by KC Kellersen
“I have wolfsbane cuffs, we can subdue them without doing any harm...” Alpha Marcus suggested. That would work. It didn’t matter that they didn’t have their wolves, the wolfsbane would weaken their human side as well. I held up my hand to stop him from moving closer.
He would be injured if they went close. Yes, the alphas were still under my control, but if they pushed any harder against me, I would lose my hold over them. I reached inside the bag at my feet and grabbed Oliver’s shorts and held them out to him. I needed his help to bind the alphas. He shifted and quickly pulled his shorts on.
“Oliver, I need you to do it, they trust you. I will keep them controlled but the rest cannot get close,” I said.
Oliver went to the alphas and bound their hands behind their backs. I loosened the power I had over them slightly, they were still fighting the power and the spell but the wolfsbane was helping. I felt the relief, but it was still draining a lot of my energy to control them. We needed to hurry.
Oliver walked back to me and wrapped me in his arms gingerly. “We need to discuss your little secrets Kitten... Later though.” He kissed me hard and quick. I felt the blush creeping into my cheeks. He didn’t have much clothes on and the ones he did, I wanted to rip them off. Only the eyes watching stopped me. Damn hormones, trying to ruin everything.
“What’s the plan Kitten?” Oliver asked, still holding me close. I was grateful, I wouldn’t be standing much longer without his support.
“Even with the crazy turn of events, we should still be able to make it to the First Village by nightfall. You will have to continue in wolf form from here, but… I do not have the energy to make the trip without help.”
“Fynn and I will carry you.”
“Alright.” I turned to the two men with the Alpha. “You two, I need you to help subdue the alphas, if they get out of hand. Subdue only. If any blood is drawn, I will take double out of your hides. Oliver and I will go first, and I will loosen my power over them. Their instructions should take over and make them follow, trying to get to me.”
Oliver said, “I don’t like it.”
I knew it was risky to let myself be the bait, but it had to be done. “Okay take your other man and scout ahead that way,” I pointed in the general direction of the First Village. “but stay close. I don’t want to be seen by any other wolves. It’s bad enough that almost your whole pack knows that I have power to control the alphas. Send a howl up if you see anyone.”
I pulled Oliver in for another quick kiss. “It’s time to go.”
Oliver shifted on the spot and his shorts went flying. He laid down on his belly, even then I had to almost jump to get on his back. Oliver followed the alphas scent and he took off. When we were a safe distance away, but still in eyesight, I loosened my power on the alphas. Their determinations rose up and the chase began.
For the next four hours, we ran slowly through the woods. Just fast enough to keep ahead of the alphas in their human forms. I could hear and feel Fynn growling when they got too close. The sun was starting to set, but we were getting close. Just then I realized how close we actually were. I could faintly smell my mother and fathers’ wolves. They had been on this path as early as a few hours ago. I reached through the mind link to Oliver.
20 minutes out, Let’s run!
When Fynn increased his pace, I released my control on the alphas a little more, with great relief, and felt their push against me rise. They will push harder now, even with the wolfsbane still intact. I saw the village closing in, and I felt the homecoming all the way to my toes. I was home! I just needed to keep the darkness at bay. Only a little longer.
You can do this Alina! We are stronger than you realize.
As comforting as that was, I didn’t feel strong. I felt weak. So weak…
Chapter 18
Oliver’s POV
Running through the forest I could smell the wolves and knew the path to take. Fynn took care of the direction, leaving me time to think. Alina was more powerful than we had thought. She had more than just the royal power too. Her healing was so fast, even now, you couldn’t even guess at how bad her torture had really been. The power that exploded out of her, back there in the forest, was another mystery. An absolutely fantastic mystery. Even Lillian couldn’t push her power out in a force of that magnitude.
She was incredible. My mind flicked back to the kiss we shared. I really shouldn’t have kissed her. Again. Even if she kissed me back. She may not mind my touch, but I knew it was wrong. Her mate was out there somewhere, and I shouldn’t be stealing kisses while she waited for him. Because that is what it was, stealing. My spirits sank at that, so I mentally switched gears again.
Two things I was confident about. One, Alina was not an ordinary wolf-shifter. And two, she was getting weaker by the second. I could feel her grip loosening in my fur. She had been through so much in the last 3 days and I wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
When we entered the village, Alina was barely hanging on. I saw Liam and an older wolf couple standing at the gates. Liam gestured for me to follow him. He ran up through the village and I wasted no time racing after him.
People were coming out of their houses. Some people stared in awe at us, some people screeched in fear of the alphas, and some people shifted into their wolves to protect their families. This isn’t exactly the welcome I was expecting but I kept following Liam, making sure the alphas never got too close. Something in them, was forcing them to target Alina with a vengeance. I tried to recall the wording of the command, but nothing fit.
Liam stopped at a lone building just before, what I assume was, the packhouse. He nodded and a swarm of men instantly surrounded us. He and the men pulled the fighting alphas into the building. The moment they were inside, and the door was closed I felt Alina slump over me. Liam came right back out and pulled her down off of me. I watched as he gently laid her on the ground. I shifted taking a pair of shorts from my bag and joined him at her side.
