Filed to story: Owned by the Alphas Novel
I looked at the symbols again and the space there was on the wood of the table for a new race to join. I wondered what the witches would choose.
We all took a seat, our kids on the Alphas’ laps.
Mom sat down, Galen behind her.
Cain and Beenie stayed back, watching. Evelyn and Lucien sat down.
Her warriors weren’t with her but I’d bet they were close.
Then the boy sat down too.
“The witches, the true balance keepers, have been freed. They have fixed our homes and have asked to take the oath,”
Derik explained.
Lucien nodded, “I noticed this. The rogues attacked the castle. The ones we left alive, we sent back to the mountain once they turned,” he said. It was a little harsh but it was honest.
“We appreciate that. Especially after our witches have been through much and your mercy will be rewarded,” the boy said.
“How?” Evelyn asked.
The boy smiled, “With our blood of course. That is the terms of the oath is it not? Volunteers from each race to keep the bloodlust of the young at bay?”
Evelyn sucked in a breath as Lucien frowned.
“It is forbidden to take a witch’s blood,” he said gruffly but he licked his lips. I had a feeling it was rather coveted.
“You would not be taking it. We would be giving it. And we sit here with winterborns, different races in territories that are not their own. I would think the word forbidden is a little redundant. Do you not?” He said.
He was good.
I smiled and leaned forward, “What is your name?” I asked.
In my head he was just ‘boy’ and I figured if he was going to be on the council, I should probably call him something else.
“I am Jin Aki. Thank you for asking,” he bowed his head.
“Cool name,” I said then decided to fast track this little meeting because I had places to be.
Like my bed.
With my Alphas.
Celebrating the realm we had just saved.
“Well, I vote yes. If the witches are now a race as we are, then it makes sense,” I said.
“The humans vote yes. We agree on inclusion,” Mom said.
Lucien was still frowning, “How do we know one of your kind won’t go rogue again? Our kind have a mind collective that tells me if that happens. I can stop them. How will we stop you?” Lucien asked.
That was a good question. I probably should have thought of it. I was not a very good politician it seemed.
Jin Aki nodded, “Appropriate question. We give you our blood. You will be able to feel our intentions when we are close. If you feel something nefarious, you can act. We understand these terms were made between yourselves. The wolves have offered wolfsbane as a weakness. The vampires silver. We offer our blood as a weakness.”
“But that won’t kill you,” Kai stated.
“No. But the gold sword will. Gold is our weakness. Does that appease you?”
That left a kink in my brain, “But the other witches wore gold?”
“No, the illusion of it. But our magic is gold and if it is used against us, we are weak to it,” he explained.
Lucien deliberated, eyeing Evelyn so I knew they were talking in their head.
Finally he nodded, “We vote yes.”
“We are grateful,” Jin Aki smiled.
We pulled out the parchment with the copy of the oath on it. Jin Aki glanced at the rules then nodded.
“Any amendments for your area of the realm? We assume it will be witch mountain,” Derik offered, the blade on his hand ready to sign in blood.
“We wish to be notified of any visitors. Our mountain is sacred and the summit is still full of magic. We wish it to be left alone,” he said.
We all agreed and re-branded ourselves with the amended version of the contract.
It burned in all of our arms.
Once it was done and the vampires had taken their leave, we all left Galen’s home. Cain and Beenie went to take off but Jin stopped Cain.
“Cain. You have earned the sword and we wish for you to keep it for your valor but the realm would also like to give you something else,” he said.
Cain nodded, “Okay?”
Jin smiled and stepped back, taking in a deep breath.
“A promise was made years ago. An oath taken. Your mother Tabitha was to live a life as long as yours. She was sent to the swamp to live at half strength, unable to leave for fear of weakening. That oath was broken when the witches forced her life from this realm,” he said, and I held my breath. My hand went to my mouth as Jin closed his eyes.
He moved his arms in a circle pattern, a slow flow of his arms before he pushed out flecks of gold.
The gold specks hovered before blending together, forming into someone I had never thought I would see again.
I sucked in a breath, tears pooling as Cain’s eyes went wide.
Tabitha.
She grinned, hunched over on her walking stick as Cain ran into her.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as his tears fell.
“Mom,” he rasped.
“My boy. You have done so well, I’m so proud of you,” she whispered, her own voice scratchy with emotion.
Then she looked at Beenie, “I expect you are weary and much too tired of physical touch but if you could spare the energy–” she didn’t get to finish her sentence. Beenie ran over to her, closing her in her arms too.
Tabby looked the same as when she had left. Her beaded necklace, knitted shawl, wooden cane.
My heart clenched and my tears fell as Kai came and held me, his arm over my shoulders.
Tabby finished hugging Cain and Beenie then slowly turned to us.
“I knew you would get it, Lorelai,” she grinned.
I grinned, half laughing, half crying as I ran into her, hugging her tightly.
Kai came too, wrapping his big arms around us both.
“Ruby is going to be one happy little alligator,” Kai grinned.
Tabby winked then hobbled over to give Derik a kiss on the cheek. Even giving Brax one.
We were all a mess of tears when Jin cleared his throat.
“I am pleased that you made it back, Tabby. I did worry when it took you so long,” he smiled at her.
She rolled her eyes, “Damn highway up there. Trying to get through is like beating vampires to blood. Impossible,” she huffed then smiled at Jin.
Then she turned to Kai and held the side of his face, “You my dearie, have protected your family so well,” she smiled.
“We all did,” Kai said, frowning down at her.
Her smirk grew into a grin, “You have done a service to the realm itself though, Kai. You have been granted a reward.”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?