Saving the Alpha of a Thousand Wolves

2. Mate and Nightmare

With a sigh, I slung Vladimir's jacket over my shoulder and took out the wand I had brought with me. I flicked my wrist and uttered the word: "Transportari!"

In an instant, I felt as if I was being sucked into a vacuum - a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The world around me blurred away until finally, in a sparkle of light, I reappeared within the cavernous lair of my coven. I looked around.

The Grand Lair of the Vermont Witches.

My coven's cave lay hidden deep within the forest west of Warren Falls, secluded from the sight of humans and the Other Worlders. Only witches -my witches- were allowed here.

Which was a thorn in my throat as it meant wolves were banned from this place. Even my Vladimir. If it was any consolation, my soulmate's pack lived in Granville State, just a couple of miles away.

The inside of the cave was nothing short of majestic. The walls were lined with countless candles and lanterns; the flickering light casting out its glow onto various pieces of mystical artifacts and tools used by my Sisters in their daily practice. Further down, several well-worn couches perched on thick carpets made from animal hide, while nearby, several wooden tables sat laden with herbs and concoctions for magical remedies.

The coven members bustled about – laughter punctuating excited conversations as they discussed various spells or identified ingredients to be included in their potions. They seemed oblivious to my arrival. However, someone spied me instantly; her silver hair shining even in the dimly lit room as she hobbled to my side before enveloping me in her warm embrace.

"Your Grace!" she exclaimed in the utmost joy, holding me out so that she could take stock of my appearance. "Where have you been? Everyone here has been worried about you."

I smiled reassuringly at her before taking off Vladimir's jacket to give it back to him later. "I'm fine, Melina," I replied before glancing around at everyone, wondering if anyone else had noticed my presence now. "But let's keep this between us for now, shall we?"

I studied her as she sat in the corner of the cave, surrounded by the faint glow of firelight. Her silver hair had been bound in a tight braid, wearing a corset and wool skirt that had aged with time. She was one of the first humans I took under my wing after I had acquired access to witchcraft. I had rescued her during the Welsh Revolt almost 600 years ago, and taught her the ways of the Balance. Since then, she had served as my loyal adviser and confidant.

I could feel her eyes on me as she searched my face, looking for any sign of emotion or fatigue. When at last her gaze met mine, it was with a knowing look that made me want to turn away before I succumbed to its intensity. But instead, I stood my ground and waited for what came next.

"Did you go see him again?" she finally asked, her voice soft yet insistent all at once.

I let out a sigh before responding. "What gives?"

"You smell strongly of dog fur, Your Grace." Melina smiled knowingly and added, "And that hideous piece of leather."

I rolled my eyes at her before muttering halfheartedly in protest, "Vladimir doesn't smell like a dog, Melina."

"He so does. And a wet one, at that." She chuckled softly before giving me an encouraging pat on the arm; a silent reminder that, regardless of what others might think or say – she will always be by my side no matter what – even if separated by physical form or distance. "Why do you keep seeing him, anyway?"

"Seeing him tonight was not my intention."

"He just happened to be where you were headed?"

I sighed and felt a wave of exhaustion washing over me. I wasn't angry at Melina; she was just being protective like any good friend would be. The history of our races -Witches and Wolves- wasn't a secret to her. However, I knew she understood the deep attraction that I had towards Vladimir, which made her more anxious. "Yes. He just happened to be there," I said with a nod.

"How awfully convenient."

"Melina Brin, have I a need to remind you that I am the Mother of this Coven?" I picked up random pieces of trinkets from a nearby table for a reason I could not fathom. "I have no need to explain myself to anyone."

Melina nodded in agreement before adding, "Well, I am practically the Aunt of the Vermont Witches. That gives me the right to worry about you."

"Why do you hate Vladimir, Melina?" I did not know where the words came from, but they were already out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Hate is a strong word, Your Grace. I distrust him." She stood up. "Not just him, in fact, but all wolves in general."

"He is my soulmate, Melina."

