Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Alice
BANG—
The heavy door slammed shut behind me, that dull thud like a final verdict, rattling my chest.
I stood frozen, forcing myself to breathe, to stay calm. Panic now would be the end of me.
I rushed to the window and leaned out. No guards below, but this was the third floor. Jumping would draw attention immediately. Tonight, maybe. Tonight I could try.
I paced the room, fingers unconsciously tracing circles over my belly. Nothing like last time. Nothing at all.
Last time, Serena pretended to help me escape and led me straight to that forest. But this time? How was I supposed to get there? Were the witches even there yet? Everything happened too fast. I had no plan, no escape route mapped out. Caspar was still at the border. Could I make it out alone?
The questions piled up, crushing down on me. I bit my lip. My heart hammered faster.
Then the window burst open. A figure vaulted through with practiced ease.
"You—" I gasped, but caught myself, swallowing the sound. I stared at the man before me, stunned.
What the hell was he doing here?
Prince Adrian landed smoothly, dusting off his hands with that infuriating smirk still plastered on his handsome face.
"Good evening, beautiful lady." He bowed with theatrical grace, like we were at some goddamn ball.
"Prince Adrian?" My voice shook. "What are you doing here?"
"Rescuing you, obviously." He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, those amber eyes glinting in the moonlight.
I stared at him, heart pounding. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? If Cedric finds out, this could start a war between our kingdoms!"
Adrian went quiet for a moment. Then that smile returned. "So what? I can't just stand by and watch them execute an innocent woman. Only your mate would be stupid enough to believe that woman's lies."
He strode over and extended his hand, still playing it casual, like he wasn't risking everything. "Come on. While the guards haven't noticed yet, let me get you out of here, beautiful."
I looked at his outstretched hand, mind racing. I couldn't escape the kingdom alone. Caspar was too far away. And right now, Adrian was all I had.
"Thank you, Prince Adrian," I said, meeting his eyes. "But I need you to take me somewhere first."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "What?"
"The forest north of the palace." I clenched my fists, voice edged with desperation. "I have to go there."
Adrian looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "Do you know how dangerous that is? Not just the beasts—Cedric too. He'll figure out you've escaped by tonight at the latest. He'll come after you..."
"I know." I cut him off, locking eyes with him. "But I have to go there. Please. If you really want to help me, take me there."
Adrian studied me, something complicated flickering in those amber eyes. "You're sure?"
"Yes." I bit down hard. "Please."
He stared at me for what felt like forever. Finally, he sighed.
"All right." An exasperated smile tugged at his lips. "This is a terrible idea, but... when a beautiful woman asks, how can I refuse?"
He offered his hand again. This time, I didn't hesitate. I took it.
The forest was darker than I remembered.
Moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy, only scattered fragments reaching the leaf-covered ground. The silence was oppressive—no insects, no birds. Just the crack of branches under our feet echoing through the trees.
"This is deep enough." Adrian stopped, scanning the area warily. "What do you need to—"
"This is it." I stared at the clearing ahead. The place where I'd died once before. Now it was eerily quiet. My heart sank.
Then I saw a figure emerge from the darkness. Moonlight traced a familiar silhouette.
Serena.
"Serena?" Her name escaped before I could stop it. I stepped forward involuntarily. "What are you doing here?"
She looked at me, that kind face pale and ghostly in the moonlight.
"I came to help you, my queen," she said gently.
I rushed forward and grabbed her hands, but the moment I touched her, memories crashed over me like a breaking dam.
The dark forest. Chanted spells. Black-robed figures circling the altar. And the one leading the ritual—silver-white hair, that familiar voice.
It was Serena. She stood at the altar's center, arms raised high, black magic pouring from her fingertips like serpents, coiling around me, devouring my power—
I stumbled back, voice trembling with shock. "It was you? You're a Black Witch!"
Serena's gentle smile slowly dissolved into cold indifference.
"So you remember. Well, it doesn't matter. This time, I won't let you get away." She spoke as if discussing the weather.
She waved her hand lightly. Rustling sounds filled the forest. One by one, black-robed figures stepped out from behind the trees, surrounding me and Adrian.
My body went rigid.
"I'm sorry, Prince Adrian." I turned to him, biting my lip. "I dragged you into this. They want me. I'll hold them off—you run."
"Hey, none of that." Adrian rolled his shoulders, that cocky grin returning. "Saving beautiful women is what I do."
Then his body began to shift.
Bones cracked and reformed. Golden fur erupted from his skin. In seconds, a massive golden wolf stood before me. He was three times the size of a normal wolf, those amber eyes blazing with feral light.
He growled low and lunged at the nearest Black Witches.
The witches immediately attacked. A black beam of magic shot toward me. I barely dodged, rolling behind a tree.
No. I couldn't just hide.
I took a deep breath, reaching for the power sleeping inside me. Last time, on that altar, my power had awakened briefly before they crushed it. But I remembered that feeling—
That burning, searing sensation, like my body was tearing itself apart.
"Come on," I whispered, closing my eyes.
Heat surged from my core, flooding through my veins. My skin burned. Bones shifted, muscles expanded. My senses exploded open. Golden fur broke through my skin—the same shade as Adrian's. I roared and charged at Serena.
"How is her power so strong..." Serena gasped.
I didn't give her time to react. My claws tore through her black robe, but she was fast, putting distance between us. Magic gathered in her hands. But I was fast too.
We fought through the forest. Serena's magic was powerful. My fur burned where her spells hit. The pain slowed me down.
