Enslaved To The Cruel Alpha

Mate

LORCAN

The female that opens the door nearly chokes when she sees me. I'm actually surprised she doesn't.

"A-Alpha Lorcan, we-we weren't e-ex-expecting you". She stutters so badly over the words I glance at her to confirm she isn't a natural stammerer.

My glance sets her even more on the edge.

"Do you plan to leave the door open?"

She shuts it hastily.

"How is she?" I ask before she can begin stuttering again. She simply nods. "I want to be alone". I walk away from her. "Alone". I growl for emphasis.

I close the door slowly. She's in bed, and that's a good sign. She doesn't acknowledge my entry, and it's easy to assume she's asleep. But she's a light sleeper, always has been.

Her eyes are open when I approach her, but she's staring at something I can't see. Her eyes are roving fast, and her skin is pale. The scent of fear is everywhere in the room. I sit down, wondering why I can't harden my heart against this woman, which I can't forget her here, like my father did.

"Not even a smile for your mother?" She says. I blink. Her skin is still pale, but she's smiling now. And she's staring at me with colourless eyes.

"Hello mother". I say and wait.

"I see it everyday". She says quietly after a pause. "Doom is coming for us all. Great doom. Why am I the only one who sees it?"

She's right. Even the pack seer, who has the power to communicate with the moon goddess, hasn't seen the fancy visions my mother's seen. And that's because they're not real.

10 years ago, when I was 14, my mother had followed my father as his Luna to the Silver claw pack for a diplomatic visit. Tension has existed for decades between the packs, each pack secretly trying to outshine the other. My father's secret mission was to confirm the rumours that the Silver Claw Alpha had a witch in his possession. He got his confirmation, but we were double-crossed. And something irrevocable was done to my mother.

Now she lies comatose on most days, raving on others. We've tried every medicine we can, but nothing worked. My father abandoned her here because he was alpha and an alpha could not show weakness. I did not. I come here from time to time, because my mother is not my weakness. When I see her, I remind myself of all the reasons I will burn Silver Claw to the ground, and kill Alpha Killian slowly.

"I have a witch now, mother". I say to her. "Her mother slept with a Silver Claw bastard to have her. I can erase that Pack's existence now".

She turns slowly to me. There are tears in her eyes. "But why don't you see it? It torments me everyday".

"You won't anymore. I promise".

She shakes her head violently. I stand. "I'll see you again sometime mother". I walk away.

"Eva is not your mate, child". She says as I open the door.

"I know". I reply, walking out and closing the door. She's never liked Eva since the day I introduced her as my intended. I don't care who my mate is. I don't need her.

I don't need a weakness.

Just to confirm, Alpha, my beta, Rowan, says through the mind link. The timid girl we met at dinner is the witch?

There's more to her than meets your eyes, I reply, remembering her brave confrontation earlier in the day.

I hope you're right. Because the girl I met doesn't look like she can do s**t.

The only reason why he dares speak to me that way is because he's my brother. He's able to call my bullshit, although within limits. Are you doubting my judgement?

Why not the mother?

I have other uses for her. She's better as a collateral now.

The mother is obviously more talented.

I want the girl. I growl. She'll do just fine.

There is silence for a few seconds. All right, Alpha.

I'll be at the pack house in a few minutes. I can already see the pack house ahead. We need to go over the plans again.

He hums his agreement, and I feel the link fade.

I don't know how I'm sure the girl is perfect. The plan was to take the mother, and keep the girl as collateral. But something clicked when I saw her, and I know she's perfect. I never ignore my instincts. They're always right.

I've found the perfect weapon. And it's time to burn down the world with it.

---------

AYRRA

I immediately begin ranting to my mom about the horrible raw meat I was served as soon as I can successfully establish a magic link to her.

Ayrra, where are you? She interrupts me. I feel a presence there.

I begin to rant about my living quarters.

I slow down when I notice she is beginning to panic.

The Moon Crest pack is insane. They will bring doom on us all. And my baby is in the center of it.

Mother, calm down. I say, worried. I've not even seen the alpha yet. He's not asked me to do anything. I've only met his asshole beta, and this asshole lady, and a couple of other assholes too-

Ayrra. She says urgently. I'm going to give you something I should have given you since you were 10. Only seers and performers learn magic. Magic flows in the blood of witches. We are one with it, and we wield it instinctively. I was scared of giving it to you because I wanted to shield you from having to run all the time. But you must have it now.

Okay...

Ayrra, remember that you posses a power that can destroy worlds. In a short while you'll understand this better. You are no one's slave.

Yes mother.

I love you, my darling girl. It's time to conquer the world. She begins to chant.

I cannot describe what happens next.

---------

When I can see my immediate surroundings again, I understand why my room has always felt creepy, and why my mother panicked. There is an ancient power in the room, and it reeks of evil. Why did Alpha Lorcan put me here? I open my right hand and a ball of flame appears changing colour without any effort. I grin, and change it to a stream of swirling water.

I don't need to learn anymore. Magic flows in my blood.

I follow Alpha Lorcan's scent to a locked room. It opens before I can raise my hand. The large woman stands in the open space, and she raises an eyebrow at me. "She's here, Alpha". She opens the door wider.

Alpha Lorcan's nostrils flare the moment I walk in. He is seated behind a large table with multiple papers scattered on it. His beta sits at the table too, and his eyebrows are raised in what I decide is pleasant surprise. "How?" He mutters.

"You may leave Kita". Alpha Lorcan says in a near growl. It sends shivers down my spine.

Kita bows her head and leaves, sparing one last glance at me. She closes the door softly behind her.

"I'm surprised". Beta Rowan says. "Can you surpress your magic at will?".

I tilt my head, thinking about it. It should be possible. I imagine I'm trying to bundle medicine in a cloth. Beta Rowan laughs in delight.

It worked, then.

"What is your name, girl?" Alpha Lorcan asks. I meet his eyes. A rush fills my head.

"Ayrra". I reply.

Lia.

I blink. I've never known magic to have a voice of it's own. But something inside me just whispered a name that is not mine.

Lia. Mine.

I remember my mother's parting words when Alpha Lorcan took me away. I whip my head to Beta Rowan. But it cannot be. I've met him before, and this didn't happen. That leaves one person.

Alpha Lorcan is my mate.