Alpha King's Witch Bride

On The Run

My heart thrumming in my chest, my lungs searching for air. My muscles burning in pain, me and Quinn stumbling through the slippery forest. The noise from behind has faded, only our feet against the ground, and our body rustling branches. Our movement scaring the animals that lodge in the trees, continually searching back if we're not being followed.

The storm bringing forth rain, making it even harder to move. Lighting flickering like twisted veins across the sky, giving seconds of light in the forest. Grumbling looming over our heads, along the thick clouds. I could barely lift my feet of the ground, breathing heavily.

“Quinn- Can we- Can we slow down…" I break our silence in a breathless voice. I could barely find oxygen, my throat hurting and my chest feels fire lit inside it. My peach pink night wear dripping wet, with a huge stain of my mother's blood on the chest. Mud covering my sleepers, causing them to stick on the ground with every step, I lift them to my hands as they felt more heavy on the feet. I didn't even get a chance to change into more comfortable clothing, well at least for this kind of weather.

“No! Not until we get to the other side," she tells me, still ahold of my hand. I could hear the stream close by, which separates our covenant. On the other side, it were just a depressing forest, with rustic trees, with no life in them. They forbade us to go to these lands, they say monsters lurk in the branches. And it's not very hard to believe when you look at it.

I almost look glad when we finally reach the stream. Without warning I break free from Quinn's grip, sprinting to the water.

“Mila!?" She yelps, but I'm already kneeling before the water, scooping a handful to my mouth. And I hope it is as magical as they say it is, otherwise I'll pass out from breathlessness.

*Cough*

*Cough*

I cough loudly tiredly slouching on the side of the stream with my eyes closed as I try to calm my racing heart.

“So? How are you feeling?" Quinn snickers almost, making her way towards me also kneeling along the water to drink. And suddenly I feel way better than when we were running in the forest. Unfortunate, it didn't not heal the pain in my heart with everything we've lost today. My home, my friends... My mother.

“ Sad... Angry, terrified... I don't even know how to feel, “ I respond, opening my eyes back to the forest. I look back to the other side that I almost didn't notice because I was so excited to drink from the stream. My eyes bulge in bewilderment and my jaw drops to the floor, I almost can't believe it. “The- the storm-" I stutter pointing to the trees. The sun is dazzling bright amongst them. Even though darkness infiltrated the trees, with twisted branches spiraling every direction, it didn't stop the sun from doing it's job. The sky is clear blue, with no evidence of a storm.

I notice the stream is glistening in the light of the sun, unaffected by the storm behind. But when I look back to the covenant, lighting flickers everywhere. I was so confused.

“ Yes. The storm is only over our covenant," she responds grimly, wiping water from her face.

“But how?" I cry not letting my eyes off the covenant. It's still rain heavily, and thunder is raging.

“ I don't know. But it's suppressing our magic, making everyone weak. It's how they were able to kill everyone with ease... We tried to stop the storm, but it only got worse, “ she sighs with sadness. This attack affected her as much as it did me. We both lost our families today, we lost everything. I feel terrible, right before the day if her marriage and all this happens. I understand how angry she must feel right now. Loathing and resentment.

“ But that's not fair! “ I protest. They didn't even give my covenant a fighting chance. Cowards.

" They don't care about what's fair Mila. They are ruthless, they want to wipe down the whole race of witches, “ she cries, blinking back tears. I know she wants to remain strong, but no one can remain strong at this state. Two terrified woman, with no hope.

" But why? We never harm anyone, at least not without cause, “ I argue. I didn't understand why would anyone want us dead. To destroy the whole covenant? What kind of enemies did we have, that I don't know of.

" I don't know. But our covenant is destroyed because of it, “ she spits grimacing with venom.

I sigh staring into the water. Small fish, swimming up and down the stream. Colourful rocks sitting decorative underneath.

" Then we've got to stop them before they destroy every other covenant, “ I say.

" But you need your magic first. Your mother is one of the strongest witches I've known, and she too didn't stand a chance. What much more about you, if you have no power? “ she reminds me of the dire memory.

I sigh knowing she was speaking the truth. But what if I never get my magic? What if I remain powerless, and they wipe down all of us. I would have broken a promise I made to my mother. A promise I made for my covenant. “ The storm is like some kind of black magic," she looks back at the storm that still looms over the Azure Covenant.

“No, it's not black magic," I refuse. The storm feels powerful and magical, and I could feel it's something more than black magic. Even though we're not under the storm, I can still feel it. And I couldn't explain this strange feeling or attraction towards it.

“How do you know?" Her eyes widen shook by my claims.

“I don't know. I can feel it. It's far more powerful, and it's the reason they couldn't cast it away, “ I tell her, and she's still shaken by my words. But I know my mother wouldn't struggle against black magic. This is something she too had no knowledge of. Something beyond us.

“If you say so. We better get going, before it gets dark," she surfaces to her feet. I follow her lead, using slippery stones to cross the stream.

“What about the monsters in the trees?" I question hysteric at the account.

“ They saw them at the battle. We should have enough time to get through before they arrive," she replies. So the monsters are real. “And the storm doesn't affect my magic anymore. I should be able to protect us," she assures. Well at least that makes me feel a bit better.

“ Anyways… what were those giant creatures? They looked incredibly powerful and terrifying, “ I recall seeing the huge creature ripping apart one of my family.

" Lycans. They are a kind of werewolves. But much stronger and more powerful, and can shift into much bigger werewolves. “she explains. “They can go primal with extra large claws and muscle or like you say terrifying creatures. Their animal side is more wild, ruthless without empathy, “ she adds.

“When did you even learn all this," I question her. We never really learned much about other supernatural creatures. Maybe I guess they didn't see the need. It's my first time hearing if these Lycan creatures.

“Well I had at least find out something about our enemy, or else we're moving blind. I also don't know much of their history, weaknesses and beliefs. But it's better than nothing," she tells me.

" I see that" I say, the image of them tearing someone with ease still lingering in my head. I never thought a person could be killed like that. “But I'm just wondering why they want to destroy us. What do they have against witches? I know we probably have history against each other, but all supernatural do. But even though we don't agree, we've made peace, so I see no reason for them to attack," I continue.

“Well we may not see it, but there's definitely a reason. And we will find out why. Why did they destroy our family."