CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: THE WITCH MOTHER’S SECRET

Selene kept staring at Witch Mother, waiting for more reply. But the older woman only looked at her in silence. She did not show anger, sadness, or even surprise.

Selene was not sure if she would say anything at all. Witch Mother was always like this. In the past too, she rarely replied. Sometimes she would listen and let people talk but give no answer. She had always lived apart from the coven, choosing a life of solitude.

Even though Witch Mother had stopped involving herself in the coven’s matters long ago, she was still the most respected figure in the witch province. She no longer gave orders, no longer made decisions, and did not care how the coven was faring. Still, everyone called her Witch Mother.

It was not because of power or position. It was because of respect. Every witch, young or old, carried deep respect for her. They knew her sacrifices, they knew her strength, and they knew she was the strongest among them.

Even after she chose to live her life alone, away from the coven, no one dared to speak against her. No one judged her. Instead, they only bowed their heads when her name was mentioned.

Most witches in the coven respected her deeply, but they also feared her. Hardly anyone dared to come to this house, afraid to disturb her peace. Selene was one of the few exceptions.

For Selene, this respect was easy to understand. Witch Mother’s presence alone carried weight. She did not need grand robes; she did not need thrones or luxury. Sitting in her plain gown, in her simple house, she still looked higher than anyone else. She was Witch Mother, and that was enough.

She herself did not fear Witch Mother. Instead, she felt close to her. She had come here many times, and even when Witch Mother did not speak, Selene felt comfort just sitting with her.

She had heard stories that in the past, Witch Mother’s mate had betrayed her. That betrayal had cut her so deep that she turned away from the world. She left everything behind, choosing to live alone. Perhaps that was why she never joined the coven’s daily matters and hardly met anyone.

Selene lowered her eyes, wondering if this time too, she would get no direct reply or answer to who was helping the werewolves behind their back. If Witch Mother was not in the mood, she would not even give a single word.

And Selene had learned to accept it. Just being able to come here, to sit in front of her, was enough.

But Witch Mother finally turned her head and looked at Selene. For a moment her lips curved in a small chuckle, soft but full of meaning.

"There will always be someone above you, child," she said calmly. "And there will always be someone ready to betray you. Do not expect humanity in this world. It does not exist the way you wish it did. That is why our kind has suffered. That is why the witches have fallen while the werewolves rise."

Selene’s eyes widened slightly, her chest tightening at the cold truth in those words. The witch mother’s voice was not angry, not bitter, just steady and plain as if she were speaking of the weather.

"Until witches can truly stand as one, there will never be freedom," Witch Mother continued. "Only when we are united will we be free from the clutches of werewolves."

Selene sat still, her heart racing. The words struck her deeply, but they also confused her. What exactly did Witch Mother mean by betrayal? Who was betraying? Was she talking about someone from the coven? Or someone from outside? Questions swirled in her mind, but before she could speak them aloud, Witch Mother slowly turned her gaze away.

Her eyes went back to the window, her expression calm, her gesture so steady that it was clear—she would not answer anything more. The silence that followed was heavy. Selene opened her mouth to ask but stopped. She knew it was useless. The Witch Mother had spoken all she wanted to.

Selene lowered her eyes and felt a pang in her chest. She still wanted to know more, but it was time to leave. Because she knew that staying here would not give her any more answers. She had to go.

She had to find the real culprit who had betrayed her and caused her to fall into the hands of the werewolves.

With a deep breath, she stood up and bowed gracefully toward Witch Mother, even though she received no reply in return. Then, without another word, she turned and walked toward the door.

Her footsteps echoed lightly in the long corridor as she left the house, each step carrying the weight of her decision.

Behind her, Witch Mother’s gaze followed her back. A faint smile slowly appeared on her lips, and her eyes softened in a way no one had seen in years. But it did not last long, her expression shifted in a second, becoming unreadable. No one could ever tell what was going on in her mind.

Her eyes were on Selene’s back, yet at the same time, it looked as if they were seeing something beyond her, Selene’s figure slowly merging with someone else.

When Selene’s figure disappeared from sight, Witch Mother leaned back slightly and whispered under her breath, her voice so low it was almost like the wind itself carried it away.

"Your daughter has truly become strong..."

"I am envious of you, dear...so envious. Even when you are not here, you have achieved so much more than me. What did I do to deserve this? The only thing I ever wanted was love, but fate even refused to give me that."

A small laugh slipped from her lips, but at the same time a tear slid down from the corner of her eye. She quickly raised her hand and wiped it away, her face returning to calm silence as if nothing had happened.