BETA TIM’S POV
“Or maybe we should just end the fight now and act like it never happened,” alpha Fred said.
End the war?
His word sent some unwelcome signal to my stomach and it started to rumple. What exactly is his problem? That we should throw in the towel when engaged with a woman.
That is unbelievable. How do we hold our heads up high in the presence of our adversaries after this?
The whole world is watching and if there is anyone to surrender, then it must be the Pixies.
“The whole world is watching, my alpha, we would be a laughing stock, and even the weakest of Packs would not hesitate to trample on us” I retorted.
He shrugged. “And who cares what the whole world thinks? At least we still have our army and if any Pack dares to challenge us, they would not be spared” he replied.
“And all they need do is to get under the protection of the Pixies. We would be a thing of the past, my alpha, just look at it” I persuaded.
“And you prefer to lose all your army for some… pride… or arrogance?” he asked in spite.
“We outnumber the Pixies, we have their armies under control, and we will get this fight done with in no time,” I replied.
“You revealed just now that their bites have become venomous and that you don’t think there is a cure for it” he put it to me.
“That is it, my alpha. We should get an even equal match…” I responded.
“An even equal match?” he repeated after me in a state of confusion.
I smiled within me. I was beginning to get him where I needed him. If I should allow him, he wouldn’t mind bringing our great Pack to some disrepute all because of a woman.
A woman… that reminds me. But I will get back to it later on.
“Yes, my alpha, an even stronger force. All I need now is a word from you, you only need to affirm it and I would go straight to it” I replied.
“You assured us that this fight would not take up to a few days, but what do we have now? So many men have been lost. How am I to trust you this time, beta Tim?” he asked.
“I was wrong, my alpha. I admit it and I am sorry for it. I underestimated the Pixies, theirs is not a fair battle and I should have foreseen it. I am truly sorry, my alpha” I begged.
“Uh…” he murmured tapping his fingers on his throne.
“We should launch back the same way they came. They cannot be allowed to trample on us, not now, not ever” I said.
“And how do you intend to achieve that?” he asked with his eyes piercing at me.
“I will go to her, the woman from Wantonlake,” I said softly, afraid of what his reaction would be.
He stood from his throne and clenched his fist. “What…” he yelled.
“That is the only choice that we have, my alpha, we have to defeat the Pixies” I begged.
“She is a witch, did you ever think of that?” he asked.
“I… I…” I stammered.
“No… no… She was banished from her land, the Vampires rejected her and now she lives in the woods, or water, or wherever. Her charm is blind and can even hurt you” he lamented in anger.
“I have done my findings, my alpha. Over the years, she has developed her powers and its efficacy is tremendous” I revealed.
He thought about what I had said for a moment before responding. “You know me, Tim, I leave this to you but know it that you will pay with your life should this go wrong” he threatened.
“It is in my blood, my alpha. I promise to do only what is best for Diamond Cut” I replied.
“That is it, Tim,” he said and turned to leave.
“Do hold on, my alpha” I called.
He stopped and looked at me.
“Sorry to bring this up right now, but your engagement with my daughter, Dawn, when would you go ahead with it?” I asked quietly.
“This is not time for that and should be the last time you talk about it, Tim. It is my concern and I would take care of it when I deem fit. Moreover, how are we sure I will not find my mate?” he asked. Walking away, he stopped and looked at me and said. “I would rather I will be the one to bring up this issue from now henceforth” he walked out.
My spirit was low instantly. What would he do when he discovers that Dawn is nowhere to be found? Wouldn’t he take it to mean that I breed cowards as daughters?
Don’t get me wrong, I know Dawn is alright wherever she is, if she is not I would have felt it. She is my daughter after all, isn’t she?
*
I stared at her without blinking. Is she going to ask me to return and that she does not have the answers to the questions that I seek?
I have been here since noon, and since then, she has been sternly engaged in her incarnations and divinations and it was almost as though she had forgotten about my presence.
Finding this place was not easy, I had to employ the help of a villager to bring me here. It was like an endless journey in the forest. I wonder how she has lived here all by herself all these years.
“Arghh…” she breathed out loud.
I almost jumped at the sound. It was unexpected. She had been quiet for too long and I had almost given up on ever hearing her speak.
“Great one…” I murmured in a trembling voice.
She gave me a frightful look and continued in her act.
She sprinkled some black powder on the floor and blew the rest across my path.
I shivered as I perceived the dreadful and abhorring smell of the substance, it smelt dark.
I cast my eyes downwards. Looking across her shrine was no better. In it were haboured charms and other evil items that caused the skin to crawl, and the blood to run cold.
There were some skulls, human skulls and I could tell that they were those of infants. I clenched my teeth together and waited for this day to be over.
The witch looked so pretty and enticing. She could easily seduce whoever she wanted.
She looks so young and not even a single wrinkle could be spotted on her. Her skin looked so soft and smooth, like those of a newborn and when she spoke, her voice sounded enchanting.
It is rumoured that she is over three centuries old but there is no evidence of such. But I could confidently state that she is about a hundred. I first heard of her from my Grandfather.
“What you seek can only be found within you” she spoke out loud.
“Within me?” I asked and turned around to see if there was another in the room.
She chuckled and turned to me. “Blood, that is what I need, blood” she yelled with a grin.
I gritted my teeth and refused to say anything. How was I supposed to know that she would require a human sacrifice?
But of course, she is a vampire, what else would she desire most?
“Getting rid of her is nothing to me” she added and giggled, her gaze fully focused on me.
“That is what I want…, Mildrid” I stuttered.
“Hahaha…” she chuckled. “Are you able to pay the price?” she asked.
“Of course, I… will do anything, whatever it takes. Alpha Fred would not let me last another minute if we are defeated in this battle” I replied nervously.
She picked up a piece of broom and held it out. “This is all it takes to get her down” she revealed.
My spirit was immediately elated. My soul was filled with joy and my eyes beamed in gladness. “Give it to me, my lady…” I requested greedily.
“But…” she exclaimed with a sinister laugh.
I was taken aback. What else does she want? I will pay whatever price she requires to get the queen of the Pixies down.
With an evil grin, she continued. “This revolves around your blood, so your blood is required as payment”
“My blood… payment” I murmured in fear. “But how does it involve my blood?” I asked.
“You will not understand now, beta Tim. I am the only one that can bring her down” she replied.
“Then, come with me, follow me to the battleground” I begged anxiously.
What if she refuses, what if she wants the impossible? No, nothing would ever be too much to sacrifice when it comes to getting rid of the enemy, I will do just whatever it takes.
“I will go with you, but first you must satisfy me,” she demanded.
I was stunned. What the hell does she mean by that? Oh no… I hope that satisfying her does not mean sleeping with her.
“You can still refuse and turn around, I am not going to stop you,” she said confidently.
I was loss for words, but I had to respond to her right away before I further annoyed her.
“No… no, I am not going to turn around, I am ready to lay with you, my lady” I accepted without as much as giving it a second thought.
When it comes to my Pack, I am ready to do even the impossible.