Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 62

frustratingly

elusive.

As Nicole ventured deeper into the forest, an eerie stillness surrounded her. The air felt heavy with an unusual concentration of magic, and yet, it seemed not to affect her. She moved with purpose, her senses heightened, searching for an exit that remained Every step she took seemed to lead her further into the heart of the forest. The trees loomed tall and imposing, their branches intertwining above her,

casting long shadows that danced eerily on the forest floor. It was a maze of ancient secrets, and Nicole couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped within its confines.

She tried to retrace her steps, relying on her instincts and the faint echoes of battle in the distance. But no matter which path she chose, it only led her deeper into the mysterious forest. It was as if the very landscape shifted and rearranged itself to keep her ensnared.

The silence was unsettling. Normally, the forest teemed with life and whispers of nature. But now, there was no birdsong, no rustle of leaves, only an oppressive quiet that weighed upon her. It felt unnatural, as if the very essence of the forest held its breath. Nicole pressed forward, her determination unwavering. She couldn't afford to be trapped in this strange realm, separated from the battle that raged outside. She needed to replace a way back to Liam, back to the pack.

As she walked, she couldn't help but notice the peculiar absence of any other living beings. No animals scurried through the underbrush, and even the insects seemed to have vanished. It was a desolate emptiness that sent a chill down her spine. Nicole's thoughts swirled with questions. How did she end up here? Was this a deliberate trap set by the enemy? Or was it something else entirely, a manifestation of the forest's ancient magic?

Frustration and determination fueled her steps as she continued her search. She called out, her voice echoing through the stillness, but received no response. It was as if the forest had swallowed her words, leaving her alone in its depths. Just as her frustration threatened to overwhelm her, a familiar figure stumbled upon her. It was Asha, her presence unexpected and unsettling.

"Asha?" Nicole's voice held a mix of surprise and caution. "What are you doing here?"

Asha's eyes held a glint of madness as she regarded Nicole, her features twisted with rage. "You think you can take everything from me?"

"Asha?" Nicole said, but suddenly she disappeared.

Nicole's body ran cold. What she couldn't understand was if she made it to camp or if it was one of the witches' many tricks.

She began to hear more voices. As she trudged forward, the eerie voices grew louder and more distinct. The cries of anguish and pain reached her ears, like echoes of a torment she thought she had left behind.

She recognized the familiar voices of her pack members, their desperate pleas for help cutting through the air.

"Liam!" she called out, her voice filled with fear and urgency. "James!"

But her cries seemed to be swallowed by the ever-present silence of the forest. The voices remained distant and unattainable, teasing her with their haunting echoes. It was as if they were trapped in a different realm, forever beyond her reach. Amidst the symphony of cries, she discerned the voice of Liam, his pained howls slicing through the air. She could almost feel his anguish, a deep ache that resonated within her own heart. The thought of him in pain fueled her determination to replace a way out. The voices shifted, and suddenly, she heard the venomous words of Shane. His taunting tones cut through the air like a serrated blade, mocking and reminding her of the torments she endured under his rule.

"You thought you could escape me, little Omega?" Shane hissed with sadistic glee. "You're nothing without me. Your pathetic attempts to replace happiness will always be thwarted."

Nicole's blood ran cold as she recognized the voice of her tormentor. It brought back painful memories, wounds that had not yet fully healed. She fought back the rising fear, refusing to let the past consume her. With every step, the voices seemed to grow louder, intertwining and overlapping in a disorienting chorus. She closed her eyes, blocking out the sights of the forest and focused on the voices, trying to discern their source. "You thought you could escape me, little omega? I will always be with you, haunting your every step. You will never be free from my grasp."

Nicole's heart raced, a mix of fear and anger surging through her veins. She refused to let his cruel words weaken her spirit. She had fought so hard to break free from his oppressive grasp on her mind to replace her place in the Dark Moon pack. She wouldn't allow him to drag her back into the darkness.

She clenched her fists, her determination flaring within her. "You have no power over me anymore, Shane," she declared, her voice filled with defiance. "I am stronger than you ever imagined. I've found a new family, a new home, and I won't let you taint it with your venomous presence."

Shane's laughter echoed through the forest, mocking and taunting. "We shall see, little Omega. Your newfound happiness will crumble, and you will come crawling back to me, begging for mercy."

The memories started flooding back, causing her to shake. She fought her mind. She refused to succumb to the mind games the witch was playing with her. She had fought tooth and nail to escape Shane's clutches, and she would not let him nor the witch tear her down now.

The chorus of voices intensified, shifting to different eerie persons as each one stabbed at her heart with its unique brand of cruelty.

"You were always so stupid and weak," her mother's voice sneered. "No wonder we gave you away. You were a burden we couldn't bear."

The barrage of hurtful words pierced Nicole's soul, each accusation echoing in her mind. Tears welled up in her eyes. She had fought so hard to rise above her past to replace her strength and forge her path. She wouldn't let the echoes of her pain diminish her newfound resilience.

