, cupped Zara’s chin, and pulled her down for a kiss.

"Mmm..."

Zara closed her eyes and kissed her back, deepening the moment, her fingers tangling in Grace’s hair. After a few long seconds, she finally pulled away, slightly breathless.

"Alright, beautiful," Zara whispered, brushing her thumb against Grace’s cheek. "Get up and freshen up. We’ve got to head to the Werewolf Realm soon. I’m going to shower."

Grace nodded sleepily, sitting up slowly. As the sheets fell away, they revealed the curve of her bare figure, kissed by the morning light.

Zara froze for a second. Her breath caught.

Then, with a teasing gleam in her eyes, she leaned in again—this time to trace her lips gently along Grace’s neck, just enough to make her shiver.

"You’d better cover yourself, dear," she whispered in a low, sultry tone."Or I won’t be able to control myself... and we’ll be very late."

Grace bit her bottom lip to stifle a groan, her cheeks flushed. She watched Zara walk away, heart racing.

In the bathroom, warm steam filled the air as Zara stood beneath the cascading water, letting it wash over her skin and ease the tension from her body.

Click.

The sound of the door opening made her glance over her shoulder.

Standing at the doorway was Grace, her bare form framed by the mist. Her eyes met Zara’s, and a playful smile curved her lips.

"I figured... we should bathe together," Grace said, stepping inside. "We’ll save time this way."

Without waiting for a reply, she walked forward, the water soon soaking her skin as she slipped her arms around Zara’s waist, pressing close. Her head nestled just beneath Zara’s chin, the top of her head brushing Zara’s shoulder.

Zara’s breath hitched at the sensation of Grace’s body against hers—the heat of her skin mingling with the warmth of the water. Her hands instinctively found Grace’s hips, pulling her closer.

Then, slowly, she guided her back against the smooth tile wall, lowering her head and brushing her lips along Grace’s neck.

"Mmh..."

Grace moaned softly, threading her fingers through Zara’s wet hair as her eyes fluttered shut. Her back arched slightly in response, every nerve alive with anticipation.

Zara kissed along her throat, savoring each shiver, each soft sound that escaped Grace’s lips.

"We really will be late at this rate," Zara murmured against her skin—but made no move to stop.

Training field.

Lilith stood with her arms crossed, glancing toward the hallway for what felt like the hundredth time. Her foot tapped against the stone floor, her brows furrowed.

Where are they?It’s been almost an hour now...

With a frustrated sigh, she turned and started walking toward Zara’s room.

"Zara, when are you coming?" she called out as she reached the door.

She pushed it open—

And froze.

Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Zara and Grace, both half-dressed, still damp from a recent shower. Grace wore a radiant, satisfied smile while Zara scrambled to fasten the buttons on her shirt, her cheeks flushed red.

Zara looked up and met Lilith’s stare, then quickly looked away with a sheepish smile.

Oh no...

Lilith stood there, hands firmly planted on her hips, a pout on her lips and a glare in her eyes.

"Ah... eh... I..." Zara stammered. What should I tell her? That I was late because we got distracted in the shower?

Before she could say anything, Lilith huffed and spoke, her tone sharp with jealousy:

"Next time, I’m bathing with you. You’ve never once bathed with me!"

Zara blinked. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Wait, that’s why she’s mad? I thought it was because we were late...

She looked at Lilith, completely puzzled.

Lilith narrowed her eyes and stepped closer.

"Understand?"

Snapped out of her thoughts, Zara quickly nodded.

"Oh—okay!"

Grace chuckled quietly behind her,

Lilith walked forward without hesitation and slid her arm through Zara’s, her expression unreadable but her grip firm.

"Let’s go, then," she said shortly, tugging Zara along before she could respond.

Zara blinked at the sudden possessive gesture—but instead of resisting, she let herself be pulled, a soft smile blooming on her lips.

She’s jealous... how cute.

Behind them, Grace tilted her head with a playful smirk. She clinked her boots softly against the floor as she followed, then smoothly slid her arm through Zara’s other side.

"Well, I can’t let you two have her all to yourselves," she said sweetly, her voice laced with mischief.

As they stepped out of the manor into the open courtyard, Zara glanced sideways at Lilith.

"How are we getting there?" she asked curiously. "The Werewolf Realm isn’t exactly a walk away."

Lilith smiled, already prepared.

