Wolves Without Hearts

☾ Chapter 48 ☾

A/N: Just letting everyone know I accidentally wrote Graceia as the witch but I meant to write her sister's name instead! I fixed it in the last chapter and this one. Enjoy this chapter! We are almost done with the book :D 

☾ T Y T O ☾

My wolf and I were overjoyed by Calixa's words and I pulled her into a tight embrace. I couldn't believe that she was finally accepting the bond. I know I gave her an ultimatum to accept or reject me but I wasn't expecting her to accept me. With her being so stubborn, I would've assumed that she would keep her distance for as long as possible.

"I'm so happy," I whispered into her hair.

I could feel her heat up and I knew she was blushing. I pulled away so I could see her cute blushing face and I was right. My adorable mate sat in front of me with a red flush to her face as she averted her eyes from my gaze.

"No need to be shy," I teased, trying to hold back my laughter at her being so adorable. It was a strange but welcomed sight to see my mate so flustered.

She slapped my arm playfully, and hissed, "Shut up!"

This time I couldn't hold back my laughter and began to chuckle at her. She huffed and turned away from me. Her temper, which used to be intimidating, was now adorable and I was enjoying every moment.

"Aw come on Calixa, I'm just teasing you." I cooed, running my hand through her long, straight hair. She didn't pull away from my touch and just hummed approvingly. I could definitely get used to this.

Suddenly she turned around, as if she realized something, "Tyto, there is a lot we learned while you were out."

I nodded at her as she continued, "Ryder and I found out that Aleana Carwyn is the witch who brought Alistair back from the dead. I'm guessing it was revenge for killing her mate. She's a hybrid and we are gonna hunt her down once you are completely recovered. Her sister said she would co-operate and help us find her. Since they are both hybrids, Graceia said she would be able to track her sister's magic."

We both sat in silence as I absorbed the information. First, I saw red. I was beyond furious that Aleana had brought my father back from the dead, but then I felt better knowing I would be able to put this behind me once and for all.

"I'm feeling much better, are we able to start the hunt now?" I asked, eager to kill the witch who brought a monster back from hell.

Calixa raised an eyebrow at me, "Are you sure? I mean you just recently woke from your coma and still need a lot of rest before you fully get that wolfsbane out of your system."

I shrugged, "I just want this to be over so I can finally mark you and have you all to myself for awhile."

Her face immediately flushed red and I laughed at her embarrassed expression. It was strange to see her express herself but it was definitely refreshing. I also loved how her wolf wasn't forcing her to show her emotions like she had once before. Everything was finally coming together and all that was left was to kill my father, brother, and that witch.

"I guess we could start as soon as Graceia is ready." Calixa said, startling me out of my thoughts.

I grinned, "Then let's go hunt ourselves a witch."

☾☆☾

It had been several hours since I convinced Calixa to give into my want to hunt down Aleana. Now we stood outside the Council building with Ryder, Urza, Graceia, and Orion. 

We were ready to hunt down that witch.

"I can only trace her magic if she used it recently so this may be difficult," Graceia said softly as we set out, following the trail of magic Aleana left behind.

It didn't take long for us to decide to shift to make it easier for Graceia to track the magic and we charged through the forest at a steady but quick pace. I couldn't help but get lost in the feeling of running next to Calixa's wolf but she gave me a shove out of my daydream as I narrowly dodged a large oak tree.

'Pay attention' Ignis teased me as we ran.

I huffed and ignored him as I felt a shift in atmosphere.

"We are getting close," Graceia said, coming to a stop and shifting out of her wolf.

All of us followed suit and soon we all stood unashamedly naked in a clearing. Luckily all of us had found our mates so our wolves were less territorial around each other as we were all mated pairs.

"This way"

At the sound of Graceia's voice, we followed and found ourselves in a dark forest with thick undergrowth and towering oak trees. I could sense we were extremely close. I felt the magic crackling in the air and the feeling was almost suffocating as we trekked onward. Soon we were so thick into the magic that I felt like it was drawing the air from my lungs. I wasn't the only one that was having a hard time breathing but Graceia was totally fine and as was Urza. I raised an eyebrow at the two of them only to receive a shrug as we came upon a classic witch's hut in the middle of a swampy area at the center of the forest.

"I've been waiting for you mutts!" came a voice from inside the hut.

I growled lowly as I instantly recognized Aleana's voice.

"I'm so glad you could all make it to the finale," she cackled, stepping out from behind the rotting door.

Anger radiated off me in waves but I held back, simply glaring at her figure as she stared at us with an eyebrow raised.

Aleana glanced at all of our faces before finally landing on Graceia, "Ah, so my own blood betrays me. It seems that this is a trend as my no good son doesn't think what I've done is right either. Luckily for him, now he will have an audience for his death! Isn't that wonderful? Then I can use his sacrifice to bring back my mate! Maybe I'll even kill my dearest sister while I'm at it!"

I cringed at her maniacal laughter that followed her little monologue. She really is a crazy woman.

"Oh shut up Aleana," Urza snapped, being the first to speak up, "I've heard enough of your plan, now come over here so I can rip your throat out and shove it up your ass. I hate wolves like you and you being a witch makes it even worse."

"Aw, now don't blame me for the death of your little brother Urza Nabarro!" Aleana cackled, "Ulfric was the one who killed him, I was just the one who brought him back to life."

We all glanced at Urza, shocked to hear she had another brother other than Alesky, who was to take over as Rogue Commander soon.

"Don't even talk about Tarquin like that!" She snapped, half shifting in her spot, "I will kill you for what you have done and I won't make it quick."

Ryder placed his hand on Urza's shoulder, "Calm yourself my little spitfire, we will torture her in good time but you need to clear your head."

Urza nodded and I saw her instantly relax at Ryder's words. Aleana on the other hand laughed and kicked the door open to her hut.

"Enough chit chat," Aleana declared, pulling something out from inside, "It's time to get this show on the road."

I was shocked to see she had pulled out her own son from the hut. He was crying and covered in cuts from head to toe; he had a gag in his mouth that was muffling his cries and his hands and feet were tightly bound in front of him.

Calixa snarled loudly at the sight, most likely remembering her own sister's death as the two young kids appeared to be close in age.

"Let that little boy go!" my mate roared.

Aleana laughed an held him out in front of her, "If that's what you want, then come and get him."

That's when all hell broke loose.

☾☆☾