Gabriel and Alie stood together under the shroud of a moonless sky. The stars offered little light, as if the heavens themselves were holding their breath.
"I have to go now," Gabriel murmured. They turned to face one another fully, their fingers interlaced in a desperate, grounding grip.
"I’ll be there soon," Alie promised, her eyes reflecting a fierce resolve that matched his own.
"I trust you," Gabriel replied softly. He stepped closer, his hands sliding from her grip to her shoulders. He leaned in, pressing a firm kiss to the center of her forehead, a silent vow of protection.
Leading her back into the warmth of the main hall, they found the remaining family gathered in a tense vigil. Carlos, Mona, and Zilia had already departed with Karn, leaving a noticeable void in the room. Gabriel finally released Alie’s hand, his gaze lingering on his parents before shifting to the crib. Little Noah was awake, his wide, innocent eyes tracking his father’s movents.
"I’ll be back soon," Gabriel said, more to the infant than anyone else. Then, with a sudden shimr of displaced air, he vanished.
He landed in the heart of the abandoned district, landing silently several ters away from Ophelia’s weathered hideout. Thanks to his orders, the neighbors had been moved to ergency shelters, ensuring that no innocent blood would be spilled in the crossfire.
"I’ve co for you, Ophelia!" Gabriel’s voice bood. "Your gas end tonight. So, co out and embrace death."
Inside the dim, cramped cottage, Ophelia jumped, her hand twitching over the bubbling cauldron. She had been staring at the window, waiting for the first sliver of moonlight to bless her brew. Hearing Gabriel’s voice so close, so soon, sent a jolt of shock through her, but it was quickly eclipsed by a dark smirk on her lips.
She crept toward the window, peeling back the heavy curtain just enough to peer out. She had expected to have to hunt him, to lure him into a trap through Alie. Instead, the Alpha Prince had delivered himself right to her doorstep.
"So, the lion cos to the witch’s den," she whispered, her eyes glowing with a glint.
Ophelia stepped out of the door. Gabriel stood his ground, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists.
"You found out everything about your past, didn’t you?" Ophelia asked. She sauntered toward him, stopping only a few paces away. "That old witch really did her job before she withered away and died," she muttered, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face at the ntion of her rival.
"It’s surprising you didn’t join your daughter in hell after all these years," Gabriel stated in mockery.
Ophelia’s composure shattered as her voice rose to a shriek. "How dare you! How dare you speak Anaya’s na with your filthy mouth?"
"Your daughter was the one who was filthy," Gabriel countered with unflinching gaze. He took a predatory step forward. "Watch your words, Ophelia. You see, I am not the sa Gabriel you broke in a past life. I rember the pain, and thus ti I won’t let you win."
Ophelia let out a laugh. "You think a few mories make you a god? Tonight, I will make you watch as the Sinclairs are erased. I will start with your precious Alie, and I will end with your son."
Gabriel took a step forward to reach her neck and break it, but he stopped. He couldn’t lose his composure and the plan.
Suddenly, they both felt the light from the moon began to light not only the dark sky, but earth too.
Ophelia extended her arms out when she felt a sorcerer’s and witch’s presence. Before she could react, she found herself got bound in a magic she hadn’t anticipated.
"What is this?" Ophelia shrieked as the holy magic burned her skin.
"I told you, Ophelia, this life is your endga," Gabriel said, his expression one of cold triumph. He didn’t waste a second, imdiately mind-linking with Alie. ’Co here!’
"It won’t happen!" Ophelia spat, her face contorting with desperation. "I will kill you both. You are still bound by my curse! You are fated to suffer!"
"The curse broke the mont I recognized Alie’s soul," Gabriel lied. He just needed her distracted.
In a mont, Alie appeared behind the witch. Without a word of warning, she drove the sword straight through Ophelia’s back, the blade erupting through her chest.
"Ahhh!" The witch’s scream was blood-curdling. Veins pulsed violently on her forehead as her skin began to grey and peel away. The stolen years and dark enchantnts keeping her young were dissolving in the presence of the magical weapon.
"This is for Gabriel, for our families, and for every innocent life you snuffed out," Alie hissed, twisting the blade before pulling it out to give her another powerful shove.
The one-minute window had ended earlier than they all realized. Mona fainted from exhaustion of her energy, and even Carlos staggered as his energy waned. Seizing the millisecond of weakness, Ophelia’s primal survival instinct took over. She whirled around, throwing a concussive blast of energy at Alie.
The force sent Alie flying backward like a ragdoll. Casaio and Dominick tried to intercept, but the shockwave knocked them aside, sending them crashing.
Gabriel’s heart stopped. He saw Alie plumting toward a oak tree. In a flash of light, he teleported, appearing mid-air to catch her. He pulled her into his embrace, twisting his body so his own back took the brutal impact of the tree. The sound of tearing flesh and cracking wood echoed through the clearing.
"Gabriel! Go! I’ve got her!" Zilia cried out, rushing to the unconscious Alie’s side as Gabriel lowered her to the grass.
Gabriel’s vision blurred for a second. Blood soaked through his shirt from his temple and shredded back, but the pain was nothing compared to the fury. He snatched the fallen sword from the grass and teleported back to the center of the clearing.
His blood ran cold at the sight. Ophelia had her clawed hand wrapped around Casaio’s throat, while Dominick lay nearby, a silver blade lodged in his shoulder.
~~~~
My other story:
Rejected First, Mated Later: Taken By The Cruel Alpha
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