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1.
Rio missed her so much it felt like an impossible void to bear. She missed being touched, being wrapped in Agatha's arms, breathing in the scent that seemed made exclusively for her. It was a shame her mate hated her.
"You love this..." Agatha's voice was low, silky, and dangerously controlled. She used the tone she knew was irresistible to Rio, something perfected over the years. "The anticipation." The word ended in a whisper, so close it felt like it slid over Rio's skin.
For a brief moment, Rio felt her mind freeze, engulfed by Agatha's power. Her eyes locked onto hers, and for an instant, she was sure her pupils were dilated. She loved that. Loved Agatha's dominating aura, which seemed to envelop her overwhelming and irresistible.
"Okay, Agatha," Rio said with a smile, lowering her gaze to the floor. But she noticed the relief in Agatha's sigh and couldn't help but laugh. As if there was any chance in the world she could hurt her. Even if she wanted to, and she never had. she couldn't. The pact they made many years ago made it impossible. If her Omega caused Agatha any unintentional pain, she would be the first to suffer.
"But I'll tell them where to find you," Rio added, a mischievous smile on her lips. The Seven of Salem already knew where Agatha was the moment the spell was broken; Rio was merely using the situation to prepare Agatha for what was coming.
"Who, specifically?" Rio had to fight to stay focused; her eyes fixed on the tiny drop of blood trickling down Agatha's neck. She wanted to lick it.
"Uh, the worst of them. The Seven of Salem," Rio replied, pausing dramatically before finishing: "I imagine you'll see them when the sun down" Her voice was calm, laden with dangerous serenity. " Agatha Harkness will finally meet her end. Oh, It warms the heart."
Rio took soft steps as she entered Agatha's personal space.
"You don't have a heart." Agatha knew that was a lie; she had been there when Rio's heart beat for the first time, for her.
"Yes, I do," Rio retorted, staring into the blue eyes she'd loved for centuries. "It's black and beats for you."
Rio grabbed Agatha's hand; the deep cut on her palm continued to bleed, but Rio seemed hypnotized by the blood.
Agatha watched her, her eyes shifting between the wound and Rio's face. The command was there, as clear as day, in the silent gaze of the Alpha. And Rio felt her own body's response, a shiver running down her spine. She knew what she had to do. She had always known how to read Agatha's nonverbal cues to satisfy whatever her Alpha needed.
Rio licked the palm of Agatha's hand, slowly, savoring the metallic and familiar taste of Agatha's blood on her tongue. The magic flowed immediately, closing the wound. But she didn’t stop.
The scent of Agatha’s wrist was intoxicating, a marking point that exuded a smell Rio would recognize even in the midst of chaos. The proximity made her mouth water, her Omega purring with pure contentment. While keeping her gaze fixed on Agatha, she guided her wrist to her own neck. A subtle touch, as she rubbed the exposed skin, imprinting the scent onto her own.
Rio felt the vibration in her chest grow, the low sound of a purr betraying her. She swallowed it down, she wouldn't give Agatha that satisfaction. It had been years since her Alpha's scent filled her like this. She had to summon all her strength not to tilt her head, not to completely submit, not to beg.
Agatha was watching her closely, breathing faster, her expression unreadable. Rio felt the growing need to beg for something, anything, but anger quickly followed. This wasn't supposed to happen. Her Omega shouldn't feel so happy with so little.
With a sharp tug, she let go of Agatha's hand, breaking the contact before she could do something she might regret. But as she left, she couldn’t resist, she slid her fingers over Agatha’s collarbone, marking her with her own scent in a swift, possessive gesture.
" Te veo. "
2.
Somehow, Rio had ended up on the false road
It was obvious that a spell cast by Agatha's Coven would eventually draw her closer. They were a sworn coven, marked, and even fate seemed to conspire to keep them together.
She couldn’t quite grasp how a teenager had managed to create an environment that felt ripped straight from the most insane dreams; the entire coven was dressed like members of an old rock band.
Rio’s high bun left the mark on her neck completely exposed, a well-made, flawless mark she used to display with pride. Agatha’s mark.
“Knock, knock,” Rio announced in a casual tone as she entered the small sound booth where Agatha was. It was the second time she had tried to make contact with her since entering the road. The first time, Agatha had rebuked her with a simple “No,” a severe look in her eyes. Rio could tell her voice was laced with Alpha command. The order had nearly brought Rio to her knees.
