WITCHE'S BEAST *(needs editing )

chapter 4

Evelina

The room broke into whispers, growls, and snarls. The two alphas clashed, their power radiating so strongly that the air itself seemed to choke me. My mouth had been covered since the moment he dared to say it-that I was his mate. How reckless he was to claim me openly in front of everyone. Brave... or foolish. He was sealing both our fates. His death. Mine.

"Aaron, what are you saying? How could that be? She's-" his mother's voice trembled with tears, but his father stepped between the two alphas, shoving them apart.

"Aaron, bare your neck to your uncle." Alpha Gideon's command rang with authority. But I knew Aaron-men like him did not bow.

"I'm afraid I can't, Father. He threatened my mate. He is not my alpha." His voice was steel, unwavering. "Please excuse my actions, but my wolf only sought to protect-"

"I can never accept a wolf as-" The words ripped from my throat before I could stop them, but they were cut short as Aaron slammed me against the wall, his hand silencing me. His body pressed into mine, heat and raw power searing through the bond. My traitorous body betrayed me, sparks of electricity crawling up my spine, my skin alive, aching.

"I do not understand why the Goddess chose a witch for me," his voice was low, dangerous, vibrating with his beast, "but I will not reject you. I don't know what fate awaits us, but I will not throw it away."

My panic surged. His words were madness. "Then we are both destined to die... painfully," I spat, struggling in his grip.

"Aaron," Alpha Gale's voice broke through the tension, measured and calm. "Give her space. This must be discussed in private. We were not aware of this bond-nor did we ever imagine it possible."

"I agree," the Oracle's raspy voice cut through the murmurs. "And I have a vision to share." She turned to the alphas. "With your permission, dismiss the others."

At her words, the room emptied. I tried to follow, but Aaron's arm snaked around my waist, yanking me back to his side.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. His nearness was suffocating, his scent clashing with the stench of potions and herbs still clinging to me.

"You stay by my side now," he growled. "They know what you are to me. I won't risk-"

"So you don't even trust your own people?" I cut him off, lifting my chin.

"I don't trust any wolf beside a witch."

A smirk curved his lips. Goddess help me, my heart stuttered at the sight. The bond twisted, pulling me toward him even as my mind screamed no.

The room settled into silence. All eyes turned to the Oracle. Her gaze locked onto me, and my stomach knotted. She was about to condemn me.

"Her name is Evelina Starrock," she declared. "I saw her in my visions, though I did not speak of it. I did not yet understand."

Betrayed. My name, my blood, sold to a pack by one of my own. Rage burned hot through me.

"You dare-!" I snapped, but she silenced me with a glare.

"In my vision, I saw her bearing his mark. The moon's light blessed it. Aaron stood as her shield beneath the witchling moon."

Her words struck the room like a blade. A true bond. Moon-gifted.

"This will tear us apart," Alpha Gideon's voice was heavy with dread. "War will break across the lands."

"Our enemies will use this bond to rally against us," Alpha Gale added grimly.

"Brother, reject her!" Eric's voice rose sharp, desperate. "Better to lose one bond than our entire people."

The ache in Aaron's eyes at his brother's words cut me like a knife.

"If the bond is rejected, they will both die," the Oracle said, her voice like steel. "His wolf will unravel. A year of torment, then death."

Ice lanced through me. Death by rejection.

Aaron's voice broke through the storm. "Then we have no choice. I will never reject her." His gaze pinned me, fierce and unyielding.

"If war comes, I will fight. My people will fight. The Goddess would not set me on a path I cannot walk. This witch and wolf divide ends with us."

Power burst from him-raw, terrifying, holy. It shook the walls, pressed every soul in the room to their knees. Not just alpha power. Something greater.

My breath caught. My eyes flew to the Oracle, who only nodded in grim acknowledgment.

"Oh, Goddess... the prophecy," she whispered. "The Alpha King. A true king among wolves. His mate... a witch of the Starrock bloodline."

The world tilted beneath me. The last of my line. A royal bloodline. A prophecy I had never known I carried.

And now, I finally understood.