Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 24: Three Years Later

I’m driving in my old car, a vehicle I’ve grown quite attached to since I had to leave the Silvermist pack a few years ago. During the countless hours spent in the packhouse, I’ve worked on this car, tinkering away. It’s a good thing my cousin Sam is a genius with anything that has an engine; whenever he visited, he taught me all the tricks of the trade. And now, here I am, driving this same car back towards the Silvermist pack. I’m not sure how I feel about what’s to come — so much has happened in the past three years.

After the first major attack on the Shoreward pack, smaller attacks continued, mostly on the coastal packs. The Verdant Kingdom wasn’t spared either, though the damage there has been relatively manageable. My uncles, aunts, and cousins are stationed in packs along the borders, providing a strong defensive line.

With the resurgence of war and attacks by rogues and dark witches, there’s been a significant spike in hatred towards witches, much more than before. My mother has taken it upon herself to travel frequently to other packs, showing that not all witches are evil. She seeks out witches in hiding, offering them a safe haven in the Moonstone Pack. When she’s not doing that, she’s aiding during attacks and healing the wounded. Of course, my father is by her side, every step of the way.

I’m incredibly proud of my mother. She’s the main reason the attacks on our kingdom are swiftly thwarted and the enemy can’t penetrate further. She’s so powerful. But with everything going on, my parents are constantly on the move, and I see them much less than I’d like.

In the meantime, Nester has become Alpha King, a heavy burden in such tumultuous times. Thankfully, he has Naveed and Nikolaj to support him. Nowen continues to explore his artistic talents, but whenever unrest flares or a minor attack occurs, he’s right there by my brothers' side.

As for me, after much pleading, they’ve involved me in pack management and war strategies, recognizing the value I can bring, especially after completing my Master's degree. I’ve been present at all the meetings with my brothers, discussing defensive strategies. In the past year, I’ve even fought in two skirmishes during attacks on my uncle Issac’s pack. I used to laugh at the idea that getting your wolf at sixteen meant you were destined to be a great warrior. Now, after all this chaos, I know it’s true — I’m a born fighter.

As I drive towards the Silvermist pack, the memories flood back. The triplets linger at the back of my mind, a distant but persistent presence. After everything, I’ve had little time to dwell on them.

“They’re expecting my brother Nikolaj, who’s driving just ahead of us, but they have no idea I’m coming,” I say to Zephyr, who’s sitting next to me. “I have no idea how they’ll react to seeing me.”

Zephyr gives me a playful grin. “Well, it’s bound to be interesting. Maybe they’ll throw a welcome party with confetti and cake. Or maybe they’ll just stare at you like you’ve grown another head.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Knowing them, I guess the latter.”

My brother Nikolaj didn’t speak to the triplets for nearly a year, but due to the numerous attacks on the coastal packs, they reconnected. Naturally, he was concerned about them. It also turned out that their father, Alpha Mornan, disappeared during a scouting trip, and since then, the triplets have been leading the pack. Gradually, Nikolaj and the triplets have reconciled, although the topic of me still remains a sensitive issue with Nikolaj.

Kaynim asked for his help with strategic and political matters. Apparently, many smaller packs along the coast are being attacked, but the three largest packs have joined forces two years ago: Silvermist pack, Wavecrest pack, and Stormfront pack. You could call it a small kingdom, but it’s quite different from the Verdant Kingdom. Each pack has its Alphas and a few elders, a delegation of the oldest and most wise werewolves who set rules for the three largest packs and ensure they’re followed.

Since Silvermist is in the center and the largest, it hosts the most important meetings to discuss matters that affect all packs. These meetings happen weekly. Besides the occasional attacks, they also face a number of smaller packs turning against them.

Nester thought it would be a good idea for me to go with Nikolaj since we’re so close and make a great team. Nikolaj was initially hesitant but couldn’t deny that I could be an asset. Though he did warn me that he’d be watching me like a hawk — and also keeping an eye on Kaynim, Tazzym and Zyméo.

As we get closer to the Silvermist pack, Zephyr glances at me with a mischievous grin. "So, are you going to use your Omega scent trick again?”

“Nope,” I reply with a small smile. “They already know I’m not an Omega. Though they still have no idea how I managed to change my scent back then.”

Zephyr smirks. “They probably think you just slept with a lot of Omegas.”

I laugh awkwardly. “Oh right, they’re probably still under the impression that I’ve had many bed partners. Oops, I forgot to clear that up.”

Zephyr raises an eyebrow and chirps, “Well, it’s never too late to start a new rumor. Maybe you could claim you’re writing a book on Omega mating habits.”