“How’s the quest for power going?” Rio asked, approaching while absentmindedly twirling her knife between her fingers.
“It’s going.” Agatha responded indifferently, pulling her shirt up to cover more than Rio would have liked. Such a pity.
“Who are these people?” Rio asked, gesturing to the individuals wandering aimlessly around the studio. Pathetic.
“My new best friends.”
Rio couldn’t hold back her laughter. Agatha didn’t have friends.
“What do you want?” Agatha’s voice came sharp, her gaze unwavering as Rio continued to stare at her.
“Your scent is gone.” The reply came in a low tone, almost a whisper. Being in the same space as Agatha without smelling like her was practically unbearable for Rio.
“And what do you want me to do about it?” Agatha shot back, her voice cold. The tone made Rio shrink slightly, as if she’d been struck by the rejection.
Even with the indifference and hatred Agatha insisted on showing, she never denied Rio. The bonding spell had been performed centuries ago, and Agatha understood its weight. Being bound to Death, being Death’s mate, Death’s Alpha.
Even in her absolute bitterness, Agatha often relented. She always knew what Rio felt, she always knew. The connection tied them on a level impossible to ignore. Agatha could be cruel and carried her grudges, but she never went so far as to deny her Omega.
Far from it, Agatha had spent years studying, trying to mold herself into the image of an Alpha, something humans didn’t naturally possess. Agatha wanted to be enough; she needed to be enough. Agatha felt the need to claim Rio completely, to accept her as an entity and as a mate. And she did.
Centuries ago, Agatha invented a spell that made it possible, altering some of her basic traits. She didn’t change entirely, but she changed enough.
Agatha knew how the lack of contact affected Rio. She felt it too. It was a constant pain, always throbbing at the center of her head, always there, always persistent.
“Come here,” Agatha finally commanded.
Rio obeyed instantly, moving swiftly. Without hesitation, she sat on Agatha’s lap, wrapping her arms around her neck, pulling her closer.
“So desperate,” Agatha murmured, holding Rio’s face to make her meet her gaze.
Rio was in bliss, Agatha’s scent flooding her senses. The mark on her neck seemed to pulse, almost as if it were alive, claiming its place.
Agatha tilted her head and began marking her again. Her face rubbed against Rio’s exposed skin, leaving her scent imprinted. The sensation was electric, and Rio didn’t notice the purring escaping her throat. Instinctively, she tilted her head back, offering more of her neck.
When Agatha’s teeth grazed a sensitive spot on the mark, Rio’s body arched, unable to suppress the response. A moan escaped her lips, and she couldn’t help but move on Agatha’s lap, seeking more contact.
“Alpha, please…” Rio begged, her voice thick with need.
But the shrill sound of the microphone being accidentally pushed interrupted the moment. A loud noise echoed through the small studio, and Agatha seemed to snap out of her trance. She stood abruptly, almost as if she’d been burned, putting distance between them.
“No!” Rio whimpered, her voice tearful. Her body moved automatically toward Agatha, her head tilted back in a gesture of submission. Confusion clouded her mind, making it hard to understand what was happening.
Rio let out small sobs as she stepped back into Agatha’s personal space, seeking comfort.
“Shh, shh, it’s okay. I’m here,” Agatha said, softening her tone, allowing Rio to settle under her neck.
“Let’s get off this road first, okay?”
Rio purred in agreement, the sound a reflection of her relief at finally being surrounded by her Alpha’s scent and presence.
3.
Agatha pretended not to be surprised when Rio approached and, without asking for permission, sat herself between her legs while everyone else chatted around the campfire. The moment felt almost casual, as if they hadn’t been separated for centuries.
Agatha had just finished telling the story of her scar. She didn’t miss the sound of Rio’s laughter, nor how the memories enveloped her as well, after all, Rio had been there.
Agatha also didn’t say anything when Rio tilted her head and rested it on her thigh, like an obedient pup seeking comfort. The naturalness of the gesture made something in her chest tighten. Without realizing it, Agatha began running her fingers through Rio’s hair, and the Omega closed her eyes, leaning into the touch as if it were exactly where she was meant to be.
Agatha felt the curious gazes around her, the others clearly intrigued by the scene unfolding. She kept her expression neutral, but her hand continued stroking Rio’s soft hair as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I have a scar,” Rio suddenly announced, lifting her eyes to the group.
