Alpha’s Mark (Three lives Of A Witch)

"What will it take for you to leave this place and his life forever?" Balu asks again, her voice sharper this time, laced with desperation. Her knuckles whiten as her fingers dig into the denim of her thighs. Her eyes bore into Ella, who stands silent, unflinching, as if weighing the woman's breaking point.

Ella tilts her head slightly, her expression unreadable. What is it about Steffen that turns a strong, proud woman into this—a desperate mess?

"Is this love?" Ella wonders aloud, her voice cold. "Throwing away your pride, your dignity, just to cling to someone who doesn't even see you?"

Balu flinches, her lips parting to retort, but the words catch in her throat. The truth stings more than she's willing to admit.

"How many times has he let you down?" Ella presses, her tone sharper now. "And still, you're here, trying to convince yourself there's hope. Isn't it exhausting, chasing after someone who doesn't care?"

"You don't know anything," Balu snaps, her voice trembling.

"No, I don't," Ella says, stepping closer, her gaze unwavering. "But I do know you'd give anything to get rid of me."

Balu glares, her jaw tight. "So, what is it? What do you want from me?"

Ella's lips curl into a smirk, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. "You can make me disappear, but only if you help me."

"Help you with what?" Balu demands, her voice rising. "Are you here on some mission? Are you working for them?"

"That's none of your business," Ella replies coolly. "But you want me gone, and I want the same. The only way that happens is if you get me what I need."

"And what is that?" Balu's eyes narrow, suspicion lacing her words.

"The pearl earrings of Mistress Lily," Ella says, her voice calm, deliberate. "The ring of the dark witch Lady Marv. And the treasure of the Moon Pack."

Balu stares at her in disbelief, a cold laugh escaping her lips. "You're insane. Do you have any idea what you're asking for? Those aren't just objects you can steal. They're protected—bound by blood, magic, and loyalty. What are you even planning to do with them?"

"That's not your concern," Ella says sharply, stepping closer until she's inches away from Balu. "What matters is whether we have a deal."

Balu's heart pounds, her mind racing. This isn't just a heist—it's a betrayal that could unravel everything, an action that might creat chaos among clans. But the thought of Steffen, her Steffen, being taken by this enigmatic, unyielding human… It's too much.

"You think he cares about you?" Balu hisses, her voice trembling with fury. "You're nothing to him. Just a passing shadow."

Ella doesn't flinch. "Maybe. But he's not yours either, is he?"

The words hit like a slap. Balu's fists tighten at her sides, but she doesn't strike. She can't.

"Fine," Balu spits, her voice low, heavy. "I'll help you. But don't think for a second I'm doing this for you."

Ella smirks, victory glinting in her eyes. "I don't care why you're doing it. Just get it done."

Balu's chest heaves as she watches Ella walk back to the bed, calm and composed, as if she hasn't just shattered her world. The door slams shut behind as she walks out, lingering an echo.

Later, as Balu shut the door to her room, her heart still weighed down by the deal she'd struck, she doesn't know if she's made the right choice, but one thing is certain: she'll do whatever it takes to keep Steffen. Even if it means losing herself in the process.

And just a minute by, Ella bedroom door opened again—this time to reveal John.

Ella groans as the door creaks open again, interrupting the peace she's been craving all evening. She glares at the intruder, her patience wearing thin.

"What is with everyone barging into my room tonight?" she snaps, her voice low but sharp.

John leans casually against the doorframe, his usual smirk firmly in place. "By the sound of that, I take it you're not in the mood for company."

"Not for company, not for chats, and certainly not for you," Ella bites back, crossing her arms as she glares at him. "What do you want?"

"Straight to the point as always," John quips, stepping further into the room and shutting the door behind him. "Fine. Tomorrow morning, you'll start a training session—with me."

Ella raises an eyebrow, incredulous. "Training? With you? Yeah, that's not happening. I don't need training. I've handled myself perfectly well so far."

John sighs, tilting his head. "Ella, this isn't optional."

"Neither is my answer," she retorts, her voice steady. "I'm not wasting my time on something unnecessary."

"Unnecessary?" John repeats, his tone dipping into disbelief. "You're human, Ella. You're in the middle of werewolf territory with enemies lurking around every corner. You can't afford to keep walking around with that fragile body of yours, thinking you're invincible."

"I've made it this far, haven't I?" she fires back, stepping closer to him. "I don't need you—or anyone else—telling me what I can or can't do."

John regards her quietly for a moment, his smirk fading. "You're stubborn. I'll give you that. But this isn't about what you think you need. It's about what Steffen has decided."

Ella freezes, her expression hardening. "Steffen?"

"Yes," John says, his voice softer now but no less firm. "It was his call. He wants you trained, and he won't be happy if you refuse."

Ella's jaw tightens as his words sink in. The thought of Steffen making this decision for her stirs a whirlwind of emotions—irritation, confusion, and an uncomfortable pang of something she can't quite name.

"He thinks I'm weak," she mutters, more to herself than to John.

"Not weak," John corrects. "Unprepared. You're stepping into a world that's dangerous, unpredictable. You might not care about your own safety, but Steffen does."

"That's not his decision to make," she snaps, but her voice lacks the bite it had before.

"Maybe not," John agrees. "But he made it anyway. And let's be honest—are you really ready to deal with the fallout of defying him?"

Ella's silence speaks volumes. She looks away, her fists clenched at her sides. The last thing she wants is to feel like a pawn in someone else's game, but the idea of pushing Steffen away…

John watches her, his smirk returning. "Thought so. Be ready at sunrise. And try to keep up—I don't go easy on anyone."

Ella shoots him a glare. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"More than you know," he says with a grin, already heading for the door. "Sweet dreams, Your Majesty."

As the door clicks shut behind him, Ella sinks back onto the bed, her mind racing. She doesn't like this—doesn't like being told what to do, doesn't like the vulnerability it exposes. But Steffen's name lingers in her thoughts, and she knows, begrudgingly, that she'll show up tomorrow.

Because whether she likes it or not, she's not just fighting for herself anymore.