My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance

41. The Mage YILEYNA Trying to semain indifferent, | grabbed the jug, pouring myself sjuice just as Theon lifted the crab, but rather than eating it, he used his knife to push it off his fork, letting it fall rather unceremoniously back onto the platter.

Tossing his knife back down onto the table, his irritation was clear in his actions.

“Don’t push my fucking boundaries.” Theon’s icy voice came, and the anger that radiated off of him made the entire table fall silent, but despite the tension that settled around the group, | couldn't help but feel happy.

| was about to put the jug down, when Theon reached over and took the glass | had just filled up.

“That was mine.” | said, poking my eyes out. “Now it’s mine.” He replied with an ‘Il don’t give a fuck’ look, gulping down half of the juice in the glass and placing it down again. “Everything is yours.” | muttered, but despite my mock annoyance, my heart was soaring. “Yeah, itis.” a Our eyes met and my heart pounded, like always his gaze would consme. | turned back to my food just as he took the fish | had placed on his plate and bit into it. | couldn't stop the smile from crossing my face and turned towards Charlene who was watching with eyes wide open with excitement, and | knew she wanted to squeal with happiness.

| did my best not to look at Barbara, although I did want to see her expression. Oh well, we can’t have everything we want. Feeling far more content, | decided to enjoy the delicious meal before me...

It was a while later and we had all eaten a lot, Oliver wasn’t as jolly as he was by the end of our meal and the poor man looked as if he had run a hundred miles. Well, that is what happens when you have twenty or so customers and the majority are all werewolves. We can eat for Astalion itself! The mood that had settled over us during lunch was now gone, the severity of the reason behind this journey now weighing down upon us. Theon was quiet and Madelia was frowning deeply. “This mage, will he do a spell of ssort?” Charlene asked the two who were walking slightly ahead.

“No, he is in no health to perform any magic. He is a seer. He may not have the sight to see anything of this world but he sees what we cannot. Now Princess... please do not ask such questions out in the open.” “Yeah I-” “As future Alpha, shouldn’t you know that without having to be told?” Theon asked, his voice cold and that familiar hatred seeping into it once more. How had | never noticed that hatred towards Charlene before? “Ok, calm down.” | said, frowning at his back, glancing at Charlene. | hooked my arm around hers and rested my head on her shoulder. “She gets it.” He cast one look over his shoulder and goddess, if looks could kill, we would both be dead. The rest of the walk there was quiet, with the steep hills becoming tiring and soon | was beginning to feel it in my calves.

We had been going on for ages, Theon and Madelia seemed to have been given ssort of direction because they were not asking anyone for any help. Help | do think they needed, because at times they seemed to stop and ponder over the small letter in hand. “How much longer?” | asked, when my foot skidded on spebbles and | glared at the narrow rocky path.

“Not long, but if you didn’t get relaxed with your training, this would have been a pretty easy trip.” Theon’s cocky voice came.

“Oh please, this has got nothing to do with my training. It's been forever. Do you two even know where we're headed?” | asked, my voice equally icy. | was met with no answer. Theon obviously didn’t think | needed an answer, but even Madelia decided to ignore me. | stayed silent after that, deciding to ignore Theon. After another hour we finally reached the hof the mage. It remindedmore of a shrine, the nervousness and seriousness of the situation settled back inand | took Charlene’s hand as we made our way to the entrance.

“Welcto Master Wenyu’s home.” A young man said, bowing deeply.

“Thank you, may we see him? How is his health?” Madelia asked politely as he led us inside. | wonder if the alpha sent her to at least have scourtesy, because Theon clearly lacked that. “The master will be happy to have you here.” The man replied. “His health is deteriorating, very fast...” The gravity of his words was obvious, and | knew the man we were to see would not live for much longer. We followed him down the wooden panelled halls. The floors were covered with rugs with modest patterns, and the smell of orchids and mangoes filled the air. Beside| could feel Charlene’s body shaking with nerves, | gave her clammy palm a slight squeeze. | looked at her and gave her a smile of encouragement. “I'm here with you.” | whispered as quietly as possible, not wanting anyone else to hear, although | was sure Theon probably could.

