Adonis' Mate

Chapter 14

(EDITED)

Footsteps are pounding against the forest floor. Screams are echoing against the trees. Wolves are howling. I hear them all. I hear the cries, the screams, of my pack mates.

I shift into my large, black wolf and follow the loud noises. Howling, I try to locate my pack. I try to mind link them, but I keep getting static. When I begin to smell blood, I run faster and deeper into the forest. Nothing is going to stop me from saving my pack, nothing.

When I find them, all I see is death. Witches and werewolves alike. Blood splatters over trees and heads are cut across the floor.

The witch Julian, like the coward he is, isn't even fighting. He's watching as his coven attacks my pack gruesomely. I growl loudly, my wolf is disgusted with his disrespect for life and so am I.

My wolf jumps into the battlefield and a few pause to watch. Wolves are being massacred and I won't allow it.

A witch walks towards me and grins. My wolf smiles back to show just how sharp her teeth have gotten. The witch uses her magic to try and harm me, but it doesn't work. My wolf grins larger as I let the fire inside of me grow. It expands and expands and shoots out of me, till I'm radiating magic. My heart jumps as I shift from my wolf to my human form. I grin wickedly at the pathetic excuse for witches that aren't fighting for our cause. The stench of fear explodes into the night sky.

"You people disgust me," I voice my thoughts aloud. "The witches who claim to be the most peaceful creatures in the world, look at what you've done. Killing hundreds of creatures, including your kind, for what exactly? What is your purpose? If there are witches on our side, why aren't you listening to them?"

I find my mate in the crowd, clutching his leg. Blood is flowing from his nose and his leg is snapped. His eyes never leave mine and as mine find him, I feel even more alive.

As I stand in the middle of the field, glowing with pure rage, I realize that I was weak. I hadn't defended my mate when he needed it. I hadn't defended my mother when she needed it. When push came to shove, I only offered them both comfort.

"You attack my mate," my wolf growls as I speak. "You kill members of my pack, my family!"

Some of the witches, on Julian's side, have the intelligence to be ashamed, while others dare to glare at me.

"You aren't any better than the man you claim is evil, Julian. He hasn't done anything but help you and be kind to you. He had a pack to run, you child! Just as you had a coven. He left you there, get over it. You are killing others for a man who loved you, but needed to let you go. Be a man and do the same, or be an infant and die."

"Did anyone ask you for your opinion of me, woman?" He asks, rudely. "Because I didn't, and I'm not murdering a pack because of what he's done to me. I'm murdering a pack because of its involvement in the slaughtering of innocents."

Sparks of red flash in front of my eyes, and I realize what it means. He's lying.

"Even if you were telling the truth, which you aren't by the way, I'll explain how I know that in a second..."

I look around the field sarcastically, my eyes narrowed and lips pouring in fake confusion. I gesture toward all of the dead wolves and witches.

"How does murder solve the problem, exactly? I must have missed how you explained that because it makes no sense to me. Especially, considering you witches are supposed to be the most peaceful species of supernatural creatures in the world."

Julian glares at me, and I smile. His followers look momentarily confused, staring at him for guidance. Waiting for Julian to explain his reasoning. To explain why a species of peace is instigating an unnecessary war.

"He has no answer for you. No answer that will justify what he's convinced you to do. Nothing he will say will excuse every murder you've committed. Remember that."

He scowls at me and points toward Adonis. His eyes flashed purple in anger.

"He has done nothing but destroy! Since he became a werewolf, all he has done is murder. He's attacked witches, despite alliances; he's murdered werewolves, despite them being in his pack; he's a vicious animal who deserves to be put down."

Sparks of red flash near my eyes again, and I smile. Julian looks at me in utter confusion.

"I can see inside your head, Julian. I can smell your fear, hear your heartbeat, and see your lies. My eyes aren't purple because I'm a witch, far from it. My eyes are purple because I'm an oracle."

I allow the fire to course through my veins. I can feel the scorching flames burst through my fingertips and scorch the ground around me. It's electric blue flames, surprisingly cold. The flames screech toward Julian, and I smile.

"The fire will turn hot if you lie. If you don't want to die, you'll have to be honest," he screams in fury and fear combined. "Do you think you can fool me, girl? You are not an oracle. Oracles have been dead for thousands of years."

"The only reason you aren't burning alive right now is because you believe that," I snap. "Would you like to repeat the things you've just said, or would that kill you?"

Julian glares at me. His eyes burned holes into my skull. I smile, my eyes burning into him as he prepares to die for his lies or admit the truth.

"Stop it," he says angrily. "Stop this foolish game."

The witches seem to realize that he can't say anything. They finally realize that he was lying to them. A few of the witches look disappointed in their leader, while others shout in outrage. I smile at the chaos.

"Do you now see the truth?" I ask, reeling the fire back in. "Your leader has no reasoning for this massacre. He has no reason for this war. Adonis has never attacked witches, ever. Adonis hasn't ever done anything but helps this coven, and how do you repay him? Following an imbecile's plan to attack his pack. Leave this land, now, before I let my wolf free."

The witches scatter and leave, leaving Julian behind. As soon as they are all gone, I turn to face Julian, and everything goes black.