Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 35

The following morning, the group packed themselves up and set off back toward the black forest, stopping just shy of the edge of the charred wood as they tried to decide the best approach for them to gain entrance.

Making a decision, Clara stepped forward, leading the way between the trees, as they slowly walked forward, pushing the branches out of their way a youthful woman who looked to be early twenties, stepped out in front of them.

Her waist length raven black hair was tied up in two braids that circled her head, joining together to fall in a single plait down her back. A simple ring of flowers decorated her locks and a white linen ankle length dress clung to her body, billowing softly in the playful breeze that danced around them. Her ivory skin shimmered under the speckles of light that shone through the leaves above their heads giving her a look of delicacy.

Raising her deep grey eyes to Clara, the woman smiled sweetly, 'I do not recognise you travellers, what brings you to the Black forest?' she asked softly.

Stepping next to Clara, Justin met the young witch's eyes, 'we are in search of a Witch by the name of Agnes. he responded with authority.

Frowning slightly, the witch shook her head, 'is she expecting you, Agnes has not given word that a group of werewolves and Vampires would be visiting our humble dwellings today!

Searching the young girl's face, Justin decided to try a different tactic, 'what is your name miss?' he asked.

Smiling brightly, the young witch bowed her head slightly, 'I am Amethyst' she murmured softly, raising her eyes to look through her lashes at the handsome Alpha.

'A pleasure to meet you Amethyst' Justin replied with a smile, 'I am Justin, Alpha of the Oak Ridge pack, Agnes is not expecting us but we have an urgent matter to discuss with her' 'Greetings Alpha' Amethyst replied in her melodious voice, 'I apologise, but without authorisation from the high witches I may not let you enter our lands!

Barging forward, Viktor made as if to grasp the young witch by the throat, 'I don't care what your coven want, I want Agnes' he growled menacingly as Amethyst lifted her hands, twisting them at the wrists slightly and the entire group got thrown backwards away from her.

Gesturing, a blazing fire sprang up between the warriors and the witch, burning fiercely, they could just make out the silhouette of Amethyst as she gazed at them through the flickering flames.

'Apologies Alpha, but I cannot allow you to enter without authorisation' she repeated calmly.

Stumbling to his feet, Justin nodded, 'I understand Amethyst, but we are also on a very time sensitive mission, so I ask that you request for Agnes to come to us, we will give her one hour to meet us here at the edge of the black forest before we will reluctantly have to force our way to her.

Bowing slightly, Amethyst murmured, 'I can feel your determination Alpha, I shall convey your message to the coven!

Giving the witch a bow in return, Justin replied, 'thank you Amethyst, we shall retreat to the edge of the forest!

Leading the way out again, Justin took a seat on the grass, his warriors copying him as Viktor paced back and forth in front of them in agitation.

'Why are we waiting?' he asked through gritted teeth, 'Agnes could be fleeing through the forest as we sit here idly waiting for her'

Justin shook his head, 'Agnes will not run Viktor, she knows that this is the safest place for her to be, plus we found her here it would take us very little time to track her again and she would not have the protection of her sisters when we did.'

Spinning to face the Alpha, Viktor arched an eyebrow, 'you expect her to just hand herself over to us?' he asked sceptically.

Justin shook his head, 'in all truthfulness, no, but we have to give her that opportunity, if there is the slightest chance that we can prevail without deaths then we should explore it. I do not want to coven coming after my people or yours because we didn't give them a way to mediate with us' he said calmly.

'I think you are deluded Alpha' Viktor muttered as he resumed his pacing

'Maybe' sighed Justin, 'but it is the way it has to be.

Pulling out some wrapped food and bottles of water that Vince and his clan members had prepared for them, the Werewolves took the time to eat as they waited for the allotted hour to elapse.

