The Alpha's Last Witch: A Bond of Blood and Magic

{ Stella } The second I crossed into Blackwood Territory, I knew I’d screwed up. The air felt heavier here, like it pressed down on my shoulders. Wolves always said you could feel when you stepped onto another pack’s land. I’d never believed them. Now I did. I stopped just inside the tree line and adjusted the strap of my satchel. Inside it, the broken pieces of my pendant clinked softly together. The damn thing had protected me for years — masked my magic, hid what I was. Now it was useless. Without it, any wolf with a decent nose could figure me out in seconds. A witch. Exactly the kind Blackwood loved to kill. I pulled my scarf tighter and shoved my silver hair out of sight. Even dulled, the color stood out too much. My grandmother’s old gown brushed against my legs, the fabric worn thin but faintly scented with wolf. I’d hoped that would confuse them. It probably wouldn’t. “Just get through this,” I muttered. “In and out.” That was the plan. It had been the plan before everything went wrong. The forest ahead was dark and thick, branches tangling overhead. Moonlight barely made it through. Every step felt louder than it should’ve been. I shouldn’t have been here yet. My plan wasn't finished not yet, and seeing I'm already here I'll just have suffice. I moved deeper into the trees, keeping my steps light. I’d been running for days — from my old pack, from what they’d done, from the spell that had blown up in my face. Desperation makes bad decisions feel necessary. A strange pull tugged at my chest. I frowned and slowed. It wasn’t pain. Just… pressure. Like something was quietly pulling on me from the inside. “Not this again,” I whispered. I’d felt it before, and witness it in dreams. Golden eyes. Staring right into my soul A presence I didn’t want to think about. I told myself it was leftover magic, nothing more. Still, my jaw tightened as I kept walking. Then I heard them—voices. “Someone’s here,” a deep voice growled. My pulse jumped. Two guards emerged from the shadows, armored in black leather, the Blackwood crest gleaming on their chests. “Do you smell that?” “Yeah. Not one of ours. A rogue?” I froze. Just one wrong move and they’d see me I pressed myself against a tree, holding my breath. If they got close enough, the truth would hit them fast. A crow screamed overhead. Snap. My heel snapped a twig. “There!” one shouted. “Over there!” I didn't think I ran. The forest came alive behind me — boots pounding, branches cracking as they chased. I ran hard, lungs burning but steady. Running was the one thing I’d always been good at. “Stop!” someone yelled. “You’re trespassing on King Khaos’ land!” The name hit like ice. King Khaos. My head whipped back with forced as Hatred surged sharp and immediate through my bones. My hands clenched as I ran faster. That bastard. That monster. I hate him, his bloodlines everything. And I was here for him. I felt the surge of magic run through my eyes. And yet — something deep in my chest twisted, aching in a way that made no sense. I shoved the feeling down. “Not now,” I whispered I wasn't gonna feel something for the bastard that massacred my family. I whispered as I picked up my pace “Damn rogue, she’s fast!” I smirked Good. Let them chase. I cut between trees, ducked under branches, slid through shadows. The forest seemed to guide me, opening paths where there shouldn’t have been any. “Split up!” “She’s heading east!” “Don’t let her reach the inner boundary!” “Bring her in alive!” someone shouted. “King Khaos wants her!” Alive? The word burned. If I were to be caught I'll probably commit suicide all my years of planning just wouldn't end up in me being in a dungeon. “never” I spat as determination fuel my body to move faster I grit my teeth. “Focus, Stella Faster.” My heart hammered faster. I darted left, then right, dodging shadows. The wind howled like it tried to warn me. “move your feet!” “Stop right now!” “This is your last warning!” “By order of the Blackwood King, halt!” I didn’t slow. I didn’t even look back. “Go to hell with your king!” I yelled, breathless and pissed. Their outrage shook the trees. “She dares insult the King?!” “Get her!” “She won’t escape Blackwood!” “Don’t let her cross the deeper line!” “I’ll cut her off!” Their footsteps crashed closer. I sprinted harder. The moon peeked through the canopy, lighting my path in silver. “Moon Goddess,” I whispered, “if You’re watching… please, guide me.” No answer. Just cold wind. I kept running—through mud, through branches that slapped my face, through roots that tried to drag me down. My lungs burned. My legs shook. But I didn’t stop. One guard slammed into a tree behind me. “She’s so fast” “Keep going! The Alpha will skin us if we lose her!” Great motivation. I splashed through a shallow stream, mud clinging to my gown, leaves catching at my legs Then My foot caught on a root. I went down hard, tumbling down a muddy slope until everything stopped with a jolt of pain. My ankle screamed. Shadows appeared above me. “There she is,” a guard said, breathing hard. “Thought you could outrun us?” I scrambled back, heart racing. “Oh no…” But the second I got up, my aching ankle gave out. “Ahhh!” I screamed as I stumbled back to the ground, and everything went black. --- King Khaos throne [ Alphas Hall ] The hall was loud with voices when it hit him. Khaos stiffened. His wolf surged without warning, It wasn’t pain. It was worse—recognition. His wolf slammed into him, restless and angry, forcing him to stand so fast the room went quiet. A deep growl rumbled from his chest, shaking the hall. Every pair of eyes in the hall locked onto him. His golden gaze burned brighter than usual, and he could feel it—something had crossed into his land. Across the room, Elder Varrek noticed. A slow, knowing smile tugged at his mouth. The council had already been pushing back against Khaos’s rule—outer packs complaining, nobles whispering about change, power shifting behind closed doors. If the King lost control now, even for a second, they’d use it against him. Aetherwood politics weren’t fought with claws first—they were fought with words, secrets, and patience. And whatever had just stirred his wolf out in the forest… Khaos knew it might not only be dangerous—it could give his enemies the excuse they’d been waiting for. Yet He smiled darkly, eyes fixed on the horizon. “She’s finally come to me….