Alec, caught between conflicting allegiances, shakes his head in bewilderment, unable to comprehend that I want to free him from this dungeon.
Yiselda cautions, 'I can’t allow you to do that, Alpha. Please don’t force me to use magic against you,' she says as she readies her wand.
'You won't have to,' I reply confidently, and Alec and the witches exchange puzzled glances. Yiselda, her wand poised for action, flutters it in preparation to cast a spell. Then, in my Alpha tone, I command, 'Yield and lay down your wands.' The atmosphere shifts as all the witches, except for May, instantly comply, laying down their wands and kneeling.
'How is this possible?' Yiselda asks in confusion and concern.
'You became a member of my pack. All alphas have the power to subdue any of their members,' I tell her, a confident smile playing on my lips and my shoulders squared.
‘Unbelievable,’ Alec remarks, wedging his head against the bars. ‘Guess you didn’t see that one coming, Yiselda?’ He grins, his eyes dancing with a spark.
'No, I did not,' Yiselda states angrily through clenched teeth.
‘Magnus, are you sure about this?’ May asks me, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
'Is there any other option?' I reply.
May's shoulders slump in defeat, and she shakes her head in acknowledgment.
I walk by Yiselda and stand in front of the cell door.
‘Alpha Magnus, I beg you, please don’t let him out. He will kill us all,’ Yiselda warns, her eyes pleading.
Alec steps closer, anxious for his freedom, but keeps behind the salt line, cautious, knowing that attempting to pass it would be harmful.
'Alec, I need to do something before I release you,' I tell him as I draw out the athame, the identical one used in the witches' initiation ceremony.
Yiselda is visibly confused. Her brow furrowed as she wonders if I am going to harm Alec with the knife.
Alec scowls at me. 'If you believe you're going to knife me, you're in for a surprise. I could kill you before you unsheathe it,' he warns, his words a gust of defiance.
'Relax, Alec. As much as I would relish the act, Nina would never forgive me, so you can dismiss that thought. This is not an easy decision for me to make, but with Nina's life on the line, I have no option but to initiate you into my pack,' I explain, my tone steady.
Alec blinks a few times and bursts into laughter. ‘Me? Join your pack?’ he replies in disbelief and amusement.
'Remember, it's not only my pack. It's also Nina's,’ I reply.
Alec stops laughing, ‘You’re being serious?’ His expression shifting to one of scepticism.
‘You can’t be serious?’ May and Yiselda gasp.
‘A vampire in our pack?’ Fern stutters, her eyes darting nervously between Alec and me.
'Alec, I need assurance that you will not harm Yiselda or the other witches and that you will not do something stupid like flee with Nina and keep her to yourself,' I assert.
'Fine!' Alec sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping. 'You have my assurance. I will not attack the witches except in self-defense, and I will not kidnap Nina for my own selfish reasons...' he huffs with a reluctant promise.
‘I need more than your word, Alec. I need your initiation into the pack,’ I state.
'No,’ Alec's eyes darken, a storm brewing within him. ‘You want me to join the pack just so you may exert power over me in the manner of the witches,' he shouts, his protest echoing in the confined space.
'That is true. Nonetheless, it is for your own benefit. You will be incapable of harming any pack members this way,' I assure him.
‘I’m a king, and I don’t take orders from anyone!’ Alec shouts, defiance etched in the lines of his face.
‘And you will still be the king of all vampires. Your status won’t change. Joining the pack verifies everyone’s safety, including yours,’ I assert with a stern gaze.
Alec turns his head to Reaper on his shoulder. They seem to be mind-linking each other.
'You can mind-link with Reaper?' I ask in surprise.
'One of my many abilities,' Alec adds sarcastically, with a bitter smile.
‘What’s he saying?’ I press, curious.
‘Reaper is stupidly advising me to join the pack,’ Alec replies, his words filled with disdain.
‘And what did you tell him?’ I ask as I sense the subtle tension threading through the air.
Alec's shoulders slump, weariness settling upon him. ‘I told him I would do anything to get Nina back alive, even if that means becoming part of your pack,’ he admits reluctantly.
‘Well then, let’s get the initiation into the pack out of the way so we can stop wasting precious time and save our Luna,’ I announce.
Alec nods solemnly and watches me intently as I take the keys and unlock the cell door. The hinges groan loudly in protest as I pull it open, stepping into the dimly lit cell. Alec and I stand face to face, separated by the thin but potent barrier of the salt line.
I withdraw the athame from its sheath, the metallic blade gleaming in the muted light. ‘Hold your hand out,’ I instruct Alec. He complies, presenting the palm of his hand on his side of the line. I extend mine over the salt line, the blade poised for the ritualistic cut. With a swift motion, I carve across the palm of Alec’s hand, the athame leaving a deep but temporary mark. Then, I turn the blade on myself, slicing across my own palm. Our eyes remain locked, a silent understanding passing between us as we firmly grip our bloodied hands together.
‘I, Alpha Magnus of the Shadow Crest Pack, with the Moon Goddess as our witness, accept Alec, the Vampire King, into my pack. Wolf, Witch, and now Vampire have merged,’ I declare, my voice resonating in the confined space.
As my words hang in the air, a sudden crack of lightning illuminates the coven stronghold, followed by the ominous rumble of thunder responding beneath our feet. The supernatural energy in the room intensifies, and then, as swiftly as it began, it comes to an abrupt halt.
'It is done,' I announce with finality in my words.
We release each other's hands, and as we do, we find our wounds have miraculously healed, leaving no trace of the ritual's cuts. I shift my gaze to the now insignificant line of salt on the floor and erase it with a swift sweep of my foot. With a flash of speed, Alec crosses the dungeon, arriving at the imposing inscribed door that promises freedom.