The Alpha's Seeress

Chapter 14

Riley Asher

I hated to admit it, but the Walker was right. Even if I knew where their camp was, knew the exact location of their pack, I was no match for them. Not yet.

"I want to save her, Max," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. "This is the second time I’ve failed Olive."

But Sienna had been right. I couldn’t risk the entire pack just for Olivia. She had surrendered and gone with the Walkers to protect us, to save Starfall. If I acted recklessly now, all of her sacrifices would be for nothing. I had never felt this torn in my life.

"We need more allies," Max said. "Connections that can back us up when war breaks out."

I’d spent years expanding our territory, making alliances with other Alphas, but there was one pack I had never dared approach—the Crescent Pack. They were the second strongest in the realm, nearly as powerful as the Walkers themselves. If we could form an alliance with them, we might actually stand a chance in the coming battle.

But that was easier said than done. The Crescent Pack wasn’t known for welcoming outsiders. Still, with Olivia’s life on the line and the future of Starfall at risk, I knew it was a risk I had to take.

"We'll visit Crescent at midnight," I said.

Sienna had reached out to her family—witches once feared across the land. But since she’d taken on the responsibility of caring for Olivia, she’d distanced herself from that part of her life. A sacrifice she made for her master, and now we had no choice but to seek help from her old ties and humble ourselves before the Crescent Pack.

As planned, Max and I set out just past midnight, a few warriors accompanying us for protection. I left Vix behind to guard the pack in case of any rogue attacks, which had become all too common these days.

The journey was slow and treacherous. The forest that separated our territory from Crescent was thick with fog, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. Strange sounds echoed around us—howls, branches snapping in the distance—but we pressed on. Every step felt like a challenge.

"Are we sure this is the right way?" one of the warriors asked nervously, glancing around.

"Yes," Max replied, though I could hear the tension in his voice. Even he was unsure. The Crescent Pack’s territory was guarded not just by their warriors but by magic. This forest was full of illusions, meant to confuse outsiders and throw them off track.

Hours passed, and the deeper we ventured into the woods, the more the terrain fought against us. The fog thickened, and the ground became soft, almost swamp-like. At one point, a warrior got stuck in the mud, sinking waist-deep until we pulled him out. There were times when I swore I saw eyes watching us from the shadows, but every time I looked closer, they vanished.

"This isn’t natural," I muttered. "The Crescent witches are testing us."

Max nodded. "They know we’re coming. We have to keep moving."

By the time we reached the edge of Crescent territory, the sun was just starting to rise. Exhausted, we stood before the towering gates of their stronghold. It was more fortress than packhouse, ancient and imposing, with symbols carved into the stone—wards of protection and power.

"Now comes the hardest part," Max said quietly. "Getting them to listen."

This pack is the most peaceful. I rarely hear about them getting involved in wars or fights. It’s the only place the Walkers couldn’t infiltrate.

The Crescent Pack wasn’t just protected by werewolves; it was said to be guarded by ancient forces—pure-blooded witches, the reigning protectors of the realm. Anyone who dared to challenge them supposedly faced a curse so powerful, no one survived to speak of it. Those rumors had circulated for years, passed down like legends. I didn’t know how much of it was true, but the eerie presence of magic was undeniable.

What I did know was that the Alpha of Crescent remained a mystery. Not once had I met him during the full-moon gatherings of the packs. When the Elders convened, Crescent was always represented by their Beta, never the Alpha. No one knew why, and no one questioned it.

Max shifted uneasily beside me. "Do you think they'll let us in?"

I glanced at him. "They have to. They know we wouldn’t have come here unless it was important."

We waited in silence, the weight of our request hanging in the air. Just as I was about to suggest knocking, the gates groaned open slowly, creaking like ancient wood. Beyond them stood a figure—tall, cloaked, and unrecognizable in the dim morning light.

"State your purpose," a voice commanded.

