Page 82 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

White Witches had chained her hands. She was locked in a dark cell, her exposed skin covered in bloody marks, face deathly pale, lips purple.

My heart seized.

"Do you believe me now?" Melvina's voice rang with sincerity.

Rustling came from the bushes behind her—her people, probably. I didn't have time to think this through. Alice was waiting for me. "I can agree to your terms. I swear it as King. But you have to give me a guarantee. Proof you're not working with that bitch Serena."

"I swear by the Moon Goddess." She raised her right hand. Dark purple light gathered in her palm. "King Cedric, we will do everything in our power to help you rescue your mate. No deception. If I break this oath, may the Moon Goddess curse me. May my soul fall to hell forever."

The moment she swore, a silver light descended from above, enveloped her, then faded.

She'd sworn to the Moon Goddess. If she broke it, she'd suffer immensely, then die.

"Take me to Alice. Now!" My voice strained. "But if you try anything, I'll make you pay."

"Of course. We still have some time. The sacrifice can't begin until the moon rises tonight," Melvina bowed. "Please follow me, Your Majesty."

Chapter Twenty

Alice

They shoved me hard into the cell. My body slammed against the freezing stone wall, and the sharp pain forced a groan from my throat.

"Careful!" A witch in black robes snapped. "Don't damage her. Serena said the offering has to be intact."

"Once the full moon rises, we sacrifice her and gain the Moon Goddess's power." Another witch stared at me with hungry, crazed eyes. "They say it's strong enough to break any seal. We'll be the most powerful witches—"

"Enough." The lead witch cut her off. "We need to prepare the ritual. The moon's rising soon."

The two witches threw me one last reluctant look before turning away. The cell door slammed shut in my face.

The lock scraped with a harsh metallic screech.

I leaned against the wall, my hands instinctively protecting my stomach.

Thank Goddess. The baby was still there.

I could feel that fragile little life pulsing, clinging stubbornly to existence.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I've put you in danger again..."

I took a deep breath and forced myself to think. I needed an escape plan.

Stone walls surrounded me on all sides. One iron-barred door. Witches guarding outside. A maze of tunnels underground...

No.

I couldn't be reckless. If I tried to run and failed, they might start the ritual early. Or hurt my baby while chasing me down.

I had to wait. Wait for the right moment—

"Alice."

Cedric's voice suddenly filled my mind. The mate bond. He was calling me through the bond!

My heart lurched. Hope surged through me so powerfully I nearly wept.

"Wait for me. I'm coming for you." Every word rang with certainty.