The Wolf and The Witch

Ch 8: Willowmoon Way

Sebastian POV

I looked over at the band of wolves assembled, some of the very best in my pack.

I glanced at the golem head in my hands, "we are off to meet the banished witch. There is little knowledge on her so stay alert and be ready for anything, she does not operate as a normal witch does.

The nodded their acknowledgment, "yes alpha."

I glanced at Mase.

Veronica had met us at the city gates on her day off to say goodbye.

Her fingers were laced in Masons tawny hair as he kissed her before kneeling down and kissing her stomach.

I looked away, ache forming behind my chest.

I loved Mase like a brother and Ronny was a dear friend but I couldn't help when envy burned through me.

I wanted that.

The woman to return home to, a pup growing in her belly.

I wanted the goodbyes before hunt.

And the welcome home.

Empty fucking can only take a man so far.

My inner wolf and my human side craves the loving touch of a mate.

The burning look of passion, desire, and devotion shared between mates.

It feels as though recently, in the past several months I have grown short with Mase after witnessing his happiness.

He has spoken less of Ronny, and she comes around less than she once did while we are together.

So clearly Mase has noticed it too.

It was strange, that I could be so fucking happy for him and so envious at the same time.

It is not a pleasant feeling.

"Mase!" I snapped, more irritably than intended. "It is time to depart we are late enough as is."

He jogged to me, clasping me on the back, "I saw that blonde woman leave earlier this morning. She looked as though she would be a good candidate. Have you considered my suggestion of children?"

"No." I replied coldly, "she wasn't in heat, if I had intended on listening to you I would have picked the leggy brunette. She was equally as willing and certainly in her monthly heat."

"Bash.." he sighed.

"Let us kill the witch so you can return to Ronny."

I could tell he wanted to protest but said nothing, only started into the forest behind me, the rest of out party in tow.

I started to strip, "I hope you all brought something for your clothes, most of the trip we will be in wolf form."

~~

Willow mountain was never pleasant, the trees so dense it made the forest nearly black.

Horrible creatures were known to walk these woods.

I shifted back into my human form, taking a deep breath, hoping to scent the vile stench of witch in the air.

They often reeked of death and sex, known to fuck their demonic masters for power and bathe in blood.

The hellions were probably the most heinous creatures we hunted.

They were mortal once.

But unlike most vampires, the choice to become a witch was entirely theirs.

They summoned a beast from the depths of hell.

They fucked it.

They ate the heart of a sacrifice.

And then they were a witch.

No one could make someone unwillingly a witch.

I searched for the scent of her as we all dressed, knowing our wolf forms wouldn't do well here.

I didn't catch anything in the air save for damp earth and the dusty smell of feathers from the birds in the trees.

I scanned them over, crows.

Except one.

A raven with no eyes.

It croaked softly as we past, Mase walking beside me, "Alpha..."

"Ignore it Mase, these woods hold worse things than a mutilated bird."

"Right." He sighed a bit, scanning the perimeter, "theres no way to know which way to go."

"Her note said the mountains peak." I spotted bits of light floating through the trees. Fireflies. "This way. She did say follow the fireflies."

My wolves didn't argue, they simply followed trusting me as their alpha not to lead them to their deaths.

I wasn't sure it was the best choice on their part.

~~

As we ascended the mountain, more and more fireflies appeared before us, floating around the Golems head and then deeper into the woods.

The stopped in a clearing, hovering in a pool of light before gathering into a lamp.

The another several feet away.

And another.

And another.

Mason inhaled sharply, "are those street lamps?"

"They are." I murmured, watching the fireflies inside them flicker as if they were the flames in a real Gaslamp, "I do believe we have found the street, Willowmoon Way."

"Great." Mason huffed, examining the iron streetlamp in front of us, eyeing the gargoyles with caution. "This isn't foreboding at all."

I stared down the pathway, "everyone stay cautious."

This hunt wasn't one we had any control over.