Page 78 of Her Destined Alpha (Alpha #3)

Rafael

I managed to persuade Maria to come downstairs. I was about to take a huge risk, but I needed to do it in front of Maria, so her father’s reaction was in front of her. I just hoped that he would live up to his usual beliefs. Things were already bad; I didn’t think they could get worse anyway.

“Maria.” Amir frowned at the state of his daughter, shooting me a cold glare as he pulled her into his arms. She was wearing a gown over her night dress now, her scars hidden away once more.

“Baba,” she whispered, hugging her father tightly.

“Care to share what happened?” he asked me coldly.

“Let’s sit down,” I said, allowing the father-daughter to sit side by side as I took my seat opposite them.

Taking a deep breath, I told him that, on her eighteenth birthday, Raihana’s witch side was revealed.

How, as the first-born female from Endora’s line, she was a full-fledged witch, and how Delsanra is the very same witch who gave us the correct information back before that fateful battle.

He listened emotionlessly, a deep frown on his face. His arm was around Maria tightly.

I sighed, telling him how Raihana had lost control over Maria’s words and Maria’s reaction. I knew she was angry at me for calling her father, but she simply pursed her lips, trying to control her emotions in front of her father.

“So… I called you… to tell me what you think. You know Raihana… do you really think she could ever be like the witches that attacked us?” I asked quietly. He sighed heavily.

“I… I have always been stuck on my resolve… but, Mari, that’s our princess.

I can’t speak for Delsanra, but Raihana.

.. Yallah! You cannot turn your back on her!

” I almost let out a whistle in relief. Thank all the gods above that he saw reason.

“With Rayhan’s mate, I would be wary until I come to know her better…

but, Maria, pushing Raihana away will only make matters worse. Family is an important thing-”

“I don’t need to be told what to do, Father!” she said in frustration, pulling out of his hold. She looked at me, the look of hurt and betrayal clear in her eyes.

“You need to look at this with an open eye… I am with you, Mari. You know how much I resent witches, but this is no stranger. This is Raihana, your daughter, my granddaughter! Why not show the world that you raised her well? That witches can be good. You need to realise just how much I disliked this Italian...”

I looked at Maria with doe eyes, hoping for a little sympathy, but she simply nodded, agreeing with her father despite the glare she shot me.

“Yet you said that we cannot defy the will of Selene, and mates are made for a reason. So, you have no choice but to accept Delsanra too. Besides, from what I could tell, she seemed like she is a good woman. I saw the way she got on with Raihana too... I think this isn’t a bad thing.

Besides, with two witches in the pack… the Black Storm is probably the strongest pack around,” Amir finished.

I almost smiled despite the situation. Typical of Amir to think of something like that under these circumstances. Maria shook her head, looking away.

“I just need time,” she said quietly.

I guessed her father’s words made some sense, or maybe she just didn’t want to argue with him. Either way, I hoped she’d come around.

“Take the time you need, Maria, but you will only push not only Raihana away but also Rayhan. We could all see how smitten he is with his mate, as it should be, and what have I taught you from a young age? To respect everyone, no matter their differences. This kind of stands now.”

He himself hated witches... but if he was being positive, then it was good for me. Maria left the room just as the omega entered, placing down some refreshments. I thanked her, and she gave me a polite smile before leaving the room too. She closed the door behind herself.

I looked at my father-in-law, seeing the deep frown that had now settled on his face.

“Rafael... you need to do something about it. Many people hate witches, as do I… but still, it’s at a different level.

The group that is rumoured to have been formed, the witch hunters, are killing witches.

Keep your most trusted men by Raihana’s side and the future Luna’s,” he said, running his fingers through his greying beard.

His sharp eyes looked calculating as he glanced up at me.

“Raihana is currently safe at Alejandro’s pack. As for Delsanra, I will make sure she’s protected by the future Beta of this pack along with the Delta. Don’t worry, we will be fine.” He shook his head.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying, Rafael.” I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Do explain.”

“You need to weed out those who hate witches and keep them far away from the women. I assure you every pack has them.” I frowned. Why did it feel like he knew more?

“You know something,” I said, my eyes flashing. If it involved my family, I needed to know.

