Cursed To The Alpha

Chapter 117

Xander and Janie exit the tavern with our bags from our rooms. ‘We have to be quick. They could be here any moment. We need to get our stags and leave immediately,’ Xander says.

Janie waves her hand magically over my face, and I suddenly feel sober. ‘I don’t feel tipsy anymore,’ I say to her.

‘You’re welcome,’ she says, taking Xander’s hand and running.

Janie waves her hand over my face, a surge of magic passing through me. Suddenly, the tipsiness vanishes, leaving me clear-headed. 'I don't feel tipsy anymore,' I remark, grateful for her intervention.

'You're welcome,' Janie replies, intertwining her fingers with Xander's as they prepare to flee.

Just as we're about to dart around the corner, we abruptly come to a halt, colliding into each other's backs as Xander spots Gretchen entering the stable. 'Stars! Gretchen is just in the stables. We'll have to make our escape on foot,’ he says.

'No, wait! My blossom fox flower is in the saddle sack!' I panic, realizing the predicament.

'You have more pressing matters to worry about now,' Xander cautions, his words stern.

Warrick takes my hand, his touch offering reassurance. 'We'll try to come back for it,' he assures me.

We turn back around to run passed the tavern, but Thaddeus, Venlore and Armos enter with a werewolf by their side.

'Follow me,' Xander instructs, making a swift turn and leading us down the side of the Incantation Ink store.

As we sprint through the fields of crops, a chilling howl echoes behind us, causing a shiver to run down our spines. Warrick's voice rings out, filled with urgency, 'It's them! They've found us!' With determination in his eyes, he picks up his pace, urging me to run faster alongside him.

I steal a glance over my shoulder, my heart pounding in my chest, only to realize that we have become separated from Imogen and Janie. Panic seizes me, and I come to a frantic stop, calling out their names desperately. Warrick scans our surroundings, searching for any sign of their presence. 'They must have found somewhere to hide,' he says.

As we try to regain momentum, cackling laughter cuts through the air, causing us to look up. Perched on her broomstick, Gretchen circles above us with an ominous smile. Simultaneously, the crunching of footsteps reaches our ears, and we turn our attention to Thaddeus, Venlore, and Armos, who have surrounded us. Each of them wields a staff that crackles with power, ready to unleash their magic against us.

Gretchen lands gracefully beside Venlore, her gaze fixed on Warrick. 'It's been a long time, Warrick,' she taunts, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Warrick clenches his jaw, his muscles tense with fury. In a swift motion, he removes his tunic, his intention clear as he prepares to shift and launch himself at Gretchen. However, she raises a finger, her expression filled with disappointment. 'Ah, ah, ah!' she warns, and a glimmering stream of magic emits from her finger. 'Beastiabindus,' she shouts, and a dark ethereal smoke materializes, wrapping itself tightly around Warrick, effectively restraining him.

‘A little blue bird told me Xander is how you came to be free of the Witching Woods. Even the Mystic Council struggled to believe Xander would betray us in such a manner after all his years of loyalty. He will have to pay dearly for his treason, but I’m stooped at how he unbound you. The little blue birds stated others were involved, but only another powerful witch could help him break the spell. All of Felderia knows that no other witch in Felderia could even match half my power. We also had bluebirds tell us of a mysterious witch that appeared in Gravehaven who happened to know and cast the lost spell to keep wraiths at bay permanently. Word spread all the way to the Starlight Citadel about her and her book of mysterious spells.’

Gretchen's attention then shifts to Warrick and me, struggling against his magical restraints. 'Where did the rest of your friends go, hmm?' she interrogates him, her voice dripping with malicious intent. Warrick remains still, his eyes locked in a fierce glare, refusing to offer her any satisfaction with his response.

A wicked smile plays on Gretchen's lips as she steps closer to me, attempting to peer beneath my hood and discern my identity. Instinctively, I recoil, trying to create distance between us. However, before I can evade her, tendrils of magic wrap around my arms, rendering them immobile. Panic courses through my veins as I struggle against the magical restraints, only to find Armos and Thaddeus pointing their staffs at me, channelling their magic to hold me firmly in place.

As Gretchen and the wizards focus on me, Warrick's voice cuts through the tense atmosphere, filled with protectiveness and defiance. 'Get away from her!' he shouts, his eyes blazing with determination.

Yet, Gretchen pays him no heed, her wicked smile widening. ‘Could you be the witch we are searching for?’ she asks.

Her wicked smile falls as she pulls my hood down to see my ears.

'A wolf?' she utters in disgust, her expression contorting with disdain.

A howl resonates from a nearby location, catching everyone's attention.

'Edmond must have caught the scent of one of the others,' Venlore remarks with a sinister smile. And why is this wolf partly shifted like this with such an odd colour of fur?’ he asks, his gaze fixating on my ears, his curiosity piqued by their unusual colour and my partially shifted form. Fear courses through me, causing my ears to flatten against my head.

Venlore's scrutiny intensifies as he notices movement beneath my cloak. Acting swiftly, he tears it away, exposing my trembling lilac tail. Gretchen's eyes remain fixed on my tail, her curiosity and interest further aroused. 'Very odd,' she remarks, her voice laced with intrigue.

Seeking answers, Venlore presses me further. 'What pack are you from?' he asks, his curiosity demanding a response. I glance at Warrick, who subtly shakes his head, signalling for me to remain silent. Taking his cue, I choose to withhold the information. The magical restraints around my arms tighten, inflicting excruciating pain upon me. Gretchen issues a warning, her voice dripping with malevolence, 'Tell us now, or we will force the answer from you.'