As the minutes ticked to a finish, Justin clambered to his feet, dusting off his jeans and led the way back to the edge of the forest, stopping just shy of the tree line, he indicated to Leo to take a few of each group with him and skirt round to the left, Viktor and Athen to take a second team to the right, and he stayed in the centre with Clara and Kieran, the latter, who had remained close to him for the entire journey taking his position at his elbow. The remaining werewolf warriors and Vampires closed in around them in a protective stance as they slowly advanced into the trees.

As the shadows of the leaves enveloped them, the group saw shadows flicking through the trees, darting past before the group could focus their eyes on them.

Suddenly a line of fire, cut its way toward them from their right, 'look out!' Kieran shouted as he barrelled into Justin, sending them both flying forward as the fire cut Clara and the rest of the group from them.

Calling out over the flames, Clara shouted 'are you both OK?'

'We're fine' called back Justin as he got to his feet, holding out his hand to help up the Vampire, clapping him on the back in thanks as Kieran got to his feet.

'We're going to try and find a way through, this fire isn't burning out' Clara called back before they heard the shuffling of feet as they made their way to the side to try and find a break in the fire line.

Facing forward, Justin and Kieran carried on toward the centre of the forest, their eyes flitting back and forth as silhouettes chased between the tree trunks, the occasional scream or pain and terror carrying through the woods to their ears.

Back with Leo's team, Leo and a few of the Vampires were trying desperately to grasp the flailing warrior who had been hoisted up into the air by his ankle, suspended by an invisible rope. The remaining werewolves having shifted, were standing in a circle defending as three witches flashed through the shadows, pelting fire balls toward them as the werewolves charged, trying to take the witches down.

Shrieks filled the air as one of the Werewolves brought down a witch, digging his claws into her chest as she tried to throw him off, her crimson blood staining her emerald green velvet tunic. A second werewolf joined his comrade, grabbing her head in his jaws as he pulled, ripping it clear from her shoulders silencing her screams.

Ice shards flew at the pair, the first werewolf pushing his friend out of the way and taking them in his own side, falling to the ground with a whimper as the second werewolf spun around growling menacingly, launching at the second witch and taking her down to the ground in fury, tearing out her throat in seconds.

The remaining wolves had dispatched the third witch, which had released the suspended warrior, sending him crashing to the ground.

Gathering around the wounded werewolf that still lay whimpering on the ground, the group tried to stem the blood as his chest shuddered and his body stilled, the light leaving his eyes.

Viktor, Athan and their group had circled around to the right, searching for a way into the woods. Crossing the threshold of trees, they crept forward quietly, as they moved, further into the darkness a sudden sound made them spin around to see one of their team sailing backwards, vines wrapped around his body as he was swallowed by the bark of a distant tree leaving nothing but a blood stain on the rough ridges of the trunk. A scream filled the air as another Vampire was snatched by the enchanted plants, 'RUN' shouted Viktor, as the group scattered, jumping and rolling through the dirt trying to avoid the onslaught of vines that grabbed at their bodies hungrily.

Running as fast as they could, the team finally slid to a stop panting, checking behind them to see the forest had once again become still. A quick head count told them that they had lost four of their men to the carnivorous plants.

Over to their left, Justin and Kieran were still alone, their group having yet to find a way to rejoin them, on alert, they continued to make their way through the charred stumps and blackened branches, trying to find the Coven that was so carefully hidden. As they followed a rough path within the shadows, the hairs on Justin's neck stood up, the feeling of a presence behind him, spinning around he was faced with nothing but empty space.

'You OK Alpha?' Kieran asked with concern

'Yes, fine' Justin replied distractedly as he continued to survey the area behind them, trying to penetrate the darkness.

'Come Alpha, we must keep moving, this forest is dangerous and we are exposed' Kieran said pulling at Justin's arm to get him moving.

Taking a few more steps, Justin stopped again, swivelling round, his eyes darting back and forth, a discomfort building in his chest at the complete nothingness within their sight.

'I have a bad feeling Kieran' Justin said slowly as he turned to face the Vampire who's eyes widened as he spotted something behind the Alpha, looming over his shoulder from within the shadows...