Word Count: 1673

~Meara

Carran leads me into the next room, watching me carefully.

I don't know what he thinks I'm going to do...free him? After everything?

Sire sits with his back against the wall, every limb chained down. The chains themselves don't look capable of withholding a powerful Alpha, but considering how still he is, it's clear there's even more powerful magic keeping him contained.

He drags his gaze to me as I wander in, before shifting to Carran.

I can feel his wrath. It's so potent I can practically taste it in the air.

"You look awfully free for a kidnapped person," he comments darkly, tilting his head to the side. I hate the way he regards me, knowing he has been betrayed.

"I want to apologise to you first," I tell him uneasily.

There isn't much I can say that is going to make him feel better. Yet, I feel as though I need to say something, to let him know this isn't something I wanted to do if I had the choice to do otherwise.

"I'm going to get out of here," he warns, attention flickering to Carran.

The Alpha shakes his head. "Not this time, Sire."

His jaw tightens as he regards us both. This horrible feeling that sits deep in my stomach isn't going to go away anytime soon, and will linger long after we put Sire back underground.

"Why are you doing this?" he asks me.

"A curse has been unleashed. It's killing my Pack members, and it's going to kill me," I tell him. There's so much more I want to say, and yet I'm not sure how I can formulate the words in a way that he will want to hear.

"So you think putting me under ground again will save them?"

He was there when we were trying to find a cure with Hazel. It is not as if we haven't been committed to it, and he knew the risks when we were discussing it. I'm more surprised that he didn't figure this is something I may have to do.

"I'm hoping so. We don't exactly have another choice," I exclaim, looking up at Carran, who nods gravelly.

When I look back at Sire, there is an entirely different kind of fury lingering in his eyes. He hates that I'm working with Carran, his enemy.

I want to tell him that Carran is the last person I want to be near, but I doubt he would believe me.

He has no reason to anymore...

I shift uncomfortably, nudging Carran with my elbow. "You should probably wait outside. I don't think he is going to say much to me with you around."

Carran blinks, considering my proposition. He has no reason to give me the space, since he has already won this war, and can be content knowing his enemy can no longer harm him and his reign. And yet, he backs away, walking from the door.

"What if you're wrong?" he asks so softly I don't even hear it.

I take a wary step toward him, although I keep a good distance back in case he does something.

"I'll wake you again," I assure him.

His eyes narrow slightly. "Will you?"

"If you're nice enough to me," I comment back. I haven't thought that far ahead, because I'm convinced this is going to work. That means Sire will remain underground until we can find another way to release him without the curse infecting this Pack again.

He tilts his head to the side, unkempt locks of hair falling down his forehead. His eyes burn with a challenge, although I won't be letting him have his satisfaction.

There is nothing he can say that will make me let him out.

"I can assure you that once I am out of this, you will be punished," he growls lowly.

I draw in a sharp, quiet breath. The way he looks at me suggests my punishment wouldn't exactly hurt. Not in a bad way, at least...

"You can't blame me for doing this. My life is at stake too," I remind him, motioning to myself. He may not care about this Pack, but I know he cares about me.

He frowns. "If you die, I'll be cursed forever."

I wince. "I don't want to do this."

I sound as desperate as I feel. How could I not? My mind is in turmoil as I consider what to do. Putting Sire underground is terrible, and yet so is letting the people I care about die. I'm going to have to live with this terrible decision.

"But you're doing it anyway."

"What would you rather I do?" I take another step closer, watching his hands, which are safely shacked against the wall.

"Give me time to find another way to end the curse," he mutters.

I roll my eyes. He has no idea how to stop the curse. He's as clueless about this as Hazel and I...

"We don't have time," I snap back.

"There is no guarantee this will work. And what if this foolish Alpha who has entrapped me Doesn't allow you to bring me back once I'm in the ground?" he asks, pointing to the door that Carran stands behind.

I lower my voice, figuring he's listening. "I'll figure it out. I promise."

"You're making a mistake," he warns. "You cannot trust him. Once you're alone, and unprotected, he will pounce."

I frown, propping my hands on my hips. What does that mean? Once Sire is back underground, Carran won't have any interest in me. He will cast me off, and forget I even exist, unless he decides to monitor my life to ensure I never wake Sire again.

That is my worst fear.

I crouch down, so I'm more level with Sire's line of sight. "Part of me wishes I could have given you a chance. I wish you could have put your idea of revenge behind you and moved on with me."

I haven't even admitted that to myself...that I would want a life with him.

"And I would have," he exclaims, tugging a little on the shackles. They make a terrible clattering sound.

"I don't believe you." I shake my head, refusing to fall for it. Sire is desperate for revenge; I see it in his eyes when he looks at Carran. It's as if he's contemplating tearing into his chest and ripping out his heart.

"You don't believe me because I never got the chance to show you. Let me out of here and we will be free." He motions to the door, challenging me.

I sigh, fingers balling up into fists as if it will give me some resolve. If he were anyone but my mate, this will be much easier.

"Sire..."

He holds my gaze. "I'll take you into the countryside where we will live a simple life. All we will do is relax, fuck and relax again and that will be our lives, if that's what you want."

"The world will miss your way with words," I mutter, rubbing my hand over my forehead.

He gives me a lazy, loose smile. His anger seems to have diminished to the point of near non-existence at this point. Does he have a plan or has he accepted his fate?

"Wake me, when this plan goes wrong," he muses, resting his head against the wall.

"So you can punish me, as you put it."

Something sparks in his eyes. "Oh yes, and that is a promise, because it will be happening."

I raise a sceptical eyebrow. Maybe his plan is to get into my head, rather than to actually get out of here. He wants to ensure I actually will bring him back.

"If the curse still exists, I'll wake you. I promise you that," I assure him. I mean it, too. I'll try to find another way to end the cure, then when it is safe, I'll bring him back.

Suddenly the door opens, Carran coming back inside with an amused smirk on his face.

"It's time, Meara," he tells me.

He could at least try to sound less pleased about this. It's clear he is only happy about this because Sire will no longer be a threat to him, and not because he is about to save his entire Pack.

"You know I'll be risen again, Carran. Eventually," Sire exclaims, holding his gaze steadily, daring the Alpha to come closer.

Carran laughs under his breath. "Unlikely."

Sire looks between him and I, figuring there isn't much more he can say to leverage his position. This decision has been made for him, and now all he can do is accept it.

"Touch Meara and I'll kill you," Sire warns, pulling on the cuffs for emphasis. If they weren't spelled, they would have shattered and Carran would probably be dead.

"You're going to kill me from in the ground?" Carran taunts.

"Like I said. I will be back."

Sensing Sire's irritation, Carran drapes an arm over my shoulder, tugging me closer. Repulsion shudders through me, although his grip on me is too tight to pull away.

"Meara and I will be just fine, won't we sweetheart?" he murmurs, looking at me. I sneer at him, letting out an irritated growl.

Sire's expression drops, his eyes darkening.

"Can't we get this over with?" I snap as Carran finally lets me go, having successfully made his point.

The Alpha nods. "The witches will start now."

I give Sire another look, feeling doubt in my decision. This has to work, because I can't face what will happen if I'm forced to let him out again...his wrath will be unimaginable.

He's thinking that too, I can see it in his eyes before I turn to follow Carran out the room.

"See you soon, mate," Sire taunts.

I don't turn back because I'm scared he is right.

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~Midika 💜🐼