Hellbound Heart

This chapter is dedicated to @Dreamer_Princess! Thank you so much for the supergift!

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Alexander immediately headed to the entrance of the Black Forest to wait for Sebastian's arrival as soon as he received the call from Lucas that he was coming. He had partly expected Sebastian to react this way and head over despite him sending the message through Lucas for him to stay put.

It had been ten years since the day Sebastian had been freed from his prison. Alex had honestly thought Sebastian would take a long time to adjust. Ten years was nothing compared to the years Sebastian had spent in that dark and dreary prison. So, he had expected the prince to take a long time to adapt to his new reality.

However, in just a couple of years, Sebastian seemed to have gotten back on his feet. Alex knew that Alicia and Azy were a huge help to him in his journey to recovery. In fact, Sebastian had even managed to control and lessen his violence and thirst for blood much quicker than anyone would have ever expected.

Everything had been fine, until the occurrence of that matter four years ago. Sebastian had found out that Alicia was a witch and a former witch queen at that.

Sebastian's hatred of the witches, especially for the witch queens, had disrupted all the progress that he had made for that many years. Thankfully, Sebastian still kept the promises he made and managed to keep himself out of unnecessary killings and violence. But he had since avoided his sister-in-law and nephew despite all the close relationships they had formed before he had found out about the truth.

But Alex believed that the major reason why Sebastian never came back to visit the Black Forest was not only because of the fact that Alicia was a half-witch now, but also because of his intense guilt of what had happened when he found out four years back.

So, the fact that Sebastian had come to the Black Forest to see Alicia and Azy again, was such a huge step - thanks to Izabelle. Despite knowing Sebastian's circumstances, Alex had been trying to lure Sebastian back to the forest because he just could not let Sebastian drift away from his family again. Alex believed that he must start to fight the demons of his past. And his first step would be to accept that Alicia was a witch. It was a fact that could not be changed. And his nephew was also partly a witch.

Now here he was, coming to the Black Forest again when he already knew that many witches, even the witch queen was here. This was totally unexpected!

Sebastian's hatred against the witches was so deep rooted and extreme that Alicia had decided to talk to Lilith : the witch queen : and asked everyone to leave the Black Forest momentarily. Thankfully, the witches gladly granted Alicia's wish and they all moved to another place. And thus, the Black Forest was vacated with only Alicia and Azy living there now.

Alex had also supported Alicia's decision because he believed that it was easier for them to protect the mother and son if there were less people involved, as they were trying to avoid dealing with moles being planted into their midst and possible spies that could endanger them. They all agreed with the fact that it was more dangerous if the witches or any other people were moving around everywhere in the place.

"I know you are in a rush, but I have to stop you here, Sebastian. Unless I'm sure you're calm enough." Alex said as he blocked Sebastian from going past the entrance any further.

Sebastian's cold stare met Alex's unyielding ones.

"Alicia is yet to awaken, but Azy's doing great now. He would definitely feel any commotion that would happen. You know why we're trying to give him an environment as peaceful as possible." Alex continued his explanation without waiting for Sebastian's response. "Also, Lilith's doing her very best. A little bit more and she'll be able to find the exact location. You just need to be patient a little while longer."

"Tell me the place, Alexander." Sebastian was having none of it and insisted on what he came here for.

"No. I already know what you're planning to do and I don't approve of it. Turning an entire city upside down will only cause more trouble, Sebastian. You need to control your bloodlust."

A sardonic laugh echoed. "You are telling me to keep waiting, when my wife could be dying right now? Huh? Alexander? You are trying to stop me from making a big commotion, but I'm telling you, Alexander... I won't just destroy a single city if something bad happens to her!" he growled at him with that last line.

But Alex remained unfazed. "You think I don't know that? I already know how crazy in love you are with your wife. Everyone already knows what you are capable of doing for her just with one look at you, right now. But I'm telling you, Sebastian... this is not the time for you to go insane and run around out there looking for her like a mad man who has lost his mind. While you are out there rampaging in the wrong places, have you imagined what could be happening to Izabelle during those moments? Listen. It's better for you to attack one exact location and find her immediately." Alex's calm voice had hardened as he continued his explanation, hoping that his reasoning would be able to pierce through the younger man's stubbornness and calm him down. "Everyone's trying their best to help. My wife's been agitated for days as well. So don't you think you're the only one who is concerned about Izabelle."

Alex then took a deep breath and by the time he spoke again, his voice returned to normal. "So, calm down, Sebastian. Don't worry, we will definitely find her very soon. She's going to be alright. If you think you're calm enough, I can allow you to enter the forest."

Sebastian clenched his fists so tightly, his knuckles started cracking.

Patiently waiting for Sebastian's response, Alex gaze was focused on him and scrutinizing him when a witch hesitantly approached them. She could feel the heavy pressure emanating from these two powerful men and it somewhat scared her. The woman in the black cloak immediately halted several steps away at the sight of Sebastian.

"What is it?" Alex asked her without turning. His gaze was still locked on Sebastian, fully alert in case he suddenly lost his mind and decided to go violent.

The witch took a moment and eyed Sebastian before she managed to make her report. "Queen Lilith sent me to come fetch you. It seems that she has found her."