The Mist Wolves

Chapter 2

Maeve

Ignoring the ominous feeling in my mind, I walked over to my parents with Joel.

“Oh look, my princess has woken up!” my mother laughed as my father pressed a kiss on my temple.

“Don’t you jab at her, Jenny,” my father warned. He turned his attention toward me. “I hope you find your mate at this Mating Ball.”

“Daddy…” I hugged him tightly as he enveloped me in his embrace. His concern for me was overwhelming. He wanted me to find a mate before he either pushed me into a loveless marriage or, if things got worse, gave me to the Mist Wolves as tithe.

He kissed the crown of my head. “Maeve, I know you’re nervous, but I’m sure the Goddess has plans for you.”

Disregarding the topic, I asked, “When will you get back?” My parents were going to the Summer Castle, where all the Alphas and Lunas of the House of Nestor, House of Mallory, House of Summer and House of Gray were supposed to meet for the annual plan for trade amongst each other.

“We’ll be at the meadow with you tomorrow evening, sweetheart,” my father replied. “Just before the ball starts. After all, we’re hosting it!” Once every four years we hosted the Mating Ball.

Mom tugged my hand and hugged. She kissed my cheek. “How are you, Maeve?” she asked, looking into my eyes. Her fingers delicately traced the scar on my upper left arm, over the fabric of my sleeve, her gentle touch sending a shiver down my spine. “It’s not hurting, is it?” When I lowered my eyes, confirming her suspicion, she curled her fingers beneath my chin and tipped my head up. “Those nightmares are nothing, okay?”

“Yes…” I breathed. But why did I feel she was lying? The scar engraved on my arm—a wolf and a dove—burned a lot more these days. I had covered it in long sleeves as usual, hiding it because no one was supposed to know I had it. “I’ll be fine,” I said, hugging her again. “You take care.”

She lowered her voice. “Stay in your room when the Mist Elder comes.”

I knew what she meant. He was going to ask for me as tithe. “I will,” I breathed.

After bidding them goodbye, along with Joel, I walked to where our car was and, at a distance, saw my cousin, Kai. Standing with his parents, Gemma and Gale Jonas, Kai looked handsome in his black, silver-rimmed uniform. His wavy hair was braided and swept back from his forehead. A horde of young girls surrounded them, keeping a respectful distance, but each clamoring for Kai’s attention.

Gemma was my father’s sister. She was older than my father and an absolute sweetheart. Kai inherited his mother’s delicate features, but had his father’s solemn temperament. He was as tall and brave as Joel. I was sure that Kai would be his Beta when Joel took over as the Alpha of the House of Mallory. Kai spent more time with us than with his parents. He was twenty-two and was vying to be the head of the warriors of the House.

Joel signaled him to come to the car. “This wolf has way too many girls dying to jump in his bed. I’ve heard he loves having at least two at a time.”

A few high school girls batted their eyelashes at Joel. He blushed and I chuckled. “But Kai wants to find his mate.”

As soon as we reached our car, Evie rushed to me. “Maeve, come with us,” she urged, tugging my hand. “I’m going with Beth, Amy and Flora. It’ll be so much fun! We’re going to talk about our gowns and accessories for the ball.”

Seriously, this girl couldn’t take a hint. I rolled my eyes. “Evie—”

“She can’t go with you.” Kai’s heavy voice made her jump. “Maeve has somewhere to be. She’s coming with us.”

Evie glared at Kai. Their dislike for each other was an open secret. “You don’t have to make excuses for her.”

“It isn’t an excuse,” he growled. “You may leave,” he said, jerking his chin. “We all need to get on the road.”

Evie gritted her teeth and stomped away. I couldn’t help smiling. “Why are you so rude to her?” I asked as I sat in the back seat of the car.

“She’s a pest!” He gritted his teeth, sitting in the passenger seat.

Our car hit the main highway in less than twenty minutes, quickly losing the guards who followed us. I could see the thunderous clouds rolling in. Low, dense, they hung like a shroud. Lightning crackled far in the distance.

The car sped past the mist, the wind whistling through it. Barely twenty meters away from the highway, the swirling mist loomed, its eerie presence shrouding the landscape. As Joel and Kai chattered on, my attention was captivated by it and I was unable to tear my gaze away. It shifted, rolled, and curled as if beckoning me.

The mist hung like a veil, dividing the realms of Earth Wolves and Mist Wolves. No one had the courage to approach it, for it was believed that wolves who entered would be trapped within its grasp, their lives ending in a slow and agonizing manner.

I was only four when my father defeated the Mist Wolves, led by Alpha Thad Thorn, and put them behind a thick fog forever with the help of the witch, Zelda. It ensured that no one could venture into each other’s territory. Rumors were that my father had to feed the mist with his blood to sustain the spell.

“Maeve,” Kai said, startling me when the car stopped. “We’re going to stop at a gas station and grab some nuts. Would you like some?”

“No,” I replied, dragging my gaze from the mist.

Kai and Joel got out of the car and walked into the convenience store.

All at once, my scar burned brutally and I had this strange urge to explore, to feel, to smell the mist, as I rubbed my hand over the scar. It was impulsive and reckless, but I got out of the car, feeling intensely drawn to the mist. My feet carried me there like iron filings are drawn to a magnet. As I stood before it, my gaze craned upwards, trying to discern its height.

I could feel the chilly air rushing around me, causing the leaves of the tall oaks and aspens to whisper softly. The mist rolled toward me. With a ragged breath, I reached out to feel it. The moment I touched it, it swirled and shifted into five wispy wolves, their ghostly forms converging on me with incredible speed. A scream slipped from my throat as terror gripped me. Immediately, the wolves disintegrated, enveloping me in cold, misty white and wispy tendrils, soothing the burn in my scar. I wrapped my arms around myself as I stepped into the mist, quivering, my wolf on alert, ready to shift.

“Maeve!” a loud voice echoed.

Two powerful hands grabbed my waist and pulled me back.

“J—Joel?” My teeth chattered. “K—Kai?” I looked at them with confusion.

“Are you f*****g insane?” Joel shouted.

“You’re drenched.” Kai pointed. “What the f**k were you doing? Had I not seen you—” He didn’t complete his sentence.

“I don’t know…” I blabbered as Joel pulled me back to the car.

“s**t!” he rasped. “You’re shivering!”

The fog in my mind cleared, and I slapped my hand over my mouth, realizing my colossal mistake. “I—I’m sorry!”