Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The carriage rocked gently as it rolled down the dirt road. Jocelyn shifted in her seat, legs crossed, arms folded, her gaze fixed on the passing trees.

"This had better be productive," she muttered, her tone clipped.

Across from her, Freya lounged back, a smug smile tugging at her lips. "It will be," she said lightly, examining her nails. "My father relies on this witch constantly. She's rather powerful… and very obedient when it comes to me." She said, remembering the many times she'd gone there and made a scene.

Jocelyn arched a brow. "Carter and a witch. Who would've thought? Your family keeps such charming company."

"You said you wanted my help….I'm helping."

Jocelyn's brow quirked up, she leaned toward, "Listen, child, let's make things clear, I didn't ask for your help, you begged for my help. Don't go around spewing such rubbish. I asked your father, not the daughter."

Freya's smile waned off instantly, "And my father refused you blatantly. You're stuck with me, whether you want it or not….Aunt Jocelyn."

Jocelyn's jaw clenched tight. The girl was a real brat. Even worse than Elara. She was annoying, smart, and knew her way around things…which was what Elara lacked.

Jocelyn leaned back, lips pulled into a thin line. She didn't say a word more…

Freya smirked victoriously…. "I'm not going to disappoint you, Jocelyn. I can help you, and I will…I'll be better than my father. You'll see." She said.

Jocelyn hummed, looking out the window as the carriage moved. Freya was desperate. Insanely so, too. She felt stuck under her sister's shadow. Constantly wanting Carter's validation which he never gave. How pathetic, Jocelyn thought.

"If I help you with this…." Freya began, and Jocelyn glanced at her, brows raised. "If I help you with this. You'll owe me, and I intend to have you help me." Freya said, staring at Jocelyn. "Just like you helped Elara."

Jocelyn blinked, "Like I helped Elara? Haven't you seen how Elara ended up?" She asked.

Freya huffed, "Elara brought her downfall upon herself. She underestimated Adina when she shouldn't have. Unlike me. I know what that bitch is. I know what she can do. I've seen it."

Jocelyn's eyes sparked, she stared at Freya. There was so much to uncover about the girl. "And what is it that you know?"

Freya smiled and shook her head….she wasn't going to say a word about that. "You have to help me, Jocelyn." She said.

"What do you want, Freya? What do you so badly need my help with?"

Freya exhaled and leaned forward, eyes glistening, "The king." She began. "I need help with the king. His mating ceremony date has been set for two moons from now. I refuse to allow Adina to be his mate officially. Be the queen of the realm. I just can't sit still and watch that happen—" she gritted out like even the mere thought of it was enough to send her spiraling.

Jocelyn tilted her head, watching her carefully. What exactly has Thorne done to these girls? Why does he have them in such a chokehold? Is it him or the power he wields?

"I need your help in making sure that day never comes."

"So the king has set his mating ceremony on the red moon?" She said, mostly to herself, wondering if he did it on purpose.

The carriage finally came to a halt in front of a rather large gate, the outside was covered in vines that would make a normal wolf creeped out. Not Jocelyn. She'd seen so many horrors in her lifetime, this was nothing.

The gates groaned as they were pulled open, and the carriage continued inside the place. Jocelyn looked around the place cautiously. She never thought there was somewhere like this in this realm. She wondered how Carter came to know of this place.

They stepped down from the carriage where a small man was waiting. He looked like he was a servant. The man stepped forward, bowing deeply. "My lady." He said, referring to Freya, then looked at Jocelyn, "my lady."

"Please come with me. I'll take you to her." He said.

"Before that….Can I relieve myself?" She asked.

"Yes, my lady." The servant pointed to a small path branching off from the courtyard. "Down there, my lady. There's a washroom beside the garden."

Jocelyn nodded and started down the path without waiting for Freya, her heels crunching against the gravel. The garden itself was overgrown, wild herbs twisting up the walls, Witch plants, no doubt. Useful for charms—or curses.

She paused near a crooked fountain, pretending to adjust her cloak while her eyes scanned around. Something about this place was… off. Not frightening, Jocelyn had long lost the luxury of fear….instead, the place was unsettling. The air smelled too sweet, masking something foul. She couldn't place her finger on what it was.

She continued on, stepping inside the washroom, but didn't bother with the door latch. Instead, she quickly checked the windowsill, traces of ash, bones crushed into powder. Someone had been casting spells recently. Protection or warning? Hard to tell.

Jocelyn smirked to herself. Carter really has been busy playing in the dirt.

She stepped out of the place and continued to walk, she wondered what a witch like this could do to be able to afford a place like this…. She paused by a door, brows furrowed when she saw light glowing from under the door. She stepped towards it, looking back and forth, hands placed on the doorknob, ready to pull it open.

"Some doors should never be opened, Lady Jocelyn. Wandering can get one hurt."