“No, you don’t,” Agatha replied almost instantly. She knew it wasn’t true. Of course, Rio had a scar. Agatha had been there when it was made. She herself had caused the mark on Rio’s neck. She vividly remembered the euphoria of finally claiming her mate, of leaving her permanent mark.
“Yes, I do,” Rio insisted, tilting her neck to reveal the mark, the unmistakable symbol of their bond.
It was as though Rio wanted to prove her point, but Agatha knew there was more behind it.
Rio shifted in the space between Agatha’s legs, as if preparing herself for what she was about to say. Suddenly, she seemed smaller, almost fragile, and that made Agatha’s protective instincts kick in. Without thinking, she leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Rio, pulling her in as if to shield her from some unseen threat.
That’s when the scent changed.
Agatha noticed it immediately, of course. Rio’s scent was always clear to her, a unique blend of sweetness, earth, and something deeper, older. But now, there was a new note.
Sadness.
“A long time ago,” Rio began, her voice soft, almost a whisper, “I loved someone. And I had to do something I didn’t want to do. Even though it was my job… And I hurt them.”
Rio paused, and the silence around the campfire felt heavy.
“She is my scar,” Rio concluded, her voice laden with emotion.
Agatha froze. Rio’s words hit her like an unexpected blow. Memories she had buried began to surface without permission, years of pain and regret.
Rio’s scent was everywhere now, so close, so familiar. The scent of home. The scent of comfort, of everything Agatha had lost.
And, in that moment, it was simply too much.
Without warning, Agatha stood abruptly, the sudden movement drawing everyone’s attention.
Rio lifted her face, her eyes wide with confusion and perhaps a hint of hurt.
“I’m going to… stretch my legs,” Agatha said, the excuse tumbling out hurriedly, without conviction, as she walked away.
4.
Of course, this was Agatha's trial. Nothing could be more humiliating than a slumber party with a fake coven, on a fake road, surrounded by people who had no idea what they were doing. It was unbelievable.
But the worst of it wasn’t the situation, it was Rio.
The Omega couldn’t keep her distance. Every couple of steps, there she was, invading Agatha’s personal space, touching her, holding her, pulling her close like she desperately needed the contact.
Rio had always been a brat.
She took every opportunity to get closer. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischievous determination, and every now and then, she smiled that smile, the one that made Agatha’s stomach tighten against her will.
The coven was clearly paying attention. Agatha could feel their curious stares every time Rio touched her, every time she pulled the Alpha to her like it was her unquestionable right. No one was bold enough to ask about the Omega’s behavior, but curiosity hung in the air like a poorly cast spell.
The situation reached its peak when Rio, without hesitation, sat in Agatha’s lap to play Ouija.
Agatha tried to ignore the comforting warmth of Rio’s body pressed against hers, but the closeness was maddening. To reach the board, Rio had to lean at an almost ridiculous angle, but even then, she didn’t pull away from the Alpha for a second.
“D-E-A-T-H.”
As the letters were spelled out on the board, Rio let out a low laugh, a mix of amusement and something else. She tilted her head to look up at Agatha, the mischievous glint in her eyes unmistakable.
Rio sighed, an almost contented sound, before leaning in closer, pressing her nose against the spot where Agatha’s scent was strongest. Her warm breath grazed the Alpha’s skin, sending a shiver down Agatha’s spine.
The scene was almost absurd: Death, the immortal being feared by all, sitting in Agatha’s lap like an innocent kitten, purring at the contact.
Agatha tried to stay composed, but memories began to storm through her mind. She remembered when Rio used to admire her openly, often finding her surrounded by bodies. Agatha had loved seeing the way the Omega’s eyes sparkled whenever she wielded the Darkhold, asserting the power it gave her.
She remembered blackened fingers, tainted by dark magic, grazing Rio’s skin and drawing shivers from her during the rare times Agatha allowed herself to return to her and help her through her heats.
But all of that felt so distant now.
5.
Agatha was furious.
The damned child of the Scarlet Witch had thrown her into this pit, or whatever this place was. She was lost in the Paths, surrounded by darkness and unstable energy.
Frustration burned inside her like an uncontrolled wildfire. Every attempt to escape felt useless, and Agatha could feel her patience slipping away, her anger growing.
Then, she felt it.
It was like a familiar tug in the back of her mind, a shiver down her spine that radiated warmth and power. Rio was near.
“My, my...” Rio’s voice echoed through the cavern, laced with teasing amusement. “It seems young Maximoff made quite the mess.”
Agatha didn’t need to look to know Rio was smiling.
