CHAPTER 5 - Tell me something I don't know.

ZADOK

Kir has been a lot more agitated lately. For some reason, my wolf became harder to control, which caused me to be in a poor mood.

Just yesterday, my wolf went batshit crazy on some rogues that thought it best to cross my territory. Safe to say they sorely regretted it, as they currently burned in the deepest part of hell.

Today however was going to be interesting. I sat on my throne with Azriel behind me as we awaited the presence of Ithra, or should I say, the neutral one.

The doors flung open and she was dragged in by some guards, her hands tightly secured by heavy chains.

She was a prisoner. My prisoner.

With a wave of hand, the guards left my presence, leaving her on the floor, head bowed and alone with me and my beta.

“I suppose you have an answer for me, Ithra.” I said, looking forward to seeing her beautiful face.

“I do.” She answered, and my heart might have skipped a beat.

“Good.” I purred, liking the fact she was responsive to me, perhaps her stay at the prison sobered her up to the reality of things. “Let's hear you.”

“I can never be a part of your pack.” She spat. “I'd rather die than be a part of this cursed pack, so unless you have something else planned, I suggest you kill me now.”

Azriel advanced towards her, no doubt ready to teach her a lesson but I held him back. This was my fight.

Getting up from my throne, I circled her like a prey, intentionally sending waves of my alpha aura around the room.

“I see you are determined to lose your life, witch.” I held her red hair and squeezed tightly, “Unfortunately, you are more valuable to me alive than dead.” I let go of her hair, and continued. “The moment you crossed into my territory, like every other beast, you lost your right to decide what happens with your life and what not.”

“Just kill me Alpha, kill me like you've killed others because I assure that you'll never get value out of me alive!” Ithra spewed but I didn't care.

I held her face up and she struggled to look away but failed to escape my iron grip and continued like she didn't openly defy me.

“What that means is that, whether or not you like it, you must be loyal to me. And if you are having a hard time learning to accept the easy way, then you will learn the hard way.”

My words were a promise. One she would realize soon enough.

“Take her to my quarters.” I ordered, and with a curt bow, Azriel executed my command. Dragging her away with just as much distaste as expected.

By the time he returned, his face was a lot more questioning than anything.

“Say it.” I ordered after some moments of silence.

“What do you intend to do with her? Why is she in your quarters? What's the plan?” He fired his questions without as much breathing space.

I could understand his confusion. If there was anyone that hated the witches more than myself, it was him. I also knew that the thought of having one anywhere other than the prison or six feet under left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I need to win her over.” I ended up saying.

Azriel gave me a look that said he couldn't understand what the hell it had to do with the case at hand.

“Listen, if I am going to get her on my side, then she needs to be close.” I explained, “Fighting her every single time wouldn't get her to do shit for us, and we're running out of time. The earlier I get her on board with us, the better for us all.”

“What makes you think she will bend her beliefs just because you gave her a room in your quarters? Beautiful room or not, she is still a prisoner, that much is clear to her. Doesn't matter if it's the dungeons or a fancy one with a bow on it.”

I felt exasperated, most of it stemmed from the fact that he was making sense. Surely Ithra wouldn't turn a new leaf and decide to help us just because I gave her a fancy new prison room.

What the hell was I thinking? Surely there had to be a more realistic approach to it.

“What do you suggest I do?” I finally asked, having hit a dead end.

“We need to find something that will make her want to help us. Whether she likes it or not.” Azriel said and I looked as lost as he did a few moments ago.

“What do you mean?”

“Shilhi says the neutral one must be willing to do it, she needs to genuinely be on our side, else it won't work.”

“Tell me something I don't know..”

At this rate, I was getting impatient. If he had a plan, then he might as well speak up and keep the long talk.

“We need to make her want to do this. At this point, she doesn't care about her life so it's useless threatening to kill her. But if we used something else..”

“Something she actually cared about, then she would be willing to do anything for us.” I finished for him, loving the idea as seconds passed. “Now all we have to do is find out what she actually cares about, something strong enough to get her to do what we want. That's a brilliant idea!”

“Thank you, Alpha.” He replied humbly.

“Great, let's get to it immediately! I need every single detail about her on my table by nightfall. Who she is, where she came from, her mission, goals, parents, every single thing you can find. Get Shilhi to work with you on that, and report to me before nightfall.” I ordered, already seeing everything come together.

“Yes sir.”

With that, Azriel left my presence with a task, knowing him well, I knew it was only a matter of time before I found out everything about my little witch.