Page 100 of The Lycan King's Secret Child

---

That evening, as they returned to the cottage, they found Gabriel and Seraphine waiting with grim expressions.

Xander: "What's wrong?"

Gabriel: "We've received word. The Council has discovered our location."

Amelia's face paled.

Amelia: "How is that possible?"

Seraphine: "They must have broken through the wards."

Liam clung to Amelia's leg.

Liam: "Are the bad people coming?"

Xander: Kneeling down "We'll protect you."

Gabriel cleared his throat.

Gabriel: "We have a plan. There's a network of tunnels beneath the town. They can lead you to safety."

Amelia: "What about you?"

Seraphine: "We'll hold them off as long as we can."

Xander shook his head.

Xander: "I'm not running again. We need to end this."

Gabriel and Seraphine exchanged glances.

Gabriel: "There might be another way."

Amelia: "What do you mean?"

Gabriel: "An ancient ritual. It could sever the Council's connection to Liam."

Xander: "Why didn't you mention this before?"

Seraphine: "Because it's dangerous. It requires immense power and... a sacrifice."

Amelia's eyes widened.

Amelia: "What kind of sacrifice?"

Gabriel: "A life."

Silence settled over them.

Xander: "Whose life?"

Seraphine: "The one performing the ritual."

Amelia shook her head vehemently.

Amelia: "No. There has to be another way."

---