08|Witch Doctor.

“Eleanor!” The man’s figure cradled her body tightly, desperate to find any sign of life, any reassurance from her gradually dull expression, even a false hope would do.

“Please Eleanor, please…” he pleaded, his voice breaking at the end.

Her hand, despite being weak, stretched out to wipe the falling tears, the man sobbed, whispering words of assurance but they both knew who they were for.

“I'm sorry, I couldn't fulfill the promise” Eleanor whispered through painful gasps, her voice barely audible but he heard it. His grip on her tightened, refusing to face the cruel reality, he muttered under his breaths but she couldn't hear his words anymore for her life began to slip away with each passing moment.

“Eleanor!” Dorothy’s eyes shot open and she sat up, gasping for air. Her hand came clutching her neck in pain and she groaned as she weakly laid down back. Her strength seemed drained and she didn't seem remember her dream but she had been crying yet again.

She wiped her tears and closed her eyes, pulling the blanket over her. “So comfy” She muttered under her breath and tried to go back to sleep. This was the first time she had slept on a bed this comfortable, she didn't even want to get up and– wait, Dorothy opened her eyes again and the memories from last night came flashing through her mind.

She covered her mouth and took in a shaky breath as she remembered her mate was the ruthless king and she actually had the guts to reject him when he told her to. Where did she get the courage, was she that desperate for death?

She looked at the room and slowly realization started to dawn on her– this wasn't her room. Of course, it wasn't. The room was decorated with expensive things, artworks she knew could buy her and ten more of her. She sat up and looked around the room, trying to think about where she was.

Who took her last night after she passed out? Killian or Ace? Goddess, she must really be unlucky, she didn't even know how she got into this complicated situation but it didn't matter since she was going to escape.

She tried to call out to Alya but Alya didn't reply and Dorothy rolled her eyes, knowing she was still sulking about the fact she had tried to reject their mate yesterday but what could she do when he had been trying to reject her and oh– mind you, he almost killed her too.

She stood up from the bed and her eyebrow twitched when she noticed her dress from last night had been changed, she was now wearing a big black shirt that reached to her knees. She couldn't stop her face heating up in embarrassment, she cleared her throat and walked to the window, looking outside to see if she could jump.

Her eyes almost bulged out when she saw how tall she was from the ground. She looked around and saw that she was in a castle-like building. It was big and she doubted she could jump that high but she still had to try.

She opened the window and with one hand and foot on the open window's frame, she braced herself for the jump when, just like a familiar déjà vu, a voice called out her name from behind.

Dorothy flinched and her leg slipped from the frame. She could feel herself almost fall and she inhaled sharply but before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her from behind, pulling her flushed against him.

Dorothy held onto the hands that were wrapped onto her waist tightly and she breathed out in relief. Fuck, she was just about to die– how come she had almost died two times in a row.

Dorothy suddenly frowned when the familiar and intoxicating scent filled her senses.“Our mate is here!” Alya, who hadn't said a word ever since suddenly wagged her tail and purred in Dorothy’s mind.

Dorothy wanted to scream and pull away but suddenly, Ace let go of her as if her touch burned and disgusted him and she fell on her butt with a loud thud.

She hissed in pain and turned to glare at the man behind her expression quickly changed when she saw the extremely gorgeous man.

Ace stood there, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze steady as he looked at her. He was the most captivating and beautiful person she had ever seen. Her eyes drifted over the intricate tattoos etched across his skin, drawn in by every line and symbol. She sucked in a deep breath as a foreign sensation pulled between her legs, invoking a moan from within her.

Ace’s eyes flashed silver for just a moment as if he could scent her arousal. His wolf surged forward but Ace restrained him, wondering why Damien would always lose control when he was around her.

“My Goddess, are you okay?” Sofia’s voice broke the eye contact between them and Dorothy looked behind Ace to see Sofia running towards her. Her mate, Lucas stood behind Ace and there was someone beside him- an elderly woman who's stare made Dorothy uncomfortable.

“I– I am okay” Dorothy said quietly as Sofia helped her up. Sofia gave her a sad smile to comfort her.

“Leave us” Ace ordered and Dorothy heart skipped a beat. She watched as everyone bowed before leaving the room, she fought the urge to beg them to take her along but as Ace stalked towards her, she bit down her words and moved back with each step he took until she was backed against the wall.

“Dorothy” His husky voice brought a blush to her face and she swallowed hard at how her name easily rolled off his lips. She stared at his lips and his gaze hardened when he saw her bite her bottom lips.

“Do you understand the situation you are in right now?” He spoke in a dark, uninterested tone. He didn't look or sound mad like last night but strangely his lack of emotion frightened her more.

Dorothy nodded her head and his frown deepened.

“Use your words” He said, leaning in closer. Dorothy could feel their close proximity and Alya urged her to be closer.

“Y-yes Alpha” She whispered shakily and Ace nodded his head.

“I don't want you as my mate and we will do everything possible to break this bond, do you understand?”

“Yes Alpha” She answered again, tears threatening to spill. She didn't understand why she felt hurt, she already knew why he wanted to reject her, she knew Ace hadn't gotten over his late Luna who died years ago.

She understood how it felt losing someone close– the hurt and pain was unbearable so she understood the reason for his rejection but what was this feeling she felt when it would be better for him to break the bond between them?

“Since you understand, you will stay in this pack till we figure out how to break our bond. You can do whatever you want till then but do not show me your face, do not go near me or even touch me, do you understand this?”

“Yes, Alpha” She glanced down at her feet, controlling her breathing. She could hear as Ace moved back and she finally took a deep breath, looking up but his next words nearly made her collapse on the ground.

“Bring in the witch doctor”.