Captured by the Alpha King

18: Rowan

The shadows of the forest enveloped me like a shroud, their cool darkness a balm to my fevered mind. I stumbled through the underbrush, thorns tearing at my skin, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The events of the past few days replayed in my mind on an endless loop - Onyx, the traitor... the burning.

Exhaustion seeped into my bones, but still I pressed onward, deeper into the woods. I knew I could not stop, could not rest. The instability of my magic was a storm inside me, threatening to break free at any moment. Since bonding with the dark witches, I had scarce control over the frightening power thrumming through my veins. One false move and I could reduce the forest to cinders.

I collapsed against the trunk of a towering oak, its bark rough against my back. Tears burned behind my eyes but I blinked them back fiercely. Crying was a luxury I did not deserve, not after what I had done. I stared up at the narrow strip of starry sky visible through the canopy of leaves. The stars used to give me comfort, but now their cold light only reminded me of how utterly alone I was.

Onyx's face flashed in my mind, his eyes brimming with concern. I squeezed my eyes shut, blocking out the image. I could not bear to think of him now. He had tried to understand the changes in me, had offered me patience and support. But in the end, the chasm between us was too wide. He was my protector. My love. The dark to my light. But everything is different now. I had allowed the darkness in.

I took a shuddering breath, hugging my knees to my chest. The last few days, I had struggled against the seductive pull of the dark witches power. Like a siren's call, it whispered to me, promising access to magic beyond my wildest dreams. And I, fool that I was, had listened. I thought I could control it, thought I was strong enough to harness that danger and use it for good. I was wrong. So horribly wrong.

The wind stirred the leaves above me. I lifted my gaze once more to the fragments of night sky. Clouds were gathering, obscuring the stars. A storm was coming. The charged air seemed to feed the tempest of uncontrolled power within me. I could feel it rising, crackling under my skin like lightning.

This was not the legacy I wanted. I never asked for this burden, this malignant gift. But I could not run from it anymore. I had to find a way to tame the dark witch's magic - or be consumed by it.

With a deep breath, I rose on unsteady legs. I placed my palm flat against the oak's trunk, channeling a trickle of power into the ancient tree. The bark grew warm beneath my touch as the tree slowly came alive, its branches creaking and swaying.

"Help me," I whispered.

The wise old oak seemed to understand. Its limbs stretched upward, leaves rustling, as if to embrace the storm-charged sky. Drawing strength from the tree, I released my magic in a controlled stream. Like the oak, I would weather this storm. Darkness and light warred within me, but I would find a way to balance their power.

I was more than what the dark witch had made me. More than fire and fury. The darkness did not own me. And once I conquered it, I would reclaim my place in the light. But first, I had to face the tempest - and believe that I could guide it rather than be swept away.

I wandered through the shadowed forest, my boots crunching on fallen leaves and twigs. The trees loomed over me, branches twisted and gnarled like arthritic hands grasping at the night sky. Their whispered judgements were the only sound, my sole company on this lonesome journey.

With each step, doubt crept insidiously into my mind. Had I made a mistake, running from the pack? They were my family now, the only tether left to my humanity. But the fire in my veins was beyond my control, and I couldn't risk hurting them. Any more than I already had.

I was a danger to everyone, even myself. One false move and I could burn down the world. I hated that I loved how that made me feel. Is this how Onyx felt when he was in his darkness? It was terrifying yet... exhilarating. I could single-handedly destroy the Elden Clan and not bat an eye.

A raven cawed overhead, its stark cry piercing the silence. I glanced up, watching its silhouette glide across the moon's pale orb. A pang of longing stabbed through me. I envied the raven's freedom, the effortless way it rode the night winds. My wings had been clipped, my flight grounded by the inferno within. If only I could strike a balance, I could soar freely.

With a sigh, I leaned against the sturdy oak, pressing my forehead to its rough bark. The wise old tree welcomed me, its energy thrumming against my skin. If only people could be as steadfast as trees, weathering any storm without judgement.

But I couldn't hide here forever. I had to find a way to tame the firestorm, or it would destroy everything I held dear. Starting with myself...

I closed my eyes, trying to center myself, to find some semblance of calm in the maelstrom raging inside. But the more I grasped for control, the more the magic twisted and slipped through my fingers like smoke.

A sharp crack split the air. My eyes flew open. One of the oak's mighty boughs lay smoldering at my feet, severed clean through by a bolt of violet flame. The living wood sizzled, the acrid scent of charred timber flooding my senses.

"No, no, no!" I cried, stumbling back in horror. Had that come from me?

My hands trembled as I stared at them, at the wisps of darkness writhing beneath my skin. I had to get away, had to protect the everyone from the havoc I would wreak.

I ran. Branches tore at my arms and legs, drawing blood, but I barely felt the sting. All I knew was the pounding of my feet, carrying me deeper into the waiting arms of the woods.

When I couldn't run any further, I collapsed against a weathered boulder, gasping for breath. A fine sheen of sweat coated my skin despite the chill night air. I hugged my knees to my chest, making myself small. The trees creaked and groaned around me, their voices rising in protest at my intrusion.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't want this."

