Sold To The Alpha
Blood L**t Chapter 39

Viktor reluctantly took the vial, holding it to his mouth as his fangs extended, pressing against the rim of the glass until a few drops of his venom fell into the cylindrical bottle. Handing it back, he stared intently at the witch watching for any attempt to hide the bottle within her clothing.

Seeing his demeanour, the Priestess smiled, 'relax your Majesty, I have no need to steal your venom, this is purely a test!

Placing the bottle in clear view on the table, she went back to her shelves, rummaging carefully until she extracted a tiny bottle with a few drops of luminescent green liquid inside.

Bringing it back to the table, she pulled out the cork stopper and tipped the contents into one of the small bowls, setting the vial down, she grasped Viktor's bottle of venom and tipped that on top of the antidote. Upon contact, the two liquids started to fizzle, as they combined together the venom looked like it was being eaten, the antidote sliding over the poison, devouring it slowly but surely.

Picking up the bottle of acid green potion, the Priestess slowly poured it into the bowl, the antidote halted its advance on the venom, hesitating in place as the potion started to work it's way between the two liquids, creating a barrier between the remaining venom and the antidote.

Unable to sense the venom any more the antidote lay dormant in the bottom of the bowl, unresponsive to its surroundings.

The Priestess grinned happily, 'this should work for you, the potion will in effect block Vallance's venom from the antidote causing it to believe that it has destroyed it all, both will remain in his system and as long as nothing happens to break down my protection potion, he will be unaffected by the antidote in his system.' she said, as she carefully ladled another spoonful into a clean vial, placing a stopper in to the top and holding her hand out to the Vampire, hesitating momentarily as she met his gaze. 'Remember, this potion is tied to our agreement, if your blood line tries to renege on your oath the potion will cease to work and your entire species will cease to be.

Viktor curled his fingers around the vial, taking it carefully as he nodded his understanding.

'We will not renege, and apologies if this causes offence, especially after your help today, but I would like the bottle that contained my venom' Viktor said indicating the empty bottle on the table.

Letting out a mirthless laugh, the Priestess picked it up between her thumb and forefinger and handed it to the Vampire who immediately placed it within the folds of his clothes.

Clicking her fingers, the Priestess watched as the Cauldron emptied of its own accord and the flames died within the hearth before leading the group back out into the hallway and down toward the main room.

Pushing the door open, she waved the four visitors through in front of her, indicating to them to join their warriors who were all still eating at the table.

Taking a seat, Viktor and the werewolves helped themselves to some food, the Priestess taking a seat at the head of the table joining them.

Once finished, they stood from their seats and thanked the Priestess for her help and hospitality, she smiled at them as she moved her hand causing the table and its contents to disappear. Beckoning to them, she made her way back to the front door, stopping on the top step as the warriors filed past her.

Vaya hesitated on the top step looking uncertainly at the witch who studied her curiously.

'Are we save to return through the forest?' Vaya blurted out suddenly.

Indicating again, the Priestess nodded, 'yes, our defences are down, they will remain down for ten minutes so I would suggest you do not dawdle on your return to the outside of the forest. Nodding, Vaya followed Daniel down the steps as Viktor and then Justin bowed slightly to the witch before also descending the steps.

As they reached the grass, they turned round to see that the Priestess had already retreated, the door had silently closed behind them.

Looking over at Vaya, Justin raised an eyebrow, 'what made you ask about the safety of our return?' he asked quietly, his eye training on the door they had just exited.

Vaya shrugged, 'I had a bad feeling about walking down the steps, I don't have it any more.

Clara looked over at the werewolves, 'well I for one am glad she did as I get the feeling that the Priestess wouldn't have bothered to take down the defences if Vaya hadn't mentioned it.

As a nervous shiver ran through the group, they started the walk back through the forest toward their injured members that were hopefully all waiting for them on the outskirts of the woods.

Following the path of broken trees and damaged plant life, the scars of their battle were still fresh, they stopped periodically to collect their fallen, Werewolves and Vampires each hoisting their dead onto their shoulders to carry them out of the darkness. Finally, they could see light flickering through the tree trunks in front of them, starting to hurry the group burst through the tree line and out into the sunlight that hurt their eyes after so long under the tight canopy of the forest.

