Fate

The Hunter’s Guild, Ironhold Fortress

Seraphine was alone in the chamber, her hands resting between her thighs. She'd been stripped of her armor and weapons, and she struggled to remain calm under the terse silence.

The Guild had summoned her. Again. 

The door creaked open.

Four figures entered: High Commander Vex, Grandmistress Leona, Councilman Derrick, and High Enforcer Tallen.

Seraphine stood.

They did not greet her.

The High Commander was the one to begin talking. “We cannot risk a war with the werewolves and the Hybrids at once.”

Seraphine remained stoic, “Speak your command, High Commander.”

“In two nights, you will be delivered to the wolf prince as he requested.”

“You mean, ordered,” Her voice turned harsh.

“This is not the time for childish tantrums, Commander Duskbane. A war is coming, and you have an important task to perform.”

“What, throwing me to the wolves is not enough for you?” She bristled.

Councilman Derrick spoke up, "You filthy wench, how dare you!" 

A guard came in with a tray bearing cups of steaming hot tea, none was offered to Seraphine.

"You have been given a mission, Duskbane. You will listen and obey the instructions." Leona ordered as she calmly sipped from her teacup. 

Seraphine squared her shoulders, "What are my commands, High Commander?"

"You are to convince the werewolves to ally with us in the war against the Hybrids," Derrick answered rather scornfully.

"What?" Seraphine couldn’t believe her ears.

Vex’s expression was grim. “The guild has made a decision. The hybrids are more of a threat to us than they are to the wolves.”

"The best way to fight a monster is with a monster." Leona chirped.

Tallen nodded. “You will go with an envoy. Grovel if you must to make him accept our proposal.”

“I killed his sister and have killed a lot more of his clan members over the years. Why would he listen to my words?” Seraphine blurted out.

Derrick stepped forward, blade drawn. “If you do not accept, then we will deliver your head to the Wolves and ask for an alliance.”

Seraphine laughed bitterly. “So, it’s this or death.”

“This is war, Duskbane.” Vex scolded. “The Hybrids are an unpredictable bunch. Mindless, vapid killing machines. We cannot hope to destroy them on our own.”  

Her fingers curled into fists. A sour taste scoured her tongue. Something primal stirred in her chest.

Derrick held the blade to her throat. “Accept the mission or submit to your death."

                                                                                     ,,,

Back at the dungeon, Nyssa chanted an ancient language. Her dagger traced glowing symbols across Alaric’s chest. The bond pulsed beneath his skin, writhing like a trapped wolf. It was his wolf writhing.

“Are you sure, Wolf Prince?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She pressed the blade into his heart.

The agony was instant.

His body jerked and spasmed. His breath stuttered. The bond's rage screamed in his veins, in his soul. His wolf howled in fierce resistance. His eyes turned white, his iris rolled to the back of his head.

He saw flashes.

Seraphine. A blade. Men.

“Wait—” he gurgled. “What is this—?”

“You’re seeing her,” Nyssa hissed, “Through the bond.”

Alaric convulsed violently. Jerking as though a thousand volts were zapping through his veins.

His heart faltered. His wolf howled in agony. His body thrashed around, fighting unseen forces. His eyes flickered blue, red, and white as the thrashing turned more violent.

Suddenly, he froze up. 

One tick, two ticks... Nothing.

Just as she leaned over to check for signs of life, a hand shot out and dragged her down to his face level.

“I feel traces of the bond.” A pale but clearly alive Alaric growled. Nyssa shivered.

“I-I believe your bond is deeper than the usual mating bond.” Her struggles against his hold were pitiful.

“Why?” His fangs descended, a red haze darkening his vision.

“Given your pure-blood, your mating bond goes deeper than the average werewolf bond.”

“Get rid of it!” His wolf snarled, he ignored it.

“I-I w-will n-n-need both mates to perform the ritual.” Nyssa was shaking now.

“Do not play with me, Greymoor. If I find you have deceived me-”

“I-I would never, m-my L-Lord,” Nyssa begged. The foul smell of ammonia suddenly stunned Alaric's wolf senses as he heard the trickle running down Nyssa's legs.

He released her with a disgusted shove, sending her into the opposite wall as he got up and strode out of the chamber.

Riven emerged from the shadows the moment he crossed the chamber threshold and fell into step beside the Alpha.

“Get the army up and marching. It’s time for the humans to pay.”

                                                                                    ,,, 

The wind howled like a dying wolf through Ironhold that night. A raw chill crept through Seraphine’s worn cloak, but she ignored it as she strode back to her quarters.

When forced to choose between her people and the beast, she had to choose the beast or else...

Flashback to the meeting with the Guild...

"Now, Derrick, put down that sword. You do not wish to harm yourself." Vex commanded as the others snickered into their teacups. 

The blade at her throat was withdrawn amidst Derrick's reluctant mumblings.

"I will take my leave now," Seraphine said stiffly and started for the door.

Six tall and heavy-muscled guards marched into the chamber and surrounded her.

"Seize her." Derrick ordered just as the High Commander barked, "Stop." Seraphine froze.

"LEAVE US," Vex ordered, and the guards promptly vacated the premises, the retreating sound of their boots audible to everyone in the chamber. The guild leaders looked to Vex as though waiting for an explanation.

Commander Vex turned to them, "Leave us." 

There was an air of disapproval as the three members left the room, passing by a stiff Seraphine whose back was still to the Commander.

"Seraphine, look at me." Vex urged, and she turned to him, her gaze fixed ahead.

"Child, I know you feel betrayed-"

"Betrayed?" Sersphine cut in with clenched teeth, "...is such a mild word." 

"...but you do this for the greater good." He continued unperturbed at her emotional state.

"You want me to bend

to the creatures that massacred my village before my eyes!"

"Now, child-" 

"Those very beings did THIS-" She whipped her shirt over her head, revealing a canvas of monstrous claw marks all over her back. Like some demon had raked her back to shreds, making sure they'd leave scars like some twisted souvenir. "…to a five-year-old." 

"THERE IS A REASON YOU WERE LEFT TO LIVE!" Vex boomed.

Seraphine turned to him with rising ire. "I-I Survived." 

"No five-year-old could survive what was done to you. WAKE UP, SERAPHINE. You hold a key that could destroy those abominations that roam the earth."

Seraphine's response was clipped. "I refuse to bend the knee." 

"YOU'D RATHER THE HUMAN RACE BURNS TO NAUGHT?!"

"I don't care."

"Somewhere out there is a little girl, just like you once were. With a happy family and a happy little village. And soon, a Hybrid will tear her life apart, and there'll be no one to blame but you. Think about that when you meet the wolf prince."