"Shut up. Stop lying!" She screamed. Her parent's voices faltered, momentarily silenced by her defiance. "You were the ones who failed me," she continued, her voice growing stronger. "I may have been given away, but I refuse to believe that I am worthless. I am capable of love and strength, and I will prove it."

But the voices shifted again.

"You're nothing but a thief," Asha's voice chimed in with venom. "You don't deserve the happiness you've found. You'll always be a lowly Omega. Useless stupid bitch."

Nicole heaved, her chest was clogged.

"Did you really think you were special?" Maya's voice taunted. "You're just gullible, easily manipulated by anyone who comes your way."

"You took my brother away from me," Lillian's voice seethed with rage. "I'll make you pay for that, one way or another."

"You're trying to take my position as Alpha's favorite," Rose's voice hissed, dripping with jealousy. "I won't let you steal what's rightfully mine."

Nicole's breath came in ragged gasps as the voices reverberated in her mind, the barrage of accusations battering against her willpower. She fought to maintain her composure, to drown out the haunting echoes with the knowledge of her own growth and transformation.

I won't let your jealousy poison me," Nicole screamed. "I deserve the happiness I've found and I won't let your bitterness diminish it."

The voices of Maya, Lillian and Rose trembled with uncertainty, their accusations losing their sting. "I won't be held responsible for your grievances," Nicole retorted. "I didn't steal anything or take anyone away. I found my place, my family and I will protect them." The voices shifted again. "No matter what you do or who you become, you'll always be useless," Shane's voice growled with malicious satisfaction. "You can't change your true nature."

"F**k you! I'm no longer the trembling girl you once knew and deceived. I'm the f*****g witch bane. And we meet again, you're going to f*****g bow to me and grovel at my feet.

Her words echoed through the forest, the voices began to fade, their power diminishing.

Sudden humorous laughter filled the air.

"Dear Nicole. You're really proving yourself worthy."

Nicole paused, this was a new voice that she didn't recognize.

"You're doing well for someone with a past as mentally distorted as yours."

Nicole's head spun as she tried to comprehend the revelation. The unfamiliar voice continued to taunt her, its words filled with a sinister delight.

"Oh, dear Nicole. Did you really think you were immune to me? You may be resistant to my magic, but I found another way to affect you, didn't I?" The voice taunted.

Nicole's vision blurred as she struggled to stay upright. Anger mixed with confusion and betrayal welled up within her.

"Who are you? What have you done to me?"

"Ah, the confusion is delightful, isn't it? Let me enlighten you, my dear. You see, I paid a little visit to your precious friend Asha. She was more than willing to help me. A simple touch and the drug she administered would ensure your vulnerability."

Nicole's heart sank as the realization hit her. The only way the witch could get her was by distorting her reality. It seemed like that was what she did. Asha must have administered her wolf lichen or wolfsbane when they met. Nicole's heart broke. She trusted Asha. "Trust is such a fragile thing, my dear." The voice cackled, "Easily shattered, easily manipulated. And you, dear Nicole, were the perfect target."

Nicole's legs gave way, and she stumbled, barely able to keep herself from falling to the ground. The voice's cruel laughter echoed through the forest, intensifying her feelings of helplessness. "Why? What do you want from me?"

"Oh, my dear, it's simple. I want to see you suffer. I want to break you, just as I have broken so many others. You thought you were invincible, didn't you? But now, you're at my mercy." Nicole's body trembled with a mix of anger and fear. She couldn't believe she had fallen into this trap, that she had been so easily deceived.

"Lies. You're a chronic liar," Nicole breathed out.

"Good discernment. I can see that the wheels in your head are finally working. I don't want you. I didn't care for you. But you stupidly stood in my way. Now, I have plans for you, plans that will shatter your spirit and bring you to your knees. You will regret ever crossing paths with me." Nicole gritted her teeth, refusing to succumb to despair.

The voice erupted into malicious laughter that seemed to echo through the trees. All at once, Nicole realized that this was a distraction.

She remembered Liam's words clearly. If anything happened to her, he would lose his mind. The witch must have wanted him to think something had happened to her.

Determined, she pushed herself up.

"Stay down, bitch," the voice growled.

"No, you're just a coward and a faceless bitch. We're winning. We will defeat you."

Suddenly, Nicole was thrown into the air by a physical force. It grappled her neck and flung her in different directions. As Nicole fought against the unseen force that threatened to suffocate her, she summoned every ounce of strength within her.

She kicked, clawed and thrashed, desperate to break free from the grip that held her captive.

Nicole's instincts took over, her body moving with fluidity and precision. She delivered swift punches and kicks, aiming for her assailant's vulnerable points. The form recoiled, momentarily releasing its hold on her.

Gasping for air, Nicole quickly took advantage of the momentary respite. She scrambled to her feet, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of her attacker. But to her surprise, there was no one in sight. The forest was eerily quiet, as if it had absorbed the violence that had just unfolded.

Nicole's heart raced as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Who or what had thrown her into the air? And where had her assailant disappeared to?

"Okay enough of this Nicole," the voice growled.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps and she turned around. Her eyes widened and her jaw fell open as she recognized who it was.

Everything suddenly made sense.