ALPHA KAEL’s POV.
“Akira, I think we’re dealing with black magic here,” I said, my voice soft and gentle as I did not want to scare her. “I think someone used dark forces to control you, to make you do their dirty work.”
Akira’s eyes widened, her face losing its color. “No, Kael, that’s not possible. I would have known if someone was controlling me.”
I sat down beside her and brought her head to my shoulders. “Not if they were using dark magic, Akira. It’s powerful, and it can manipulate even the strongest of men.”
Akira shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what’s happening to me, Kael. I feel like I’m losing my mind. I… I feel like I am losing myself.”
I took her hand in mine and gave it a soft reassuring squeeze. “You’re not losing your mind, Akira. You’re a victim of dark magic. And I’m going to find out who did this to you.”
Akira’s eyes welled with tears, and I pulled her into a warm embrace. “I’m so sorry, Akira. I should have protected you better.”
As I held her, I couldn’t help but think about who could have done this. Zephyr’s words came back to me – “I think it was Akira.” But I knew Akira wouldn’t hurt anyone. She was being manipulated, and controlled.
I pulled back, my eyes scanning hers. “Akira, I need you to think. Is there anyone who might want to hurt you, or use you for their gain? Do you have any foes that might be back for revenge?”
Akira thought for a moment before speaking. “I don’t know, Kael. I’ve been trying to think, but my mind is blank. Nothing is coming, my brain is refusing to cooperate.”
I nodded, understanding her situation. I needed to find out who did this, and fast. Before they could hurt Akira again.
As I looked at Akira, I saw the fear and doubt in her eyes. And I knew I would do anything to protect her, to keep her safe.
“Akira,” I said softly. “I promise you, I will find out who did this. And I will make them pay. I am sorry you had to go through all of this.”
Akira’s eyes stared at mine, and for a moment, I saw trust in their depths. And maybe, just maybe, something more.
“You stay here and get some rest. I will be back soon.” I said and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
I saw a slight blush creep up her cheeks but now was not the time.
I left Akira’s chambers, locking the door behind me and pocketing the key. I needed to find out who was behind this, and I knew just the person to help me.
I made my way to the sorceress’s house, located on the outskirts of the pack’s territory. The house was shrouded in mystery, and few pack members dared to go near it. But I had worked with Miya, the sorceress, before, and I knew she was the best in the game.
As I approached the house, I could feel the energy radiating from the house. I knocked on the door, and a soft voice bade me enter.
Miya greeted me warmly, her smile never ceasing. “Kael, what brings you here?”
“I need your help,” I said, getting straight to the point. “I think someone used black magic to manipulate Akira, and I need you to help me track them down.”
Miya’s expression turned serious. “Tell me more.”
I gave her the details, from Zephyr’s accusations to Akira’s trance-like state story. Miya listened intently, her eyes never leaving mine.
When I finished, she nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll need to see where this happened. Take me to the scene.”
I nodded, leading Miya back to the spot where Kaida’s body was found. As we walked, I could feel Miya’s senses on high alert, I guess she was sniffing the air for any signs of magic.
When we arrived, Miya began to circle the area, her eyes scanning the ground. “I sense something,” she said finally. “A faint scent of dark magic. It’s faint, but it’s here.”
I nodded, my eyes on hers. “Can you tell who used it?”
Miya shook her head. “Not yet. The magic is too weak. But I can try to work the scents left in the air, see if I can get a better reading.”
And with that, Miya began to chant and move her hands in patterns, starting the process of uncovering the truth behind Kaida’s death.
As we watched, the light grew brighter, Miya’s eyes glowed eerily as she raised a hand, her fingers extended as if to touch the light.
But just as suddenly as it had appeared, the light vanished. Miya’s hand dropped to her side, and her eyes narrowed in frustration as a hiss escaped her lips.
“What happened?” I asked, my voice filled with worry.
Miya’s expression turned grim. “The connection was lost. Whoever is behind this, they’re more powerful than I thought.”
I frowned, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. “What do you mean?”
Miya’s gaze met mine. “I mean that they were able to sense my tracking spell and deliberately cut off the connection. That takes a level of magical power and control, that’s rare.”
I nodded, my jaw clenched. “So what does that mean for us?”
Miya’s expression turned somber. “It means we need to be more careful. We’re dealing with someone who’s not only powerful but also cautious and deliberate. They won’t make mistakes easily.”
I nodded, my mind racing with plans of how to tackle this person or at least uncover their identity. “We need to come up with a new plan, one that takes into mind their level of power and caution.”
Miya nodded. “I’ll start working on a new spell, one that can help us track them without alerting them to our presence.”
“But we have to be careful, I can sense something in the air but I don’t know what it is.”