Chapter 77 Back home with her
Aloria
I pace the room like a caged animal, anxiety coursing through me like a live wire. The flickering shadows cast by the candlelight dance on the walls, and each creak of the old house sends a fresh wave of worry crashing over me. River left hours ago with his warriors, and the weight of uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is brewing just beyond the forest’s edge.
My heart races as I glance at the clock, the minute hand ticking away in slow motion. I know he’s strong and capable, but the stories about the Black witch have spread through the pack like wildfire. I clutch my pendant, a gift from River, feeling its warmth against my skin. It grounds me, reminding me that he will return. He always does.
Just as I’m about to lose myself in another spiral of worry, the door swings open. River steps inside, and my breath catches in my throat. He looks battered, his clothes torn and smeared with dirt. His hair is wild, and there’s a fierce glint in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine. But it’s the exhaustion etched on his face that sends me rushing toward him.
“River!” I exclaim as I reach out to touch his arm, and he flinches, but then he relaxes under my fingers. “What happened? Are you okay?”
He offers a weary smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine. Just… a little worn out.”
I shake my head, my instincts kicking in. “You need a bath. You look like you’ve been through a battle.” Without waiting for his response, I grab his hand and pull him toward the bathroom.
The tub is large enough to fit the both of us comfortably, and as I turn on the taps, steam begins to rise, filling the room with warmth. I add a few drops of lavender oil, the scent soothing and calming. “Get undressed,” I say, glancing back at him with a teasing smile. “I’ll be right back.”
I quickly gather towels and a few candles to set the mood. The soft glow of the flames flickers around us as I return to find River staring at the water, his expression a mixture of gratitude and exhaustion.
“Join me?” he asks, a hint of mischief lighting up his eyes. “There’s plenty of room.”
I laugh softly, feeling a flutter of joy amidst the tension. “You’re a mess, River. But I suppose I can’t resist a little snuggling.”
He chuckles, the sound deep and rich, and it warms me from the inside out. I slip out of my clothes, the cool air tingling against my skin, and sink into the tub beside him. The warmth envelops us like a cocoon, and I lean into his side, resting my head against his shoulder.
“Tell me what happened,” I urge, my voice soft but insistent. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
River takes a deep breath, his muscles tightening beneath me. “We found her,” he says, his tone serious. “The Black witch. She was waiting for us in the eastern woods.”
I sit up slightly, my heart racing at the gravity of his words. “What did she do?”
“She tried to attack us with dark magic,” he continues, his eyes narrowing as he remembers the encounter. “But we were ready. I managed to grab her before she could unleash her full power. We captured her.”
I bite my lip, a mixture of relief and concern flooding through me. “But… what does that mean? What does she want?”
River runs a hand through his hair, the wet strands sticking to his forehead. “That’s what we need to figure out. She’s dangerous, Aloria. She threatened everything we hold dear. I can’t shake the feeling that her plans run deeper than we realize… I think we were right and your uncle is involved.”
I nod, my heart heavy with the weight of his words. “You’ll find out what she’s planning. You’re strong, River. We’ll face this together.”
He turns to me, his gaze piercing yet tender. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. You’re my mate, and that means I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
The sincerity in his voice sends a rush of warmth through me, and I grasp his hand, intertwining our fingers. “And I’ll stand by you, no matter what. We’re a team, remember?”
A faint smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, a team.” He leans down, planting a soft kiss on my forehead, and I can feel the tension in his body easing as we sit together in the warm water.
As the silence envelops us, I can sense the storm brewing outside, but in this moment, with River beside me, I feel safe. I nestle closer, allowing the warmth of the water and his presence to wash away the fear and doubt.
“Tell me more about the fight,” I whisper, looking up at him. “What did she look like?”
River’s expression darkens as he recalls the encounter. “She was cloaked in shadows, her eyes… they were like pits of darkness. When she laughed, it felt like the world was closing in around us.”
I swallow hard, the imagery sending a chill down my spine. “What about the others? Are they okay?”
He nods slowly. “They’re fine, no one was injured. But we will need to be careful questioning her, she’s not going to take being captured lightly.”
I sit up straighter, determination igniting inside me. “Then we’ll prepare. Whatever it takes, we’ll face her together.”
A flicker of pride lights up his expression, and he squeezes my hand. “I knew I could count on you.”
The water sloshes around us as we exchange a knowing glance, both of us aware that the battle is far from over. But in this moment, with River beside me, I know we can face anything together. The witch may have tried to shatter our world, but we will fight back, stronger than ever.
As we sink back into the warmth of the water, I resolve to support him in every way I can. We will uncover the truth behind her dark magic, and I will ensure that River knows he doesn’t have to carry this burden alone. Together, we will protect our pack, our home, and each other.