Feral Bonds

Chapter 11: The Witch's Bargain

Elowen resigned herself to the feeling of guilt that came from manipulating the poor omega as she released a tendril of magic. She cast a vision of herself into the fire blazing in the center pit of the main hall; Brannoc was waiting, lounging in his chair with the air of a king surveying his dominion. His sharp eyes narrowed as she appeared, sensing the shift in her demeanor.

"Elowen," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Have you come to accept your defeat?"

She met his gaze, her eyes blazing with cold determination. "No. I've come to offer you a deal."

Brannoc's brow lifted, intrigued but wary. "What kind of deal?"

"You want an heir," she said bluntly. "A son worthy of your name. But you've destroyed the one who carries your blood. I can change that. I can make Akecheta into what you always wanted—an Alpha, a true heir."

Brannoc's eyes gleamed with interest. "How?"

"A ritual," Elowen replied, her voice like a whisper of doom. "Forbidden magic. I can awaken the latent power within him, unlocking the potential that you have smothered. I can transplant the Alpha glands from Rhylan's body—your fallen rival—into Akecheta. He will be transformed into something new, something powerful. An abomination, perhaps, but one that will be loyal to you."

Brannoc leaned forward, his interest piqued, eyes narrowing in contemplation. "And what do you get in return?"

Elowen met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "You spare my daughter, Sira. In exchange, I will give you a weapon—an heir reborn through dark magic, one who carries your blood and embodies your strength."

Brannoc's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile, the kind that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. "You're playing a dangerous game, witch."

"I know," she said quietly, her voice steady as an approaching storm. "But I will do whatever it takes to protect my daughter. Even if it means creating a monster."

He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing through the hall, a twisted melody of malice and greed. "Very well, Elowen. You have my attention. But you understand that failure is not an option. If this goes awry, your daughter will pay the price."

Elowen's heart raced at the threat, but she stood her ground, her determination firm. "I will not fail. I have always been able to bend the forces of nature to my will. I will make him powerful, more powerful than you can imagine."

Brannoc regarded her for a long moment, a dangerous glint in his eyes, then nodded slowly. "I'll consider your offer. If you succeed, you will have what you desire. If you fail, however..." He let the sentence trail off, allowing the implications to hang in the air.

Elowen turned away from him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and fears as she released her magic and her vision returned to the cells. She could still hear Brannoc's mocking laughter echoing in her ears, and she grimaced at the thought of what she was about to do.

In the cell, Akecheta remained huddled in the corner, his gaze still downcast, his shoulders slumped in defeat. She hesitated for a moment, uncertainty creeping in. He was the key to her plan, yet he was also a victim, a pawn in a game he never chose to play.

"Akecheta," she said softly, kneeling beside him again, her tone shifting from anger to something akin to compassion. "I need to talk to you."

He flinched at the sound of her voice, as if expecting another venomus insult. But as she continued to speak, she saw a flicker of curiosity ignite in his eyes.

"I know you've suffered. I know you've been treated like nothing more than a plaything for Brannoc and the pack." She reached out, brushing a hand against his shoulder. "But there's a chance for you. A chance to reclaim what has been taken from you."

Akecheta looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers, searching for sincerity. "What do you mean?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

"I can give you power. I can make you strong. You carry the blood of an Alpha, Akecheta. You have a heritage that is worth fighting for. But to do that, we must tread into dark waters together."

He stared at her, confusion and fear warring in his expression. "Why would you help me? I'm just an omega."

"No," Elowen replied firmly, shaking her head. "You're more than that. I was wrong to dismiss you. We have the potential to make Brannoc pay for what he's done. If you join me, we can reshape our fates. But I need your trust."

Akecheta blinked, the wheels of his mind turning slowly as he processed her words. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to embrace who you are," she said, her voice steady and calming. "The ritual will be painful and dangerous, but if we succeed, you will be reborn, stronger than you ever thought possible. Together, we can confront Brannoc, and you can claim your place as an Alpha."

His expression softened, a glimmer of hope igniting within him. "I don't want to be an Alpha. I just want to be free. And if I fail? If I can't handle it?"

Elowen placed a hand on his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I understand and I promise I will help you run free. Until then, you will not be alone. I will stand with you, every step of the way. You deserve a chance to become who you were meant to be, Akecheta. Let me help you."

For the first time, she saw a flicker of defiance in his eyes, a spark of determination that had long been buried beneath layers of fear. "What do I need to do?"

"Prepare yourself," Elowen instructed, rising to her feet. "Gather your strength. We will need to act swiftly, for Brannoc will not give us much time. There's a dark ritual we must perform under the blood moon. When it rises, the magic will be at its peak, and we can transform you into the warrior you are destined to be."

As she spoke, she could feel the weight of the world upon her shoulders, the stakes higher than ever. This was a gamble—a desperate attempt to alter their fates—but she had never backed down from a challenge. The sound of her daughter's fragile breathing echoed in her ears, reminding her of what was at stake.

He nodded, the determination in his gaze growing stronger. "I'll do it. I'll embrace the darkness if it means I can save Sira and leave this place."

Elowen felt a surge of hope wash over her. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the chance to rewrite their destinies. As she made her way back towards Sira, her heart thudded in her chest, anticipation mingling with dread.

A plan was taking shape, one that danced on the edge of danger and madness. But in a world ruled by fear and cruelty, it was a chance—a chance to reclaim her daughter and change the fate of the pack forever.

Elowen steeled herself for the trials ahead. Time was of the essence. The blood moon would rise soon, and with it, the fate of them all would be sealed.