Hunted by the Alpha King

Fifteen

Willow nearly fell out of the underground tunnel as another angry howl ripped through the air.

“No wonder you’re leaving him,” Vaxon muttered, watching her with concern as she stood. He wanted to help; it was obvious by the worry in his eyes. But she would keel over in immense pain every time he touched her. Now that she had accepted the bond, she was Ronan’s to touch and to hold. She should’ve bitten him back to ensure that he was hers. She wasn’t the one with a fidelity problem. Now that she had left him, he would be a free agent. Willow ignored the ache settling deep in her stomach. It didn’t matter. This was her choice. Hers and Rana’s, and nothing would change that.

It’s not too late to turn back. An inner voice whispered in her ear.

It’s true. Ronan would take her back. He would continue their mating, and they would become the Alpha couple of their pack. Undoubtedly, he was angry that she ran, but she could make it up to him. She could prove her loyalty to him. Her parents wouldn’t be in danger any longer.

Don’t even think about it. Rana warned her.

Her wolf wouldn’t be happy if she settled with Ronan. Her wolf had more confidence than she did. Willow was just glad that someone had chased her at all. She had been ridiculed all of her life. Told that she was worthless and unloved. But her parents had loved her. Her mom had been more affectionate, but she knew her father had loved her in his way. He did everything he could to make sure she got away. She couldn’t turn back now!

On shaking legs, she stood, leaning heavily against the wall. Vaxon reached out toward her with glowing hands. She shook her head. He couldn’t help her. Even with his magic, he was hurting her more than helping.

“We’re almost there, okay?” The young wizard reassured. She could only nod before following him up a set of stairs. They were old and creaky. Whoever was at the top would know that someone had entered their house.

“Where are we?”

“Mira’s. She’s a witch on the high council and is responsible for this area.” He stopped and looked back at her. “She doesn’t know I’m here, so she may be reluctant to help.”

Willow nodded and continued forward. Shouldn’t I be getting stronger, Rana?

You won’t until Ronan accepts our bond. Leif knows about this, but Ronan is too arrogant. He thinks we bend to his will.

But we didn’t even bite him!

I am that strong. When you meet this witch from the High Council, you need to ask if she has wolfsbane.

But that will hurt you.

I need to be suppressed, or else Ronan will find us.

Vaxon didn’t stop when they reached the top of the stairs. He opened the large wooden door and motioned for Willow to step through. A large cavern was sitting at the top with an old woman sitting next to a stone fireplace. She looked similar to the pack Elder, except taller. Her grey eyes trained on the pair who had just entered the room. There was no surprise in her gaze. She had been expecting them.

“Vaxon,” she hissed. “Why have you brought the White Wolf here?”

Willow coughed, blood leaking down her chin in a small dribble. “How do you know that I am the White Wolf?”

“You have accepted the bond; you should not be dying.” She sighed, then said, “I remember he needs to accept it now.”

“How do we get him to accept it?” Vaxon asked, clearly worried. He held a cloth toward her, careful not to touch her skin.

“The Mountainside Pack Alpha will not concede his power. I can feel him now. He is losing himself to his beast.”

“Wolfesbane,” Willow whispered.

Her grey eyebrow rose, “You seek to subdue your wolf? This could be dangerous.” She got up and walked around the room, collecting herbs as she talked to herself, “That could work. Although it will not be without pain.” She grabbed a large container with green twigs and white leaves. “You will need to continue to take wolfsbane. Daily.” She plucked one with her withered hand and stepped toward Willow. “You will be in immense pain, constantly. You will not be able to bear children at this time.” She took the leaf to her table and put it in a stone bowl, crushing it with a wooden dowel. “You will lose her strength, speed, and senses. You will be as close to human as you can get.” She grinded the herb, then put it in a cup of warm water. “Just drink a glass a day, and your mate will never find you.”

Willow took the glass, but before she could bring it to her mouth, the witch said, “If you drink this, it will kill your baby.”

“My baby?” The old witch nodded. “No! I can’t be pregnant. There’s no way you could know that! It was just tonight.”

The old witch placed her hand on Willow’s. “An child to the strongest Alpha in the land and the Moon Goddess’s heir will be the most powerful wolf we have ever seen. You could’ve only conceived on a harvest full moon, every seven years. Which is tonight.”

“Are you kidding me!” Willow screeched. “First, I turn into a wolf on my own. Then, I get mated. Which nearly kills me by the way, then I am running through the woods to escape. And now you’re telling me that tonight was the only night in seven years that I’ll be able to concieve?” The elder witch nodded. “I will kill him! I swear Ronan is dead the next time that I see him!” She coughed, expelling more blood, “How do I survive without taking the wolfsbane if Ronan doesn’t accept my mating?”

“We will have to take you to the Coven’s High Council. There we can sustain your life until you give birth, then you can start to take wolfsbane.”

“Why aren’t you asking why I want to run away from my mate?”

“I know of Ronan Black. He is barely human. Brutal and deadly. He will not give you up easily. You will need the help of the High Coven. It has been told to us.”

“What has been?”

“That the white wolf and the black wolf will mate and create the bringer of the New World.”