I shake my head, laughing. “Yeah, no thanks. Fortunately, they still can’t smell that I’m a witch. Nikolaj said I don’t need to share that I’m half witch for now. They seem to assume that only my mother is a witch and that I’m just a wolf. He thinks it would make things more complicated, especially with the war going on.”

Zephyr nods, looking thoughtful. “That’s probably for the best. Better to keep things simple, at least until things settle down. You don’t want to add ‘targeted by paranoid wolves’ to your list of problems.”

"Yeah, I have enough problems already," I say, glancing at Zephyr. "This whole 'mate' thing... Noali has been very restless since we left. And I'm nervous too. If they really are my mates, things will get even more complicated. Nikolaj would kill them instantly."

Zephyr chuckles. "Kill is a strong word. That would hurt you too, indirectly. But maybe he'd castrate them?"

I look at Zephyr, a bit horrified. "Sometimes, your thoughts scare me."

Zephyr smirks. "That’s why you love me, right?”

I smile and roll my eyes at Zephyr. Then, biting my lip, I say, "But I made sure that if they are my mates, we can't feel the mate bond. I don't want to be distracted."

Zephyr stares at me, his eyes serious. "Spell?"

"Yup, spell," I confirm, glancing at him before focusing back on the road. "And Noali isn't happy about it. We can't shift when we want to because of it, again."

Zephyr chirps, snuggling in his seat. "You know, sometimes I think you're the only wolf who could make life as complicated as possible."

Tazzym’s POV

I sit with my brothers, Kaynim and Zyméo, in the conference room adjacent to the packhouse. We're gathered around a large table with a map spread out, detailing all the coastal packs and the surrounding territories. To our left sit Beta River and one of our pack's elders, Melville, who was close friends with our father.

Across from us is Alpha Reed of the Stormfront pack. At 27, he's only a year older than us and tends to have a more progressive mindset. Beside him are his Beta, Tyler, and three elders from his pack: Einar, Indrik, and Ashnar, who mostly try to temper Reed's liberal ideas.

To our right is Alpha Flint of the Wavecrest pack, an older, strict man whose ego often sparks debates over pack management. He constantly plays the card that he's the longest-serving Alpha and has experienced more than most at the table. His Beta, Larc, fully supports him, as do his pack's elders: Borgan, Gavner, and Ranulf. Among them, Gavner is the one to watch out for. He strictly enforces the pack rules, has a sharp tongue, and can sway anyone here to his side. Many respect him greatly, but my brothers and I are less fond of him.

I mind-link my brothers. “I hope Nikolaj gets here soon so we can start the meeting. If I have to listen to Elder Gavner’s small talk for much longer, I might just puke.”

Kaynim smirks slightly, glancing over at me, while Zyméo keeps his eyes on the map, tapping his fingers impatiently. The room buzzes with low conversations as we wait, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

"It’ll be nice to see Nikolaj again," Kaynim links. "Talking on the phone and texting isn’t the same as seeing him in person."

"True," Zyméo responds in the mind link. "Since we have a bit of a lull in the attacks right now, maybe we can do something fun with Nikolaj after the meeting."

I grin. "Yeah, maybe we can hit the club. He can join Kaynim and me in picking out some girls."

Zyméo huffs. "And what about me?"

"You can come along with your appendage Seraphina," I say, smirking.

"Watch your mouth, brother," Zyméo retorts, giving me a warning glance.

Just then, the door to the conference room swings open. Nikolaj walks in, exuding authority and purpose. Everyone falls silent, turning their attention to him.

"Welcome, Prince Nikolaj," everyone says respectfully as Nikolaj moves to the side of the table opposite from where we’re seated.

Nikolaj nods in acknowledgment. "Good day Alpha’s, Beta’s and Elders," he replies, his voice steady. He looks directly at us, and Kaynim speaks up first.

"We’re glad you made it safely," Kaynim says.

I nod in agreement. "We can finally get started."

Nikolaj raises a hand. "Not yet. I brought someone with me. She should be here shortly."

Alpha Flint's eyebrows shoot up. "She? A woman? With all due respect, Prince Nikolaj, women are not permitted in these meetings. What could they possibly contribute here?"

Kaynim mind-links us, his confusion evident. "Why didn’t Nikolaj mention he was bringing someone? And a woman at that?"

"Maybe he found his mate?" Zyméo suggests.

"Whatever," I respond. "For once, I agree with Alpha Flint. Mate or not, a woman has no business dealing with these matters."

Before we can speculate further, the door opens again. All eyes turn to see who Nikolaj has brought along.