She nodded, forcing a small smile that didn’t take away the worry in her eyes. “Always.” | nodded, then looked ahead to see Madelia and Theon had stopped outside a door. The man who was accompanying us had gone into the room, closing the door behind him, telling us to wait a moment.

“You knew him?” Theon asked Madelia. She nodded, looking around the hallway. “Yes, before he retired up here, he was my mentor.” She said, “I was raised and taught by him from the day | was found at an orphanage.” Theon simply gave a small nod in reply, before the door opened and the man stood aside. “Con in.” Theon led the way in. Even when he was simply calm, he oozed dominance and power. The moment | entered the room, my heart sank at the state of the man on the bed. He was far frailer than | had imagined. His breathing was heavy and his milky white eyes were staring at the ceiling.

“Welcto my home.” He rasped, holding his hand out.

Theon walked around to the left side of the bed. He seemed more tense now, it was obvious the weight of what we were here for was getting to everyone. He stepped back, his arms crossed, and allowed Madelia to step forward, “Master Wenyu.” Madelia murmured, taking the mage’s outstretched hand and kissing it.

It was obvious the woman was near tears as she did her best to remain composed. “Madelia... | may see many things, but I did not think | would have the happiness of meeting you once more. A royal mage to house Aphelion... it is no small feat. | am proud, | am proud...” “Thank you, master, it is all your teachings. Today we are here, as you know-" “Archeron, leave us.” Wenyu cut in. The man who had led us here bowed his head before he left the room, the door shutting behind him with a quiet click. “I know why you are here, | received Alpha King Andres’s message.” Wenyu added, as Theon jerked his head at Charlene to step forward. She didn’t let go of my hand, holding it painfully tight. Goddess, shifted wolves were so powerful! No wonder they say I'm lacking! We both stepped around the other side of the bed to Madelia and Theon, whilst Wenyu turned his gaze towards us. “Does she have the gift, Master?” Madelia asked quietly. Charlene stared at the blind man in bed, his unseeing eyes seemed to bore into us. Even | felt myself becoming unsettled as his gaze didn’t shift.

“She has the gift, it dazzles brighter than the sun.” Wenyu proclaimed, making both Charlene and I let out a breath of relief as | hugged her tightly. 5 Her heart was pounding but the look of relief on her face madesmile. “That's perfect!” Madelia exclaimed, turning to Theon, who was frowning. His jaw was taught, and his eyes were sharp and cold as he stared at Charlene. Well, | bet it must hurt knowing the one you insulted is the heart of our world.

| smirked smugly before winking at Charlene. “However, it is not all good news...” “What is it?” | asked, my heart pounding. “The power is suppressed, there is a seal stronger than anything | have seen upon her... | have not seen magic of this kind...” “You're saying her powers are blocked?” Theon asked, frowning sharply. “Yes... and | am afraid | have no idea of what will undo it. You must find the one who cast it...” His eyes fluttered shut and his breathing becshallow before he began coughing violently.

“Master!” Madelia shouted in panic. | grabbed the silver jug from near the bed, biting into my lip as the silver stung my skin, and poured him a glass of water whilst Madelia helped him sit up. Charlene rushed to the door to get help, only Theon stood there unmoving. Wenyu gulped sdown, his coughing easing as Archeron returned with Charlene. He rushed to his master’s side, and only when Wenyu settled back against his pillows did he step away from the bed. “We will take our leave.” Madelia said, although it was obvious that she didn’t want to leave. “Yes... | will rest.” Wenyu said. “We'll give you a moment.” | said to Madelia, knowing she at least needed a few moments to bid her master and mentor a final goodbye... Theon left the room first with Charlene and | following behind him, we had just reached the door when Wenyu spoke once more, makingpause in the doorway. “Remember, the heart of Kaeladia belongs to all...”