I looked her over, her face was pale. Her heart was beating but it was slower than normal. Panic rose up. What if she used too much energy? Couldn’t that kill her? She had to be okay, I didn’t risk everything for this girl, just to lose her now!
At least Liam was thinking straight. “We need to get her into the packhouse,” he said with the authority only a future alpha commanded.
I looked up briefly when a man and woman ran out of the building. I realized this must be her father and mother. He had the same eyes as her, and she resembled the woman. I looked back to my little Kitten. I needed to see her silver eyes. I needed them to open, just once. I smoothed my hand over her hair, and prayed to the Moon Goddess that she would be alright.
I’m okay… just tired. Black...coming…
I breathed a sigh of relief at her words in my mind. I panicked as her family got close. I didn’t want them to take her from me. I picked Alina up quickly, ignoring the confused glances all around me. My actions confused me, but I wasn’t ignoring my gut feelings anymore. Not after the damage she received because of me. I would keep this woman safe, for as long as she would have me around!
“Bring her this way, her room is in the packhouse just this way…” The woman who spoke had to be Iona Black, her mother. I followed her farther up the path keeping Alina close to my chest.
“Liam, will the alphas be okay there? They are not in control of themselves.”
“Yeah, I got that. I think it was Cord who tried to bite me,” he said on a laugh. “Yeah, they will be safe. We made out three comfortable cells for them. We left the wolfsbane cuffs on just in case, but otherwise they are in no danger.”
“Thanks brother! It is good to see you again!” I said with real warmth. Alina was right, I looked like him. The only difference, aside from coloring, was his eyes. They didn’t hold the pain of horrible memories like mine did. I had seen more, and for that I was grateful. Over the last ten years, I knew why I was doing what I did. But, seeing him again, happy and safe, made me thankful
that I never quit. That I never ran like I wanted to so many times.
I followed Iona through the large house and into a room near the back wall. I laid her down on the bed. Iona immediately sat down next to her and took her hand. She held it to her lips as she began to sob. Her father, Mark, pulled Iona into him arms and rocked her as she cried.
I felt like I was betraying a private moment, but I couldn’t look away. The pain and regret I saw in each of their faces made my own chest hurt. We each had regrets where Alina was concerned, and we each blamed ourselves for her injuries.
After a while, her parents took turns kissing her forehead and turned to me for answers. I could see the questions in their faces as if they had spoken them aloud.
“She mind-linked me right before I picked her up saying that she was fine and that she just needed sleep. I know you don’t know me, but I need you to trust me.”
The look of surprise on her face relaxed a little as she considered my words. “So, you’re her mate?”
I hesitated, shocked, and I didn’t even know why. Why couldn’t I just answer her question? Was I afraid that if I did, they wouldn’t let me around her? Should I even be around her? Oh Goddess. My head felt like it was going to explode.
Liam cut in, saving me, “I will go get the group for introductions and you can explain what is really going on.” He left the room; Alina’s parents lingered a moment longer.
“What happened to her?” Iona asked.
“Well, it’s part of the story I need to tell. But, considering she is your daughter you should know. Alina was in the dungeons, with Irene for two days.”
The gasp from both of them told me they knew what that meant for Alina. This brave girl had gone through hell, then had the power to stop over 40 warriors. When Iona and Mark got up from the bed, I took their place. It really wasn’t my place to do so, but I couldn’t stop myself. Everything about this girl, made me do all the wrong things.
I ran my hand over Alina’s soft face, enjoying the scent of her wolf flowing over me. It was comforting. Alina had become my solid place to stand as everything fell apart around us. Maybe being in that castle together, aware of the danger and choosing to stay, bonded us together somehow. Maybe that’s why I am drawn to her. But I was more than drawn to her. This tiny little woman stole my heart. For better or worse, she had it.
“She is safe here. Come on Oliver,” Iona said from the doorway. I was so wrapped in Alina’s face and my feelings, that I didn’t realize she was still there. Fynn your slacking.
I am not. We have no enemies here.
I wished that were true. But until we got the alphas freed of their spell, no one would be safe here. With a sigh, I left Alina’s bedside and back down the hall we entered from. My parents were waiting for me.
Before I could even think of what was happening, I was being embraced by them both at the same time, Liam joined in and we had a family hug it out moment.
I had missed them so much, all of these years. And here was my family, all of my family in my arms. Comfort, peace, and love filled me. I wanted to stop the clock and enjoy the moment, but we had too many things to discuss. I pulled away and was shocked at the regret and guilt in all three faces staring back at me. It was the same that I saw in Iona and Mark just moments ago.
I needed to reassure them that I was okay and that they did the right thing all those years ago. “I’ve missed you guys! So much!” I said and I felt tears sting my eyes. I wouldn’t let the tears fall, that would only make things worse. But I felt the emotions running through me. I may not be in Ironridge, but I was home. I had hoped my few words were enough to put them at ease. I didn’t blame them. Not for anything! But my mother had a different idea. “Don’t even think about it,” I said, reading my mother’s expression. She was about to apologize, and I wouldn’t let her do that.
“But...”
