Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“Thank you for indulging my unreasonable request”, Yasmin said after some time.
“Don’t worry about it”, Talia was quick to respond. “If I had a single clue on how to find what happened to my parents, I would do anything, no matter how silly it sounds.”
“Yet you didn’t show your necklace to my mother”, Yasmin said.
Talia paused. Yasmin was right. Talia wanted to show the necklace to Evanora, who was the most knowledgeable of witches, but Talia also feared that Evanora might misuse the information contained there. What if it has something super-secretive and Evanora decided to use it against Talia?
Before Talia could respond, Yasmin said, “I understand. You are wary of my mother, and… it’s for a good reason. I’m not saying that she has malicious intent toward you, but she has her priorities.”
Talia released a slow breath. “Don’t we all?”
“So, what are your plans?”
“Dayson and I want to return to the Midnight Guardians pack as soon as possible. No later than tomorrow. What about you?”
Yasmin thought they will stay longer. She wanted more time with her mother and sisters in the Coven, and she also wanted to know more about her father. She just scratched the surface! But they came together, would it be fine to separate? Yasmin also knew that Axel wanted to spend time with Talia, at least while she was here.
Yasmin wondered if she should try to convince Talia to stay longer.
Unfortunately, considering Talia’s reaction from the previous night at the fountain, Yasmin understood that Talia feared for her safety and no amount of persuasion will let her stay unless Yasmin can guarantee that no one will touch them. Could Yasmin make such a promise?
What if someone makes a move against them sneakily? Based on the amount of power Talia could wield, Yasmin feared for the safety of the Silver Flame Coven if anyone dared to provoke this seemingly fragile female. And there was also Dayson who would probably smash any part of the Coven that Talia missed during her rampage.
A rustling from behind was heard, and both Talia and Yasmin whipped their heads in that direction.
It was Cassandra. The Oracle was approaching Talia and Yasmin while nervously looking back like she feared that someone will follow her.
“Why are you here?”, Yasmin asked suspiciously. She didn’t interact with Cassandra much, but she knew that Cassandra was a she-wolf who came from the Midnight Guardians pack after messing with dark magic which was taboo.
Cassandra lowered her head in submission. “I was hoping to get a word with Alpha Talia.”
“Speak”, Talia said curtly. She allowed Cassandra to come here because of her knowledge related to the portals, but that didn’t mean Talia liked the Oracle. Cassandra’s actions that harmed Dayson can’t be forgiven no matter how much good she did.
“I know that I’m unworthy and undeserving, but…”, Cassandra paused. “I implore you to take me with you, away from here.”
Talia’s brows came together in a frown. “You want to come to the Shadow Fang pack?”
“There, or the Midnight Guardians pack, or anywhere other than here. Please.”
Talia tilted her head while processing Cassandra’s words. “Didn’t you stay here on your volition?”
Cassandra raised her head to meet Talia’s scrutinizing gaze. “I stayed with the desire to learn, yet…” Cassandra glanced at Yasmin nervously.
“Do you expect me to agree to your request and upset the witches without understanding your reasons?”, Talia sneered while wondering what Cassandra was trying to drag her into.
After a long moment, Cassandra turned her back to Talia and Yasmin.
The duo didn’t move as Cassandra lifted her long white dress to expose her legs and back.
Talia swallowed the bile that rose in her throat at the sight of mangled skin. The flesh was ruptured, yet not bleeding, and it looked soft and fresh without any signs of healing.
“What did they do to you?”, Talia asked, and Cassandra swiftly released the garment to fall down.
“I know I did wrongs. I am not asking you to heal me or to inquire with witches about this. I am only asking you to take me away from here. If you don’t…”, Cassandra’s voice trailed, and Talia didn’t need to hear more. Actually, Talia was aware of Cassandra’s emotions because she could feel them through the bond of the pack and Talia knew that Cassandra was genuinely in distress.
“Didn’t you make a deal to stay in the Silver Flame Coven?” It was Yasmin who asked.
“My deal was with priestess Cornelia”, Cassandra responded. “My intention is not to end that deal. I don’t mind following priestess Cornelia if that’s what Alpha Talia wishes.”
Talia released a slow breath. She was angry at Cassandra for what she did, and she wanted the Oracle to suffer beyond just taking away Cassandra’s abilities, but this… this was too much.
“I will talk to Dayson about the best approach. Be ready, we are leaving tomorrow.”
Cassandra’s eyes shook and she fell to her knees with her head so low that she was touching the ground.
—
“Thank you… thank you…”, Cassandra chanted while prostrating herself in front of Talia.
“Don’t make a scene”, Talia said. She wanted to sound stern, but her voice was shaking. She couldn’t imagine the amount of torture Cassandra went through and Talia was conflicted about feeling pity for the woman who tried to harm Dayson.
“Go back quickly. Aren’t you worried that Serena and Feya will find you here?”, Talia asked while waving impatiently.
Cassandra scrambled to her feet, breathed another ‘thank you’, and then disappeared among the bushes.
Talia covered her face with her palms. The image of Cassandra’s horrid flesh was etched into her mind, and she wished to erase it. Or maybe not… maybe it should stay there as a reminder of what witches are capable of. And not just witches, many others would cause harm indiscriminately. People shouldn’t be trusted. No one should.
“Talia”, Yasmin called. “About Cassandra, let me explain…”
“Can you heal her?”, Talia interrupted Yasmin.
Yasmin paused for a long second before responding, “It won’t be easy, but yes.”
Talia nodded curtly and resumed moving among bushes with her palms glowing. “If we hurry, we can be back in time for dinner.”
Talia didn’t want to hear explanations for Cassandra’s wounds because nothing could justify torturing a person like that. Maybe witches had their own way of doing things, but the fact that Cassandra was being watched by Serena and Freya told Talia how witches knew that what they did was wrong.
Talia looked at Yasmin who was visibly troubled, and she didn’t know if she wanted to hug and comfort her or hate her.
Talia reminded herself that no matter what, Yasmin was nice toward her, and she should focus on that.
On the clearing…
‘Dayson’, Talia’s voice sounded in his mind and Dayson jolted to look around.
‘Did something happen?’, Dayson asked with urgency. He felt that Talia was not happy.
‘No, no. Things are fine.’, Talia responded quickly. ‘Ask Keith to stick to Cassandra. I don’t want him to leave her out of his sight.’
‘Did she do something?’ Dayson now suspected that the Oracle did something bad. It wouldn’t be the first time.
‘Witches are harming her, and I fear they will do it again if none of us is nearby. I will also need your help to get Cassandra to leave with us. Let’s discuss details later.’
‘Alright’, Dayson agreed. ‘When will you finish what you are doing?’
‘Almost done…’
…
After the group returned to the Silver Flame Coven, and things settled down, Axel called Talia to the side to discuss something.
Talia and Axel went into one room and Talia closed the door before asking, “Did Yasmin tell you we are planning to leave tomorrow?”
Dayson and Talia were still waiting to disclose this to Evanora, but people who were supposed to leave the realm of witches were notified.
“Yes, I know.”, Axel said. “We will come with you.”
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.