The Alpha's Prisoner

Returned

Sarah

I couldn’t move. I was back in my room at the castle, but it was dark. My eyes scanned rapidly around me, but my body wouldn’t obey my commands. No. This can’t be it. I tried to call out, but no sound escaped. Tears escaped as I struggled internally. This is no life to live. Why did they do this to me? All the tests so they can render me useless.

Tyson. He accepted me back into his home, he mustn’t yet know. They mightn’t have told him. Just dumped me onto his doorstep. At least now I get to see him one last time, even though he would have to see me like this.

Perhaps if I just lay here until morning it could almost be as if I was merely resting. If only the night could last forever. As soon as the new day arrived, I would have to face the challenges of my new life. Hot tears continued to pour, saturating the pillow under my head. What if they went after my sister? If whatever I have is genetic then they might put her through the same tests. I was so useless, so trapped, utterly helpless. My poor sister, Fayron can’t do that to her. If I could sob, I would have, but only my tears could escape.

Something in the corner moved. I couldn’t see what it was but there must be someone there. I wish I could call out to them.

“Sarah?”

Tyson? I tried again to call out, to tell him I was here, I was awake. Nothing. I could hear as he got up and headed over towards me, he turned on a small lamp beside the bed. His gorgeous features were full of concern. He raised a hand and began caressing my hair soothingly.

“It’s okay, I am so sorry, you’re okay. Don’t cry, you’re all right”

How am I alright? I was trapped inside my own body.

“This is all temporary. We found you after they had begun the surgery. They had severed your vocal cords and had paralysed you to disconnect your transformation, but we arrived in time to prevent the binding spell. Witches are very powerful creatures, their healing capabilities are like none other, however, they cannot heal if an injury has been bound. It acts as a type of block to their power. I have a good friend who is healing you now. You’ll be able to walk again within a few days, and talk within a week”

I was so relieved. I wish I could talk to him, I had so much I still needed answered. What about my sister? I tried talking, asking anything.

“No don’t try, just rest”

I begged him with my eyes, I needed to know about my family.

“I’m sorry I don’t understand. How about I just talk to you and hopefully I can answer some of your questions”

I relaxed at his response.

“Do you mind if I sit next to you on the bed?”

I tried to nod; I had already forgotten I couldn’t move. He seemed to understand though and rounded the bed to sit next to me.

“Okay, where to start. I’m guessing you kind of know what I am and of the magical world, so I won’t explain most of that”

He continued to stroke my hair as he talked. His hand felt so warm and soft, it was nice to finally feel safe.

“As soon as the battle was over at Derek’s compound…”

My stomach twisted at the memory of Derek.

“…A member of the senate and a witch teleported in and knocked you over the head. I didn’t have any time to react before they took you.”

I blushed at the memory. Tyson had no clothes the last time I had seen him. His clothing had shredded when he had transformed into the giant wolf. Part of me wished I could have gotten a better look. Possibly a big part of me…

“I went back to the castle straight away to begin searching for you. We discovered that my friend that I had asked to treat you when you first arrived had been talking to the senate. Also, sorry about that injury, that was kind of my fault.”

I already knew about that one.

“So, we visited my friend’s house and she explained how she had sensed power within you and had tried to organise help. We realised they might be after your family, so we picked them up and returned them to the castle.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you! He was so generous. The rest of the night went in a blur after I had relaxed at the news of my family.

The light woke me as the sun peaked through the curtains. I must have fallen asleep at some point. Tyson was slumped beside me, hand still resting on my head. I studied him as he slept, my head somehow having rested next to his chest during the night. He smelt amazing. Although I was stuck, I felt so comfortable. I wished I could have stayed with him like this forever.

A loud knocking came from the door. Tyson woke up and looked down towards me, a small smile played on his lips. He quickly got up and moved towards it, opening it to a beautiful short woman who quickly moved in with a cart of supplies. He sat back in the corner out of my view as the woman made her way towards me.

“Hi, I’m Matilda. I am not sure how much Tyson has told you, but I am going to be working some spells and treatments on you.”

She quickly pulled up a chair and began working. She started muttering under her breath while rubbing strong-smelling oils onto my throat. It fluctuated between intense hot and cold as she muttered. It was uncomfortable. I could feel a deep tickling in my throat as she worked; as if I was being poked by a thousand needles.

At some point during the treatment, Tyson was called over and he helped roll me onto my stomach before quickly leaving the room. Matilda’s hands set back to work, massaging the oils hard into my back. A large part of me wished Tyson had stayed. The feeling was much worse on my back, it spread throughout my entire body and into my limbs. The harsh changes in temperature felt like they were burning my skin as she worked. I could do nothing but lay there, but the pain soon got too extreme.

“Eeerggh”

I made a sound! It was barely anything, but it was there.

“Wow. Well, it seems you’ll have a much faster recovery than we initially realised”

I could hear a small chuckle in her voice, the surprise and happiness evident on her face. She continued to work. Digging deep into my back, sending stabbing pins down through my back and deep into my arms and legs. It felt endless as wave after wave of the pins was sent flying through me.

“All done. Try moving something small, maybe a finger”

I was relieved it was finally over. I focused hard on my finger, willing it to move.

Come on, please.

A twitch! It was small, but I held onto it. Willing it to move once more. It slowly began moving up and down as I focused everything I had onto it.

“Alright! That’s really good! I’m going to leave you for a bit. Rest, practice moving. Try not to strain your voice though. I will be back this afternoon to work again”

With that Matilda shuffled out of the room, carting her medicines with her. I was alone again. I continued to wag my finger. I could barely contain my excitement as I continued to watch it move. I focused on my hand as I tried to get my other fingers working. The focus strained my mind and my head began to hurt from the effort.

Something in the back of my mind distracted me. I tried to refocus on my task, but it was forcing away my attention. A melody. The same one in the first test. I could still remember most of the strange words that had been scrolled on the parchment. Perhaps, maybe if I tried to sing, it could heal me again.

I opened my mouth; my voice was a hoarse whisper. I sang the words in my head as my voice only came out a weak hum. I kept rounding the versus, starting again once the song ended. My voice didn’t seem to tire from the sudden effort. I continued to sing, slowly getting words to take the place of the quiet hum.

I was so focused I didn’t even notice when my hand began to clench.

Tyson

He had been called away again. Sarah was in the middle of her recovery and he didn’t want to leave her side, but he knew she was in good hands. Tyson had rounded the hall and entered the large room to find his father, mother and Mathew all crowded around the large table. They peered up as he entered, grim expressions plastered on their faces.

“Tyson…”

King Jeremy’s voice was stern. This can’t be good.

“They’ve discovered it was us. They’re on their way now. It’s time.”