Once Upon a Wolf

Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

"The pack travels fast," Poppy huffed. "We don't want to be left behind once we'll leave the pack borders."

"Why?" I asked, my hiking boots stomping on dry twigs and oversized roots from the trees.

"Because of prowling rogues," she bluntly answered, darting her head from left to right. "Even if we're still in eastern territory. They still wander about, you know."

I nodded. "Yeah, sure." A chilled shiver ran down my spine at the mention of rogues that I knew too well now. It was because of them I was in this damn situation.

"But I'm not too worried," Poppy said proudly. "No rogue will come near us. Not with Maddox and the alpha family around."

My eyes trailed down the line of wolves, trampling the underbrush, to the leader up in front — Maddox.

His steely gaze swept over the dense woods. His eyes sharp and focused, ever watchful for any signs of danger that might lurk in the shadows. Behind him trailed Savina of course. You couldn't shake her off him. Close at their heels walked the twins with their occasional bickering and behind trailed Brett a little distance away from Alice.

I scrunched my eyes. Why was Alice walking alone?

She and Brett walked in silence. In any moment, I would've dashed over to her and ask if she was okay. But it was awkward this time. When we'll get to the festival, I promised myself I'll talk to her. We had to end this childishness between us, once and for all!

The afternoon sun extended long shadows through the thick canopy of towering pines as the Moonstone pack set out on the long journey through the vast forest.

"My legs are already achy. I'm not built for the long-haul, hun?" a sickly-sweet voice suddenly blurted next to me. I turned abruptly and faced Serafina — the witch. She wore her regular beaded chains of every gemstone. I glanced down at her flowing gypsy skirt. The witch didn't deviate from her fashion, even on a hike. Jeez, the last time I spoke to her was before I turned into a wolf.

I shrugged. "You're going to the festival, too?" I asked, with a stunned expression. "I thought you'll stay behind with the others."

"Oh, hell no. There'll be witches up there I would like to catch up with gossip," she scoffed. "You'll think I'll miss an opportunity like this. I want front row seats to all the action coming up."

"What action?" I asked. "What's coming up?"

But she just cackled, like a damn witch, with a mischievous grin full of secrets I wanted to unravel. She moved further away and wiggled her fingers to say bye. "You'll soon find out, my dear."

Shaking my head, I looked after her with high annoyance as she joined the pack. Why does she have to come up and confuse the fuck out of me?!

"I don't trust that woman," I said under my breath to Poppy.

Poppy chuckled. "Nobody fully trusts her. You'll be foolish to," she said and pulled off her backpack. "She's a witch, after all."

"Are witches not to be trusted, then?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Never. They always want something devasting from you." She grimaced. "Once a wolf of our pack made a bargain with a witch for him to become the alpha of our rival pack. The witch asked for his left eye in return."

"What?!" I blurted. "Did the wolf give it to her?"

"He did," Poppy nodded grimly. "Let's just say he's no longer part of our pack. He wonders blind now... wherever he is."