Chapter 26 Danger
My head snapped toward the door as I heard footsteps approaching.
The lock clicked, and the door slowly creaked open.
It was her—the same woman from before. The witch.
But this time, she looked even more terrifying.
She wore a dark, intricately designed black cloak, the hood pulled low over her head, casting shadows across her face.
“Elinra… calm down,” she said softly.
My patience snapped.
Calm down?
I had been kidnapped, chained like some object, treated like I didn’t even matter—and she was telling me to calm down?
“First of all,” I said, my voice shaking despite my effort to stay firm, “before I calm down, you need to get me out of here. Unlock these chains.”
“No, dear,” she replied calmly.
I frowned, anger rising in my chest.
“Why?” I demanded.
“Because you will try to run,” she said simply.
And she was right.
I was going to run.
No matter what.
“Where is Candice?” I asked quickly, panic slipping into my voice. “Where am I? And what do you want with me?”
My hands trembled against the restraints as I waited for her answer.
“All your questions will be answered soon, dear,” she said calmly. “But first…”
She threw a black cloth at me.
“Get dressed in this gown.”
I caught it, staring at the fabric in confusion.
“What is this? And where exactly am I supposed to wear this?” I asked.
She let out a slow breath, clearly growing tired of my questions.
“It’s for the ritual,” she replied.
I blinked at her, completely lost.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice rising slightly. “What ritual? I know you’re a witch, but the real question is—why do you want me?”
She stared at me for a moment… then a slow, unsettling smile spread across her lips.
“Someone will be here to unlock your chains soon,” she said. “So you can put it on. This dress is very important for the ritual.”
My patience snapped.
“Why are you avoiding my questions?” I demanded. “I’m asking about my life, and you’re talking about a dress? I’m not wearing anything until you tell me what’s going on!”
For a brief moment… her expression softened.
“We’ve been looking for you for years,” she said quietly.
My heart skipped.
“What?”
“When the seer told us you would appear… only after the three Alphas had taken their mates, we didn’t believe it,” she continued. “Not until the day you arrived in their pack.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Then we knew,” she whispered. “And now… we finally have you.”
My breath caught.
“And we are not going to let you go.”
She stepped closer.
Too close.
Her fingers reached out… and brushed against my face.
I pulled my face away before she could touch me any further.
She smiled.
“You’re quite stubborn,” she said, a smile playing on her lips—but it didn’t reach her eyes.
I frowned, my thoughts spiraling.
I didn’t understand anything she was saying.
What did she mean by the Alphas taking their mates… and me becoming the chosen one?
None of it made sense.
Something wasn’t adding up.
But one thing I knew for sure—I was in serious trouble.
Anything connected to witches never ended well.
“So… what do you want with me?” I asked, my voice quieter this time.
“You will find out soon,” she replied calmly. “It is against the rules for me to say more.”
Rules?
“I’m sorry,” she added, almost gently. “I would tell you if I could. But I can’t.”
Her eyes darkened slightly.
“So it would be better if you cooperate. The smoother this goes, the better for everyone.”
A chill crept down my spine.
“Because the more difficult you make things…” she continued slowly, “…the worse it will become.”
She paused.
“And they will kill Candice.”
My entire body froze.
It felt like something sharp ran through me—like electricity.
“Are you… threatening me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
That was the only thing I could say.
My mind had gone blank.
Nothing made sense anymore.
I didn’t even know how to keep up with all of this.
What if they were planning to use me for some kind of ritual?
What if there was no way out?
“Please…” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “Just don’t harm Candice.”
She smiled again.
“Of course,” she said with a soft chuckle. “I won’t harm him.”
My heart eased—just a little.
“But you need to follow the plan,” she added.
“I will only cooperate with you if you tell me what this is about,” I said, my voice trembling. “Even if you try to force me, I won’t take part in any ritual. Please… just tell me what’s going on.”
For the first time, her expression shifted slightly.
“Even if you refuse,” she said slowly, “Lord Zenna will still take you.”
My heart skipped.
“He has been waiting for you… for years.”
A chill spread through my body.
“You are extremely important,” she continued, her voice calm but heavy. “And it is unfortunate… that Lord Zenna has been cursed.”
My breath hitched.
“Before he can see you,” she added, “the Alphas must first claim you.”
The words didn’t register at first.
Then they did.
And it felt like my world shattered.
My ears rang loudly, drowning out everything else. I could barely hear myself think.
My mind went blank.
My body trembled uncontrollably.
“What… are you talking about?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Claim me? By who? What do you mean?”
Panic surged through me.
“Who is Lord Zenna? What do you mean he’s going to take me?” I yelled, desperation rising in my chest.
“That’s why I told you,” she said calmly. “You will find out everything soon.”
Frustration and fear burned inside me.
“I can’t explain everything,” she continued. “There’s too much. It would be
better if you hear it from Lord Zenna himself.”
She stepped back slightly, her gaze steady.
“He will take care of you.”
Take care of me?
The words didn’t sound comforting…
It's screams danger