Ignoring Sister Miriam''s curious stare, I dart for the cupboard where Grimoire''s resting.


    I rush to the cupboard, my fingers tingling as they make contact with Grimoire''s supple leather cover. The moment I touch him, his mental shouts pierce my mind like a blast of thunder.


    "Grimoire, for the love of all that''s holy, quiet down!" I wince, pressing my free hand to my temple. "Speak at a normal volume before you shatter my mental eardrums."


    The roaring stops abruptly. Through our bond, I sense an almost sheepish energy emanating from the book. He clears his mental throat.


    You''ve been wasting time theorizing when you could have just consulted with me, Grimoire says, sounding far too condescending for someone who was screaming at me to notice him.


    I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Now you tell me."


    "Ava?" Lucas''s voice cuts through our conversation. I turn to find him frowning at me, confusion etched across his face. "What''s going on?"


    I take a deep breath, suddenly aware of how bizarre this must look to him and Sister Miriam. "I''d like you both to meet someone." I hold up the book. "This is Grimoire. He''s... well, he''s a sentient magic book. And apparently, he has some thoughts on our current situation."


    Sister Miriam''s eyes widen, a spark of fascination igniting in their depths. She steps forward, hand outstretched. "Fascinating. May I?"@@@@


    Before I can warn her, her fingers brush the cover. A bright spark erupts between them, and she yanks her hand back with a hiss.


    Tell the bloodsucker to keep her hands off me, Grimoire''s voice echoes in my mind, indignant.


    My lips twitch. "He doesn''t want to be touched. He called you a bloodsucker. I don''t think he''s very friendly."


    I''m very friendly, he snaps. When I want to be.


    To my surprise, Sister Miriam''s lips curl into an amused smile. "Well, he''s not wrong. Though I prefer the term ''vampire'' these days. It has a bit more... panache."


    Setting the book on the table, I keep my hand flat on the cover as I sit next to Lucas once again. "Okay, Grimoire. You''ve been listening. What do you think about this situation?"


    Your alpha''s predicament is indeed complex. The memories aren''t gone, merely locked. Think of it as a defense mechanism. The human mind couldn''t process the raw, ancient power the wolf tapped into. So it builds a wall.


    "So, how do we break down the wall?"


    One option is a gradual approach. Instead of a bomb, think of it as a slow erosion. We could use magic to slowly wear away at the barriers, allowing memories to trickle back over time.


    "That sounds better," I say, hope rising in my chest. "What''s the catch?"


    It would take time. Possibly months, maybe even years. And there''s no guarantee it would work completely. Some memories might remain locked away forever.


    Once again, I''m a parrot, repeating it all for Lucas and Sister Miriam.


    "We don''t have that kind of time," Sister Miriam muses. "The war won''t wait for a single alpha to regain his memories. The longer he is without them, the worse it is for all of us."


    "What do you think, Selene?" I ask, fishing for her presence in my mind.


    While the risks are frightening, the potential rewards are immense. If it works, Lucas regains everything he''s lost. His memories, his sense of self, his connection to his wolf...


    I shake my head; it doesn''t feel worth the potential downsides.


    I know it''s not what you want to hear, Selene says, her presence in my mind softening. That''s why I''ve remained silent during this discussion.


    "Grimoire, is there anything in between these two extremes? Something that balances risk and speed?" Lucas asks, for the first time showing real interest in the conversation.


    There is one other option, Grimoire says, his tone serious. It''s a bit... unconventional.


    "At this point, I think we''re open to unconventional," I mutter.


    The alpha could summon his wolf.


    I blink, confusion washing over me. "Summon his wolf? What do you mean?"


    Just as you summoned your wolf, Grimoire explains, his tone matter-of-fact.


    My brow furrows deeper. "What are you talking about? I never summoned Selene. She just appeared one day."


    I can almost feel Grimoire''s exasperation through our bond. Child, do you truly believe a powerful being like Selene would simply materialize without cause? You called her, whether you realize it or not.