28. YOU WILL HAVE NO HEIR

DAEMON

Fuck!

I tightened my jaw as I glanced at him. “Hey, you!” His voice echoed. The man he was calling flinched, trembling with fear.

“Send word around the pack, let everybody know that a witch is on the loose, put a bounty on her head, she should be brought here to me, alive” he declared, his voice laced with venom.

I impulsively stepped forward, not thinking twice before I uttered the first thought that came to my mind.

“That will not be necessary father” I stated and the atmosphere seemed to fall into a deeper silence.

I could feel everyone's eyes on me, including the guards. Greysons jaw tightened as he watched me stepp forward, “What?” he asked, sounding vexed as his eyes were on me.

I could feel a shiver run down my spine as I began to lower my gaze, but then I hardened my resolve, deciding to pour some steel into my spine.

I raised my head and straightened my back, looking him straight in the eyes. “I said that would not be necessary, I took care of it, you just killed that innocent man for nothing” I said in a surprisingly collected manner.

“How dare you defy my orders and go to the dungeons to see her!” He growled.

I remained silent for a while, waiting for him to simmer down before I spoke. “I did so for a good cause, I -”

“Where is she?!” He interjected.

“Lying somewhere in the ravine”

His face twisted into a confused expression and I could tell that all the gears in his mind were turning.

“What are you saying?”

“I was the one that brought a witch into this pack" I said, turning towards the door where some of the elders had already gathered, perhaps attracted by the commotion.

“So I couldn't just sit here and let my father handle this, I had to take responsibility for the mess I caused. So I killed her with my bare hands.”

Greyson was quiet for a while, and then growled, sending goosebumps crawling along my skin. “Are you lying to me?” He asked, staring deep into my eyes.

I stood there feigning an unfazed expression as I replied. “You can go to the Ravine to check for yourself, that is if the water hasn’t washed her body away. But I guarantee you that she's dead.”

“For someone who tried to intervene when she was about to be sentenced to death, I find it very hard to believe that you would kill her Daemon” He spun around and folded his arms behind him.

“Axel” he called, his eyes still stationed on me.

The beta who was standing in the distance, instantly responded, “Yes Alpha Grayson” he answered.

“Send wolves to the ravine to search for her body” he stopped and then turned around. “If you do not find her body in the water, then search the city and the outskirts, leave no stone unturned until you find that witch and bring her to me, dead or alive.”

His tone carried an eerie amount of seriousness. He detested her so much and it was so obvious he couldn't hesitate to kill her like he did with the guard that was sprawled on the floor in a pool of crimson.

My father walked away and everyone began to disperse as well. As I made my way to my chamber, Cassandra joined me.

“I overheard everything” she said in an accusatory manner.

“Well congratulations” I replied, my voice laced with sarcasm.

“I know you're lying Daemon!” She whispered harshly through gritted teeth.

“Cassandra don't start” I pleaded, already feeling exhausted from our interaction.

“You were always taking that witch's side on every matter and now you think I'll believe you went into her cell and killed her? The elders might be that dumb but I'm sure Greyson isn't”

“That's Alpha Grayson to you” I interrupted her and then walked out, leaving a gawking Cassandra behind.

I couldn't afford to make any suspicious moves. If I went to Asher's chamber, they'd immediately know she was there. How could I possibly warn them without drawing suspicion?

Jayda’s POV

I was in the kitchen area brewing some tea, I looked over my shoulders at Asher who was passed out on his couch. He snuggled a small red blanket that was barely enough to cover his whole body.

Last night he let me sleep on the bed while he stayed on the sofa, even though I'd insisted on sleeping elsewhere.

I poured the tea into a cup and stirred it. Ginger tea had a way of calming me down sometimes.

I sat on the chair in the dining area and took a sip of my drink, staring into space as I became lost in thoughts.

I wondered what my fate would be and if Asher would even succeed in helping me escape. What if we got caught and he died because of me.

This whole thing was becoming overwhelming. It was my fault, why did I help those old bags of bones.

“You did the right thing” Dove’s voice sounded in my head. I fought the urge to roll my eyes in disgust.

At least I had regained some strength and could stand on my own two feet without feeling like I was going to pass out.

A distinct sound from outside met my sensitive ears. I froze, intensifying my gaze as though I could see through the walls.

The noise woke Asher up too and we immediately locked eyes. It better not be what I was thinking.