Max and I exchanged a glance before stepping forward. "We seek an audience with the Alpha," I said. "We come in peace, in need of your help."

The figure remained motionless for a moment, as if weighing our words. Then, without a word, they turned and motioned for us to follow. The warriors at our sides tensed, but Max nodded, signaling that we proceed.

As we entered, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching us—something far older and more powerful than we could ever understand.

It was then that I realized just how unguarded and loose Starfall truly was compared to Crescent. Olivia had been right all along—we stood no chance against the Walkers if they ever came for us. Our pack was strong in spirit, but we lacked the magic and sheer power that Crescent seemed to exude from every stone. I had a lot to improve, a lot to build if I ever wanted Starfall to become a formidable force in the land.

The man led us to an ancient house, likely their packhouse. It was the largest structure in the area, yet its exterior appeared worn and weathered, as though centuries had passed since it was first built. Despite its age, there was something undeniably powerful about it. Every inch of the building was layered with history, and the air around it pulsed with magic.

I couldn’t help but notice the strange chants inscribed on each pillar, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The markings were unlike anything I had ever seen—symbols of protection, spells woven into the very foundation of the place. They weren’t just decorative. They were a warning to anyone foolish enough to try and enter without permission.

"What language is that?" Max asked, his voice low, as though speaking any louder might invoke the spirits of the place.

"Witch's tongue," I whispered back. "These markings... they’re wards. This place is more than just stone and wood. It’s alive."

Max nodded but didn’t speak further. I could tell he was as uneasy as I was. We were walking into a den of power, and we had to tread carefully. One misstep could spell disaster for both of us—and for Starfall.

As we approached the entrance, the large wooden doors swung open without a sound, as if the house itself had been expecting us. The man who led us gestured for us to enter, but he didn’t follow. It was clear we were meant to go in alone.

Max and I exchanged another glance before stepping inside, our boots echoing against the stone floor. The inside of the house was far different from its exterior—elegant, pristine, and bathed in a soft, golden light. But the weight of magic here was even stronger, almost suffocating.

"We need to be careful," I muttered under my breath.

"What brought you here?"

A voice echoed from the shadows, startling us. Max and I had been the only ones granted entry, while the rest of our warriors remained outside with the man who had led us here. The voice carried a weight of authority, yet I couldn’t pinpoint its source.

I cleared my throat, summoning my Alpha aura and standing tall. "I'm here to speak with the Alpha. I need assistance," I declared.

The room fell silent for a moment before a figure emerged from the far end of the hall, stepping into the dim light. It was a woman, draped in silver robes, her eyes sharp and piercing. She moved with the grace of someone who commanded great power.

"You seek help from Crescent, yet you bring no offering. No exchange of loyalty. Why should we aid you?" she questioned.

"I offer the loyalty of Starfall," I replied, though I could sense she wasn’t swayed. "We need your support to stop the Walkers. Their growing power threatens not just my pack but the entire realm. You must see that."

The woman’s eyes narrowed. "The Walkers do not concern us. Crescent remains neutral. We have no interest in joining your war, nor do we owe you anything."

Max shifted uneasily beside me, but I pressed on. "If the Walkers take Starfall, it won’t be long before they come for Crescent too. No pack will be safe."

The woman raised a hand, silencing me. "You underestimate us. Crescent is well protected by forces beyond your understanding. We do not fear the Walkers, nor do we involve ourselves in the affairs of other packs. Our duty is to our own."

Her refusal hit me hard. "If you refuse to help us, you’re leaving Starfall to its doom. The blood of my people will be on your hands."

For the first time, I saw a flicker of emotion cross her face—perhaps regret, perhaps something else—but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "I have spoken. Crescent will not intervene. You should leave while you still can."

With that, the woman turned and disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Max and me standing there in stunned silence. My heart sank. We had come all this way, only to be rejected.

"Now what?" Max whispered.

I clenched my fists. "We go back. And we fight without them."