Rogue Alpha Queen

Chapter Fifty-Eight -Swift-

Following the witch through the thick of trees, going deeper and deeper into her territory, I felt uneasy. Like I was being watched everywhere despite nothing being there. It send shivers down my spine so I kept an eye out.

It's not like witches are not to be trusted entirely, each pack had their own witch on their lands, let it be in the pack house or at the edge of their territory. They all have them. For the most part.

They are mostly used for healing wounds that would take a while to heal and worn out any vile curses that may bring misfortune to the pack. The Golden River Pack had one years ago but I don't know what happened to her. Judging how the pack didn't fall sooner, then she's most likely alright.

The witches and werewolves have a pact with each other. For lending their magic to werewolf kind, each pack must swear upon the moon goddess to never hurt or kill their witch who is helping their pack.

But since some werewolves don't always follow their swear promises to the goddess, an ancient spell was used to sealed the deal. Ever since, each packed had a witch upon them.

However, I don't know this witch. Who she is or where her priorities lay. She's old and powerful but for all I know, she could be rogue and be leading me towards my death.

Staring at the woman walking ahead of me, I flexed my fingers. Readying my claws which she noticed and addressed. "Put away the claws. I'm not going to hurt you." I don't buy it.

"How am I supposed to know that?" I asked loudly enough for her to hear. "You reek of power that overwhelms me. For all I know, you're gonna kill me."

The witch laughed softly but in a mockery way as she shook her head. "If I wanted to kill you, dear, I would have done it already." She looked over her shoulder at me and it felt like her eyes were glowing a little from amusement. "Being a powerful woman such as I, I don't have times to play silly games with little puppies that can easily be squash beneath my foot, believe me."

I didn't have anything to say at that. Just simply put my claws away as she asked but was still cautious.

After a while, we reached the clearing with a wooden cottage in the middle that stunk of magic and herbs. So much that I sneezed and rubbed my nose. I'm surprised I didn't smell it earlier.

Following the witch up the stairs and inside the small cottage, the door swung closed behind me. Making me glance back as it locked. Looks like I'm not escaping through there.

Sighing, I started looking around. It was dark, a bunch of books everywhere, the same with plates. Either hanging on the wall, standing on top of piled books or just on the ground.

Walking to the room to my left where the witch had gone, it got brighter by lit flames in the fireplace. I covered my nose with my hand from the overwhelming about of magic in the air. The witch was, expectedly, unphased and went over to a table.

Going a little bit more deeper into the room, I turned my head and flinched back when my eyes landed on an owl standing on a branch sticking out the wall. It stared at me with its large yellow eyes, not looking away as it tilted his head and let out a small hoot. I shuttered, taking a couple steps back away from it.

"Afraid of owls, little wolf?" Looking back at the witch, she placed her basket full of herbs onto a table. Taking off her cloak and settling it down on a chair before turning back to me.

"You could say that. Owls and I don't make a good combo." The witch cracked a smile at that, a small glint in her eyes. "Oh? And why is that?"

Glancing back at the owl, I grumbled when it continued to stare at me. Not blinking or anything. "We just don't get along is all." I took another step away from the fat bird.

My eyes widened when the mating bond snapped into place. Snapping my head to the entrance of the cottage, I listen closely to hear loud steps making its way over to the cottage that suddenly became more louder as the beast sped up.

The witch hummed. "That was faster than I expected. She must be very hellbent to find you to run one hundred miles in mere hours to get here."

Ignoring the witch, I was about to rush over to great my mate but before I could, a large humanoid beast of a wolf slamming the door open, crouching down to get inside. My lips turned into a smile when I recognized the beast. "Mate!" Before Thorn was fully inside, I ran over to her and gave her a tight hug. Unable to wrap my arms fully around her.

Burying my face deeper into her fur, I took in her scent. She really needs a bath. "Mate." Thorn wrapped her large arms around me, relief washing over her from the bond. "Mate." Letting out a loud, heavy sigh, the two of us stood there for a while until someone cleared their throat. Looking back, the witch was watching up with a frown.

"You had my mate?" Thorn growled, keeping a paw against my back as she glared at the witch with her teeth bared, ready to bite her head off. 

The witch rolled her eyes. "No, in the matter of fact, I didn't. She wandered onto my property and I was nice enough to bring her here to my home. Be glad I'm even helping you. I'm still pissed off at you for killing my beloved bear." Wait, how did you know Thorn was coming? And Azrael killed her bear? Is that a nickname for someone or did she actually had a pet bear. I hope it's neither.

"Now get out. You stink of death and you're getting blood all over my floor and books." Huh? I started getting pulled out of the cottage by Thorn.

Wait! What just happened! What's going on? How is Thorn even here right now? Did I miss something or something!? Everything is going too fast for me to keep up!

Confused beyond belief, Thorn grabbed my hand and was gently tugging me out of the cottage only to pause after a moment. "To reach your goal, Queen of Werewolves, you must exchange a life for the wooden crown that will lay on top your head." Thorn glanced back at the witch, not saying anything before turning back around and the two of us walking out of her cottage.

Im still confused on how my mate got here.

Walking down the steps and over to the clearings edge, we stood side by side. Holding hands as my mate kept me close, braking down a wall of wariness.

Just as we stepped into the tree like, Thorn looked down at me. "Not to be rude, Swift, but, where is Irse." I sighed, then stopped. Making the giant Alpha stop as well, staring down at me with confusion and a hint of worry. "About that...I need your help."