The Alphas prize novel Chapter 32

I opened my eyes and straightened myself as a wayward tear slid down my cheek. “Ok, I’ll give you my wolf in exchange for the cure.” I choked out, my voice cracking with each word.

Helena stood there, staring at me with a calculating gaze and dumbfounded that I agreed to her terms. “You understand that if you go through with this, you will lose her forever, and there is also the chance of you not surviving the separation, especially since she is a part of your soul. Are you truly willing to pay that price?” She asked, with a questioning brow raised.

I thought over that question, really giving thought to this and wondering if this is what I truly wanted to do. I didn’t know how I would live without her; my wolf was the other half of me, she was what made me feel beautiful, and if I agreed to this, I would have to let her go. My wolf softly whined before emitting an emotion of peace and calmness.

I straightened myself. “Yes, I will pay the price,” I said assuredly.

Her features softened a little, and she stared into my eyes, a look of admiration on her smooth face. “Come with me.” She said and spun on her heels, walking towards the overgrown willow tree. We approached the tree, giving me a better view; the leaves were bright and beautiful—the bark, healthy and robust. Helena stepped up to the tree, placing her hand onto the bark and drug her fingers down the cracks.

Suddenly, the tree opened, splitting in half, and things felt like they were moving in slow motion as I watched the tree part, making an opening for us to enter through.

Helena looked back at me. “Follow behind me.” She said sternly.

I hesitantly followed her into the tree; things were bright at first, until we crossed the threshold and then, things dulled, the light now dim around us. As we entered, I noticed everything around us was the same, except the trees were now full of life and blossoming. Animals of all kinds filled the area with their presence, and the ground was covered in lush, green grass. I was amazed and also a bit confused, the forest we had just been in was so gloomy and depressing, but now, it was prospering and tranquil.

A small, blue cabin was just ahead of us, surrounded by various flowers, some foreign to me. However, I noticed a small patch of flowers that I had seen before as I glanced around. They were the ones I saw in my dream; I began to wonder if these strange, yellow flowers had something to do with Cain.

Helena and I walked into the cabin; it was simple, plain and cozy, definitely not what I expected for a witch’s home, but it was lovely. The place was decorated in neutral colours, wooden furniture and numerous plants. There was also a white cat, roaming around and my wolf panted in my head, feeling playful suddenly.

We walked into the kitchen, and Helena pointed towards a long, oak table. “Lie down on the table.” She said in a dry tone.

I stopped and stared between her and the table. “Why?” I asked curiously.

She was standing at the counter, rummaging through different bottles, that were neatly lined up. Helena turned to me, now holding a pouch and a small glass bottle that contained a yellow powder inside it. “So we can begin the process. You know, for the price you agreed to pay or are you wasting my time?” Helena questioned in an angry and agitated tone.

I crossed my arms over my chest, not allowing this woman to intimidate me. “I am not wasting your time, I meant what I said, and I always stay true to my word. Also, I’m not doing anything until I have the cure. No cure, no deal.” I retorted, standing my ground. I wasn’t going to be played for a fool, allowing Helena to take my wolf before I’ve even had the chance to see the cure.

She huffed and rolled her eyes before slamming the pouch and bottle that she held in her hands onto the table. “Here is your cure.” Helena said plainly, “Once you have held up your end of the bargain, I will then tell you how to use it. Now, get on the table or leave.”

I looked down at the items; I couldn’t see what was in the pouch, only the yellow powder contained in the bottle. I looked back up to Helena before closing my eyes and sucking in a deep breath. “Ok, let’s get this shit over with,” I said in a rush before I could change my mind. I climbed onto the table and laid down on my back.

Helena leaned over me and stared into my eyes almost sympathetically. “The spell won’t take very long to initiate, but it will hurt for a moment. This is your last opportunity to back out.” She warned me.

My chest felt heavy at the thought of losing my wolf, but we both agreed that this was what we wanted and we were prepared to give our lives for our mate. My wolf chuffed, telling me she was ready and sent me vibes of love. I closed my eyes and focused on her. “I love you, and I will never forget you,” I whispered to my wolf, and she whined happily in exchange.

