WANTED by the ALPHA

Eight

After a few days there, she had figured out everything. Well, not everything. She still didn't know where Dannan went or what he did for more than a hundred years but Celeste thought she could unravel that mystery if she stayed longer, which was what she was planning to do. Unlike back in the Prime Howlers, no one bothered with her there. Probably because of the different lifestyles they led. While she explored the kingdom during the day, they were indoors, sleeping. While she was sleeping at night, that was when they came out. It had been convenient to an extent but she was starting to get bored. Even the king had left her to her own devices. That was after they'd made a deal. He wouldn't eat her if he wanted to breathe fresh air.

The deal was she would cast a small spell everyday. Starting from dusk till dawn, the air wouldn't reek of blood. The vampires could roam around and enjoy the nice crisp scent. It ensured her safety especially when she was asleep. No one would go looking for her when they could walk around without an air freshener, which only gave them seconds of perfumed air. At first Dannan hadn't believed she could do it. Since it had taken an entire coven to cast the spell, he'd thought she was lying to him. The look of awe on his face when she'd gotten rid of the disgusting smell had stopped her from telling him that was all she could do. Even though she was powerful, she knew her limits. Maybe if he found another coven, they would solve the problem for him but she alone couldn't do it.

There was also the fact that she had no idea why that spell was casted in the first place. Had he made some enemies? With his 'I'm superior than you' attitude, it was possible that he'd offended someone. However to conclude that he had been the one in the wrong especially when she knew how witches were, would be unfair. When it came to her people, she knew first-hand how unreasonable they could be at times. Maybe Dannan had rejected a witch's love and she'd decided to hurt him and his people. Whatever it was, she wasn't about to ask him. He immediately became irritable every time she asked why the air was polluted like that so Celeste had decided to try and get close to Clarence. He was the crown prince therefore privy to information the others didn't know. The only problem was that he was more like Sid. A flirt who came up with lame pick up lines to avoid her questions.

That particular day she had wandered off the castle grounds. The buildings intrigued her. The architectural designs were old but it was clear they hadn't been neglected. Which made her wonder if they cleaned the place at night. With their speed nothing was impossible but being able to only come out at night had to be annoying. How they'd lived like that for so long was baffling. Sometimes she was grateful she'd been born a witch. Aside from her powers, nothing got in the way she lived her life. She didn't have to turn into a wolf every full moon or be locked inside all day to avoid the sun. Realizing someone was following her, she stopped. Clarence and Dannan were the only vampires who could walk around during the day. She hadn't met anyone else.

"Unless you plan on eating me, I suggest you show yourself" she called out without bothering to look back.

A chuckle then, "I didn't think you'd notice so soon"

Celeste looked over shoulder "And you are?"

"Prince Mordecai but I go by Cai. You must be Celeste"

"I am. Can I help you?" The fact that he'd introduced himself as a prince meant he'd wanted her to know how powerful he was. She deduced he was one of those people who were obsessed with social ranks. What if she told him she was a royal witch? Would he bow down to her and insist they become besties?

"Not really. I was curious to know about the witch who has my brother enchanted"

She scoffed "Is that so?"

"Let me guess, he told you to stay away from me. Is that it?"

"No. He he's never mentioned you. If you didn't call him your brother, I wouldn't know you were related"

He thrust his jaw forward with indignation "He doesn't talk much"

"True. But if you were important enough, he would have made a point to introduce us. I met the crown prince the moment I got here"

"What do you mean?" Mordecai took a threatening step towards her. Celeste narrowed her eyes, studying him. His hair was longer than Dannan's and she couldn't deny he was handsome but something about him was off. She didn't like the look in his eyes. He smiled with his mouth but his gaze was cold. On the plus side, he at least kept up with modern trends. Dressed in a pair of slacks, loafers and a dress shirt, he looked quite dashing. The few female vampires she'd spotted had to be besotted with him. No woman could resist a handsome prince.

"That your brother is rude. I don't want to know your family tree but he should have at least told me your name. Has anyone ever told you how great and unique it is?"

"Are you trying to butter me up after offending me?"

"I'm sorry if I offended you. Sometimes my brain to mouth filter tends to disconnect. Pardon me just this once?"

"I might not be the king but I'm still a prince. Next time I won't be so lenient with you" he ground out then whizzed past her.

Celeste rolled her eyes. Hopefully that was the first and last time she bumped into him. Her life there had been peaceful. She didn't want to start conflicts with any of them. Once in a while she thought about Isolde and the other pack members. How they were, what they were doing and if they missed her. They were the first people who'd been kind to her and she would forever remember them. Even the Alpha with his sour attitude and broad shoulders had managed to find his way to her heart. Lately she'd thought about him way more than she wanted to admit. Hadn't she even entertained the idea of him looking for her? In her head he was frantic because he'd realized that she wasn't really Marmon's mate. And that....

