Cursed To The Alpha

Chapter 86

Janie and Xander descend the stairs, the urgency in their movements apparent. 'Good, at least you're ready,' Xander huffs with frustration. 'I've just informed Orelious and Imogen that we need to leave within the next few minutes, only for Orelious to argue about having his breakfast,' he adds, his annoyance is evident.

Janie interjects, her voice laced with calmness. 'Let's gather the stags,' she suggests, her touch soothing Xander's temper.

I rise from my seat, prepared to join them, but Gale calls out to Xander from the till. I bite my lip in anticipation, gripping Janie's hand firmly. 'We'll meet you at the stable,' I inform Xander, urgency guiding my actions. I bolt out the door, pulling Janie along, eager to set our course.

As I mount my loyal stag, Xander's imposing presence looms before me, his eyes fixed on mine with a glare of reproach. 'You ordered the most expensive breakfast, costing me twenty gold coins. Do you even realise the value of one gold coin in this realm? It's equivalent to fifty dollars in your world,' he scolds, his annoyance unabated.

I shrug nonchalantly, meeting his gaze with a playful smirk. ‘It’s not like you can’t afford it. You do have the title here of being the most powerful warlock, from winning the magic trials, meaning you get paid an extravagant amount of compensation each year,’ I reply.

Xander's composure falters, caught off guard by my knowledge. 'How do you know this information?' he demands.

A mischievous grin dances upon my lips. 'Orelious,' I confess, relishing in the revelation.

'Damn him,' Xander mutters through clenched fists with frustration.

‘I don’t see why you’re so secretive about it,’ I tell him.

His eyes lock onto mine, ‘I work directly for the mystic council. What I’m doing by having you here is treason. The less anyone knows, the better, plus it’s not your business anyway,’ he adds and mounts his glowhorn stag.

Rude! The audacity of men such as Brad, Xander, Orelious, the whole lot of them. All men, with their inflated egos and haughty demeanours, strutting around like arrogant boars. I nod to myself with relief at the freedom from the confines of a relationship.

No longer bound by the expectations and demands of a romantic entanglement, I bask in the blissful liberation of being on my own. The idea of no longer enduring the condescending remarks or dismissive attitudes that seem to permeate the male presence in my life brings a smile to my lips. I'll soon be free of their boorish behaviour as soon as I have my reversal potion, and I am back home in my own house away from the male species.

So let them be rude. Let them be arrogant. I will soon be free from their clutches, unshackled from the chains of their self-importance. I revel in the beauty of my independence, savouring every moment. A sense of fulfilment surges through me, a feeling that surely would surpass any fleeting romance.

Janie mounts her broomstick, and Mister Kal appears in a smoky flash, sitting contently on the gold, dipped bristles. 'I think I'll ride alongside you on my broom today,' she says to Xander. Xander nods in silent agreement, acknowledging her choice.

Imogen and Orelious emerge from the tavern as we approach. With gentle care, Orelious lifts Imogen onto her waiting stag, positioning himself behind her on the saddle. Xander shoots Orelious a glowering glance, silently expressing his annoyance. Imogen blushes as she touches her neck where Orelious just had his share of breakfast.

There's tension hanging in the air over Xander, Orelious, and me as we navigate along a winding trail nestled amidst the rugged embrace of a small mountainside.

As we proceed, our gazes are captivated by a peculiar sight. White woolly creatures resembling sheep capture our attention. Their button-like noses and disproportionately large eyes and heads add to their charm. The whimsical beings possess pointed ears akin to elves, and they frolic about with carefree abandon, blissfully unaware of their unique appearances. The males boast majestic antlers, while the younger ones exhibit small nobs, foreshadowing their future growth.

We pass by fellow Felderians who cast curious glances our way, undoubtedly taken aback by the motley crew we form—a diverse ensemble of individuals traversing together through the enchanting landscapes of Felderia. The sight of a vampire accompanying us in broad daylight must surely raise eyebrows and elicit whispers in hushed tones.

As we approach the final stretch of our journey, a trio of towering obelisk crystals emerges to the right of us, standing as sentinels against the horizon. The red crystal stands tall, its inclined position relying on the support of two other majestic crystals—one blue and the other purple—both slightly shorter and leaning in opposite directions.

Janie, ever curious, takes to the skies on her broomstick, soaring higher to gain a better vantage point. 'What is that place over there?' she inquires, her voice carrying wonder and intrigue.

'Those are the crystal mines,' Xander explains. 'Felderians are forced to work as miners there as punishment. Deep underground, each wall is adorned with an abundance of geodes, crystals, and gems, sought after for their potent magical properties. 'The mined goods are then transported to the heart of the Starlight Citadel. There, they are used to fuel the city's magical infrastructure, bringing light and warmth to every corner of the city. The crystals power the levitation of stone platforms, illuminate the streets that guide the way in the darkest of nights, and provide the fire that warms the hearths of those who cannot cast or manipulate flames, and much more. So, it’s a constant need for them to be mined, and a fit punishment for Felderians who break the laws.'

My mind whirls with thoughts, my imagination painting vivid pictures of different Felderians mining and toiling beneath the surface, their hands stained with the magic-infused soil. I can't help but feel a surge of compassion for them at the hardships they endure. My attention is momentarily drawn away from the crystal mines, fixating instead on a foreboding woodland area ahead. Even bathed in the warm glow of daylight, the woods still gives a sense of eerie darkness, casting long shadows.

'And what about that place?' I inquire, gesturing towards the enigmatic woods.

Xander replies begrudgingly, 'That, wolf, is the witching woods,’ he says. An aura of dread looms over Xander.

'It will be fine, Xander,' Janie’s voice resonates with a soothing assurance, her words cutting through the air like a gentle breeze. She senses his disdain, his lingering reluctance to delve into the heart of the witching woods. Her eyes meet his, filled with unwavering love. 'As you said last night, a blossom fox would not dwell near the beast that haunts the magically bound area. So, we should be able to easily avoid that perimeter of the woods,' Janie assures him.