Winning Over the Alpha

Chapter 30

~Dainin~

Dainin tried to break free from the silver chains but his attempts were in vain. The combination of silver, and the wolfsbane they injected into his neck, weakened him to the point he couldn't even break the wooden chair he was shackled to. His body became soaked in sweat from his efforts, making him feel helpless and pathetic.

"I will rip you apart if you touch a hair on her head," Dainin threatened, his voice becoming hoarse from all the yelling. He knew he was alone, but he didn't care. Tessa and his pack were in danger and he was determined not to fail them as he failed his parents.

Knowing they were killed by this monster saddened him, but he offered them shelter and protection. His father arrogantly refused, wanting the freedom to be a womanizing alcoholic and his mother blindly followed her mate. It pained Dainin to see her so lost from despair after suffering for years over his infidelity. They were simply existing in this world, but Dainin still wondered if he should have tried harder.

"I could have commanded they move with us, but they're my parents, and they made their choice," he reasoned with himself, shaking the thoughts away. He continued pulling at his shackles. Regret would get him nowhere and he needed to focus on setting himself free.

Screams of anguish shook the cell, causing damaged plaster to fall from the ceiling. He was about to think he'd never break free when a stream of light flooded the stairwell. Dainin froze, listening to the stranger's steady footsteps as they descended the stairs.

"Who's there," he growled when a small silhouette stood in front of the cell door. He glared at the silent figure but became surprised when the cell opened with a wave of their hand.

"Alpha Dainin Monroe," a delicate voice asked. If it wasn't for his enhanced senses, Dainin wouldn't have heard her.

"Yes, who are you, " he growled, keeping his guard up as the woman stepped into the cell. She waved her hand again, illuminating the room with a bright light, causing Dainin to quickly look away.

While his eyes adjusted, he could feel her presence grow closer. "If you promise not to hurt me, I will set you free," she bargained, circling him.

Dainin's vision finally focused on the stranger and he saw a woman with piercing blue eyes and choppy black hair which barely reached her shoulders. The dark circles under her eyes showed defeat and her sunken cheeks made him believe she was no better off than him, but despite her outer appearance, Dainin saw a small glimmer of hope burning in her eyes.

"I promise," he answered her. He knew witches were working against them, but he was curious to find out why the enemy would offer to help him.

With another wave of her hands, his limbs were freed from the shackles. He quickly stood only to meet the floor, gasping for air on his hands and knees. His body was still weakened from the wolfsbane, but he could already feel himself slowly healing.

After a moment, Dainin stood on shaking legs facing his savior. "Thanks for that," he said as he looked over his wrists. The wounds were deep, and they'd take a while to heal, but he didn't have time to waste. He started for the door when her voice stopped him.

"Wait, Alpha. I need your help," the witch called desperately after him. As much as he wanted to run out of the cell his instincts were telling him to listen.

"Okay. You have my attention but make it quick," he stated, anxious to get to Tessa and his pack.

The witch cautiously approached Dainin holding out a vial. "First, this will help you heal and reverse the effects of the wolfsbane," she said, looking into his eyes, urging him to trust her.

Dainin continued to follow his instincts and gently took the vile from her hand and drank it. A surge of energy traveled through his body as he watched his wounds instantly close.

"Finally! Thank goddess she came, or I'd never be free," his wolf rejoiced in his mind.

"I would have gotten out eventually," Dainin internally pouted, stretching and feeling rejuvenated. He was relieved to discover his wolf in such high spirits, despite being poisoned. Dainin could feel her eyes watching him as she paced the cell. He nodded his approval for her to start talking as he watched her with suspicion. She sighed gathering her thoughts.

"My name is Sonia. My mother and I have been this beast's prisoners for years," her voice began to shake from nerves, but she continued. "He found our coven and begged the Elders to erase his humanity, but they refused since it goes against the balance of nature. He didn't take no for an answer and kidnapped my mother and me, threatening my life if my mother didn't help him." Sonia's voice shook with emotion as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"I broke free today knowing he finally captured you and would leave this place unguarded to carry out his plan. You must defeat him so he can't create any more monsters like himself. He can't be allowed to kill any more people," she pleaded, getting down on her knees in front of him. She held the bottom of his shorts in desperation.

"Please, Alpha. You have to help us," she begged, her shoulders shaking with her sobs.

Reaching down, Dainin pulled Sonia to her feet. The sight of someone begging didn't sit well with him, especially since she risked her own life to help him. "Please, calm down," he soothed. "I'm planning to kill him anyway, so you don't have to beg me," Dainin assured her, patting her head in an awkward attempt to comfort her then turned to leave again.

"I'm coming with you. My mom can be in danger if he sees I released you," she called, following after him. He didn't have time to argue with her so he headed up the stairs as fast as he could.

Once outside, Dainin shifted into his wolf and motioned for Sonia to jump on his back. She hesitated at first but decided it was best to listen when he growled impatiently and as soon as she was settled, Dainin took off into the woods following the pull towards his territory.

While he ran, he still couldn't feel Tessa, but he now knew it was most likely a spell to keep them distracted. Dainin could only imagine what was going through her mind after losing the bond. She would most likely assume he was taken or worse dead.

His wolf growled at the thought of her death at the hands of this psycho, so he pushed himself harder to get home. With the wolfsbane out of his system, he tried to contact his pack. "Alan? Can you hear me," he asked through the mind link.

"Dainin? You're alive," his brother's sense of relief flooded the link. "Where have you been? We couldn't even track you," he asked, his voice breathless.

"It's a long story that I'll explain later," Dainin stated. "How is everything," he asked, desperate to hear if Tessa and his pack were alright.

Alan seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering the question. "Honestly, not so good. Rogues have been trying to break our defenses and scouts haven't been able to reach Blue Ridge. They're just running in circles," Alan informed him. There was silence for a moment before he continued. "Elijah showed up with a small group hours ago to check on things, but since then they've been busy helping us fight."

Dainin's stomach twisted at the thought he was too late. He knew the enemy was keeping White Sand busy while the larger battle happened at their main target, Blue Ridge. Dainin hoped the witch on his back was strong enough to help break whatever spell was keeping them away and could get him back to Tessa.