Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Cedric
The door closed behind her. That dull thud sounded like a final verdict.
She was gone.
She didn't want to forgive me. Didn't even want to see me again.
A tearing pain spread from my chest, a thousand—no, ten thousand times worse than any wound.
My wolf let out a mournful howl, the sound so piercing it shattered my heart. Despair, agony, and refusal all tangled together.
He clawed at the depths of my consciousness, every bite tearing at my insides. He thrashed, snarled, fought to break through the cage of reason. He wanted to chase her down, drag her back, fall to his knees, and beg her to look at us one more time.
Go after her!
Now!
She's ours!
Our mate!
Our everything!
"I know..." My voice scraped out like sandpaper. "I know... but she doesn't want us..."
Lock her up! Never let her leave!
"No!" I ground my teeth, suppressing his impulse as he fought me for control of my body. "I won't do that to her!"
But even as I said it, every cell in my body trembled.
My soul felt ripped in half—one side rational, telling me I couldn't force Alice into anything.
The other side screaming to run out there, find her, hold her, tell her how much I loved her, how much I regretted everything, how desperately I wanted to fix those damned, irreversible mistakes.
Even if she never forgave me, I'd keep her at my side.
My fists clenched until my nails dug into my palms.
"It's all my fault." Each word clawed its way out of my throat.
But I wouldn't give up. She was my mate, the only person I'd ever want to protect.
Even if she hated me. Even if she never wanted to see me again. I'd never let go.
I had to make her understand—
The door flew open. Caspar burst in, face white, forehead slick with sweat.
"Your Majesty!" He gasped for breath. "We have a crisis!"
I turned. My eyes still bloodshot.
"Talk."
"Urgent intel from Hilphia," Caspar's words tumbled out fast and frantic.
"The White Witch Serena launched a rebellion in our kingdom!
She's been secretly creating corrupted werewolves—those monsters are far stronger than normal wolves.
The border's fallen. At least thirty of our people are dead, and more are wounded! "
My head rang. Rage flooded through me.
"Serena." I bit out the name.
That damned White Witch. She struck first before I could even track her down to kill her. And she picked now—because she knew I wasn't in the kingdom.
My heart plummeted. Another thought surfaced. If Serena knew Alice was here, she'd come for her.
She knew I couldn't abandon my kingdom. I'd have to leave. And once I left, she'd have another chance to get close to Alice. To take her.
I strode toward the door. "I need to see King Rhine. Now."
"But Your Majesty, you're still in a bad condition."
"I can't wait!" I kept moving, Caspar right behind me.
King Rhine had already received the news. When I reached his study, he stood before a massive map, Adrian at his side. Both turned to me.
"Cedric." King Rhine's tone carried new weight. "Good timing. I was about to send for you."
"King Rhine." I crossed to the table in long strides. Each step tore at my wounds, but I didn't care. "The White Witch started a rebellion in Hilphia. She's created corrupted werewolves to slaughter my people. But her real target isn't my kingdom—"
"It's Alice." King Rhine finished. "I know."
My heart eased slightly at those words. He understood. He'd strengthen defenses. I could return to my kingdom and fight for my people.
King Rhine's voice grew heavier, laced with bone-deep hatred. "Twenty years ago, the White Witch launched a rebellion to seize the Moon Goddess's power inside Alice. If the Queen and I hadn't risked everything to send her away, my daughter would've..."
His voice cut off. His fists cracked as he clenched them. "Cedric, I know why you're here. You want us to join forces against the White Witch. Am I right?"
"Yes." I didn't hide it. "I can't completely eliminate Serena's forces alone. But if we work together, those White Witches won't escape. We have to rip out this plague at the root!"
"I agree." King Rhine cut me off, his tone decisive. "I'll send troops to reinforce you. But not for your sake—for my daughter's."
I nodded. The weight lifted from my chest. I said sincerely, "Thank you."
King Rhine turned to Adrian. "Mobilize the army immediately. Prepare to deploy. Adrian, you'll lead them personally."
