Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Cedric
"Alice!" My voice tore through the morning light, edged with a panic I'd never felt before.
I watched her body go rigid the moment she crossed the palace boundary, then crumple like a puppet with cut strings.
My heart nearly stopped. I lunged forward, insane with fear, and caught her in my arms. Her face was deathly pale, lips bloodless, eyes shut tight. She was limp. Unresponsive.
"Alice!" My hands shook. My voice shook. "Wake up! Open your eyes!"
Nothing. Her breath grew fainter, like it might vanish altogether. The terror was suffocating.
I'd never been this afraid. Not surrounded by enemies on the battlefield. Not even holding Arcales as he took his last breath. But now, seeing her like this—my heart was shredding itself to pieces.
My wolf howled in my chest, desperate and terrified, begging me to save our mate.
"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath. Her body was ice-cold, light as a feather. I couldn't think. I just ran, holding her tight.
"Get the healers!" I roared at my men. "Now! Every healer in the palace! Move!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
I carried Alice back as fast as I could, then laid her carefully on the bed. Still pale. Brow furrowed. Breath so shallow I could barely feel it.
"Alice..." I gripped her cold hand. "Please. Please wake up..."
She didn't respond.
"Your Majesty!" The healers burst through the door, panting.
"Check her. Now." My voice cracked despite my best efforts.
The healer moved quickly, examining Alice while I stood frozen at the bedside, watching his every move.
Time dragged. Every second was agony. He checked her pulse. Lifted her eyelids. Listened to her breathing.
Each motion made my heart lurch. My fists clenched tighter and tighter until my nails bit into my palms.
Finally, the healer straightened and turned to me.
"Your Majesty," he said calmly, "the Queen is unharmed."
My body went slack. I almost fell.
"You're... you're sure?" My voice was hoarse. "She's really okay? Then why did she collapse? She's so pale..."
"I'm certain, Your Majesty." The healer nodded. "Her Majesty simply fainted from extreme stress and exhaustion. A good night's rest, and she'll recover by morning."
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. The knot in my chest finally loosened.
"However," the healer paused, "Her Majesty seems quite shaken. When she wakes, she may be emotionally volatile."
I nodded wearily. "I understand. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty." He bowed and left.
Now it was just the two of us. I sank into the chair beside the bed, studying her pale face. I reached out and took her hand again.
Still so cold. I wrapped both my hands around hers, trying to warm her.
But I couldn't make sense of it. Why had Alice run? I'd felt her panic. Her determination to escape.
What happened to her? Why had she changed so drastically overnight? The day before our wedding, when we met, she'd blushed and said she was excited. Happy to become my mate.
But on our wedding day, she transformed. No more smiles. Cold. Distant.
And this morning—I'd woken to her warmth still in the sheets, but Alice was gone. I thought she'd just gone to another room. Then the bond jolted violently.
The thread connecting us pulled. Trembled. Screamed at me—
She's leaving you.
In that moment, only one thought existed: she was really going to leave me.
"Once I'm pregnant, I'll divorce him." Her words echoed in my head again and again.
Damn it! She'd meant it! Not playing games—she genuinely wanted to escape. I'd gone half-mad, charging out without even grabbing my coat.
I'd followed the bond until I reached the edge of the palace grounds. Finally, I saw her.
"Alice!" I shouted her name, panic bleeding through every syllable.
She ran faster. Didn't look back. Didn't hesitate. Like I was some kind of monster.
Rage surged through me. She wanted to leave me so badly? She hated me so much?
"Alice! Stop right now!" I roared, fury shredding my control. I'd imagined a hundred ways to punish her.
Then she collapsed in front of me. Every thought vanished. Only one thing mattered: she couldn't be hurt.
Remembering it now, my hands still trembled. I stared at her face, emotions churning.
Why? Why run? She used to love me...
A soft moan came from the bed. My body tensed instantly.
