In an instant, Alec is against the bars, his face inches from mine, and with a speed that catches me off guard, sending me tumbling back to the ground.
The intensity in his eyes demands an explanation. 'What do you mean the Wolf Council has kidnapped her? Nina is a witch, and she has her wand. So, she would be able to protect herself,' Alec states matter-of-factly.
I rise to my feet, pausing to reflect. Alec's scepticism makes sense. Even with the combined forces of all three alphas, Nina shouldn't be an easy target for the Wolf Council.
The Coven sisters catch up, forming a concerned circle around the cell, their eyes locked onto our conversation.
'The Wolf Council must have had help to kidnap her,' I acknowledge, a realization dawning as I hand Alec the note. 'Perhaps they were able to take her wand away from her?'
'That would make sense if what you say is true,' Alec concedes, accepting the note. He holds it up and reads it. 'Alpha Magnus, if you want your precious Luna returned alive, you are to free the vampire king, and he is to eradicate the human race. Once the humans have been eradicated, that's when your Luna will be returned. If you both refuse this order, then we will kill her, wipe out your entire pack, and declare you an enemy to all wolf packs. Regards, The Wolf Council.'
Gasps escape from Yiselda and the witches as their eyes widen in shock.
Alec's breathing intensifies, each exhale echoing with anger and desperation. He looks away, the fury in his eyes burning bright. 'They have my blood flame and took her away from me. I will make the Wolf Council pay!' he hisses, the words filled with a deadly promise. In his rage, he lets out a horrendous, deafening screech, his hands clenched around the bars of his cell.
The sheer force of Alec's outburst sends shockwaves through the chamber. The witches and I instinctively cover our ears with winces across our faces. The Grimghouls, normally shadowed and lurking, become erratic, hissing and snarling, while the Shadow Reapers unleash spine-chilling shrieks, their dark spectral forms swirling in disarray.
Amidst the noise, Alec locks eyes with me, a plea and determination burning in his gaze. 'Let me out. Let me save Nina,' he implores.
Before I can utter a word, Yiselda steps forward, creating a barrier between Alec's desperate request and my decision. 'That will never happen... ever,' she states sternly, her gaze stern.
Magnus P.O.V
'Alpha Magnus, I hope you weren’t intending on letting Alec out. Is that why you wanted us to remain unaware of the note's contents?' Yiselda queries, her tone holding a mix of suspicion and concern.
Reaper, perched on my shoulder, caws furiously in response before boldly flying between the cell bars, landing on Alec's shoulder. Alec, in turn, acknowledges Reaper's presence by scratching the raven's beak and offering a reassuring pat, leaving Yiselda visibly bewildered by this unexpected friendliness.
'In all honesty, Yiselda, I had no idea whether I would release him or not. All I know is that I need Nina back in my arms, and if we can’t come up with any other alternative, then...' I begin with a determined expression.
'Stop! You will not go there, Alpha Magnus,' Yiselda growls, her command cutting through the air. 'I know Nina is your mate and Luna, but we can’t allow the humans to be wiped out in her place.'
Frustrated by the impasse, Alec interjects, 'Yes, we can! Now let me out!'
Yiselda responds swiftly, waving her wand with practised precision. 'Repeliate.'
Alec is forcefully thrown backward by Yiselda's magic, colliding with the back wall of the cell. 'I will not let you harm the humans,' she declares.
'What do you suppose we do then, Yiselda?' I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.
'Nothing. We do nothing,' she asserts resolutely.
'And let Nina, your Luna and coven sister, perish?' I press, a tinge of desperation edging into my voice.
'Her death will not go unnoticed. Do you believe I desire Luna's demise? No! However, we cannot allow billions of people to perish in order to save her. Do you believe she would desire that?' Yiselda counters, her words carrying a difficult truth.
I stiffen, my hands clench as tremors of emotion ripple through me. 'I can’t live without Nina. If you are unable to come up with a better plan, then it will leave me with no choice but to release Alec,' I assert.
Yiselda pauses, her expression contemplative, as she turns to face Alec. 'After all these years, you still wish to eradicate humankind to avenge your blood flame?'
Alec meets her gaze with a solemn stare. 'If I could travel back in time, Yiselda, I would change everything. I'm glad I was unable to eradicate humanity all those years ago. Juniper would not have wanted me to kill them, and I regret killing anybody who attempted to stop me. If I had been released before Nina's kidnapping, I still would not have sought revenge. It hasn't been easy, but over the years, I've come to accept that Juniper is no longer with us and that killing humans would not bring her back nor ease the pain I feel from her loss.' His words carry sincere remorse and self-reflection. 'Meeting Nina and having her as my second chance blood flame means the world to me. My primary concern is to keep her safe, alive, and close to me. I know Nina wouldn’t want me to eradicate the humans either, but the difference between Juniper and Nina is that Juniper is dead and Nina is alive. I will do anything to keep Nina alive.'
Yiselda listens intently, her features softening with understanding. 'I'm sorry, Alec. I want to believe you, but I can’t let you out. The risk is too great. My decision is final,' she asserts.
'Not if I have a say in it,' I interject, crossing my arms in a stance of defiance.
'Alpha Magnus, I have no choice but to ask you to leave,' Yiselda warns.
'Oh, I'll be leaving, but I'll be taking Alec with me,' I declare with utmost determination.