THEO'S POV
This is just a random pov yeah
Once in every.....maybe 5+ chapters
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Fury.
Agony.
Regret.
The day I publicly rejected Unatha was one of the worst days of my life.
As Aleena's name tumbled off my lips I felt bile rise in my throat and my wolf clawed at me desperately in an attempt to knock me into my senses.
But it couldn't be helped.
Father had challenged me to a duel just outside our borders, with the reward being freedom to publicly announce Unatha as my mate. If I won at least.
And I didn't.
I did everything in my power to bring down my father's massive gray wolf, a shade darker than my own. Yet, he had more experience, skill, and cunning, leaving me outmatched by a mountain.
The pain was almost unbearable, and in truth, it had driven me to the brink of madness.
As she dashed away from me, her stunning white and black dress flowing elegantly as she ran, I had to use my Alpha powers to restrict Ravenna and any of her brothers from following her. Heck, it was hard for me to plant myself too, not go after her, leave her to the dangers of unmarked territory.
The dangers of rogues.
My chest tightened at the possibility of Unatha getting murdered by a rogue, the possibility of her getting raped by them.
Rogues were not as rampant as before, but they still roamed about, looking for travelers to harass and breed with. They were werewolves that had been banished from their pack for one reason or the other, some for murder, some for attempting to overthrow the Alpha throne.
As she sprinted away, the laughter of our pack members erupted, their mockery echoing around us as they called her a runt. Tears welled up in Ravenna's eyes and she begged that I let her go after Unatha, her mascara smudging on her beautiful skin.
I clenched my fists, torn between my desires and my duty. My father had made it clear; I was the new Alpha, and having a weak, wolfless Luna as my mate was forbidden, had never happened before.
Choosing Aleena was an easy decision. The fiery red hair had pursued me relentlessly since I turned 16, with constant advances and claims of being my true mate.
When I rejected Jadis, I felt something inside me snap, likely the mate bond we had shared.
All our hopes and dreams.
Now shattered.
Four nights later, I found myself tossing and turning in my private bed, utterly drained by Aleena's persistent attempts to mate with me, despite my repeated refusals.
I locked myself away in my study, avoiding everyone because I felt too weak to face them. During that time, my thoughts frequently drifted to Unatha, wondering if she was still alive, and the weight of regret gnawed at me.
Desperation and madness consumed me, and I couldn't bear it any longer. I slipped out of my bed and quietly left the Alpha house, careful not to alert my father or Aleena.
I ventured deep into the forests, deliberately heading towards an old Malefica hideout that Fenrir and I had stumbled upon during one of our hunts.
As I ventured deeper into the forest, the memories of that old Malefica hideout became increasingly vivid. It was a place shrouded in secrecy, known for its association with forbidden magic. The Malefica were notorious among our kind, and dealing with them was considered dangerous, but my desperation left me with few options.
After what felt like hours of wandering, I finally arrived at the hidden hideout. The deteriorating structure stood before me, a testament to its long history. With a deep breath, I pushed open the squeaky door and cautiously stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit, with candles casting flickering shadows and strange symbols etched onto the walls. It didn't take long for the Malefica to detect my presence. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with an eerie light.
"Why does an Alpha like you seek our aid?" the Malefica inquired, obviously a female, her voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Desperation and longing welled up within me as I spoke, "I need your help because there's something I've lost, someone I've lost. I need her back."
The Malefica raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what are you willing to offer in exchange for our assistance?"
"I can provide you with protection," I offered, knowing the value of my pack's security to them. "My pack can shield you from the threats of both the human and wolf packs. In return, I seek a solution to my current predicament."
After a brief contemplation, the Malefica nodded slowly. "Very well, Alpha. We will assist you, but the cost may be high. Are you prepared for what awaits?"
I nodded, my desperation overriding my fear.
She picked up a strange stick and broke it into a wooden bowl, chanting some incantations as wisps of smoke curled up from the bowl. The smoke shimmered in shades of green and white, and a tangible heat radiated from it.
"Hmmm, this Unatha... she possesses incredible power," the Malefica muttered, her voice distant, as though he were in a trance and my eyes widened at her words.
"What do you mean by power?" I asked, utterly perplexed. Unatha, a girl I had known since childhood, couldn't even shift into her wolf form. How could she hold such abilities?
Before the Malefica could respond, the wooden bowl suddenly exploded, and the smoke filled the room, swirling and choking me. She stayed in that position for a minute, inhaling the smoke and emitting some weird green firey glow on her palms.
"Bring her to me," she commanded, his voice now filled with an urgency that sent shivers down my spine.
"But I don't even know where she is," I noted, and her lips curved into a sinister smile that made even my wolf feel uncomfortable.
"That's why you came to me in the first place, yes?"