“Well, I am not sure, but I have my suspicions about Zain,” he said quietly. I tensed. The Alpha of Ahmar Qamar pack, his own grandson…

“Then you need to be careful what you say in his presence,” I said.

“Oh don’t worry, I won’t let the truth out, I can keep my mouth shut. I’m not a fool, son, to out my granddaughter like that.”

“No, I mean for your own safety,” I said quietly. The elder man sighed heavily.

“My mate and son are dead… if I die, it’s no big deal…”

For a moment, the proud man I used to always see before me was gone, replaced by a man whose age was clear on his face.

“For Maria,” I said, “and for the rest of us. You are part of this family, and if you wish to stay here, you are more than welcome to do so. Maria would be happy. Right now… she doesn’t really want to see me.”

I looked at my hand, playing with my wedding ring. My stomach twisted, and I sighed heavily. Life was short, and I didn’t want to waste even a moment being away from my mate, my beloved, my Luna, and the mother of my children.

“She will come around. I may not have liked you, but we both know there’s nothing not to like apart from that annoying face of yours. Ah yes, anyway, what I mean to say is, you have been a good mate to my daughter. She couldn’t have gotten better.”

I looked up and nodded. I didn’t agree, especially after all Maria had been through because of me. But for once, all I could do was hold onto someone else’s words and hope for the best.

Delsanra

We reached the inn to find it was empty and run down. A large sign read, ‘CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS’, but it looked dusty, like it had been there for a long time. The moment the King opened the door, I felt her presence.

“She’s here,” I said. Rayhan was next to me, one arm around my waist, and I held Raihana’s hand tightly.

“Then I hope she’s not going to fucking play hide and seek,” the King growled as we stepped inside.

The door snapped shut, and I willed a ball of flame in my hands. That was a part of me that wasn’t sealed, the part I didn’t understand, but that pull to fire was pleasant. It wasn’t even like I was calling on a source; I willed it, and it appeared.

She stood in the corner of the room, her grey-streaked hair in a messy bun. Her startling blue eyes were very noticeably rimmed with thick lashes. A cloak covered her shoulders, and she looked… tired. Our eyes met, and my heart thumped as I felt her gaze bore into me.

“Why did you call for me, Delsanra?”

It was strange for a witch not to call me a daughter of darkness. It was also clear she was not going to address the wolves in the room. I heard the King scoff as Rayhan gave my waist a comforting squeeze, sending a tingle of pleasure through me.

“I don’t know if you know me, but I was sold by my father before I was taken by Endora and made to work for her.

I am a witch who has not had any proper training.

This is Raihana, Raihana Rossi, the first daughter of Endora’s line.

A hybrid whose powers awoke when she first shifted.

We need guidance… a teacher to train us because…

we are dangerous without one,” I said with determination, hoping she understood how important this was.

She looked at us before smiling slightly.

“Who would have thought the Rossi line was so deeply embedded with witch heritage too? Especially since they hate us. I wonder why Hecate blessed them with this power...” she remarked.

“It’s no fucking blessing,” the King remarked, “More like a fucking hassle.” She ignored him, looking at me.

“How do you expect me to teach you when you don’t even have your powers unsealed?” I frowned. She had a point, but…

“I can still learn; we are looking for a way for us to unseal my powers, but Endora holds those answers-”

“Her blood. To unseal her spell, we need her blood. Not her sons, nor the witch, hers and hers alone,” Janaina cut in. My stomach sank… So, there was no hope .

“If you’re talking about fucking summoning her, then we are not doing that shit. I killed that bitch. We are not doing that again,” the King cut in coldly.

“I said nothing about summoning her. I can help,” she shot back disdainfully. “It seems the years have not made you any kinder.”

“Yeah, I don’t fucking do nice,” the King cut in.

“Uncle, really?” Rayhan remarked. “Zip it.” The older man shrugged, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

“You can unseal my powers?” I asked. I looked at Rayhan, who was frowning as he turned to her sharply.

“No, I cannot. Only Endora’s successor can. But she will need to learn to have complete control first. However, I will only help if you agree to help me…”

“And there we have it, a selfish old hag who wants something in return,” the King remarked. I glared at him, seeing Janaina’s irritation.

“Seriously, do you need to comment?” I hissed, glaring at him.