“No. No but’s. You have nothing to apologize for. Because of your quick thinking, Ayorlyn has had a fighting chance all these years. I don’t know what would have happened if Lillian and Sarina got all four alphas together, but I know it would have been bad. Otherwise they wouldn’t be so desperate for Liam now.”
Liam embraced me in a side hug and pulled me towards the others waiting in the dining hall. Being outdoors, but indoors was an amazing idea. Fynn was at peace. As Liam let go of our embrace, he paused a second, and then punched my arm.
“What was that for?!” I complained rubbing my arm, even though it was only a playful punch.
“Because I saw the way you looked at her. She’s like my little sister man,” he said on a whisper. But we both knew everyone would hear.
I laughed. Alina was right, just imagine what would happen if he knew I kissed her, like an idiot, on more than one occasion.
“She said you would do that.” Then I remembered Alpha Marcus saw me kiss her. “Marcus, shut it.”
He burst out laughing. When he could finally breathe again, he said innocently, “Hey, I wasn’t going to say anything about the Kitten.” Liam just looked at both of us with suspicion. I couldn’t even look at Alina’s parents, I did not want to know their reactions to this conversation. Hell, I didn’t want to be having this conversation. Before the heat could flush my face, I used my training over the years and kept my expression blank. Even so, I knew I had given away way too much already.
Iona cleared her throat and brought us all back on topic. The real reason we were together. I wanted to applaud her, but that would just draw attention back to me. I needed to focus. We had a big problem on our hands, and we needed to solve it.
“Oliver, this is Iona Black and her mate Mark. Alina’s parents. And this little lady, you might recognize, is my mate Zetia.”
I did recognize the girl. She was the one who had joined the servants at the same time as Alina. I nodded at each of them in turn. It really was nice to meet everyone.
“Alright Oliver, why don’t you fill everyone in, on what you know, and what has happened the past couple days. And then I will tell you what Zetia and I have found,” Liam said with pride in his voice.
I didn’t know where to begin, so I started all the way back when we were first kidnapped. I left out most of the small details and just skimmed the surface. After an hour of talking I finished my story and Liam took over.
“10 days ago, Zetia and I have been researching anything we could find on spells, witches, wolves with power or anything else we thought might help us. The thing is, there is no history of witches or spells in Ayorlyn, so we were drawing blanks. But then I remembered Alina and her damn fascination with the human world outside. She gave me the biggest hint and it took me too long to figure it out. She was telling me to check the human world for information on the witches and spells. So that’s exactly what we did.” I hadn’t noticed that Zetia had left the group until she came back with a stack of books on spells, witches, witchcraft, Salem, necromancy and more.
“How did you get all these? Wait, never mind. Not important. How is this going to help us?” I asked.
“We found a couple things that make sense with Sarina. And we have a theory as to why she wanted all four future alphas together,” Zetia said.
“We think Sarina doesn’t have any power. Not like us wolves do. She steals it from whomever is the object of her spell, when she does them. That’s why it doesn’t work on you, because you don’t have the same dominant power in your blood.”
“Okay so what could she do with the power of four alphas, that she couldn’t do with three?” my father asked.
“That’s what we don’t know, she has some plan that requires a lot of power and she needs all four to get it. It’s just a theory but it’s the best we have got for now,” Liam responded.
“Why not just take the alphas then? The future alphas power is limited until they are transferred the full power from their fathers. That doesn’t make sense,” Iona said.
“That we don’t know, and we won’t know until she puts her plan in motion. I don’t thin
k even Lillian knows what her plans are. Let’s just hope we have the white wolf when that time comes,” I said, because according to everything I had seen at the castle Sarina was almost always submissive to Lillian. Rarely speaking out of turn and never explaining her reasons for things. “Okay, is there anything in your research on how to undo a spell?”
“From what I am seeing, it’s just a matter of getting the right phrase down and power levels out to undo the spell that is already there. We have a few ideas, but we need to know the exact wording of Sarina’s spell.”
“Bound by loyalty on this hour - By the blood of your alpha power - Let your will and mind split – To the Queen you submit.” That was easy, I had heard Sarina chant those words so many times before.
“I’ve heard that somewhere before…” Iona said, and she looked to Mark. “Maybe not those exact words, but very close… I can’t remember.” She sat on the sofa with a huff and a slight wrinkle in her brow, digging through memories trying to find the source.
“Do you guys think you can whip something up for Ruby to try?” I asked, with hope rising. Alina was safe, the alphas were here, and Ruby had power. It was enough to make me think we might actually pull this off.
“I will work on it tonight and we’ll give it a shot tomorrow,” Zetia said.
I stayed out in the dining area with my family, reminiscing and talking very late into the evening. The regret was still their when they looked at me, but the guilt had subsided. I think they were afraid I had blamed them all these years. I should have made a more conscious effort to contact them while I was at the castle.
When they finally decided to head back to their rooms, I headed off to Alina’s room. The events of the day weighed on my mind. So many unanswered questions and so much on the line. When I walked in, I noticed Iona right away. She was sitting in big chair at the foot of her bed, holding the same hand she had cried on earlier. I couldn’t imagine the pain she must be in, not knowing what would happen to her only daughter.