The Runaway and her Twin Alphas

The Stone That Binds

It took much longer to gather the ingredients for the spell than Esme had intended. It had been two months since Derrick had agreed to help, and Esme was going more and more anxious by the day. Derrick had been able to get most of the ingredients from his potions class claiming he had suddenly taken an interest and wished to try a few things at home. However, one essential item for an unbinding is the original stone used during the binding spell.

One day just before leaving the packhouse for the bakery, Esme passed by the Alpha's office. She felt a cold breeze suddenly and her hair stood on end.

"The stone. It's calling to us." Asha whispered fervently. Esme could feel her excitement through whatever bind had linked them. All Esme felt was dread. Her deadline was the pack harvest. Every harvest the pack celebrated with a huge festival and for the packhouse that meant a huge feast followed by several spells and ceremonies to bless and protect the pack through the winter. This would be the opertune time to cast the spell as the vast amount of magic in the air would cloak the magic used in the unbinding. This meant however preparations for the festival would begin shortly.

Prior to any festival Alpha Marxus would spend hours on end in his office planning every detail of the harvest and the following ceremonies. He would even take his meals there at times. If the stone was somewhere out in the open and she took it to soon the Alpha would surely notice and she would be the first one questioned as she always was. If she didn't take it soon enough Derrick would not have enough time to bless the stone prior to the start of the spell.

As the preparations began the Alpha naturally as usual began to take his meals in his office.

"I can take the tray to the Alpha," Esme told the older woman keeping her tone cool and even. Alice jerked up from where she had been bentover checking the food finishing in the oven. Her large brown eyes filled with confusion and concern. Esme avoided the Alpha at all cost, what had changed?

"We both know those stairs kill your knees Alice." Esme continued not missing a beat as she fluttered about the kitchen finishing the preparations for the meal. She prayed that Alice didn't ask any questions. Esme hated to lie to her but, if it meant protecting her from the wrath of the Alpha after her escape she would. Esme would ensure that none of it would come back on the sweet older woman who had been like a mother to her since her release from the confines of the packhouse. Alice stood looking at Esme for a long few moments before she released a heavy sigh.

"Fine. Just make sure you get in and out of there. The Alpha is in a foul mood today."

Esme's heart began to hammer in her chest as she climbed the sturdy oak steps to the Alpha's quarters. She tried to keep her breathing steady as she balanced the two trays filled with food in her hands. I can do this. She assured herself.

"We can do this." Asha whispered.

Esme reached the door and felt her hair standing on end again. She didn't know why but she was sure the stone was in there. She just had to get in and scope out the office and she could come back for it later while the whole house slept. Softly she knocked on the huge ornate oak door.

"Enter." A deep dark voice called to her from within. It sent a chill up her spine. Slowly she twisted the gold knob in her hand and pushed open the door.

Behind his desk the Alpha looked like a formidable business man. His white blonde hair, a sign of the original hybrids, was slicked back neatly. His white eyebrows knitted in concentration. To just about any woman he was a beautiful man with features striking and solid. Since coming of age the Alpha had had six wives and many more women witches, wolves, and hybrids alike would fall over themselves for an opportunity to be near him. But, to Esme he was a monster. She had seen his features twisted with rage and hatred so many times that it was all that she saw when she looked at him.

The Alphas brown almost black eyes flashed up when he realized it wasn't Alice in the door way. His blood boiled instantly at the sight of the girl.

"What the hell is this!? Where is Alice!?" he fumed slamming his pen on the desk making Esme jump instinctively. She nearly drops the trays of food but quickly straightens herself. She pushes herself forward with the trays laying them on the desk before the Alpha quickly.

"Alice said the turning wheather makes her knees hurt. She asked me to serve you tonight, Alpha." Esme spoke smoothly and clearly. Controlling the fear bubbling within her. She took a deep breath as she began to serve the Alpha without another word. As she began to move about the room she felt her gaze being pulled to the back corner of the room.

"There." Asha whispered. That's when Esme spotted it. A large purple crystal sat on the shelf seemingly a decoration. But, as she moved through the room she kept her eye on it and watched as something seemed to move deep within the crystal. Suddenly Esme's gaze was drawn in like she was in a trance she couldn't take her eyes off it. Unknowingly she had taken several steps forward drawn in by what lay inside the beautiful stone. As she took the last step forward her hand brushed the desk, knocking the Alpha's water straight into his lap.

The Alpha shot up with a roar of anger. Instantly he grabbed Esme by her small frame and tossed her. Esme flew through the air hitting the wall and landing with a heavy thud. The air rushed out of her lungs and she gasped for air rolling over on the ground.

"Grab it. Nows your chance!" Asha practically screamed within her. Esme's eyes snapped up to see the Alpha has stormed around his desk to find something to dry himself with. He had unknowingly throw her almost directly into the corner where her stone lay. Without hesitation her hand shot out gripping the stone and shoving it down into her pocket hidden under her apron. After a few seconds she put herself in the alphas view she got down on her knees.

"I'm so sorry Alpha," She told him. She summoned all the emotion she could into the words trying to sound as pitiful as she could.

"LEAVE MY SIGHT IMMEDIATELY!!!" he roared rushing over to were she kneeled. His hand flew out and the slap was so loud it was heard down the hall.

As Esme rushed out, even as blood filled her mouth from the deafening blow, for the first time after he hit her she felt like she could fly. She had won. Through all her hardships, through the beatings, through the starvation she had never won anything. Only lost again and again and again as more of her was chipped away. But, now she had finally won something. The stone sent electricity through her body and willed her forward. Ten days. That all she had to suffer through. Ten more days and she would be free.