I nodded my head, holding back the tears. “There’s no backing out; I’m ready,” I told her confidently.

She sighed and then nodded in understanding. Helena pressed her hands to my chest and closed her eyes, but before she could continue, I gripped her wrist. “Wait, I want to know what you are going to do with her?” I asked.

Helena raised a brow. “That’s none of your business.” Her tone was clipped, and it was clear she didn’t want me to know, which pissed me off, as I felt that I had the right to know what would happen to my wolf. However, I was on limited time and needed to get this cure back to Cain.

I narrowed my eyes, needing a better answer than that from her. “Just tell me she will be alright?” I demanded of her, needing to be sure that no harm would come to her.

She didn’t respond, just gave me a curt nod, and then closed her eyes again. Next, Helena pressed her palms into my chest, making it hard for me to breathe; she began to mumble to herself, words I couldn’t understand. Then, she started to speak louder and faster, putting more pressure on my chest, causing a burning ache. My chest felt heavy as I gasped for air, and I was now experiencing a sharp pain that radiated throughout my whole body.

I closed my eyes as tears began to pool. I could feel myself being separated from my wolf as she howled and whined in my head. The physical pain I was feeling was nothing compared to the emotional pain, and before I knew it, a wave of electricity surged through my body, and I felt as though my heart had been ripped from my chest before everything went dark.

My body ached like I had been drug through sharp, jagged rocks by a speeding car. I felt weak and drained like I hadn’t slept in years. Then, finally, my eyes began to flutter open, and Helena was standing over me, watching me with a curious and calculating gaze. She reared back a little as I opened my eyes more, and I wrinkled my nose as my head began to pound furiously, blurring my vision. Helena leaned back, still watching me closely, before walking over to the counter. She came back a moment later with a glass bottle filled with some kind of green liquid.

Helena held the bottle out. “Here, drink this; it will help with the aches and pains.” She told me.

I stared at the glass, scrunching my face up in distaste at the foreign content. “What the fuck is that?” I asked in a disgusted tone.

She groaned. “It’s a concoction of mine; it will help. Drink it or don’t, it’s your choice, and I could care less if you do or not.” Her tone was riddled with annoyance and impatience.

I hesitantly took the glass from her, eyeing it like it was the black plague. I sniffed the liquid, and the smell was dreadful, like dirty feet. Then, mustering up as much courage as I could, I downed the liquid, drinking all of it in one gulp. My stomach turned, and I felt like I was going to throw up, but after a moment, the feeling faded. I slowly started to feel better, my body no longer feeling beaten, the headache easing off and feeling a little more energetic now.

I was amazed that it worked and so fast, too. “That was disgusting, but it helped. Thank you.” I told her, appreciation in my tone.

Helena took the glass from me and just nodded, then left the room. I laid there on the table, and as the pain subsided, it finally hit me that my wolf was gone. I could no longer feel or hear her; now, there was nothing but absolute silence. My throat tightened, and tears welled in my eyes as the realization hit me that my wolf really was gone. How would I explain this to everyone? Would they judge me? Turn against me? Would Cain no longer want to be with me? Would we no longer be mates? But most of all, how would I live the rest of my life without her?

A million thoughts ran through my head, and my chest began to heave at the anxiety building within me. I took a deep breath, trying to silence the never-ending, dark thoughts that swirled in my head. Then, Helena came back into the room, causing me to jump, not expecting her to appear out of fucking, thin air. Thankfully, her reappearance was a distraction.

I tried sitting up, sick of laying down, but my muscles said otherwise, giving out when I was only halfway up. The aches I felt throughout my body made me realize just how different things were going to be for me now, the difference in strength, agility and pain tolerance, as well as the ability to heal rapidly. I propped myself onto my elbows and glanced to Helena, who was watching me curiously.

I wrinkled my nose at her. “What?” I asked in a snappy manner, not meaning for the words to come out as they did.