Not wanting to dwell on the impossible, Celeste shook her head and was about to continue exploring the place when a strong invisible force pulled her. Before she realized what it was, she was going through a portal and landed in a dark place, her body landing on the floor unceremoniously

"Ouch" she cried out rubbing her palms together. Feeling affronted, she tried to get up but found that she couldn't move. It was as if her body had been glued to the floor. Only the upper part could move. Snapping her head up, she came face to face with around eight people, all watching... no, glaring at her "Who the f**k might you all be?"

"You're responsible for the change in the air you traitor" one of them spat. A woman who appeared to be around her mid-thirties with long blonde hair. The others nodded, agreeing with her.

"Traitor? Why am I suddenly branded a traitor to people I've never met before?"

"You're a witch. Aren't you?"

"Yeah. So what?"

"Witches shouldn't associate themselves with those bloodsuckers much less help them"

"You should be helping us exterminate them" another one added. Since it was a little dark, Celeste couldn't see who had spoken. The urge to beat some sense into the person, into all of them was growing by the second.

"Help you? Why the f**k would I do that? Do I know you or do you know me?"

"That isn't the point..."

"Says who?" She cut them off bristling with anger "I make a point of minding my own business and only help those who help me. Dannan gave me food and shelter. In return I cleared the air for him for a few hours. What's wrong with that?"

"They're on a first name basis" this time it was a guy.

"See that's just the problem with you witches" she spat throwing her hands around her and breaking the spell they'd used to hold her there. Standing up, she threw them a malicious glare "We don't even know each other. No one introduced themselves or asked if I wanted to be here yet you all have the audacity to call me a traitor. Who the f**k do you think you are? Give me a reason why I shouldn't send your asses to hell right now!"

It was subtle but she noticed it. The way they all tensed. As if they wanted her to make good on that threat. Why would they want her to send them anywhere? Unless... That was when their real intentions dawned on her. Word about her had spread around the kingdom and they had come up with a plan. Kidnap her then provoke her into starting a fight with them. For some reason she didn't know, they were trapped inside that house, otherwise they wouldn't have opened a portal. Other people could come and go but they couldn't leave. So they wanted to use her to get out. Any other time, she would have helped them. But they'd kidnapped her and even called her a traitor for no reason at all. Wrong move on their part.

"What? Have you guys suddenly gone mute?"

"I don't like your arrogance young lady. Don't act as if you're better than us" blondie sneered.

"And I don't like your mere existence. Do you know what I hate most in this world? It's people like you who think they have a right to make me do whatever they want. I might not look like it but I'm smart enough to see through your antics"

"She's useless. Kill her and send her body to that bastard"

"How many witches have you killed so far? I'm only asking so I know what number I am"

"You'll be the first. That b***h Es.... You're just like her. Aligning yourself with the enemy"

"Can't blame her for leaving your asses to rot here. With your rotten personality, who would like to help you?"

Angry, blondie attacked, throwing a ball of fire at her. Celeste blocked it then sent it back. Everyone scrambled aside to avoid it and it landed on a table behind them. They all watched as it quickly burned, dissolving into ashes in seconds.

"Cute" she muttered smirking.

"That is exactly what your pile of ashes will be"

"It's eight against one. Aren't you ashamed for ganging up on another witch? Solidarity my ass"

"What are you all waiting for? Do I have to do everything by myself?" Blondie spat raising her palms and throwing ball after ball of fire at her. Celeste avoided the first three but wasn't so lucky with the fourth one. It landed on her arm, burning the skin with a sizzling sound. She winced,

"f*****g b***h, you asked for it" as first as greased lightning, she moved towards her and wrapped her hand around blondie's neck "Anyone move and I'll tear her head off" she told the woman's minions who had finally decided to act

"If you kill her, you won't walk out of this house alive" the warlock threatened. She sized him up, noting his build was much smaller than all the men she'd met. Did all warlocks look like that? He was the first one she had met and disliked instantly.

"Here's what will happen. I will drag this old shriveled up b***h to the door where I'll leave and you'll continue rotting in this house. If you all try to attack me again, I swear, I'll cast another spell on top of the one that's already in place. See how you'll ever leave this place. Deal?"

"Who said anyone can make deals around here without my permission?" Dannan asked from the door startling them.

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Who knew the Vampire King was keeping witches as his hostages?