I dropped the tea on the kitchen island with a soft thud and approached the window, but Asher blocked me with his arm before I could get too close.

It sounded like chants, it was drawing nearer. “Warrior chants” Asher whispered.

He shifted the fabric of the window, just small enough for us to catch a glimpse of what was happening outside.

My stomach twisted into a tight knot as a gasp escaped my lips. Asher immediately shut the window.

“They sent wolves after you Jayda” he informed as panic crept into his voice.

I felt like the whole world was closing in on me. My heart began to crash against my chest as my veins became electric with adrenaline.

“Hide here, I'll go outside to see what they want” he ordered.

I shook my head and grabbed his wrist, pulling him back, “no you can't endanger yourself for me I won't let it happen”

He gently snatched his hand away. “I'm not endangering myself but I have to go stop them, if we remain inside it's only a matter of time before they come here looking for you, they're searching everywhere”

I swallowed the bile that rose to my throat, “I'll turn myself in” I blurted, fueled by desperation.

Asher seemed taken aback by my statement. “We didn't come this far for you to just turn yourself in like a slaughter lamb. They'll kill you”

“I know, but either way they're going to kill me, look how many of them are outside they will find me I can't escape it, but I don't want to drag anyone into this”

Asher shook his head, “it's not over yet, you can't just give up”

Before I could respond, there was a solid knock on the door, causing both of us to freeze.

We slowly faced the door. The knock sounded again, louder this time. “Open this door, we have orders from the Alpha!” A strong masculine voice boomed.

Asher shoved me into a corner of the house. “Go and hide, now!” He whispered harshly, leaving no room for arguments.

I slipped into the nearest hiding place I could find, his wardrobe.

“We give you three seconds before we break this door down, three, two-”

Asher pulled the door open with a click. Two men stepped forward, trying to enter but Asher strategically stood in the way.

“What brings you here?” He inquired.

The man forcefully sucked air into his nostrils as he sniffed. “We're looking for a witch, we trailer her scent to this door.”

Asher shrugged. “You must be mistaken then because I live alone”

The man shared a look with the other guards and nodded slowly. They immediately shoved Asher backwards.

He tried to struggle but he was overwhelmed by the two men as they held him, one with each limb.

“Search the house” the man instructed. They began to rampage the house and I could feel my heart in my mouth as they neared me.

Goosebumps crawled against my skin as he neared me. He paused right in front of the wardrobe, his nostrils flaring.

I gauged the distance between the door and the exit, maybe I could make a run for it. My primal instincts took over. As he extended his hand to reach for the wardrobe I jumped out, pouncing against his chest.

He staggered backwards and I leaped forward, but before I could move further he grabbed my arm with a vice-like grip and yanked me backwards.

I tried to struggle, but a solid blow met my sides, causing pain to ripple through me. Asher grunted but he was restricted.

I fell to the ground and I felt my vision blurring. Before I could get on my feet, he drove his foot into my chest, sending me toppling backwards.

I could taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. “So you're the witch” he said with disgust.

He began to pummel me, the next few minutes were a blur of blows and kicks, and by the time he was done I could barely keep my eyes open.

He lifted me up and placed me against his shoulders. We headed to the Alpha’s quarters while I dangled on his shoulders struggling to keep my eyes open.

I met the floor with a solid smack and when I raised my head I saw a blurry image of Greyson looming over me.

“She was found with Asher” the man informed Greyson.

“So he was the one that dared to defy me?” Grayson said. “Bring him to me”

The man turned around and signaled with his hands. Two men came in holding Asher and they flung him to the ground.

Just then some other people arrived at the throne room. I didn't care enough to look at them, but I sighted Daemon.

Greyson’s footsteps neared us and he narrowed his gaze on me and then shifted it to Asher. “I will see to it that you two will be punished.”

“Burn the witch!” One of the elders said.

Greyson’s lips twitched into a wicked smile. “Certainly, I will. Along with this treacherous man.”

“No!” Daemon's voice cut through the air.

“I can't let you kill them, they're important to me” he said.

“And just how do you plan to stop me?” Greyson remarked.

“I'd rather leave this pack and never return than to let you kill my best friend and the healer that saved this pack”

Greyson clenched his fists. “And you know if I leave, you have no heir, so I will leave, after your death no one will rule and this pack eill crumble” Daemon finished.