Chapter 33 The Cocoon
Anna May
-Human.
-Who are you?
-I am you and you are me.
-What? How?
-You will know in time. Remember to protect our pups.
-Alexander?
-Our Lycan King is looking for us. His beast calls for me.
-What are you? Tell me. I can't wake up!
-Shhh...Not yet! I will tell you when it's time.
-Alexander!
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Anna Michelle
The coldness of the floor made her shiver. She was in her usual tee shirt and jeans and it was not doing anything to protect her from the cold.
Rough deep coughs echoed in the room where she was kept. Her chest hurt. Having no idea how long it had been since she and her sister were taken by the witch, she huddled on one corner, trying to take in air through deep breaths.
Her stomach rumbled. Telling her the last meal she had was breakfast. It must be close to midnight for her to feel hunger bordering on pain.
She had to be strong. Remembering the days she and her sisters had nothing and they had to sleep so they won't be bothered by their empty stomachs. It was difficult to do it again since Xavier had made sure her nutritional needs were met every day. She can still do it.
Yes. She will sleep. And she will dream of her loving beloved.
-Please, I don't want to be sick.-
Deep bouts of coughs escaped her once more. Ruining her concentration.
Beloved. He will come always for her.
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Xavier
The sun has set, everyone was on edge. They watched all the surveillance videos and finally understood what had transpired.
His beloved was enchanted by a witch who pretended to be an innocent child. No one could fault Mish. She was a woman-child herself. What he needed to do was find a way to get her back. And protect her. And care for her.
The waiting game was killing them. He and Alexander have a search party on call but they needed help to locate their queens. They were absolutely sure their ladies were being held captive in a witch's realm.
A blinding light appears at the clearing and sighs of collective relief were all around them.
Esmeralda has finally arrived. Alone. They will finally find out what happened at the Lycan Queen's room.
Xavier peered behind the light. Where the hell was the dragon king?
"He scouts the area, Xavier. Show me the Queen's room." The elegant woman glided, her beacon of light washed away the scent of blood on the floor.
He was also sure she was sending out healing spells to their injured men and women.
Alexander walked by her side. As stiff and as impatient as he was.
His beloved Mish. The throbbing in his chest was beating in time with his longing for her. He ached. Every part of his body was in pain from the distance. Regardless if she was marked or not. Their souls were one.
He yearned for her to be okay. Worried that her capture will lead to another sickness. Once she was back, he will never leave her side.
-Dream of me. I will come to you. Be strong, my beloved.-
They stopped inside the Lycan Queen's room.
Esmeralda sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes glowed with a powerful light.
"Ruby!" The white witch's loud disembodied voice shook the room. Alexander and he widened their stances to brace themselves from the intense energy flowing from her.
Esmeralda floated in the dense air and raised her hands to call forth her enchantments and mystics.
Cold air began to churn around them, the dark vines jerked. Scenes began to unfold.
Suddenly, all that has happened in the chamber was revealed to them. He heard and saw his beloved crying out for him, the misery he was feeling grew in intensity.
His Michelle's arms had protected her sister lying on the bed while heavy gusts of wind threatened to blow them away.
Their men and nurses tried to reach them, one by one the harsh condition tore at their skins and each one fell bleeding on the floor, unable to rescue the queens.
After that, they heard a child's demonic giggle. Taunting. A circle of fire appeared out of nowhere. Only the bright halo and petals protected them right at that moment.
Gaze horrified, focused on the black hole materializing on the high ceiling, sucking the bed and its occupants. Screams of mercy came from his beloved as they were consumed inside the dark place. Then silence.
A girl hopped happily after them.
The scene brought him to his knees. Her cries calling for him... He roared in anguished.
Alexander punched the concrete walls to release his pain. Tears streamed down their faces. Uncaring if anyone saw their moment of weakness.
Even Esmeralda trembled at the powerful dark magic. It was on par with hers.
"Ruby. She was a prisoner. How did she manage to get out on a highly secured facility?" She frowned at the thought. All high-profiled criminals of the realms were imprisoned on an enchanted island. Which only kings and queens and leaders have access to. And the fucking Council.
"Another traitor then," Alexander concluded. Breathing heavily. His eyes were of his wolf's.
"I need to know where that witch was found. Show me. We will use that same portal." She exited out of the room.
She kept murmuring spells in her Gaelic brogue.
"A fucking child. That bitch is pure evil." The High Priestess growled.
The lure of a defenseless child will draw his Mish. Their experiences in life had made them vulnerable to such a situation.
Surveying the row of trees before them, Esmeralda went to inspect an old oak, she circled it to examine thoroughly. Her light caged the thick torso and the limbs. Another black hole appeared on the thick trunk.
"This is the one. We can only bring at least a hundred or two of your finest men. Be ready before midnight." She commanded.
At last, the opportunity to rescue their precious women gave them hope. It doesn't matter the number of their enemies. He will die happy protecting his beloved Anna Michelle.
Xavier peered at the early evening sky.
-Hold on my beloved. Hold on.-
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Anna Michelle
The sound of a heavy door grating, the old hinges protesting woke her from her fitful sleep. She blinked several times at the sudden light coming from the hallway.
She retreated to the farthest corner of the room, away from the man dressed in all black and long cape appearing at the entrance.
"Ah, the Vampire Queen." He sneered at her shivering form.
"Who...who...are you?" The chatters of her teeth made it difficult for her to speak.
She knew with her weak lungs, it was only a matter of time before hypothermia kills her. The temperature in the room kept dropping. With her medical history, she wouldn't last much longer.
She has an unbridled hope they will be rescued soon. Soon. Or she knew she will never get to marry Xavier and fulfill her dreams. The thought saddened her. Tears blurred her vision.
"I am Victor at your service, my Queen." He bent in a mocking bow.
"Don't...don't..call me...that!" She whispered harshly.
He chuckled at her predicament.
"Why? You will be mine soon. I'm waiting for the witch to finish with the spell. Since Xavier hasn't claimed you, it will work like magic." He approached her trembling form lazily.
"Don't..." She wheeze. Her asthma attack has worsened.
"You are sick, little one. Don't worry my bite will make it better." She flinched at the fingers twirling her hair. "All in due time. Your virgin blood will be an aphrodisiac."
"Don't...touch me!" Mish sobbed. Everything hurts. The man was repulsive. "Xavier will come."
She huddled further, making her body smaller.
His large hand gripped her nape cruelly. She whimpered in pain.
"Xavier is a weak king. He should have claimed you the moment he set his eyes on you!" He spat.
Mish's gaze was horrified at his gleaming teeth. All pointy and sharp.
Victor threaded his fingers on her locks, tilting her head backward. She refused with all of her strength but he was too strong.
Her eyes filled with more tears from the pain and she gagged from the smell of his breath. He descended on her exposed neck.
"No!" Her screams were hoarse and deafening but they didn't hide the loud explosions outside the cold chamber.
Screams and shouts throughout.
"Fuck!"
-Xavier, my beloved.-
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