“How dare he…” Rio continued, her voice low, almost a whisper, dripping with irony. “You should kill him for this. You know that, don’t you?”
Agatha’s teeth clenched. Rio taking advantage of the situation to provoke her was the last of her problems.
“Not now,” Agatha snapped through gritted teeth, her tone sharp as a blade.
Rio tilted her head, her brown eyes fixed on Agatha, observing her like a predator sizing up its prey.
Before Agatha could react, the atmosphere shifted. A familiar scent surrounded her, faint at first but growing stronger. She recognized it immediately: calming pheromones.
Agatha’s body relaxed almost against her will. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her chaotic thoughts began to clear.
“Stop,” she ordered, her voice laced with frustration. She stepped forward, as if she could intimidate Rio with proximity. “I don’t need this.”
But the Alpha couldn’t deny the relief washing over her, like a storm finally breaking.
“Of course,” Rio replied sweetly, obediently, yet without stopping the release of pheromones for even a second.
Rio’s eyes gleamed with something hard to decipher, a mix of care, teasing, and something deeper. Slowly, the Omega began to approach, one careful step at a time.
When she finally stopped in front of Agatha, she tilted her neck, exposing the soft skin and the mark that emitted that intoxicating scent.
Agatha swallowed hard. She was only human, after all, and the temptation was overwhelming.
Almost without realizing it, she gave in. Her dirt-streaked fingers touched Rio’s neck, and she leaned in, letting herself sink into the scent that felt like home, despite all the darkness surrounding her.
Rio let out a soft sigh, her arms rising to wrap around Agatha’s shoulders. Her hands traced slow, soothing circles on the Alpha’s back, as if taming a wild beast.
Time seemed to stop.
Agatha didn’t know how long it had been until her heart slowed and her breathing steadied. Rio’s scent and the warmth of her touch had anchored her mind, pulling her back from the edge.
“I’ll open a way out for you,” Rio whispered, but her arms remained around Agatha, holding her close.
+1
Agatha had chosen to kill the boy.
Rio couldn't help the wave of pride that engulfed her, as if the simple act had reignited the memory of the Agatha she had fallen in love with so long ago.
Agatha's steps were firm, filled with the same confidence that always accompanied her. She moved away, determined to carry out her decision. Rio felt a pulsing euphoria take over as she watched Billy decide how to tear his soul apart.
But suddenly, Rio noticed Agatha had stopped. Something changed in the air. She turned and began walking back, each step resonating as if it carried the weight of the universe on her shoulders.
Rio felt a wave of hope wash over her, making her dizzy. Maybe... maybe Agatha had finally forgiven her.
And then, suddenly, there she was, invading Rio’s personal space with an intensity the Omega hadn’t felt in centuries.
Powerful pheromones filled the air, so strong and intoxicating that Rio staggered for a moment, her knees weakening. But before she could fall, Agatha gently caught her, as if she were something fragile, precious.
Agatha’s eyes were shining, filled with a love Rio hadn’t seen since... before everything had fallen apart. The Omega felt a lump form in her throat.
Agatha raised her hand, holding Rio's face with a disconcerting gentleness. She tilted her head, drawing closer, until their skin touched. Their necks rubbed together, and the heat of the contact made Rio's heart race. It was as if Agatha wanted to mark her again, as if she wanted to ensure that every piece of Rio belonged to her, body and soul.
Rio felt her legs grow weak, her entire body reacting to the Alpha's presence. And then, as if in a dream, Agatha’s lips found hers.
The taste was so familiar that Rio couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped her lips. She threw herself into the kiss, desperate, the longing and desire spilling out of her. Gods, how she had missed Agatha, how she had missed being touched by her.
But then something changed.
Rio was so lost in the kiss, so caught up in the moment, that she didn’t realize what Agatha was doing until it was too late.
When Agatha began to float, Rio felt confusion overwhelm her. Her brow furrowed as she involuntarily tried to chase the kiss that was being ripped away from her.
But it was beyond saving. Agatha had drained her power.
Rio barely had time to register what was happening before she felt the mark on her neck burn. The pain was so intense it almost made her collapse.
No. No, this couldn’t be happening.
Tears began to roll down her face, hot and bitter, as she stared at Agatha, now unreachable.
Agatha’s gaze was different now, distant, as if she had accepted something that Rio couldn’t comprehend. And then, like the shattering of glass, reality split.
Agatha was dead.
And with her, Rio’s black heart.