The Witch's Price
1910 Words
The snow started before dawn. White flakes hit the cabin window like ash from a dead fire. Winter came fast in these mountains. Too fast.
Kael packed a leather bag with bread, water, and two daggers. His movements were sharp. Efficient. Alpha commander mode was back on. But every time his eyes met mine, the gold softened.
We ride in two hours, he said without looking at me. The witch lives three days north. Past the Frozen Ridge. Past where her curse took root.
My fire flickered under my skin at his words. Curse. The word felt heavy in the air. For five years he carried it. For ten years I carried mine.
I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders. The mark on my neck still glowed faint. Mate bond. It hummed every time Kael breathed. Every time he stepped close.
Why didn’t you tell me about her? I asked. About the witch.
Kael stopped packing. His back went stiff like it did last night. For a long second he didn’t answer. Then he walked to the door and opened it. Cold air rushed in. Snow swirled across the floor.
Because saying it makes it real, he said finally. His voice was low. Tired. Because every Alpha who heard about my curse used it to challenge me. Every omega ran when they learned I was marked by a witch.
He turned around then. Snow melted on his shoulders. His eyes were silver again. Not gold. The curse side of him.
She cursed me when I was twenty, he said. I killed her son during a border war. Didn’t know he was hers until after. She said I’d never love. Never be loved. That I’d die alone with blood on my hands.
The cabin went quiet. Only the fire crackling. Only my heartbeat.
But you don’t have to die alone now, I whispered. The bond pulsed hot between us. Proof.
Kael’s jaw tightened. Maybe, he said. But witches always want payment. For teaching fire control. For breaking curses. She’ll ask for something I can’t give.
What? I stood up. Pain shot through my legs but I ignored it. What could she ask for that you can’t give?
He didn’t answer. He just walked past me and grabbed my cloak from the hook. Draped it over my shoulders with careful hands. His fingers brushed my neck where the mark glowed.
If she asks for you, he said, voice barely a sound, the answer is no. Even if it kills me.
My chest squeezed. Ten years of being worthless. Ten years of being thrown out of pack houses. And this Alpha was ready to die for me.
I won’t let you die, I said. Fire surged up my arms. Small flames danced on my fingertips. Not wild anymore. Controlled. Just a little. The bond was teaching me.
Kael stared at the flames. His eyes went wide. Then he did something I didn’t expect. He took my burning hand and pressed it to his chest. Right over his heart.
Burn me if you have to, he said. But let me take you to her first. Let me give you the control they said you’d never have.
The flames didn’t hurt him. They wrapped around his fingers like they knew him. Like they recognized their Alpha. Gold and red weaving through his black wolf tattoos.
Outside a wolf howled. Not pack wolves. Something older. Something watching.
Kael pulled his hand away. The moment broke. He grabbed his sword and his bag.
We leave now, he said. Before she finds us first.
The ride was brutal. Three horses. Snow up to their knees. Kael rode ahead, cutting through drifts with his sword when the path vanished. I rode behind him, wrapped in his spare cloak. The scent of him - pine and storm and Alpha - kept the cold out.
For hours no one spoke. Only wind. Only snow. Only the bond humming between us. Through it I felt his worry. His guilt. His fear of the witch.
At noon we stopped by a frozen stream. Kael broke the ice with his boot and let the horses drink. I slid off my horse. Legs buckled immediately.
Strong arms caught me before I hit snow. Kael. Of course.
You’re burning up, he muttered against my hair. His hand pressed to my forehead. The fire inside me was fighting the cold outside. My skin was hot. Too hot.
I can’t control it yet, I gasped. Every time I think of the witch, it wants to burn.
Then don’t think of her, Kael said. Think of something else. Something safe.
Like what? My voice shook.
Like me, he said. His thumb brushed my cheek. Think of me.
I closed my eyes. Focused on his heartbeat under my palm. Slow. Steady. Alpha strong. The fire calmed. Not out. But quieter.
When I opened my eyes, Kael was staring at my lips. Just for a second. Then he looked away like he got caught.
We should move, he said rough. She’ll sense the fire.
We rode until dusk. The mountains got steeper. Trees turned black and twisted. Like they were burned long ago and never grew back right.
That’s when I saw it. A light in the distance. Green. Sickly. Floating above a crooked cabin.
The witch, Kael said. His hand went to his sword. She knows we’re here.
The cabin looked wrong. Walls made of bone. Roof made of black iron. Smoke that was green instead of grey. And symbols carved into every surface. Symbols that hurt my eyes to look at.
Kael stopped his horse ten feet away. Didn’t go closer.
Witch! he called out. Voice like steel. I’ve come to pay the price for my mate’s training.
The door creaked open. Slow. Like bones grinding.
Out stepped a woman. Or what used to be one. Her back was bent. Skin like dried leather. Eyes completely white. No pupils. But she stared right at me anyway.
