Chapter 6 The Christmas magic
Antonella Erickson - POV
My heart was pounding like someone was playing a drum inside when I slowly opened my eyes. I stared at the white ceiling while my nostrils were filled with the scent of roses, which made me frown. I tried to get up when I felt something heavy hold me down.
I quickly turned to my right when I saw a man sleeping next to me. “Shit!” I screamed, which startled him as he jumped out of bed.
“Antonella?” "Alpha Alexus?" I said, sounding confused when I quickly bunched up the bedsheets and covered myself.
“What happened last night?” I asked him as I looked around the room.
“I don't remember,” he whispered when I looked out through the window while I heard him putting on his clothes. I closed my eyes and tried to think back, but all I remember was drinking the cocktail, and soon everything went blurry.
Tears began flowing down my cheeks as I bit my lips to suppress the scream. Elijah must have felt me cheating on him last night, and even though I shouldn't feel guilty since he was cheating with Madison behind my back for ages, I just couldn't bring myself to justify my actions.
“Antonella?” I turned away from the window when I saw Alpha Alexus standing in front of the bed wearing the clothes from last night.
“I swear I don't know what happened. All I remember was drinking that cocktail.”
“I don't think I can blame you, Alpha Aleuxs. I don't remember anything as well.” I told him.
“Why don't you get ready? I will wait for you at the bar.” He told me when I nodded my head as he walked out of the cabin. I stayed in bed for a few minutes before getting out and putting on my clothes. I walked to the mirror and finger-combed my hair, and as I tied it into a bun, something caught my eye.
I moved a little closer while my fingers lightly traced a star-shaped birthmark on the left side of my neck, right where my neck meets the shoulder. A cold shiver ran down my spine when I realized what it was.
As I stepped out of the cabin, I realized that the cabin was in the middle of the forest. I looked around before following a pathway that led back to the bar. As I reached the back door, I pushed it open when I saw Alpha Alexus standing near the bar arguing with a woman.
“I thought you knew!” the woman yelled when Alpha Alexus slammed his fists on the bar, making the wood crack.
“You should have better protocol,” he sneered. Both of them seemed to be lost in their anger, and they didn't realize my presence until I walked in further.
“What’s going on in here?” It was like a trance was broken when Alpha Alexus turned around to face me.
“Antonella, you…” I have heard many things about Alpha Alexus, but I don't think anyone has ever seen him scared.
“Did she say what happened last night?” I asked him when a blank look took over his face, and he quickly turned to face the woman again.
“Luna Antonella, I thought both of you knew about our tradition on Christmas Day, and that is why you came here,” the woman said.
“What are you talking about?”
“The cocktail you drank last night is a potion that is specially crafted to unite two souls together,” the woman said when I got something broken within me.
“What the hell do you mean?” I asked her, starting to get mad.
“I believe you must have seen the mark on your neck?” she asked me when my hand unconsciously flew to the mark. “It’s like a mate mark, but it is created through magic. We help werewolves form a mate bond who are not truly mates.”
“But…but I already have a mate.” I whispered, my heart hammering against my chest.
“Your bond with him broke the moment you formed a bond with Alpha Alexus,” she explained when my eyes snapped in his direction.
“I should have been more careful, Antonella. I…” I shook my head.
“It’s not your fault.” I said when I looked at the woman. “How can we break this?” I asked her when a sad smile appeared on her face.
“This bond cannot be broken, Luna Antonella.”
“This is an artificial bond. Of course there should be a way to break it!” I yelled at her when I saw the fear in her eyes.
Alpha Maximus Alexus - POV
Antonella looked petrified as she glared at the witch. “There is a way, but it would not be easy,” she finally said.
“I don't care. I don't want to ruin Alpha Alexus’s life.” she said, and this almost made my heart squeeze in agony.
“I need some time, Luna Antonella. I will let you know as soon as I find a solution,” the witch said when Antonella nodded her head. With one last look at us, she walked out of the bar.
“Why did you lie?” I asked the witch when she turned to face me with a smile on her face.
“How would she have reacted if I told her that the drink only fulfills the heart’s darkest desires?” she asked me.
“You knew about my situation, Wilma. And don't give me this sob story that the drink was given to us by mistake.” I warned her as my pupils dilated with anger.
“The drink was not given to you by mistake, Alpha Alexus. I know you don't believe in fortune telling. But let me tell you that everything happens for a reason.”
“I don't want to hear your crazy stories, Wilma. Find a way to break this bond between us.” I told her, and I turned around to leave when she spoke.
“Do you really want to let her go, Alpha Alexus?”
My heart was screaming at me to tell her that I want Antonella, but the rational side of me knew that this would never work. She has always loved him, and even if he betrayed her, she would never betray him.
“Yes.”