The Witch's Alpha

Lyra

I woke up to see a beautiful girl with oak-colored skin and braided hair looking at me with a worried expression. I smiled at her out of reflex, trying to assure her I was fine before I remembered what had happened. I bolted upright and looked around, analyzing a way to escape. The girl stepped back and held her hands in an ‘I am unarmed’ motion.

“El! She's awake!” the girl called. I could hear raised voices outside the small room I was in. The walls were yellow and it looked like it might be a nursery, or maybe it had been? Little cartoon decals lined the wall, and a crib full of brand-new baby things sat in the corner. There was a small window and a door that was cracked open. Maybe I can make a run for it? The sounds of yelling stopped and I froze, sitting on the edge of the bed. I could hear heavy footsteps march through the room outside the door, Then a low male voice asked “Where is she Elva” and the voice sent chills down my spine and seemed to set my nerve endings on fire. The birthmark went from itching to almost burning at the sound of his voice. 

The door opened and, In the frame, stood the most handsome man I had ever seen. A shock of energy zinged from the mark on my wrist and through my body before the feeling faded. His eyes were a brilliant brown with flecks of green, his black hair was slightly mussed, and his body was well-built. He had high cheekbones and a proud straight nose, on his neck were 3 scars that looked suspiciously like claw marks across his tawny skin. My hand moved at my side involuntarily as if to reach for him and deep inside me I felt a strange sensation of a missing piece clicking into position. My brain became foggy and I moved, marching up to him without thinking. 

Suddenly my mind caught up with my body and I realized he must have somehow bespelled me. Rage and indignation rocked through me as I glared up at him, taking a slight step back from the warmth that surrounded him. 

“Are you in charge here?” I demanded, letting my arcane energy shine fully through my eyes. I could not fully touch or manipulate the power, and I suspect that meant they had given me witches' bane, a herb that limits our abilities to channel, but that didn't mean I was without magic completely. I let every ounce of it into my eyes, knowing by the way he did a double take it was working. 

“Yes.” He answered in that low rich voice again. I shivered at the sound, trying hard to not let it affect me. It was a caress against my skin and I had to fight the urge to relax into its sound. Maybe this was just the lingering effects of the witch’s bane in my system, making me fuzzy. 

“Well by the treaties of power you are in violation of the non-violence compact” I demanded. He cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Were you hurt, little witch?” there was a suppressed layer of menace in his dark eyes. I shook my head slowly, unable to break eye contact as I swallowed hard.

“No, but-” I began.

“Because judging by the blood on your collar” He reached out a large hand and my heart jumped around like a bird in a cage as his warm hot fingers touched a spot on the top of my shirt “Someone was injured and this doesn't smell like witches blood” I narrowed my eyes.

“Self-defence” I hissed.

“But I thought you weren't hurt?” His tone was infuriatingly even. I let out an involuntary growling noise and threw my hands up in the air. How was this man so gods damned frustrating? 

“Well fine. Let’s take your allegations to the counsel, and see who they believe” I said bitterly.

“I'm afraid not.” He tisked, I took a step back, and he followed. It was his turn to flex his power, and boy did he possess a lot of it. I was not even a wolf but I felt the urge to submit under the weight of his strong gaze. “You see my pack has been cursed. Under the treaty, we have the right to take any action necessary to alleviate harm caused by a witch.” I was shocked. I looked back at Lily and then at him again. They looked perfectly fine.

“A witch cursed you?” I asked, incredulous. No way a witch could or would curse an entire pack. For one curse magic had been heavily regulated since even before the treaties, and for another to curse an entire pack of wolves and keep the magic on track, would require one hell of a determined and focused witch.

“Yes, the whole pack,” he said simply.

“How” I asked, hating how instantly interested I was in the potential mystery.. 

“Many ways, but mostly many are losing control of their more,” he paused as if searching for the right words ‘animalistic sides’.” This time my shiver was not because of the sound of his voice but the implication of the words. I had been taught werewolves were often more animal than man, how bad did it have to be for them to be worried about being animalistic? 

“Well, it wasn't ME” I emphasized. He smiled knowingly at me.

“Doesn't matter, we need you to figure out a counter-curse. Do that and we’ll let you go. Simple.” gods how was I supposed to focus when his voice sounded like that? I took a deep breath and realized he also smelled unbelievably good. It was an earthy scent that reminded me of spring rituals done under the moon after a nice storm. How was I this incredibly attracted to a werewolf? They were not on par with witches and yet I wanted him to touch me in ways I hadn’t really ever wanted anyone before. I couldn’t even control my thoughts around the sound and smell of him, let alone the delicious way he looked. 

“And if I can't,” I shot back. He smiled at me.

“I have every faith in you, little witch, I can see that power just behind your eyes.” so my show of strength had not intimidated him, it had only encouraged him. I let out another growl and he laughed. “My, you are a vicious one, aren't you” He said it like a compliment but I stomped back to the bed, flipping him the finger, flustered by the entire exchange. 

No way I could physically fight past him, and even if I did I had no way of knowing where I was. I also still could not use my magic. I could not see a way out. I crossed my arms and huffed. He chuckled darkly and left. The girl stared at me wide-eyed. 

“WHAT” I snapped, she flinched.

“I’ve just never seen anyone speak to an alpha like that,  and your power, I can smell it,” She said, softly. I sighed.