Mate of the cursed Alpha, she cackled. Voice like dead leaves. I smell fire on you, girl. Wild fire. Untamed fire. The kind that burns kingdoms.
My fire answered her. Flames jumped to my hands without permission. Hot. Angry. Protective.
Kael stepped in front of me before I could move. Shielding me with his body.
Teach her control, he said to the witch. Name your price.
The witch’s white eyes rolled to Kael. Then back to me. Then she smiled. Too many teeth. Too sharp.
Price? she whispered. For teaching fire to a girl who burned four rogues? For breaking a curse five years old?
Yes, Kael said. One word. No hesitation.
The witch shuffled closer. Her fingers were claws. She reached out and touched my glowing mark. Pain shot through me. Like ice and fire at once.
Interesting, she hissed. Bond so new. Bond so strong. Stronger than the curse.
Kael’s sword slid half an inch from its sheath. Don’t touch her again.
The witch laughed. Loud. Ugly. I don’t want gold, Alpha. I don’t want blood.
Then what? Kael growled.
The witch pointed one clawed finger at my chest. Right where my heart beat fast.
I want her first burn, she said. The first time she loses control. The first time her fire takes a life. Give me that memory. That power. And I’ll teach her to be a Luna worthy of you.
Snow went silent. Even the wind stopped.
Kael didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. But through the bond I felt it. Rage. Pure, cold Alpha rage.
No, he said. One word. Final.
The witch’s smile dropped. Then you both die here, Alpha. Curse and fire together. Ash in my garden.
Kael pulled his sword free. Steel sang in the cold air. His wolf rose behind his eyes. Black. Huge. Teeth bared.
Touch her, he said low, and I’ll burn this mountain down.
The witch laughed again. But this time I stood up. Stepped around Kael. Flames covered my hands now. Not small. Not scared.
You want my first burn? I said. My voice didn’t shake. You want the memory of me killing?
Yes, child, the witch hissed.
I looked at Kael. Really looked at him. The Alpha who rejected me. Who now stood ready to die for me. The bond between us blazed silver.
Then I turned back to the witch and smiled.
You’re too late, I said. My first burn already happened. Four rogues. One night. For him.
I lifted my hands. Fire exploded out. Not wild. Not random. Aimed. Controlled. Just enough.
The witch screamed as green fire met gold fire. Her cabin lit up like a second sun. Bones cracked. Iron melted.
Kael grabbed my waist and pulled me back. His body shielding mine from the heat.
Run! he shouted.
We ran. Horses. Snow. Fire behind us. The witch’s screams following us down the mountain.
When we were far enough, Kael stopped and pulled me off the horse. Checked me with frantic hands.
You’re hurt? You’re bleeding? Did she touch you?
I shook my head. Can’t talk. Fire was still roaring in my veins. But I was smiling. Big. Real.
I did it, I whispered. I burned without losing control.
Kael stared at me like I was a miracle. Then he kissed my forehead. Hard. Desperate.
Mine, he said through the bond. My fire. My Luna. My mate.
The snow kept falling. But for the first time, it didn’t feel cold.The ride back to the cabin was quiet. Kael didn’t let go of my waist once. His arm stayed locked around me like he was afraid the snow would steal me.
We made it before midnight. The fire in the cabin was dead. Cold ash. Kael rebuilt it fast with shaking hands. Not from cold. From adrenaline.
He turned to me then. Really looked at me. Like he was seeing me for the first time. Not the omega they threw out. Not the girl with wild fire. Just me.
You burned her cabin down, he said. Voice low. Wonder in it. And you didn’t lose control. Not once.
I shrugged. Tried to act casual. But my hands were still glowing faint. The bond was humming loud between us.
The witch wanted my first kill, I said. But I already gave it to you. Four rogues. For you. So she gets nothing.
Kael closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were gold. Not Alpha gold. Mate gold.
Then I owe you, he whispered. A life debt. Alpha to Luna.
He stepped closer. One step. Two. Until his chest touched mine. Until I could feel his heartbeat through the bond. Fast. Uneven.
Kael, I whispered. His name felt like fire on my tongue.
He didn’t answer with words. He answered by lifting my chin with one finger. Thumb brushing my mark. The bond flared white hot.
For five years I thought I was cursed, he said. For ten years you thought you were broken. We were both wrong.
His lips touched my forehead again. Softer this time. Not desperate. Promise.
No more running, he said against my skin. No more hiding. You’re Luna now. My Luna. And I protect what’s mine.
The fire in me calmed. Not out. Just... home. Like it finally found where it belonged.
Outside the snow kept falling. Inside, the cabin finally felt warm.
Comment WITCH if you think she’s evil 🔥
Drop gifts if Kael going feral for you broke you too
- Writer
