The Alpha King's Witch Bride-Chapter 374: _Odessa Accords

Ryker was gone.

His artificial hybrids fell with him —except Regina who was clawing her way to redemption, even with her dark past.

The Luminari Coven Elders rallied the witches, heading back home to mourn Althea and also for mandatory re-strategising.

Luna Queen Janelle and Alpha King Thorian returned to Europe, both having undergone a shift in opinions regarding the war. They agreed to call a meeting with the other Alpha kings and hopefully... The high covens of each continent as well.

The Vein might’ve been sealed off, but the damage it left behind on the planet was clear.

Fractures in space-time. Spillages of its chaotic magic. Things the people of earth—whether witch, werewolf or human—had to put their differences aside once and for all to face.

And that was going to be the first step in my desire to bring actual change in the world. To build from the ashes.

.

.

TWO WEEKS LATER.

Washington DC.

I opened the door of the black Rolls-Royce, squinting slightly due to the camera flashes that welcomed my eyes. Kaelos was already outside, taking my hand and helping me out of the car.

He was donned in a dashing red suit, a black cloak with dazzling fur edges trailing behind it.

In contrast, I wore a sleeveless crimson satin gown, my blonde hair cascading in waves, brushing past my waist.

Around us were the cars of other dignitaries parked in front of one of the most prestigious buildings on the continent and the world. A building that had been the seat of human power before the war shattered humanity’s governments.

The white house.

"Alpha King Kaelos!" One of the reporters in front of the wrought-iron gates pointed, and the flurry of camera lights increased until it almost became blinding.

My grip on Kaelos’ hand tightened, a few guards who had come along with us parting aside the ocean of cameras, yells and bodies.

"Alpha King!" A woman’s voice managed to pierce through, her mic dangling in front of Kaelos’ face. "Are the rumours true? Did the Vein unleash monsters out there before it was closed?"

"What is your Luna queen’s link to the chaotic magic under the continent?"

"Alpha king! Over here!"

"Luna Queen Odessa!"

I clenched my jaw, trying my hardest to ignore them.

Just a week ago, the high covens of North America released an official statement to the general public. Globally. About the Vein and its existence.

Now it seemed like even an everyday bum on the streets knew about a secret safeguarded from other races for generations. As the former keeper of the Vein, it felt... Odd.

But I also knew it was necessary. Because those "rumours" the reporters were talking about? They’re more than rumours.

And that’s what we’re here to discuss with other leaders.

Kaelos and I navigated all the way to the large white building, our driver taking the car into the compound alongside the cars of the other dignitaries.

I glanced back at the gates, spotting a few familiar faces from high covens as well as faces of wolves from high-class packs on the continent and beyond.

"Well... This is going to be heated." I muttered to myself, drawing in a deep breath before bringing my gaze back to the white house.

We were led into a large hall whose high ceiling soared overhead, dotted with multiple crystal chandeliers that dazzled like constellations.

Tall windows on one side of the walls let in the afternoon sunlight, casting long rectangles of brightness across the polished marble floor.

Rows of slender chairs lined either side of the hall, leading to the elevated stage at the end of it. On the stage were several thrones and well-furnished seats, all behind a large high table meant for the top dignitaries amongst us.

Which included Kaelos and me.

"That’s our spot," Kaelos whispered, gently guiding me toward the stage.

Seated already were familiar faces. Alpha king Thorian and Luna Queen Janelle sat side by side, the latter arching an amused brow.

"One would expect the rulers of the North American packs to be here earlier than us." She remarked, her tone slightly teasing.

Her husband gave a calm smile and nod of acknowledgement while Kaelos and I sat on the two thrones beside them.

Janelle wore an elegant silver gown and a white fur coat draped loosely over her shoulders. Her eyes were sharp and calculating as usual, not at all what you’d expect from someone who’s lived over a century.

"That’s not fair, Janelle," I mumbled, managing a smile. "You two had access to portals."

"You’re literally a witch." She countered with a shrug. "You could’ve gotten here through the same means."

I parted my lips to say something when another voice butted in. "Are we here for casual chatter or did I waste my time?"

We turned our heads to the owner of the voice. Alpha king Maddox of Australia. Who, from what I remember, is a jerk.

Blonde hair, thick beard and a sharp black suit. He ascended the steps, eyes fleeting between me and Luna Queen Janelle—who sniggered.

"It’s not the end of the world, Alpha King." Janelle’s head tilted, her eyes scanning him from head to toes. "And—"

"But it quite literally is." Another voice, Alpha King Soren of South America, chimed from one of the seats. "Some packs in my region are already reporting unusual sightings. Dark creatures. Unnatural growls dead at night."

My jaw tightened. The corner of my eyes caught him locking his gaze on me while Maddox walked to his seat.

"We should’ve known better than letting you handle Ryker and the Vein alone." Soren went on, voice tinged with regret. "Now humanity is involved in supernatural business and—"

"Oh, please." Janelle shut him down with disdain. "What are you talking about? Humanity has always been involved in supernatural business."

It was about to turn into an argument.

The other guests below the stage—from governors, to Alphas, to leaders of lower-ranking covens—were either murmuring amongst themselves or glancing curiously at the high table.

I shrank, trying to hide from their eyes.

But then—

"Leaders." A voice echoed through the hall, bringing decorum with it.