"Don’t worry," she replied calmly. "We have realm portals—just like the one Jane used when she came here."

Zara’s eyes widened slightly, recalling the swirling violet portal that Jane had suddenly appeared from back then. The memory sent a faint chill down her spine.

Lilith reached into her sleeve and pulled out a dark bracelet, old-looking and etched with strange, shifting runes. As she clasped it around her wrist, a faint pulse of unnatural energy rippled out.

Zara took an instinctive step back, frowning at the object.

That thing... it gives off such a strange, eerie feeling...

Lilith noticed her expression and chuckled softly.

"It’s a little creepy, I know," she admitted. "But it’s perfectly safe. I use it all the time."

She raised her hand, the bracelet glowing as the runes lit up one by one. With a smooth, silent shimmer, a swirling violet portal opened before them—its edges rippling like water.

"After you," Lilith said with a wink.

Grace stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with interest. Zara, still wary but trusting them, took a deep breath and nodded.

"Alright... let’s go."

as they enter the portal mist start appearing clouding their senses,

As they walked through the shimmering vortex of violet light, Zara glanced at Lilith beside her, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"Uh, hey... what exactly is this thing?" she asked, gesturing toward the swirling portal ahead of them. "And if these can access any realm, doesn’t that mean other realms could attack freely too?"

Lilith chuckled softly and wagged her finger with a teasing smile.

"Nope. That’s impossible. These bracelets are only given to royals. One bracelet can only transport five people at a time, and only three bracelets are allowed per realm. That keeps things balanced—and secure."

Zara raised her eyebrows, impressed.

"Huh... that’s actually a smart system. So these bracelets are like both a travel tool and a royal meeting key?"

"Exactly, my clever beauty," Lilith replied with a grin.

Zara tilted her head thoughtfully.

"So... who owns the other two bracelets for our realm?"

Lilith’s smile softened with a hint of mischief.

"Those are with Father and Mother."

Zara blinked.

"Wait... doesn’t Nyssa have one?"

At that, Lilith laughed and shook her head with a wry look.

"She used to. That bracelet originally belonged to our second mother. But mother kept sneaking off to other realms, picking fights with powerful people just to prove she was the strongest. So, Father took it away and gave it to me instead."

Zara stared, then burst into laughter.

As their vision cleared on the other side of the portal, a wave of unfamiliar energy pulsed through Zara’s body.

She blinked, looking down at her hands, clenching them into fists. A strange pressure coiled in her arms, like her body had suddenly become capable of breaking steel with a flick. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"What is this feeling...?"

Lilith glanced at her and gave a knowing smirk.

"Told you before, didn’t I? Your body has power—real power. But back in Elarion, the seals and rules of that territory kept it suppressed. Werewolves don’t do that. They believe in strength, not in hiding it."

As Lilith finished speaking, a sound echoed through the night air—measured footsteps approaching on stone.

They turned their heads to see a group of men walking toward them. Each of them had striking white hair and wore silver-and-black uniforms that shimmered faintly in the moonlight.

The man in front bowed slightly.

"Welcome, princess. The Alpha is waiting in the castle. Please follow us."

As the men turned to lead the way, Lilith leaned closer and whispered to Zara:

"See their white hair? That means they’re Betas. Once they become Alphas, they can fully control their strength and reach an even higher state. They’re terrifying when they’re at their peak."

Zara studied the men more carefully, her gaze pausing on their white hair—and a memory flashed in her mind.Jane. Back when she get angry at Lilith—her hair had turned white. But normally, it was black.So that’s what it meant.

Just then, she felt a gentle tug on her arm. Grace was smiling softly, looking into her eyes.

"Let’s go, wifey."

Zara smiled and nodded, letting herself be pulled forward. As they walked, she glanced around the realm. The sky above was deep and endless, a velvety canvas of night stretched without stars, save for a single white moon—flawless and smooth, glowing like polished pearl.

Massive mansions dotted the landscape, some dark, some lit with flickering golden light. The architecture was primal yet elegant, like something forged from ancient stone and moonlight.

As they walked through the castle hall, Zara leaned in close to whisper in Grace’s ear:

"Grace... where are we exactly?"

Grace tilted her head slightly, thinking.

"Hmm... I’ve only been here twice before, but as far as I know... this is the Royal Castle Hall. The very heart of the Werewolf Realm."

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