Alice's eyes fluttered open. Those green eyes looked confused at first, then focused. The next second, she bolted upright, panic flashing across her face. She scanned the room, voice shaking. "How did I get here?"
Her gaze landed on me. Panic shifted to wariness. Fear. "You... what are you going to do to me?"
It felt like someone had driven a knife through my heart.
She was afraid of me. Guarding against me. Looking at me like I'd hurt her.
"Alice, is that what you think of me?" I bit out, fighting to control my emotions.
She pressed her lips together. Didn't speak. Just stared at me, body shrinking back.
"I saved you last night." I breathed deeply, forcing my voice calm. "You collapsed outside the boundary. I carried you back. The healer said you're just exhausted and stressed. Rest and you'll recover."
She froze. Something complicated flickered in her eyes. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something, then closed.
The silence stretched thick and suffocating. It had never been like this before. Alice always had so much to say—chattering like a bird. Now her silence made me uneasy.
Was she planning her next escape? The thought made my wolf stir, whimpering painfully in my chest.
"Why?" I broke the silence, voice low. "Why did you run? Where were you trying to go?"
She looked away without answering.
"I asked you a question!" My voice rose involuntarily. "Alice, answer me!"
"It's none of your business." Her voice was so cold I wanted to go insane.
"None of my business?" I nearly shouted, grabbing her shoulders. "You're my mate! Everything about you is my business! Do you have any idea how dangerous that forest is?"
"So what?" She lifted her head, eyes defiant but voice mocking. "You don't care anyway!"
"I don't care?" I stared at her in disbelief and growled. "Alice, I was scared out of my damn mind! You call that not caring?"
"Your caring means making me Victoria's servant?
Making me apologize for something I never did?
" Her voice erupted with long-suppressed anger.
"Or kicking me out of the Queen's chambers to give them to Victoria, that fake little actress?
You didn't think about me being your mate then!
My disappearance is exactly what you both wanted!
Now you can be with her without any guilt! "
Her words hit me like a slap.
"Victoria and I are nothing!" I ground out each word. "We're completely innocent! She was Arcales' wife. I only look after her because my brother asked me to on his deathbed!"
She laughed bitterly and shook off my hands. "You don't have to lie to me."
"Alice! I have no reason to lie to you!"
"Do you even believe that yourself?" she shouted. "I was the idiot who didn't see that she's the only one you love!"
"You—" My chest heaved. I felt like I was losing my mind. Why was she so convinced I loved Victoria? Had all these changes come from thinking Victoria and I were involved?
"Enough. I don't want to talk to you anymore," she cut me off, eyes turning icy. "But next time, I won't let you catch me!"
"You want to run again?" My fury exploded. "Alice, you're the Queen! Do you know fleeing the kingdom is a capital crime?"
"So?" She lifted her chin, looking at me with contempt. "Are you going to execute me? Perfect. Then I won't have to see your hypocritical face anymore!"
"Alice!" I'd never been this angry, but I couldn't do anything to her. She still looked pale. Fragile.
"Get out!" She pointed at the door. "Get out! I don't want to see you!"
I opened my mouth—
Bang bang bang!
Urgent knocking interrupted our fight.
"Your Majesty!" Caspar's anxious voice came through the door. "Your Majesty! Emergency situation!"
I took a deep breath, swallowed my rage, and strode to the door, yanking it open.
"What is it?" My voice was ice.
Caspar glanced at Alice behind me, hesitating.
"Speak!"
"Large traces of Black Witch magic have appeared at the border." He lowered his voice. "The elders are waiting in the council chamber. The situation is urgent. They need you to coordinate the response."
My brow furrowed instantly.
Black Witch? I hadn't heard that term in years.
I glanced back at Alice. She'd wrapped herself in the blanket, like she couldn't stand to look at me.
I turned back. "I'm on my way."
In the corridor, Caspar walked quickly beside me.
"Details," I said curtly.
"This morning, the patrol found large patches of land corrupted by dark magic on the western border," Caspar reported rapidly, voice heavy.