Adrian battled nearby, a golden blur in the darkness, each strike precise and deadly. I abandoned chasing Serena—she was too strong, it would only drain me. Instead, I moved to coordinate with Adrian, trying to tear open an escape route. We worked in sync, one attacking head-on, the other flanking.
The Black Witches' screams echoed through the trees, but they kept coming, surrounding us again. Black magic beams streaked through the air. Serena retreated behind the other witches, eyes fixed on me like a viper's, venomous and unblinking.
When I finally tore out a witch's throat, I heard Adrian's pained howl. The magic had hit him, too. I tried to reach him, but more spells came at me. I dodged most of them, but my stamina was draining fast. Pregnancy had weakened me. Every dodge, every jump left me gasping.
A spell hit my shoulder—Serena's spell. Agony exploded through my body. I screamed, shifting back to human form involuntarily, hitting the ground hard.
"Alice!" Adrian shifted back too, roaring as he tried to reach me, but he was covered in wounds himself.
I struggled to stand, but my legs were useless. The Black Witches closed in, magic crackling in their hands. Serena stepped out from among them, eyes burning with hatred.
No. I couldn't die here. I forced myself to focus. Only Cedric could save me now. Even if it meant confessing the baby was his. Survival came first. I concentrated on the mate bond, sending a plea down that invisible thread.
Cedric...
Cedric, save me...
The response came immediately.
"Wait for me." Cedric's voice was low and urgent. "Alice, wait. I'm coming—"
My heart lurched. I almost cried.
"Look out!" Adrian's shout rang out. He threw his injured body over mine, shielding me from another attack.
I gritted my teeth, facing down those damn witches. I had to hold on. Cedric was coming. Once he arrived, Adrian and I would be safe.
But time dragged on.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Adrian was covered in wounds, his movements slowing.
Golden fur matted with blood. But we'd taken down most of the Black Witches.
Serena was badly injured too, clutching her chest, half-kneeling on the ground.
But her eyes never left us. She was waiting.
Waiting for her strength to return. Waiting to capture me.
She knew Adrian and I were almost finished.
Then a surge of powerful magic rolled through the forest.
More footsteps. My heart plummeted. I didn't smell Cedric. Whoever was coming, it wasn't him. It was reinforcements. For the witches.
The thought made my stomach twist.
Soon, figures emerged from the trees. Not witches. Palace guards. At least thirty of them, fully armed.
My heart skipped. For a second, I thought Cedric had sent them—
Then Victoria walked out.
She still wore that moon-white gown, face glowing with triumph.
"Alice." Her voice dripped with mockery. "I can't believe you walked right into our hands. You really are an idiot."
I glared at her, hatred and disgust thick in my voice. "Don't get too cocky, Victoria! Your schemes won't work! Cedric's coming! When he finds out what you've done, he'll kill you himself!"
My defiance seemed to delight her. Victoria laughed. "You still don't know, do you? Cedric sent me here. He told me... to bring men and kill you—you cheating whore carrying another man's bastard!"
My body froze.
"You're lying..." I bit out. "He wouldn't do that."
"Lying?" Victoria laughed harder. "Alice, you're so naive. He said it himself. He said you betrayed him, betrayed the kingdom, and deserve to die. So he sent me with his best guards... to put you down."
No. It couldn't be.
He'd just said "wait for me." He said he was coming—
Trembling, I closed my eyes again, reaching down the bond.
Cedric...
Cedric, where are you...
Cedric, answer me...
But the bond stayed silent. He didn't respond. Maybe... maybe Victoria was right. Maybe he really did want me dead. Maybe his earlier response was just another lie.
My heart shattered. Despair and agony swallowed me whole. The pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.
I bit my lip until it bled, using the pain to stay conscious.
"Still holding out hope?" Victoria sneered. "He's not coming, Alice. He hates you. He wants you dead."
She waved her hand. The guards raised their weapons and advanced.
"No—" Adrian struggled to stand, but his back leg was useless. He collapsed. "Damn it..."
I looked at him. Victoria's triumphant laughter echoed around us. Was this it? Even after coming back, I couldn't change my fate? And this time I'd dragged an innocent person down with me...
My hand pressed against my belly. I'm sorry, baby. Mommy couldn't protect you.
Serena stood, closing in with the guards. That aged face twisted with bone-deep hatred.
Victoria was still talking. "Hurry up, Serena! Drain her power, but keep her alive. I want to finish this bitch myself!"
Serena didn't look back, just gave a cold grunt. Magic gathered in her hands, ready to strike. Danger and terror crashed over me, but I had no strength left to fight or run.
Adrian was still struggling, pinned down by guards. He snarled, "Don't touch her! You damn witches!"
Victoria spat viciously, "Kill him! He's too loud, that stupid fool, trying to save this slut!"
I tried to move. "No! Adrian has nothing to do with this!"
Guards grabbed my shoulders, holding me down.
The scene overlapped with my death in the past life. Same pain. Same despair. How could I have been so stupid? Last time, Cedric chose Victoria without hesitation, left me to burn in the flames. This time, I'd actually put my hope in him again.
I looked at Adrian, guilt crushing me. "I'm sorry, Adrian. This is all my fault..."
Serena stood before me now. The magic made the pain surge again, but my body was already destroyed. I closed my eyes in despair, waiting for death.
But even in death, I refused to belong to Cedric. Bitter tears slid down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and sent one last message down the bond.
"I, Alice, reject Cedric as my mate. From this moment on, we have nothing to do with each other."