Chapter 48

**Cayden **

*Four years ago…*

“Where in tea has that Cat gone now?” The Hatter Grumbles.

I’m too busy watching Alicia to reply to him. The dark circles under her eyes tell me she has barely slept. Not that it would be very comfortable in this dump. Still, she looks exhausted in every way. I can understand the Cat’s plan but I do not think I can watch Alicia continue to hurt like this.

A loud sound comes from the direction of the door leading to the room and a second later a giant of a man storms inside. I look him over and see some familiar features that even with this odd transformation he could not get rid of.

“Walrus,” I say.

His eyes narrow on me. “Caterpillar I see you too have found a new body. However, did you manage that?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” I drawl. “Who knows how Wonderland works it’s magic.”

He makes a sound and turns to Alicia who is still muttering away.

“Good grief she is utterly mad. How am I supposed to present her to the king in this state?” He says more to himself than anyone else.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t have given her all of the potions or whatever else you gave her.” The Hatter says.

“It was necessary to see if it would work, but now we only have her since she killed the doctor. Blood great.” The Walrus huffs and watches Alicia a little more.

As if she senses danger she stops and turns to face him. Her body goes so still that you would think she was nothing more than a statue. Then her eyes change and she hums.

“Back again.” She says in that chilling voice. “I would think you would be scared of me after what happened to your friend.”

Her eyes move to the body still on the ground.

The Walrus chuckles. “I’m afraid you do not scare me little one. There are much worse things to fear in Wonderland now.”

“Really? As dangerous as me? No, there is nothing like me is there? You made sure of that. And what do you intend to do with me once I’m released from this cage? Control me?” She lets out a dark chuckle and smirks at him. “Don’t you know, the monster always kills its creator?”

I am not sure what she means by that but the Walrus’s confidence seems to waver for only a split second.

“The time has come to talk of other things. You will be let out, but only with conditions.”

Alicia laughs and the sound sends a shiver through me. “What conditions would those be?”

“I will set you free along with all of your friends.” He doesn’t continue right away.

Alicia looks him up and down as if she is trying to catch him in a lie. Of course, he isn’t telling the truth.

“What will you ask of me for this?” She asks.

“You will do as I ask. Anything I ask so long as it does not harm yourself or your friends. They will be kept completely safe as long as you hold to this deal.”

“Alicia…” the Hatter starts but she ignores him.

“Do we have a deal?” He asks her.

“If I obey you, me and my people will be safe? That is not freedom.” She points out.

“As soon as all of my enemies are dead you will be free.” He says as if it’s obvious.

Alicia considers this for a moment.

“See each of your friends also owe me a debt, but under this agreement, all of your debts will be forgiven. All of them and you will be free to go.” He adds.

A tingle of hope runs through me at the thought of being free of the few favors he had done for me. Favors that came with conditions of course…

“I help you and all of our debts are forgiven and we go free. Correct?” Alicia asks once more.

“Yes.” The Walrus says with a nod.

This bargain seems too good to be true but Alicia doesn’t wait for me to object.

“Agreed.” She says confidently. “After all you made me what I am, it would be sad to let all of this power go to waste.”

There is a threat in her words that the Walrus doesn’t seem to pick up on, but the gleam in her eyes tells me everything. She plans to kill him.

“Wonderful!” The Walrus says triumpahntly. “Shall we begin?”

He waves his hand in the air and Alicia cries out reaching around to hold onto her neck.

“What are you doing to her?” I scream at him.

“Sealing our deal of course.” He drops his hand when Alicia is on her knees panting.

When her head lifts she is looking clear-eyed and normal. She’s breathing hard when she stands but she isn’t pacing or muttering anymore.

“What did you do?” She asks. “How did you…fix me?”

“I didn’t. Our agreement says you do as I say and I can’t have you going off without proper…control. This rune will keep your abilities under control unless I allow them out.” He explains. “Now rest because tomorrow we begin.”

He saunters out of the room whistling a family tune that's only cut off when the door of the room slams behind him. It’s silent for a long moment and then the sound of locks being opened rings out and the cells to our doors open.

We glance at each other and then I hear a haunting laugh. The Cat appears a second later with his usual smile on his face.

“Well, that was all very exciting. Looks like we have a plan.” He says.

“We do?” Alicia asks.

His head turns in her direction and he’s moving in a flash. In a split second, he is standing in front of her and rubbing his cheek all over her. A purr comes from him and Alicia smiles. A smile that’s all her and not that creature inside her. She responds by wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms go around her waist and they hold onto each other for a long moment.

“That’s an unusual greeting but I can’t say I hate it,” Alicia says when the Cat lifts his head to look down at her.

“I’m an unusual being. One that adores you and needs to hold you even just for a moment.” The Cat lets his emotions show long enough for Alicia’s mouth to curve in a frown.

She reaches out and cups his face. He leans into it and sighs.

“I have missed your touch, Alicia.” He says softly.

“Stop hogging her Cat,” Hatter says cheerfully.

The Cat makes a disgruntled sound but steps away so that the Hatter can move closer to Alicia. Her eyes move over him like this is the first time she has seen him.

“Hi.” She says softly.

He smiles down at her. “Good day Miss Alicia.”

Her hands shake a little but she reaches out for him and when she touches him he shudders. She snatches her hand away and holds it against her chest as if he burned her.

“I-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…I…” She stutters but then the Hatter takes her hand and rests it against his chest again.

She gasps and her eyes widen. They stare at each other in this odd way, like lovers who have found each other after a long time apart.

“W-what is happening?” She whispers.

“I can’t be sure but…I need to…” The Hatter doesn’t finish before he slams his lips on hers.

She gasps in surprise but the sound changes into a sound of pleasure. The Hatter wraps her in his arms and deepens the kiss. He groans and pulls her so tight against him that I fear she can’t breathe. Alicia breaks the kiss and for a second her eyes change and then she opens her mouth pulls the Hatter closer and bites him on the neck.

He gasps and stumbles as his legs give out. Alicia’s eyes look almost like they’re glowing but almost immediately return to normal. The Hatter has his arms wrapped around her hips as he shutters and sucks in shaky breaths.

“Curious…” The Cat says circling them as if he’s studying the scene.

He reaches out to touch the Hatter's neck but Alicia grabs his hand to stop him.

“Don’t touch him. He’s mine.” She growls.

The Cat laughs when she throws his hand away. “As you wish dear Alicia. I must say that was quite the display of ownership. I thought only us Cats marked our mates that way. Yet here you are…”

Alicia’s eyes widen. “W-what? Mate?”

The Cat smiles. “Indeed. You have just calmed the Hatter as yours in life and death.”

She widens her eyes and looks down at the Hatter who is holding her and looking up at her in awe. Her hand brushes the side of his face and his eyes flutter closed.

“He’s mine?” She asks with a small smile.

“I am…and always will be.” The Hatter vows.