Ryan broke the silence, his voice carried a mix of concern and determination. "What are we going to do about this?" he asked, his gaze shifting between Isaac and me. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, each of us grappling with the reality of the threat before us.

Isaac's eyes met mine, reflecting a blend of frustration and confusion. "I don't know her, Belle," he confessed, his voice laced with frustration. "I don't understand how she could do something so cruel."

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I met their gazes and spoke with a quiet resolve. "We can't let her actions go unanswered," I said firmly. "Athena won't stop until she achieves her goals. We need to confront her and put an end to this."

Nate, who had been sitting in a corner with his eyes closed, suddenly rose to his feet. His expression was resolute, and a determined fire burned in his eyes. "I need to find answers," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "I won't let Athena's actions go unpunished. I will find the truth and bring her to justice."

With those words, Nate disappeared with a sudden pop, leaving us momentarily stunned. We were left to grapple with the weight of the situation and the uncertainty that lay before us.

Ryan stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "We'll support you, Belle," he assured me, his voice unwavering. "We won't let Athena get away with what she's done. We'll stand by your side and fight until the end."

A single tear slipped down my cheek, a silent testament to the emotions swirling within me. I nodded, grateful for the support and unity within our pack. Together, we would face the challenges ahead, united in our shared purpose and unwavering determination.

As the tears continued to fall, a newfound resolve settled within my heart. We would not be broken by Athena's cruelty. We would rise above it, drawing strength from one another and using our collective power to protect all that we held dear.

"Can't we find another experienced witch?" Liza looked at me attentively.

Liza's question hung in the air, her eyes searching for a glimmer of hope. The idea of finding another witch as powerful as Selena, someone who could match Athena's magic, held an air of possibility. Before anyone could respond, Katie's eyes widened, a realization dawning upon her.

"Ryan!" Katie exclaimed, nudging Ryan urgently. "What if we consult belle's mother? She's Athena's daughter, after all. Maybe she knows something or has the power to help us."

My eyes widened at the suggestion, the gears turning in our mind as we processed Katie's words. The thought of seeking guidance from my mother, who shared a bloodline with Athena, held a unique potential. Everyone turned to me, silently seeking my opinion.

I looked around at the worried faces of my friends as Katie's suggestion hung in the air. What if we sought the help of my mother? A wave of hope mixed with apprehension washed over me. It had been months since she fell into that deep slumber, unresponsive to our calls and pleas. But could she hold the answers we desperately sought?

I took a deep breath, a turmoil of emotions running in my mind. "I... I don't know," I whispered. "But if there's a chance she can help us, I think we should at least consider it."

I turned to Isaac, his concern etched on his face. His words echoed my own fears. "Bella, your mother hasn't woken up. We don't know if she'll be able to help us in her current state," he voiced, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Determination surged within me, overriding any doubt. "I understand, Isaac. But I have to try," I declared, my voice carrying a resolute tone. "She's the only family I have left, and if there's even the slightest chance she can help, I can't let it slip away."

We made our way to where my unconscious mother was being kept, accompanied by Isaac. The room was dimly lit, and the air felt heavy with anticipation. As I entered, I saw my mother lying peacefully on the bed, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her face was serene, but her features were pale, and she showed no signs of waking up.

I approached the bed, feeling a mixture of hope and trepidation. Gently, I reached out and took my mother's hand in mine, silently willing her to awaken. Isaac stood by my side, a pillar of support, his presence gave me strength in that moment of uncertainty.

"Mom, wakeup please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "It's me, Rosabelle. I need you. We need you."

Isaac placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, silently encouraging me to keep going and then he left the room leaving me alone with my mother. Emotions welled up within me as I reminisced about the bond I shared with my mother, the magical moments we experienced together, and the strength she has always shown.

The time we spent a far from each other, just because of Athena. The moments I thought she was the culprit behind my miseries. My heart felt heavy and I felt the burden of the problems my mom faced after dad passed away.

I sat by my mother's side, holding her hand gently as I poured out my heart. The room was filled with a hushed silence, the only sound being the soft rhythm of her breathing. Her unconscious form lay peacefully before me, yet I believed that somewhere deep within her, she could hear me.

With each word, I recounted the events that had unfolded, the deception of Athena, and the peril we all faced. I spoke of Selena's sacrifice, the void it had left in our hearts, and the urgent need for my mother's guidance and power. I expressed my love, my fears, and my unwavering belief in her abilities.

As I spoke, a part of me hoped for a flicker of response, a sign that my words were reaching her subconscious. But the room remained still, and my mother's form remained unmoving. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a connection, an invisible thread that bound us together.

I continued to speak, sharing every detail, every emotion that coursed through me. The weight of the world seemed to rest on my shoulders, and I yearned for my mother's wisdom and strength to guide us through the darkness.

Time seemed to blur as I sat there, lost in the depth of my own words. The vulnerability I felt in that moment was tempered by the resilience within me, the resilience inherited from my mother herself. I knew that she had faced her own trials and triumphs, and that gave me hope.

In the midst, a single tear slipped from my eye and landed on my mother's hand. It glistened there for a moment before fading into her skin. I couldn't help but wonder if that tear held a fraction of the love and longing I felt for her.

As I neared the end of my tale, a bittersweet sense of release washed over me. I had laid bare my soul, unburdening myself of the weight I had carried. Whether or not my mother heard me, I knew that I had done everything within my power to reach her.

Leaning closer, I placed a tender kiss on her forehead, my lips lingering for a moment, as if trying to infuse her with my love and determination. Then, with a sigh, I rose from my seat, leaving her to her peaceful slumber.

As I turned to leave, a soft voice called out from behind me, causing me to freeze in my tracks. I slowly turned around, my heart pounding in my chest, and there she was – my mother, awake and looking at me with eyes filled with love and determination.

"Bella," she called out, her voice still weak but filled with a newfound strength. "Don't go."

Surprise and joy washed over me as I rushed back to her side, taking her hand in mine once more. Tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of relief and overwhelming emotions. I couldn't believe that she had awakened, that she was here with me now.

"Mom," I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. "You're awake. How...?"

Mom looked at me with a smile on her face, "Maybe its just like that dramatic entrance in the movies." She laughed in a hoarse voice, "You know I have to make dramatic entrance. I am a daughter of a mass murdering witch."

As my mother spoke those words, a faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with a mixture of relief and the knowledge that we still had a long and challenging road ahead.

"Maybe it is," I chuckled softly, my voice tinged with emotion. "But I'm just glad you're here, Mom. Your dramatic entrance and all."

She let out a gentle laugh, her eyes sparkling with a familiar mischievousness. "Well, what can I say? I couldn't let you have all the excitement, could I?"

Her words resonated deeply within me. They were a reminder of her unwavering strength, her ability to find joy amidst adversity.

"I'm just glad you're awake, Mom," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude. "We need you now more than ever."

She reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, her touch comforting and filled with love. "And I'm here, my dear. I'll do whatever I can to help you. We'll face Athena together."