"Your Majesty! Emergency!" A guard stumbled in, panicked. "The Princess is missing! We found traces of magic where she disappeared!"
The guard's words froze my blood.
"Mobilize every guard!" King Rhine roared, his amber eyes burning with fury. "Search! Tear up the ground if you have to, but bring Alice back! Any witch who dares harm my daughter—kill them! Leave none alive!"
I felt Alice's direction through our bond—faint, but there. I shifted and bolted toward it.
"Cedric!" King Rhine shouted behind me.
But I couldn't hear anything anymore. Only one thought filled my mind: Alice had been taken. She'd be hurt. Those witches would kill her.
No. I couldn't let anything happen to her.
Last time I didn't make it. This time I wouldn't make the same mistake.
I tore through the forest like black lightning, wounds ripping open. Pain crashed through me, making each breath heavy. But I didn't stop. I snarled and pushed harder, so fast I nearly split the air.
Only one thought consumed me—
Find her. Bring her back safely. Then kill everyone who hurt her.
Just as I was about to burst from the forest edge, a black figure blocked my path. I skidded to a stop, a threatening growl rumbling in my throat.
Black cloak. Pale face. A dark purple orb of magic floating in her hand.
Another witch!
Rip her apart!
All witches deserve to die!
I launched myself at her without hesitation, claws aimed straight for her throat.
"Wait!" The witch jumped back, raising both hands. "King Cedric! I'm not your enemy! I'm here to help!"
Her words only deepened my rage. Last time those damned White Witches deceived me exactly like this! They almost made me lose Alice forever! I wouldn't be fooled again!
The witch dodged while shouting, "I know where your mate is! I can take you to her! I swear on my soul I'm not lying!"
I stopped attacking but held my striking position, the growl still rumbling in my throat.
Smart. She didn't approach. Just stood there and slowly lowered her hood. An old face, deeply wrinkled, but those dark purple eyes gleamed with sincerity.
"My name is Melvina, elder of the Black Witch Coven," she said. "Your mate is safe for now. You can rest assured. I know you don't trust me, King Cedric, but please hear me out."
I shifted back to human form, eyes locked on her, body tensed, ready to strike.
"You have thirty seconds." My voice was ice cold. "Talk."
"The White Witch Serena has been impersonating us for years," Melvina spoke quickly. "She's committed atrocities under the Black Witch banner—killing, burning, creating corrupted werewolves. We've been forced into exile, constantly hunted."
"And?" I wasn't moved. "How do you prove any of this is true? What do you want from me?"
"I want to make a deal." Melvina took a deep breath. "My people and I will help you defeat Serena. In exchange, I hope you'll grant us protection. Let us live in peace. No more running, no more hiding. Just... let us live quietly."
I laughed bitterly. "Serena said she'd help me too. Look how that turned out. I won't believe another witch's lies."
"This will prove it." Melvina urgently raised her hand. A beam of dark purple magic shot out, forming an image in the air—
Alice.
White Witches had chained her hands. She was locked in a dark cell, her exposed skin covered in bloody marks, face deathly pale, lips purple.
My heart seized.
"Do you believe me now?" Melvina's voice rang with sincerity.
Rustling came from the bushes behind her—her people, probably. I didn't have time to think this through. Alice was waiting for me. "I can agree to your terms. I swear it as King. But you have to give me a guarantee. Proof you're not working with that bitch Serena."
"I swear by the Moon Goddess." She raised her right hand. Dark purple light gathered in her palm. "King Cedric, we will do everything in our power to help you rescue your mate. No deception. If I break this oath, may the Moon Goddess curse me. May my soul fall to hell forever."
The moment she swore, a silver light descended from above, enveloped her, then faded.
She'd sworn to the Moon Goddess. If she broke it, she'd suffer immensely, then die.
"Take me to Alice. Now!" My voice strained. "But if you try anything, I'll make you pay."
"Of course. We still have some time. The sacrifice can't begin until the moon rises tonight," Melvina bowed. "Please follow me, Your Majesty."