Looking around, they soon spotted the remainder of their group further away from the edge of the woods, those that had helped remove the injured were bustling around tending to wounds.

Making their way over, the returning group dropped down next to the rest as they greeted them with relief.

Sitting down next to Leo, Justin looked over the Beta's wound's as Leo lay on his back wincing slightly.

'Still with me then?' Justin asked with a wry grin.

'Of course Alpha, I was reminded by our men that I had not gained your permission to die so I felt I better hang around until you got back to ask if it would be OK' Leo replied easily.

'Permission denied Beta' Justin replied with a laugh, 'I am not going to deal with our Beta female's wrath if I have to go back and tell her I allowed her mate to return to the Goddess, not to mention the Luna's choice words when Carmen told her about it' Leo chuckled too, 'funnily enough, I said something very similar'.

As everyone tended to their wounds, two of the Vampires and Werewolves stood up and walked over to the edge of the field. They knelt down and started to dig a collection of shallow graves, extending their claws to be able to dig through the compact earth. Others joined them, each working diligently until there were enough holes for all the Vampires and Werewolves who had been recovered from the forest.

Working together, those able lifted each body, carrying it to one of the holes and laying them carefully within the dirt walls, crossing their arms over their chests before covering them with the freshly dug dirt.

As the last body was covered, the workers stepped back, their heads bowed until Justin and Viktor stood up and walked over, Justin standing in front of the Werewolves, Viktor in front of the Vampires.

Justin cleared his throat loudly as his face became pained, 'thank you my warriors, you gave your lives for your Alpha family and we will never forget the sacrifice you made to protect us and our pack's future from those that try to harm us. Sleep well and may the Moon Goddess replace you all the most beautiful part of her garden to rest in.'

Viktor raised his head, his voice carrying over the group as he looked toward the heavens, 'My Clan members, you fought with bravery and strength and you paid the ultimate price to save your future King from a vicious threat. Your names will forever live within our hearts and the stories that we will pass down to our children, though we cannot see you, you live on, through our words, our blood and our future generations. Rest now and know that your lives had purpose, they are the reason that our kind will continue to exist and thrive.'

The Werewolves all lifted their heads as they released howls into the wind, their voices carrying over the graves of their friends. The Vampires then each picked up a handful of dirt, deftly throwing it onto the covered graves before the group turned away and walked back to the injured.

Gathering up the few bags that they had managed to retain, the uninjured helped up those that were hurt. The men and women who could walk were supported by friends, anyone who was too severely injured were carried hoisted over the shoulders of their comrades and carried as they marched their way back to Vince's clan.

It was almost day break when the bruised and battered group finally arrived at the clan house, dirty, tired and low on morale, they stumbled into the territory, Vampire guards appearing around them, pulling the injured from the arms of their comrades, hurrying them all back to the clan house.

Once inside, the Vampire Clan's medics rushed around checking everyone, the more severely injured Vampires were carried off to their clinic. One doctor tried to get Leo to follow him for treatment but the Beta refused, growling angrily when the doctor tried to insist.

'Leo, you need treatment' Justin argued.

Meeting his Alpha's gaze, Leo shook his head stubbornly, 'I will get treatment back at Viktor's castle, we need to get that potion back to Vallance right now and I am not going to waste time he doesn't have being fussed over by a Vampire doctor' he argued. 'Leo, we have time for you to get checked' Justin pushed anxiously.

Moving his arms, Leo met the Alpha's gaze, 'I am already healing Alpha, I can get back to the castle, I might not be able to drive you there but I can certainly sit in the back and have someone else drive me' he replied with finality.

Admitting defeat, Justin nodded, before turning back to his warriors and getting them organised to return to Vallance, Daniel offering to drive in Leo's place meaning the Beta could sit in the back with Vaya who could keep an eye on him.

Scrambling into the cars, Viktor took a moment to thank Vince for his hospitality, the other Vampire bowing deeply at his words, 'please your Majesty, it was our honour to serve you, now go and make sure that our heir is safe. he replied before helping the Vampire King into the car and shutting the door firmly behind him.