“Where the hell am I?” I asked. She bit her lip, indecision warring in her deep brown eyes. “Ugh, fine you can't tell me. Ok. Well, can you at least tell me WHO you are?” She nodded.

“I’m Lily.” She said softly. Lily, a flower name, it was oddly fitting for the girl before me. I had trouble rectifying her with the violent beastly impression of werewolves I had. She seemed sweet, if a little shy. 

“Hello Lily, I’m Lyra,” I said, holding out a hand. She took it uncertainly and shook it. “And Lily, who is your alpha?” I asked. She looked worried again. “Oh come on I at least deserve to know WHO is keeping me here” This was getting exhausting. 

“I- well yeah I guess you're right. His name is River Blackthorn.” I searched my memory. Grandma had once made me memorize a list of all the packs and their alphas in the area when she was grooming me to take her role. I didn't recall a River or a Blackthorn on that list. So River must have been a usurper, not a son inheriting the title. I pondered this new info for a moment when another woman entered. 

She was pretty but sickly looking. Her skin had the pail sheen that someone fighting the flu usually had and under her eyes were deep shadows. Her black hair hung limply around her face and she rested her hand on her slightly swollen belly. Was this part of the curse? She didn’t look animalistic. A tinge of concern filled me. I may have been angry, but I wasn’t heartless.

“Lily, River wants her prepared to move to the pack house.” the woman said in a soft strained voice. Lily’s eyes softened with concern as she looked at the girl.

“Ok El, you should go rest,” Lily said. The pregnant woman nodded and drifted back out of the room, hand still on her belly. The advice I had gotten once drifted through my head ‘Never let them take you to a second location.’ Well, shit did I even have a choice?

Turns out I did not. River watched with sharp eyes as the wolves who had taken me loaded me in the back of an old van and then he climbed in the passenger’s seat. 

“Lovely kidnapper mobile you got here, do you do this often,” I said sarcastically. None of them responded. “Oh come on you kidnapped ME and now you're giving me the cold shoulder? RIDICULOUS” I said irritated.

“No one is giving you the cold shoulder Lyra” River’s voice was soft and the way he said my name was like a caress.

“How do you know my name?” I asked, thrown off guard.

“Lily told me, obviously.” He said, and I could almost hear the eye roll in his voice.

“Well bet you don't know my surname,” I said, ready to play the last card I had that might get me some leverage.

“Oh?” he asked, turning around to look at me. I locked my eyes on his.

“Lyra Morrigan,” I said, hoping the name of one of the most powerful witch families would mean something to him. It clearly did,  He swallowed hard and looked away.

“Oh shit” murmured one of the wolves next to me. River looked back, composed again. 

“Well, that should make it all the easier for you to fulfill your end of this agreement and get on with your life” His implacable composure was starting to irritate me. Especially when I seemed unable to manage even a little.

“Agreement? Excuse me but for there to be an agreement I would have had to actually agree to something. And I didn’t” I tried and failed to mimic his tone. That was always my biggest flaw, I couldn't control my face or my voice, the emotions just spilled out of them. 

“But your ancestors did,” He said as we pulled up to a large house. The van stopped. I crossed my arms in a huff as the doors opened. It felt a little like I was playing verbal checkers and he was not even playing a game because that was beneath him. I reached for my power again and found it was still blocked. He held out a hand as I climbed out, but I refused it stubbornly. 

I stumbled as I exited and his warm hands wrapped around me, catching me before I could fall. I looked at him surprised to see uncontrolled rage simmering in his look.

“Fuck, be more careful,” He said, jerking his hands away and leaving me feeling cold where they had touched me. So much for his impeccable emotional control. This man was giving me whiplash. 

He led me through the house. We passed a few people who watched our procession with curiosity, some sniffing the air at me. I noticed they all seemed to be in their 20s-30s, no older people, no younger people. We went up the stairs and to a hallway. “That is your room,” he said, stopping at the last door in the hallway. I crossed my arms and didn't move. He looked at me with exasperation.

“Lyra, are you always this difficult?” he asked, utterly exhausted.

“Only when I am kidnapped and held against my will” I quipped back. He sighed.

“Please, Lyra.” His voice was soft and disarming and against my will, my body relaxed. He pleaded with me with his beautiful eyes and I found I WANTED to do what he asked. I wanted his happiness. What magic did the wolf possess? How was he doing this to me? Finally, after a solid minute standing there, staring I sighed and shrugged.

“Fine, I'll escape later,” I could have sworn I heard him chuckle as I opened the door and slammed it. The room was beautifully decorated. The color scheme was blues and whites and beautiful prints of the moon decorated the walls. The bed was a canopy bed with soft gauzy blue curtains draped over the poles and along one side sat a well-stocked bookcase and a vanity.

 Across the room was a wardrobe and another door. There was one wide window and I moved to it first, gauging its potential as an escape route. I was on the third floor and there was no ledge. So I guess I could rule that out. I went to the door next, expecting a closet. It was locked. Damn. With a sigh I set to rummaging around the room, looking for a weapon or something to help set myself free. 

Unfortunately, I found absolutely nothing helpful. Lots of lacy and satin pajamas, most still with tags on them,m and a few dresses hanging in the closet. This room did not seem to really belong to anyone but rather was set up waiting for someone. Were the wolves so barbaric they had a kidnapped woman's room? 

I plopped down on the bed and began trying to reach for my power, staring up at the ceiling until eventually sleep overtook me.