Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“Mate bond?”, Evanora’s question interrupted Talia. “You are a werewolf?”
Talia confirmed. “We all are.”
Elanora took a deep breath. “You don’t smell like it.”
Talia remembered that they all took herbs. “We usually bathe in herbs that temporarily diminish our scents.” A small lie, but Talia thought it was fine.
Evanora’s eyes darted from Talia to Axel and then to Cassandra, examining their features cautiously like she was not sure if they are really werewolves. After some time, she said, “You came through the portal.”
That was not a question.
Talia could feel the air in the room stiffening, as Evanora’s hostility rose and she wondered if she made a mistake. Was she not supposed to reveal who they are and from where they came? But, Elanora would figure it out eventually and then they would be caught in a lie and things would escalate. The only thing Talia could do was tell the truth.
“We came through the portal.”, Talia confirmed and when Evanora frowned, Talia decided to give background as well. “We don’t know why our ancestors closed off the portal. Actually, until recently, we were not aware that portals exist. After I found out that my mate is influenced by black runes, I came to Cassandra to search for answers. She didn’t know much about runes, but she remembered legends about you and that lead us to find out about the portals”, Talia said in one breath.
“I see.”, Evanora said stiffly. “Is the portal still open?”
Talia glanced at Axel. She felt the energy fluctuations while scanning the surroundings with her senses, but she didn’t know if it was wise to confirm that the portal was open. What if witches decide to sneak attack the Midnight Guardians pack?
But then… witches can go to the portal and check for themselves.
Talia’s anxiety swelled.
Kai, Meg, and Tyler knew where Talia and Axel went, and they arranged for patrols to be in that area, just in case, but still… no one would expect an attack.
Axel responded, “I believe it is open. But no one will come through. You can rest at ease. After our business here is done, I hope we can keep the portal open and discuss further collaborations that will benefit both sides.”
“Until the portal closes again.”, Evanora spat, obviously displeased by this possibility, and Talia wondered about the circumstances behind closing the portal in the first place.
“No. It won’t close.”, Axel said with finality. “But both sides need to agree on keeping it open.”
“How can you guarantee that your Alpha won’t close the portal?”
Talia opened her mouth. “That’s because…”
Talia stopped talking when Axel squeezed her hand.
Axel stood up and bowed a little. “I apologize for not introducing myself properly. I am Alpha Axel, Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack. Talia is my sister and that is Cassandra, the pack Oracle.”
Evanora nodded, but the lack of reaction told them that she already knew this information.
Axel sat back on his chair. “I hope that we can keep the portal business for later and focus on resolving the problem of black runes. Cassandra is the one who cast the spell and she can tell you exactly what she did. We hope you can tell us how to reverse it.”
Evanora smiled a little. “Of course. I can look into it, but first, we should discuss payment.”
“Whatever you want, as long as it’s in my power, I will agree.”, Talia said quickly.
“That’s a generous promise.”, Evanora responded. “But it’s not whatever I want. We work on an equal exchange. In order to get something, you need to give something of equal value. That’s how we ensure that the balance is maintained.”
Talia blinked. “Equal value? What is equal to black runes?”
Evanora cocked an eyebrow. “Is that what you came here to ask for? Black runes? I thought you want to save your mate.”
Talia bit her lower lip. Does Evanora want something of equal value to Dayson? But there was nothing more valuable than Dayson. Even if Talia gave them all the things she had, it wouldn’t match the value of Dayson’s pinky finger.
“I don’t understand.”, Talia said.
“I do.”, Axel chimed in. “Equal value. A mate for a mate. Right?”
Evanora’s smile widened. “You are a smart Alpha.”
Axel steeled his resolve. “I will pay for her.”
“What? No!”, Talia exclaimed. “What do you mean, a mate for a mate? You can’t do that, Axel. You didn’t even meet your mate!”
“Let me do this, Talia.”, Axel said. “I owe you a lifetime of lost childhood.”
“It was not your fault!”
“Maybe it’s not my fault, but I feel guilty. You grew up alone, surrounded by strangers, while I enjoyed the perks of being part of an Alpha family. I was raised to be an Alpha. Alpha takes care of his people, and you ARE my people, Talia. By telling me not to do this, you are telling me not to be an Alpha.” He turned to Evanora. “You agree, right? Talia is just a girl, and I am an Alpha. It is more beneficial for you to make a deal with me than with her. I agree to pay in her stead.”
Evanora eyed him suspiciously and Axel hoped that she won’t figure out that Talia is an Alpha also. They didn’t mention that to anyone since they passed through the portal, and if witches couldn’t detect they are werewolves, then they couldn’t determine the strengths of their wolves either. At least that’s what Axel hoped for.
Evanora extended her hand and before Talia could react, Axel put his hand into Evanora’s, and a white light flashed upon contact.
“It’s done.”, Evanora said.
“No…”, Talia said shakily. “You can’t, Axel.”
“It’s OK, Talia. I said I will help you get your mate back, and I will do that.” He cupped her cheeks to make her look at him. “Our parents made the mistake of worrying about the future so much that they neglected to see the present. I won’t repeat their mistakes. Our priority is to get Dayson back and we will worry about everything else later. The time is running out. Trust in the Moon Goddess. There is a reason we are here and I’m confident the reason is not that we return home empty-handed.”
Talia was never so conflicted in her life. She didn’t want Axel to give up on his mate, but then… was that the deal? What would the witches do? Come and take Axel’s mate away? Or his firstborn child? Talia didn’t understand, but she knew that Axel was right about one thing: the time was running out.
Cassandra observed all this without making a sound, and when she saw that everyone turned to look at her, she scrambled to get her stuff out of the backpack she was carrying.
Step by step, Cassandra explained how she cast a spell on Dayson.
Evanora listened to all this with interest, asked questions, and took notes occasionally.
When Cassandra was done, Evanora turned to Talia. “You said that he is under the effect of black runes? How do you know that?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.