"Nearby sentries heard strange chanting last night, but by the time they arrived, whoever cast it was gone.
Only bizarre ritual circles remained. All the vegetation inside was withered—like the life had been drained in an instant. "
"Casualties?"
"No deaths yet, but two sentries inhaled the dark fog. They're receiving treatment now. Prognosis isn't good."
My expression darkened further.
Black Witch... those fallen ones banished by the Moon Goddess.
Decades ago, the kingdom had fought a brutal war against them.
Countless casualties. Back then, a group of White Witches—claiming to be good—had allied with the kingdom to drive the Black Witches back and seal them away.
The White Witch leader herself had performed the sealing ritual, finally bringing peace to the werewolf kingdom.
After that, to thank the White Witches, the kingdom granted them land and positions in the palace itself, giving them elevated status.
But now... those sealed Black Witches had returned!
We reached the council chamber quickly. The heavy wooden doors swung open, and a dozen elders rose to their feet, bowing.
"Your Majesty."
I strode to my seat and sat, surveying each face. All wore expressions of worry.
"Caspar briefed me," I said. "Your assessments?"
Grand Elder Edwin stood respectfully. "Your Majesty, according to the patrol's report, the magical signature... matches exactly what the Black Witches used decades ago."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
"Not only that," another elder added, "the southern border had similar incidents three days ago—smaller scale. We thought it was wild beasts. Now it's clear the Black Witches were involved. They've been silent for years. Their sudden return must mean they're targeting the kingdom."
"We must strengthen defenses immediately."
"Black Witches may have already infiltrated the kingdom!"
The elders talked over each other. The chamber descended into chaos.
"Enough!" I cut them off. "Panicking accomplishes nothing. Our priority is locating their current hideout!"
"His Majesty is correct." Edwin nodded. "We need to dispatch reconnaissance teams—"
"Your Majesty." An elderly elder in the corner suddenly spoke. Theodore. Always the most stubborn.
I looked at him coolly. "Speak."
"Your Majesty, I find something puzzling." Theodore rose slowly, face troubled. "The Black Witches have been silent for decades. Why appear now, of all times?"
"What are you getting at?" I frowned, patience wearing thin.
"I simply find..." Theodore gauged my expression before continuing, "the timing... rather too coincidental."
"Coincidental?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
Theodore's voice grew colder. "Since Your Majesty's wedding to the Queen, disasters have plagued the kingdom continuously.
First floods destroyed Oleith's territory.
Then locust swarms. Earthquakes. Perhaps those rumors are true—that birthmark on the Queen's face is proof of a curse! She's an ill omen!"
The other elders exchanged glances but no one dared voice support.
I fixed Theodore with a deadly stare, fury barely contained.
"Theodore," my fists clenched, voice dangerously slow, "are you questioning the Moon Goddess's choice?"
Theodore paled. "Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare! I only think the coincidences are suspicious..."
I slammed my hand on the table and stood. "Without evidence, you dare speculate about the Queen? Do you know what crime that is?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me, please." Theodore dropped to his knees.
"Enough!" My gaze swept across every face as I released my Alpha pressure. "If I hear anyone speak ill of the Queen again, there will be consequences!"
The elders bowed their heads in unison. "Yes!"
I breathed deep, forcing down my rage. "What matters now is strengthening our defenses.
Caspar, mobilize elite troops to guard the borders immediately.
Establish checkpoints every ten miles. Report any suspicious individuals at once.
Also, have the White Witch teams set up barrier spells to prevent dark magic infiltration. "
"Yes!" Caspar acknowledged immediately.
"One more thing," I continued. "Send our best scouts to pinpoint the Black Witches' exact location and numbers. In three days, I'll inspect the border situation personally."
"Your Majesty!" Edwin exclaimed. "You're going yourself? That's too dangerous!"
"That's exactly why I must go." My voice was firm. "This is my kingdom. My people. I have a duty to protect them!"