The Witch and the Wolf ✔️

Fire Lake

I flopped onto the big bed in my chambers and sighed in frustration. It had been the second day of studying under Delta D'Anaconia. History had been all we studied in that time. And there were tantalizing glimpses towards etiquette, military strategy, and possibly more evils that I would have to know as the Luna of the Druids.

I missed the relative simplicity of my life under the Southlanders, as a witch who just made spells. I guess even a terrible situation looks better if you're in a worse-off one.

While I'm pretty damn certain that D'Anaconia kept his promise, I heard nothing from Aunt Regina and Aunt Sabrina. A part of me felt sorry for how little I regarded them, back when I had the time.

As I lay on the bed, I came to realize why. Even though I learned to bury my feelings and keep my head down, the truth was that I knew it was the Aunts' fault that my mother and father died.

They were the ones who turned them in, and like fairytale witches they stole me away. I guess, despite everything they did do for me, a part of me never forgot, and always regarded them with the suspicion.

My reverie was interrupted as the Deltas and Surt spilled into the room.

"Come on," Surt cried, practically bouncing off the walls in excitement. "We need to get you ready!"

"For what?" I groaned.

"Alpha Heir Lamar has requested your presence for an excursion," Kaia explained.

Tala smiled coyly. "Yes— seems our little Alpha Heir's being charmed by you again."

I sat up. I'd forgotten my promise already to Huron. Maybe because I thought he would forget.

I reached a hand to my head, trailing through my dark brown curls. Every emotion was growing more complicated. It was all swirling around so much, I wasn't sure if I'd know up from down anymore.

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The Druids have the territory of the Pacific Northwest, although they're expanding South. They have den sites in remote places, making it harder for allies or rival packs to infiltrate and attack.

-Lenora Bishop, 1974

🐺🌙🔮

"Wherever you're going, you're definitely swimming," Tala said as she glanced me over one more time. They just removed what little was left of my makeup, making me bare-faced for the first time in days.

I wore a bikini and board shorts that were bright and colorful beneath a light and airy sun dress with a floral pattern on it. Freya directed me toward sandals that did not look conducive to walking. My hair was braided back and out of the way— at my request.

"But your hair's so pretty," Surt whined.

"I don't like it going everywhere when I'm swimming," I said. "It gets really heavy, and sometimes it's hard to see."

"But you'll look like a mermaid for our Alpha Heir," Kaia said with a suggestive shrug.

"I said no." I used the formal tone that Tala used with my other handmaidens.

"Fine," Surt sighed.

Then came a knock on the door of my chambers.

"It's him," Kaia whispered.

Tala grinned smugly and slapped me on the back. "Time to show what our little Luna is made of."

Surt bounded off to open the door, and I followed, escorting me to the living room area. Standing there was Huron, wearing loose pants that I assumed some sort of swimsuit was under, and the first t-shirt I'd ever seen him wear— a rash guard shirt.

He nodded, still looking regal as ever.

"Lorna, it's good to see you."

I just nodded back, unsure of what to say.

"Well, we should get on, shouldn't we?" He looked nervously to Surt, who just smiled and shrugged.

"I guess so."

He offered me his arm, and I hesitated only for a moment before taking it.

It doesn't mean anything, and he doesn't mean anything either, I told myself. We continued walking down, past the Epsilon guards.

"How are you liking Delta D'Anaconia?" Huron asked as we crossed a hallway, one with windows to the extensive courtyard helping make up the den compound.

"He's a good teacher, I think. I haven't really gotten to know him all that well. I think he'll challenge me, though."

"He's known for that." We descended stairs at the farthest eastern wall of the building.

I frowned— a note of sorrow entered his voice. "Did he teach you?"

"No." He opened the door for me, and I exited, the Epsilons nodding their respect as they saw us out.

"Come on, it'll be quicker if you ride on my back," Huron said.

"On your back?"

"As a wolf."

"Right."

Right in front of my eyes, he shifted into the gray wolf I'd seen earlier, with glowing blue eyes. With only a little bit of hesitation, I climbed onto his back, grabbing fistfuls of fur. Then we were flying into the woods as the sun sank lower into the sky.

🐺🌙🔮

Alpha Fenrir Lamar is causing trouble in the packs and is a major leader in the north. There are rumors, however, that he's even more of a monster than he seems. There are rumors about what he's done to his own pack, to his Luna and pups.

-Sabrina Bishop, 2010

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We stopped in a secluded lake. As the sun sank into the trees, it turned the water the same brilliant orange and gold colors as the clouds in the sky. It was as if the lake was on fire.

As Huron shifted next to me, I practically ripped my sun dress off and launched myself into the cool water, enjoying swimming in an inferno of beauty. I turned on my back, floating, to see Huron standing there. He laughed a few times, before covering his hand with his mouth.

"Come on," I called, forgetting my grudge. "Come swim with me!"

He tugged on the sleeves of his rash guard before pulling off his loose pants, revealing dark blue swim trunks. But he only waded in a little past me, mostly treading water.

"Come on," I urged. Then I splashed. He just grinned and splashed back, and we were playing around like two little kids.

I loved every second of it.

🐺🌙🔮

There are stories about mates who weren't under the Mating ecstasy. There is no recorded instance where those mates have pups. The effect has not been studied enough to determine if it is genetic.

-Tabitha Bishop, 1709

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It was almost completely dark. I sat out on the grass, letting the cool night breeze blow through my braid. Huron sat next to me, looking miserably wet.

"Why don't we take the shirt off?" I asked, reaching to help him take it off.

Before I knew what had happened, he grabbed my hand and his eyes flashed a bright blue, a hostile expression on his face.

"No," he growled. Then the guarded expression shattered into a frightened one as he'd realized what he'd done.

He let go of me, his hand dropping limply to his side. "We should be getting back, anyway."

I nodded meekly, and stood up. "You're right, we should. Sorry I said anything."

Huron looked up at me, parting his lips as if he were about to speak. Then he closed them, most likely thinking better of it.

Then the wolf appeared, and that was that. I reluctantly climbed on, clutching fistfuls of fur. We raced through the woods, the last of the light dying behind us, and with it, any chance of recapturing the moment.