Reclaimed By The Alpha King
Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Chapter 77

He slowly rose to his feet, still covered in his dark hooded cloak. A staff, taller than him, rested firmly in his hands as he began to move around the room in deliberate steps.

His presence filled the space with an eerie tension, and we could only watch in silence, waiting to hear his first words.

As he circled the room, he muttered strange, unintelligible words under his breath. The sound sent a shiver down my spine, and I could tell from the uneasy expressions around me that I wasn’t alone in feeling unsettled.

What was he doing? What was the purpose of this ritual-like movement? I found myself gripping the edge of my seat, nervous yet curious.

After what felt like an eternity, Elihandiak stopped abruptly and turned to face us. With a deliberate movement, he pulled down his hood, revealing his face.

His eyes were covered in dark, inky pigments, and their blackness seemed to draw in all the light from the room. The sight made my stomach turn, and goosebumps pricked my skin.

The room fell into a dead silence as he walked toward us, his presence commanding attention. He finally spoke, his voice low but sharp.

"Can anyone here catch the air? Can anyone hold the wind in their hands?" he asked, his words heavy with an ominous tone. His gaze settled on the Alpha, his dark eyes unblinking.

Alpha Derrick, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment. "No, Sorcerer," he replied. "We cannot catch the air, though we feel it around us. It is impossible."

Elihandiak smiled darkly, turning toward me. "You, young lady," he said, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto mine. "Do you think differently? Can you catch the wind?"

I felt a jolt of fear at being singled out. His gaze was like nothing I’d ever experienced before—piercing and cold. I tried to remain calm, but my voice betrayed me, trembling slightly as I answered. "No, Sorcerer... I have nothing to add. What could a maid like me know about such things?"

The sorcerer let out a low, mocking laugh. "Yes... what could a maid know? But let me tell you all something important," he said, pausing to let the tension build. "We are not facing something as simple as catching the wind. We are facing a power that slips through your fingers, one that consumes and destroys from the shadows. If we do not act swiftly, everything that breathes here will perish."

His laughter echoed through the room, sending chills down my spine.

One of the elders, his face lined with concern, spoke up. "Sorcerer, what have we done to bring this upon ourselves? What mistake have we made that has angered such a force?"

Elihandiak walked slowly toward the elder, crouching down to meet him at eye level. "Tell me," he began, "what happens when you let an uninvited guest into your home, one who is stronger than you?"

The room fell into silence once again. The elder blinked, unsure how to respond, and the sorcerer rose to his feet, continuing to circle us like a predator.

Finally, I gathered the courage to speak. "The guest may be stronger," I said, my voice shaky but determined, "but the owner of the house knows it better. With the right strategy, even the strongest guest can be at the mercy of the house’s master."

Elihandiak turned toward me, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Interesting... And how would you make such a powerful guest fall into your trap?"

I swallowed hard, knowing everyone’s eyes were on me. "By leading them to a place where I have the advantage, where their strength becomes useless."

The sorcerer chuckled softly. "Well said, young one," he replied. "But this spirit we face is not just a guest—it’s a beast, a stray dog that can only be lured by what it desires most. If we are to catch it, we must give it what it craves."

The Alpha leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "And what does it crave, Sorcerer?"

Elihandiak’s dark eyes scanned the room. "What has this beast been feeding on? What have you found after each attack?"

Ma’am Elena spoke up, her voice heavy with sorrow. "The bodies of young maids, found dead in their own blood. The attacks happen at midnight, always targeting the girls in the pack yard."

The sorcerer nodded slowly. "Then it is clear. The beast is feeding on the blood of young women, likely to restore its own strength. It must have been gravely weakened in a battle before it came here. But the question is... what summoned it?"

No one had an answer, and the weight of the sorcerer’s words hung heavy in the air. The eldest among the council spoke, his voice desperate. "We don’t know, Sorcerer. We just want a solution. We beg you—help us rid the pack of this evil!"

Elihandiak straightened up, his expression unreadable. "There is a way. But it requires sacrifice."

Everyone in the room tensed at the word "sacrifice."

"What kind of sacrifice?" the Alpha asked, his voice low, filled with dread.

The sorcerer’s voice remained cold and detached. "One young woman must be chosen. She will be placed outside at night, alone, to lure the beast. I will cast a spell on her, and if it works, the beast will be trapped until morning when the sun rises. If the spell fails..." He paused for effect. "She will be found dead in her own blood, like the others."

A wave of anger and disbelief swept through the room. Ma’am Elena was the first to speak. "This is madness! How can you call that a solution?"

Elihandiak shrugged, completely unfazed. "I am not the one who makes the rules. This is how the universe works. Sacrifice, blood, and hope. If you want to defeat the beast, this is the price."

The Alpha looked troubled, his face pale. "Is there no other way?"

The sorcerer’s smile faded, replaced by a grave expression. "No. Without the sacrifice, the pack will be wiped out."

The room fell into stunned silence. No one knew what to say. Finally, I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I will do it," I said, my voice clear but steady. "I’ll be the one."

Everyone turned to look at me in shock, but I kept my gaze on the sorcerer, knowing that this might be the only way to save us all.