But intentions didn't matter now. The damage was done. I conjured a tiny flame in my palm, watching it flicker weakly. Even this benign magic felt volatile, ready to surge out of control with the slightest provocation.

I had to go back, had to fix what I had done. But my legs wouldn't cooperate, exhaustion seeping into my bones. Darkness crowded the edges of my vision, beckoning me into oblivion. With the last of my strength, I extinguished the flame, then surrendered to the black void that rushed up to claim me.

I drifted in and out of consciousness, the forest spinning around me. Strange visions swam before my eyes - ravens with burning wings, vines that writhed like serpents, a faceless woman who whispered my name.

When I finally came to, pale dawn light filtered through the canopy above. My body ached, protesting the long night spent curled against the unforgiving rock. With a groan, I unfolded myself and stood on shaky legs.

I had hoped the light of day would chase away the shadows in my mind, but they lingered still. The memory of the packhouse in flames haunted me, the acrid stench of smoke seeming to cling to my hair and clothes. What if I lost control again? What if someone got hurt?

I couldn't risk going back, not yet. Not until I regained mastery over my fractured magic. I would remain here, deep in the heart of the ancient forest where my powers first awakened. Here, among the whispering trees and watchful creatures, I would find my center.

With grim determination, I set off into the wilderness. The morning chill bit at my fingers and toes, grounding me. Sun-dappled ferns brushed against my legs as I walked, leaving traces of dew behind. The beauty of this place was untouched by my inner darkness.

In time, I would return to the packhouse, to my found family. I would help them rebuild... if they even wanted me back. Goddess I hope no one died in the fire. I only hoped they could forgive me for the damage I had caused, and accept me even with my broken magic. But for now, solitude was my sanctuary. The forest alone could heal me.

I trudged deeper into the forest, my feet carrying me along a winding deer trail. The morning songs of birds filled the quiet air, a gentle reminder that life continued on despite my absence.

How long would I remain out here, isolated and adrift? A day, a week? However long it took to mend my fractured spirit. Onyx would worry, but this was something I had to do alone. No one could wave a wand and magically fix me. I could feel him trying to press through the mental barrier, trying to reach me, but I pushed back and closed the door.

I paused by a babbling brook to take a drink of the crisp, cold water. As I cupped the refreshing liquid in my hands, my reflection stared back at me. Dark circles under haunted eyes, worry lines creasing my forehead. When had I started to look so old, so weary? The toll of these past months showed on my face.

With a sigh, I straightened, shaking the excess water from my hands. I couldn't change the past, no matter how much I wanted to. All I could do was move forward, one step at a time.

The trees surrounding me were ancient, wise sentinels that had seen generations come and go. Their patient strength heartened me. No matter what storms raged, they endured. I would draw on their resilience now, let it flow into me until I was whole again.

"I don't know if I can do this," I whispered, the sound muffled by the close press of trunks and leaves. But I had to try. Too much depended on me regaining control.

Onward I walked, the soles of my boots whispering over the carpet of decaying leaves. The forest wrapped me in its verdant embrace, promising safety. Here there were no expectations, no disappointed looks or unspoken accusations. There was only the simplicity of survival, of taking each moment as it came.

Perhaps in time, the chaos inside me would settle. My magic would knit itself back together. But healing takes time, and I was so very tired of being patient. Tired of fighting against the darkness that lurked in my core, threatening to consume me.

With a groan, I sank down at the base of a towering oak, its bark rough against my back. I had to keep going, had to stay strong. But the battle was so endless. My eyes drifted closed as exhaustion seeped into my bones. Just a short rest, I told myself. Just a moment of respite from the war within.

The forest sang me to sleep, its susurrant melody reminding me I was not alone. No matter how isolated I felt, life pulsed all around me, steady and sure. The trees, the animals, the very air - we were all connected.

And we would endure.

I jolted awake as the leaves rustled around me. A family of deer walked by, oblivious to the darkness that sat before them. How long had I slept? Long enough for the aches in my body to dull and my mind to clear. The events leading up to my instability seemed lifetimes ago, the emotions that had overwhelmed me now faded whispers. It felt like forever ago that I was just a mere human, living a human life. Now I was uncontrollable. Filled with rage and bitterness.

I rose, my limbs heavy and clumsy with sleep. A nearby stream called to me, its burbling melody a siren song. I followed it through the trees until I stood on its mossy banks. My reflection stared back at me, hollow-eyed and wan. With a sigh, I splashed the icy water over my face, shocking myself awake.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me of more primal needs. When had I last eaten? Two days ago at least, maybe more. I would need to hunt, to gather, to provide for myself as my ancestors had done. The thought steadied me. I had come through the crucible; I would survive this too.

The rising sun marked the path west. Toward the mountains, their snow-capped peaks beckoning. There I would find solitude, safety. With deliberate steps, I left the stream behind.

The trees whispered encouragement, guiding me onward. One foot in front of the other. Keep walking. Keep surviving. This was not the end - merely another chapter in my story. And though the road ahead was daunting, my will remained unbroken.

I glanced up at the slices of blue visible through the canopy. Somewhere beyond this forest, the sun still shone. And while it did, there was hope.