The Alphas Prize

Chapter 31: Choices - Part 3/3

Gunnar squeezed me back before I pushed away from him. "Ok, enough of the emotional bullshit; let's go and get this over with." Before I started to cry, I needed a distraction and my determination to get that damn cure was just what I needed.

We stood side by side and nodded at each other, then started to walk towards the colourful and lively-looking tree. One that stood out, among all the decaying rot that surrounded it. As we neared the tree, the ground was covered in lush, green grass, but before we stepped onto the soft land, a loud whoosh passed behind us, immediately grabbing our attention.

Whatever it was, they were fast as they sped past us again, causing our clothes to ruffle. We looked around frantically, trying to spot whatever it was, but nothing was there.

"What the fuck was that?" I whispered yelled.

"How the fuck am I supposed to know?" Gunnar shouted, somewhat being quiet.

It flew past us again, but this time, I got a look at it, and I swear it looked like a small child.

My head whipped to Gunnar. "Did you see that fucking thing?" I asked in a huff, trying to whisper.

His gaze turned to mine. "Uhh, yeah, I did, and it creeps me out. We need to get out of here, lets go." Gunnar said before grabbing my hand and spinning us around, stomping towards the tree. Gunnar and I stepped onto the grass, but before we could even take another step, Gunnar was ripped away from me by the childlike creature. I stopped, not knowing what the fuck just happened; he was gone, no sign of him anywhere. Panic began to take hold of me, my breathing now ragged and my heart in my throat, as I feared the worst for my brother.

I looked all around, but there was nothing in sight, and all was quiet until a soft voice called out behind me. I slowly turned around and gazed upon a woman. She was wearing a black dress and had long, curly white hair, a slim figure, radiant skin and bright green eyes. As I continued to stare at the beautiful woman before me, I realized this was the woman I had met previously.

She stood there with an enigmatic look masking her features. "Hello, Freja." The woman said sweetly.

I clenched my jaw. "Where's my brother?" I asked through clenched teeth, my wolf growling fiercely in my head and rising quickly, wanting to eliminate the threat.

She brushed me off. "Oh, don't worry about Gunnar, I assure you; he is perfectly fine." Her tone was promising, almost making me want to believe her.

My nostrils flared, and my chest heaved, feeling uneasy in her presence. "Who are you?" I asked hesitantly.

She smiled. "My name is Helena." She said proudly.

I reigned my wolf in slightly, trying to ease the rage building within me. "I am looking for the cure to a cursed blade," I said in a calm tone.

Helena tilted her head and pursed her lips. "Yes, I am aware, but are you willing to pay the price? Because no one ever is, and then they leave here empty-handed." She said in a casual tone like it was nothing.

I wrinkled my nose. "You're the one who created the knife, right?" I curiously asked.

Her brows furrowed. "Yes, I am," Helena said slowly.

I straightened myself and narrowed my eyes at her. "Then you're the one who created the cure as well?"

Helena stared at me curiously, her face masked in shadowy plains. "Yes, what is your point?" She asked, agitation in her voice.

I scowled at her. "Then why ask for a fucking price? Why create a cursed blade that is deadly to supernaturals and then make a cure to remove said curse, but not give the cure willingly."

She chuckled and then smirked. "Because I can, and I wanted to. What can I say? I was bored." She shrugged. "And the cure must be earned, not given. So you must prove to me just how badly you want it by giving me the impossible." Her tone was low and deadly, yet her features remained impassive.

I needed to know what she wanted, and as much as I feared Helena's answer, it wouldn't stop me from saving Cain, "What is it that you're asking for?" I questioned.

Helena smiled broadly. "Your wolf. Think of it as a life, for a life." She said cheekily.

My gaze fell to the ground for a beat as I drank in her words. This woman wanted me to give her my wolf, the part of me that has been with me since birth, the piece that made me who I am. "What? I'll die." From what I had always been told, if someone lost their supernatural abilities, such as their wolf, they died.

She pursed her lips and raised both brows. "Are you willing to pay that price, Freja? Are you willing to give up your wolf just to save your mate?"

I stood there, mouth agape and looking like a statue, as my mind began to race. I was now facing the question of whether or not I wanted to give up my wolf. As Helena stated, if I wanted the cure to save Cain, I would have to part ways with my other half, giving up a piece of my soul and possibly dying in the process.

I was now faced with the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my short life, an impossible choice that is mine alone to make. My wolf began to pace in my head, huffing and whining as she did. I closed my eyes and focused on her; she sat down on her hind legs and tilted her head, staring at me lovingly. I knew what she was telling me, I could feel it in my bones, and although my heart was breaking, we both already knew the answer, as there never really was a decision to be made.