I searched for the source of the voice. My eyes didn’t wander long, soon landing on a man in his sixties. One I’d only come across once months ago during the charity ball.

The United States president.

Yikes... Didn’t he get injured after my charity ball outburst?

He sat at the centre of our high table, which was already crammed with high coven leaders, the other Alpha kings and Luna queens and sovereign human rulers of other top nations.

I glanced at Kaelos who was already staring at me with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Please, let’s settle down." The president continued, tapping the mic in front of his face once. "First of all, I’d like to thank you all for putting aside a century of war and differences for this monumental gathering."

The hall was silent, the leaders below the dais settling like he said. Witches, wolves and humans following the words of one mere human was a sight indeed.

One which I knew wasn’t going to last.

"With all due respect," a male voice chimed from the crowd below. "We’re only putting aside differences because we might be faced with an even greater threat. One that could topple all our forces in the blink of an eye."

"The Vein," A female witch on the high table spoke up with a prominent West African accent. "Has been kept hidden by us witches for millennia. And now thanks to the actions of the North American Alpha king’s brother and his wife—"

"Don’t even go there." Kaelos cut her off coldly, swerving his head to the side of the table she was talking from. "Odessa sacrificed everything while you witches fought a losing war in other continents."

"Oh, like your wolf counterparts haven’t been in trouble as well?" A man sneered.

And just like that, the hall erupted in murmurs, yells and a cacophony of arguments. Everyone tried talking over each other, the tension surging thick enough to suffocate.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, looking away from all of them. Even Kaelos argued beside me, seeming like he was seconds away from clawing anyone who dared point a finger at me.

"Enough!" Janelle snapped, her voice thundering with Silverborn energy which hummed through the air around her.

Silence.

Like a domino effect, everyone—witch, human, Alpha, Alpha king—hushed down, turning to face one of the most powerful women in the room.

She’d risen to her feet, placing her hands on the table. "Is this what we came here for? Throwing words and yelling like we’re in primary school?"

I raised my head again, lips curling into a small smile. The confidence. The presence. The aura. Gods, I needed it as a Luna Queen.

"What do you propose we do?" Soren uttered. "Today it’s unknown creatures popping up. Tomorrow it could be something darker. Something—"

"— that’ll require our combined efforts." I got on my feet as well, pushing aside the crippling social anxiety.

Fuck it.

I was already in the public eye anyway.

Janelle peeked at me. Kaelos smiled, his pride the fuel I needed to continue.

"Let’s face it... This war has gone on for so long that most of us don’t even know what we’re fighting for." I pointed out, scanning through the hall. "But this? The Vein and what it has unleashed? It’s a present threat."

Everyone kept silent, actually paying attention to me.

Janelle sat, crossing one leg over the other. Even the US president craned his neck at the side to stare at me.

"Alpha King Kaelos knew this," I brought my eyes to him, my smile warm. "And he pushed for a peace treaty with the witches of North America."

Whipping my head back to the leaders below, I added. "But why don’t we take things several strides further? At a global scale. Unanimously agree to abolish this meaningless war once and for all."

Some gasped. Others glanced at their companions, murmuring.

But they were all contemplating it.

"That seems wishful." Alpha king Maddox scoffed. "What about all the lives we’ve lost from the witches? Should we just turn a blind eye? What if they decide to go against the treaty and—"

"So your answer to bloodshed is more bloodshed?" I didn’t even try searching for the asshole’s face, keeping my gaze on the leaders. "Rules are made for this reason. Laws. Let’s come together, end this once and for all and make an accord. One binding every citizen of Earth."

They mumbled amongst themselves yet again.

Gods, this was getting boring...

"Valid ideas indeed." Alpha King Thorian surprisingly spoke up, clearing his throat. "I propose we make a vote amongst those of us on this high table."

And with that, a vote was passed right there and then. Should all leaders pledge to end the century-long war? To usher in peace?

People were hesitant at first but when the top guns like Kaelos, Thorian, the Luminari elders and Janelle raised their hands in agreement... Many followed.

Soon, everyone raised their hands in agreement, even the ones who seemed hell bent on pushing the war.

No one wanted to be a black sheep. Not in times like these.

"We’ll compile the laws in these... Accords together." A female human president chimed into her mic. "But before that, we should create a name for it. Something like—" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"The Odessa accords," Janelle remarked, her voice slicing through the hall.

My eyes widened, lips parting with shock as she continued.

"I mean... She suggested the idea." She shrugged casually, making it sound like it was a beyond valid reason.

Soren jeered. "Please! Anyone here could’ve easily—"

"Yet you didn’t." Janelle barely acknowledged him, keeping her eyes glued on me. "She did. We’ve used her kind as a scapegoat long before the war. Let’s immortalise her as a bridge instead."

I couldn’t believe it.

My heart stuttered, tears blurring my vision as my lips trembled. But I didn’t let them fall.

I instead sat, leaning closer to Kaelos who was quick to hold my hand. ’I agree with her. It’s a little thing compared to all you’ve done.’

"I see nothing wrong with naming it after the former keeper of the Vein herself." Coven head Arachne spoke, voice raw with age.

Others followed, chirping words of agreement.

At the end of the day, the "Odessa Accords" were put together. The century-old war officially came to an end within these white walls.

And me? I ended up fulfilling the prophecies tied to me after all.

Bringing peace to all races.