Jocelyn froze, turning slowly to see a white-haired woman standing before her, clad in a black dress, eyes sharp and intense.

Ah….the witch.

The woman stepped towards Jocelyn, grabbing the door before she even let go and shut it tighter, blowing out the light that had been glowing.

"You must be the witch." Jocelyn said.

The woman smiled, stepping back. "Alma. My name is Alma." She looked around, eyes falling to Freya who stood by the carriage, clearly waiting for Jocelyn.

"I see you came with the Lord's daughter."

Jocelyn raised her eyebrows. "The Lord's?" She asked.

Alma looked at her, "Lord Carter." She replied. Her gaze strayed towards the door again. "Come with me. I trust you're finished with your business." She said.

"I am."

The two walked towards the carriage where Freya was standing. "Finally. I thought I would come to search for you, Aunt Jocelyn—" Freya said without looking up and when she did, she paused, eyes flickering between Alma and Jocelyn.

She smiled, "I see you both have met."

Alma nodded, "Welcome again, Lady Freya." She said, gesturing for the two of them to follow her and they did.

They walked into the living room…the place looked much more normal than the other parts of the house. There were no weird-looking vines, herbs, or vials. It looked normal.

"How may I be of help to you, Lady Freya?"

Freya exhaled, "Actually, Aunt Jocelyn is the one who asked me to bring her. I'm here because of her."

Alma's brows raised at this… "You were?" The question was directed at Jocelyn.

Jocelyn nodded, "I am. I do hope that's not a problem, Alma." Jocelyn didn't miss the eye twitch of Alma. She knew the moment they stepped into the place. It was quite different from those she's visited over the years.

"But before that…I need your help, Alma." Freya began.

"What can I help you with, my lady." Alma asked.

Freya leaned in much closer. "What I am about to tell you. You mustn't say a word to my father."

Alma smirked…"As you wish, my lady."

Freya took a deep breath. "I need a bloodlust spell."

The silence that overtook them all was thicker than a rock. Jocelyn's eyes were wide with shock. She knew Freya was different than Elara but not once did she think she'd be this…..ruthless.

She was certainly, Carter's daughter.

"A bloodlust spell?" Alma repeated. "My lady, do you realize what it is you're asking of me?"

"Can you do it?" Freya asked instead. Memories of what had happened in Crystal moon flashed through her mind. She knew this was the only way to show Thorne exactly who Adina is.

"A bloodlust spell is dangerous…Freya." Alma said, the title she conjoined for the other was long gone. Now, she looked every bit like the witch she truly was.

"Can you do—"

"What do you have to offer me for such a spell?" Alma interjected and Freya smiled, sharing a look with Jocelyn…Jocelyn who was already shaking her head, telling her not to go through with it.

Making a deal with a witch…especially one that seemed to know the secrets of the realm with her…it was dangerous and Jocelyn knew firsthand what such deals could do.

After all, she was still dealing with hers.

"Name what you want and I will fulfill it." Freya declared.

Alma smiled, she stood up slowly and walked towards a shelf, muttering some spells underneath her breath as she worked her energy up to her fingers, her magic sizzling out and soon, she held a black small bottle in her hands.

She walked back to Freya, "You wanted a bloodlust spell? Here it is." She said, stretching the bottle to Freya.

Freya's eyes widened with greed, she reached for it but Alma didn't let go of the bottle, holding it strong.

Freya looked at her, confused. "What are you—"

"I grant your request, and when the time comes, I will call upon you." She glanced at Jocelyn. "Both of you." She emphasized her words. "And you will not refuse me."

"Freya!" Jocelyn called but Freya had already accepted the bottle.

"Fine. I accept."

Alma smiled, leaning back against the chair, her gaze shifted to Jocelyn who was clearly not pleased by the new development. "And you, Lady Jocelyn. How may I help you?"

"I don't need your help." Jocelyn bit out. "Not anymore." She stood up and Freya followed, still reeling in her success over the bottle

"As you wish." Alma replied, standing up too. As the two women made their way out of the room, she called out to them again.

"Freya…." Alma called and Freya paused, turning to look at her.

"That spell is dangerous. Just one drop is enough to do the damage. Using more than a drop will be disastrous."

Freya smirked, clutching the bottle tighter. "Even better." She said and walked out. Jocelyn and Alma stared at each other for a beat longer before Jocelyn followed.

Alma stood still, watching their retreating figures. The man who had ushered the two women in stepped behind her, head lowered.

"Old witch. Shall I inform the Lord that his daughter came for the spell?" He asked.

Alma smirked, "No. What's the fun in that?" She turned to look at the man. "Besides, we have more pressing matters."

The man nodded, "Shall I let the beasts loose now, old witch?"

She nodded, "Do that and let the weaker wolves loose too. The dark Lord refuses to take their souls. They might as well be useful in another way.