CHAPTER 2 - Ghost Orchid

ZADOK

“What do you mean she's the chosen one?” I snarled as soon as I entered Shilhi's office.

Shilhi was one of my trusted aide and hybrid. She is half werewolf and half witch. Thankfully, her werewolf side was more dominant, so much so that she couldn't cast a spell.

But in what she couldn't do in spells, nature made it up to her in knowledge of herbs, and general wisdom. Shilhi was the smartest being around and she was loyal to me.

“Alpha, please.” She implored, “have a seat.”

I sat down, “You should know that I don't have all day. A witch is in my territory, waiting to be made an example of, so whatever you have to say, make it make sense.”

My beta, Azriel, placed his palm on my shoulder, silently urging me to calm down.

“Alpha, please, it's important.” I could hear the urgency in his tone.

“Then let her talk.” I faced her with a raised eyebrow,

“The witch is the key to the dark forest.” Shilhi began, shocking us all. “During the hunt, I felt my compass go off and realized something was wrong. I followed its direction and it led me to her, to you.”

“She is the one we have been searching for the last 12 years, the neutral, the one able to hold the ghost orchid and break the curse.”

I couldn't explain the feeling that erupted within me. I couldn't believe my ears. Azriel spoke before I could utter a word.

“Are you sure?” His tone was hard and unbelieving. “This is a sensitive case, and we can't afford to make slip ups. Especially with the mating ceremony around the corner.”

I knew what Azriel was trying to say. He didn't want me to get my hopes up. He alone knew of my decision to take a chosen mate in the next ceremony if I was unfruitful in my quest to break the curse that hindered me from sensing my mate.

“Let her speak.” I urged, surprising them and myself.

“Like I said, she is the neutral one, once we secure her loyalty, then she will bring the ghost orchid that will be used to break the curse.”

“What do you mean, once we secure her loyalty?” I asked, sharing glances with Azriel.

“That's the part I was getting to. According to my books, the neutral one must hand over the flower of her own free will. If she is forced to get the flower, it will wilt away once her hands make contact with it.”

“And if that happens, you will have to wait another 20 years before you can access another Ghost Orchid that grows in the thick of the forest.” She finished her sentence and my hands were balled up in fists.

“Is this some sort of joke?” Azriel asked aloud, “And think a witch will do that for us? I hate to break it to you but there's no way in hell a witch will be willing to put us out of this misery. And unless there's another way around this, we’re doomed.”

I remained silent, while the gears in my head worked at full speed. There was no way in hell I was missing this opportunity.

And if it takes me getting the little witch to be on my side, however way possible, I will do it.

********

I walked into the prison with Azriel and Athaliah hot on my sides. Azriel being my second in command and Athaliah, my third.

Athaliah was the strongest female wolf in my pack. Being the only daughter of an Alpha whose pack was exterminated by rogues, she joined my pack at a young age and worked her way to this position.

I felt my wolf’s aggravations as I walked into the prison that held the key to breaking my curse. Ever since her appearance, my alpha wolf - Kir - was acting more irrational than usual.

As a result, making me take more potions to subdue his irrational thoughts and influence. Ever since we were cursed never to find our mate, my wolf - Kir - became unhinged.

The idea of never getting to meet his mate drove him to madness, to the point of single handedly wiping out the entire witch clans around my territory and even more.

Once he takes control, every sense of reasoning is thrown out the window and a vengeful killer wolf is all that he becomes. As a result, I was reduced to taking herbal potions prepared by Shilhi in order to keep him under my control.

“Alpha.” Azriel called as soon as we got to an iron gate.

“Where is she?”

Athaliah answered, “She's chained inside. I also placed the witch bracelet on her wrist so she is not able to use her powers.”

I didn't need to say anything before Azriel took the keys and threw the gates open. I walked in and was greeted by the sight of her fiery red hair.

She was chained like a thief, her arms above her head, strung up by strong heavy metal chains, and her legs chained to the walls. She was kneeling and her head bowed.

I ached to see her face.

“Is she asleep?” I asked, noting her lack of reaction to our entry.

Athaliah walked to the side of the room and pressed a button that dragged the metal chain, making it more tighter and straining.

The witch immediately opens her eyes, and all I see is pain.

“She was asleep after all.” I remarked with a smirk, and moved closer to her, stopping a few feets away from her. “What is your name?” I asked but got no response.

Athaliah dragged the chains a bit more and a scream of pain left her lips. No doubt, her joints will be in stitches if she was stretched any further.

“Ithra… Ithra Couldron.” She replied with gritted teeth.

“Now that wasn't so hard was it?” I said and signaled Athaliah to let her arms down.

Ithra couldn't hide her fear when Athaliah pressed another button, this time around, relief passed through her face when she realized she could let down her arms.

“That feels good doesn't it?” I raised her face to meet my eyes. “I’ll make you a deal.”