Chapter 15: The Witch of the Forbidden Mountains

A violent storm rolled across the kingdom before dawn.

Dark clouds swallowed the morning sky while thunder echoed through the mountains surrounding the Royal Palace. Rain lashed against the palace windows, leaving the once peaceful gardens hidden beneath curtains of mist.

Inside the King's private chambers, Micaela stood near the fireplace watching the storm.

Sleep had refused to come.

Ever since their encounter in the royal gardens, something inside her had changed.

She could still remember the warmth that spread through her chest when the Alpha King caught her before she fell.

The feeling refused to disappear.

"You're awake early."

She turned as the Alpha King entered the room carrying two cups of freshly brewed tea.

"The storm woke me."

"Or your thoughts did."

She smiled weakly.

"You seem to know me better every day."

"Perhaps."

He handed her one of the cups.

"Or perhaps you're becoming easier to read."

She accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you."

For a few peaceful minutes, neither of them spoke.

The silence no longer felt awkward.

It had become comforting.

The King finally broke it.

"Do you miss your old quarters?"

Micaela looked into her tea.

"Not really."

"Why?"

"Because I never truly felt safe there."

His expression softened.

"And here?"

She looked directly into his sapphire eyes.

"Here... I sleep without fear."

His wolf stirred happily.

"She trusts us."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," the King replied silently.

"She's beginning to belong with us."

"Maybe."

"Definitely."

Before either of them could continue, Marcus entered the chamber without his usual calm expression.

"Your Majesty."

"Report."

"Princess Anastasia left the palace before sunrise."

"What?"

"She departed with Cedric and six royal guards."

"Destination?"

"The Forbidden Mountains."

The King's face darkened instantly.

"Are you certain?"

"Completely."

"No escort requested?"

"None."

"Damn it."

Micaela looked between them.

"What's in the Forbidden Mountains?"

Neither man answered immediately.

Marcus finally spoke.

"Someone the kingdom hasn't seen in decades."

"Who?"

The King's voice became unusually serious.

"A witch."

"A real witch?"

"Older than the kingdom itself."

"Most believe she's only a legend."

"She's very real."

"And dangerous."

Micaela frowned.

"Why would Princess Anastasia seek her?"

The King exchanged a worried glance with Marcus.

"Because witches specialize in things wolves cannot control."

"Such as?"

"Magic."

"Curses."

"And..."

He hesitated.

"Mating bonds."

Micaela felt her heartbeat quicken.

"Mating bonds?"

"Ancient ones."

"The kind blessed by the Moon Goddess."

She remained silent.

Something about those words stirred the strange warmth inside her chest again.

Far beyond the kingdom...

Princess Anastasia's carriage climbed the winding roads leading into the Forbidden Mountains.

Dense forests surrounded the narrow trail while ancient trees blocked nearly every ray of sunlight.

Even the wolves pulling the carriage seemed nervous.

"We're close," Cedric whispered.

"I know."

"The guards refuse to go any farther."

"Then they can wait."

The carriage eventually stopped before a crumbling stone cottage hidden deep within the forest.

Black smoke drifted lazily from its chimney.

Strange symbols had been carved into every tree surrounding it.

"Stay here," Anastasia ordered.

"Your Highness..."

"That wasn't a request."

She stepped from the carriage alone.

The heavy wooden door slowly creaked open before she could knock.

"Enter... Princess."

The voice sounded ancient.

Almost inhuman.

Inside, candles illuminated shelves filled with dusty books, glowing potions, dried herbs, and strange animal bones.

An elderly woman sat beside a crackling fire.

Her silver hair reached the floor.

One crimson eye studied Anastasia carefully.

The other remained clouded with age.

"I've been expecting you," the witch said.

"You know who I am?"

"I've known since the moment you entered my forest."

"Then you also know why I'm here."

The witch smiled.

"The Alpha King has found his mate."

"A human."

"Yes."

"And you wish to stop destiny."

Princess Anastasia remained silent.

"Can it be done?"

The witch slowly rose from her chair.

"Anything can be done."

"Everything demands a price."

"Name it."

"Not yet."

She walked toward an ancient wooden chest and removed a worn leather-bound book.

"Tell me about the girl."

"Her name is Micaela Whitlock."

"Human."

"Palace servant."

"The Moonstone accepted her."

The witch suddenly froze.

"The Moonstone?"

"Yes."

"Interesting..."

She slowly opened the ancient book.

Dust filled the air.

Its yellowed pages contained symbols written in a forgotten language.

After several moments...

The witch's expression changed.

From curiosity...

To shock.

"Impossible..." she whispered.

"What is it?" Anastasia demanded.

"The human isn't merely his mate."

"Then what is she?"

The witch looked directly into Anastasia's eyes.

"She carries royal blood."

Silence filled the cottage.

"That's impossible," Anastasia said.

"Her parents were slaves."

"Not by birth."

"Someone hid her lineage."

"Long ago."

Anastasia felt the ground shift beneath her feet.

"Explain."

"I cannot."

"Not yet."

"But if the truth becomes known..."

"The entire kingdom will change forever."

"Can the bond still be broken?"

The witch closed the ancient book.

"Yes."

"But the cost is terrible."

"What cost?"

"The Alpha King must willingly reject his mate..."

"Or she must die by a blade forged before the Moon Goddess blessed the wolves."

Anastasia's eyes narrowed.

"Such a blade exists."

"I know."

"You already possess it."

The Princess instinctively touched the hidden silver dagger beneath her cloak.

"Use it wisely."

"Because if you fail..."

The witch looked toward the storm raging outside.

"The prophecy will awaken."

"What prophecy?"

The old woman smiled sadly.

"The return of the First Alpha Queen."

Back at the Royal Palace...

The Alpha King suddenly staggered.

His hand gripped the edge of a marble table.

"Your Majesty!" Marcus rushed forward.

"What's wrong?"

The King closed his eyes.

For a brief moment...

He saw flashes.

An ancient forest.

A crimson-eyed woman.

Princess Anastasia.

And a silver dagger stained with blood.

"She's found the witch," he whispered.

"Then we're already running out of time," Marcus replied.

The King turned toward Micaela.

For the first time since they had met...

Fear wasn't hidden in his eyes.

It was undeniable.

"No matter what happens..."

He said quietly.

"I swear on my life..."

"No one will take you away from me."