Chapter 4 The witch's bargain

Lia's heart pounded as Kael emerged from the trees, his amber eyes showed rage. The cursed mark he placed on her burned. The mysterious witch stood before her, in a black cloak, her violet eyes showed no emotion, it was just calm. Her offer still ringing in Lia's mind: join her coven and the curse will be broken and her unborn child will be safe, in exchange for loyalty. The price was steep, but the sharp pain in Lia's stomach, it was a threat to her baby, it left her no time to think.

Kael's howl split the air, closer now, and Lia's silver eyes darted between the witch and the approaching Alpha."What's your name?" Lia asked, her voice was low, buying a little more time as she gripped her dagger firmly. Trusting a stranger who she had just met that smelt like secrets was a huge gamble but at least she hadn't cursed or tried to kill her unlike Kael's claws.The witch had almost a smile on her face. "Seraphine," she said, her voice settled and laced with power. "Decide, Lia Blackwood. The Alpha's nearly here, and your child won't survive his wrath."Another cramp hit, forcing Lia to stifle a gasp. The curse was spreading, its tendrils threatening the faint pulse of life in her womb. Mara's warning echoed: You need a witch stronger than whoever fueled Kael's claws. Seraphine's magic hummed, potent and ancient, but her motives were unclear. Loyalty meant unquestionable service to the coven or worse. Yet as Kael moved closer, his scent and fury-flooded her senses. She had seconds."I accept, I'll join," Lia said, with steady voice despite the fear in her chest. "Break the curse. Save my child."Seraphine's smile widened, but her eyes remained cold. "Wise choice." She stretched her hands. "We need to seal the pact with blood."Lia hesitated, the dagger trembling in her grip. Blood pacts were binding, dangerous. But Kael's growl rumbled closer, and the mark flared, stealing her breath. She ran her dagger through her hand, and pressed her blooded palm to Seraphine's. The witch's grip was very firm and her hands were cold. A surge of magical energy erupted, violet sparks in the air. Lia's mark felt her mark, it didn't hurt but rather a strange relief, as if the curse's grip loosened-just a fraction."It's begun," Seraphine said, releasing her. "The curse is tethered to Kael's life force. To break it fully, you must confront him. My coven will teach you how." She stepped back into the shadows. "Meet me at the Bloodmoon Grove, in three nights. Be there on time."Before Lia could say anything, Kael appeared from the trees, he was in his human form , his amber eyes wild. "Lia!" he roared, his voice was a mixture of angry fury and something else, something raw, almost desperate. His gaze shifted to Seraphine, and his claws immediately extended, it still had the same darkness that had cursed her. "How dare you join forces with a witch "Seraphine laughed, the sound chilling. "That's hypocritical of you, don't you think, Alpha, you are wielding blood magic you don't understand." A violet mist appeared and she vanished with it, leaving Lia alone to face Kael.Lia's legs shaking with fear, the blood pact's magic still tingling in her veins. Mara's vial had worn off, and her wolf was silent, but Seraphine's spell gave her a flicker of strength. She raised her dagger, backing toward the trees. "Don't come any closer, Kael," she warned, her voice fierce. "You have done so much already."He stepped closer. "You should know trusting her is foolish ," he said, his voice low. "That witch will destroy you." His eyes dropped to her stomach again, narrowing. "What are you hiding, Lia? I can smell... something."Panic surged. She couldn't afford for him to know about the child, at least not yet. Lia's mind raced, thinking of a way out. The rogues were gone, scattered into the forest, and Seraphine had abandoned her. She was alone, her only advantage the faint magic lingering from the pact. "You rejected me," she spat, circling him. "You cursed me. You don't get to act all caring and concerned, not anymore."Kael expression changed, softened. "I had no choice," he growled, but his voice cracked, betraying a him. "There's a lot at stake that you don't understand .""Then make me!" Lia shouted, her anger boiling over. "Why curse me? Why hunt me down?" The mark flared, and another cramp hit, forcing her to clutch her stomach. Kael's eyes widened, his nostrils flaring as he caught the scent of her pain."You're pregnant," he said, his voice barely audible, laced with shock. He took a step forward, his claws retracting. "Is it... mine?"Lia's heart stopped. Her secret she had been protecting was out, she got unraveled from the sincere vulnerability she saw in his eyes. For a moment, they both felt the bond. But she also felt the curse burn, reminding her of his betrayal. "You are unfit to know," she whispered, tears stinging filled her eyes. "You kicked us out."Kael's face twisted, raw pain in his amber eyes. "Lia, I-" He stopped, his head snapping toward the trees. A new scent hit Lia's senses-blood, smoke, and something acrid. Rogues? No, worse. Kael's betas, regrouping, their growls echoing through the ravine."We're not done," Kael said, his voice hard again. He lunged, not to attack but to grab her arm, his grip firm but not cruel. "You're coming with me."Lia twisted free, her dagger slashing at his hand. "Never," she hissed. She bolted into the forest, her legs burning, the curse and pregnancy slowing her. Kael's betas howled, their paws pounding behind her. She wove through the trees, her breath ragged, Seraphine's words echoing: Find me at the Bloodmoon Grove. But the cramps worsened, each step a battle. The curse was fighting back, and her child was at risk.She stumbled into a clearing, collapsing against a boulder. Kael's betas circled, their eyes glowing, but Kael's voice barked, "Stand down!" He emerged, his face a storm of conflict. "Lia, stop running. I need to know the truth."Before she could respond, the ground trembled. Violet mist reappeared, and Seraphine emerged from within. "You are already too late, Alpha," she said, her voice ominous and dripping with menace. "The girl's mine now."Kael snarled, his claws glowing, but Seraphine raised a hand, and roots shot from the earth, binding his legs. Lia's eyes widened-Seraphine's power was terrifying. But the witch's gaze turned to her, cold and calculating. "Come, Lia," she said. "Or I'll leave you to him."Lia's vision blurred, the curse and cramps overwhelming her. Kael struggled against the roots, his eyes locked on her, pleading. Seraphine's magic pulsed, promising salvation-or enslavement. With her child's life on the line and Kael's betas closing in, Lia had to choose: follow the witch into the unknown, or face the Alpha who'd broken her heart but might still hold the key to her survival.