"Do you really believe that? Why? Because he told you so?" A pout appeared on her face, and for a bizarre moment, I wondered what she would look like if I turned her into a duck. "It is known that wolves have only their own for soulmates. You are not a wolf, Your Grace."

"But my brother is." Something twinged inside my chest.

Upon hearing those words, Melina's face fell. Just like Vladimir, she knew how I felt about what happened to Anselm. And how we did not talk about it in this coven. "Forgive me, Your Grace. That was a misstep on my part," she said, her eyes shining. "I think we should go get some rest now. I must have exhausted you."

"All is well, Sister Melina. You do not need to ask for my forgiveness." I took a deep breath, setting down the trinkets I had picked up earlier back on the table as I forgot what I needed them for. "But you are correct about needing to rest. I shall retire to my chamber now."

"Do you want me to escort you, Witch Mother?"

I half-smiled at her, feeling sorry about our conversation turning sour. However, it was already in the past. What was done could not be undone, not even with magic. I shook my head a little. "I can find my way."

- - - o 0 o- - -

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, YOU RAVENOUS MONSTER!" I screamed at the creature lounging on my bed. The fluffy white critter was sleeping with its feet sticking up in the air, undeterred by my shouts. Mel The Terrible, my rabbit familiar, did not even rouse from her sleep.

I glanced around my immaculate room, now messy and littered with bunny droppings. My quilt was lying on the floor and shredded pieces of fabric were covering half of it. There were also scratches on the wooden furniture and a peculiar smell coming from somewhere near my vanity table that I could not pinpoint.

I sighed as I set Vladimir's jacket on a table before dedicating some magic to clean up everything. With a wave of my wand, I sent all the debris flying away and put things back in their proper places - except for Mel, who screeched and squirmed from my grasp as soon as I tried to touch her fur. With a hop-skip-jump, she ran towards her cage where she would remain huddled until further notice.

Resigned to the fact that Mel had caused yet another mess in my room, I changed into something more comfortable - an old nightgown - and climbed into bed.

I lay in bed, exhausted. My eyelids were heavy and my body begged for rest, but my mind was still racing. Images of Anselm kept popping into my head, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness that seemed to be closing in around me like a thick fog. I shuddered at the thought of his outstretched claws reaching for me and his frothing mouth opening wide in anticipation of sinking his fangs into my flesh.

The fear these images induced in me was almost too much to bear, and I felt like screaming out loud until the walls shook with my cries. But instead of giving voice to this emotion, I forced myself to take deep breaths until the panic subsided enough for me to think.

My thoughts then drifted toward Vladimir, who was now out fighting off the wolves that wanted to lay claim to his land. Despite our disagreements, I found myself wishing him luck—and safety—in his endeavor. It would be difficult for him without me by his side providing support, and even though he said he could handle it himself, I knew that he could use all the help he could get right now.

The thought of being apart from him filled me with a sense of helplessness that made my chest feel tight. It was as if a tendril had coiled itself around my heart and refused to let go. With no other option left before me, than to wait impatiently for news from the front lines, I curled up under the sheets and shut my eyes tightly. Like a miracle from the Balance herself, sleep finally swept over me like a wave crashing against rocks on a beach.

- - - o 0 o- - -

In the dream, I was standing alone in a vast darkness, so thick and complete it almost seemed like a physical presence. I peered into the inky blackness, barely noticing my own feet against the ground. All I could see was an unfathomable void, as though reality had been replaced by nothingness.

I reached out with trembling hands, feeling disoriented. Out of nowhere, it occurred to me that I had my wand with me still grasped tightly in one hand. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I raised my arm higher. "Lux," I said and felt the bundle of rowan sticks in my hand glow with inviting warmth.

The light grew gradually brighter until I could finally make out my surroundings: I was standing in the middle of an unfamiliar forest, with tall trees rising all around me like silent sentinels. The leaves rustled softly as if carried on a gentle breeze and every now and then, a twig snapped sharply from another unseen creature's footstep.

My heart beat rapidly against my ribs and I considered turning back towards safety even as fear kept me rooted to my spot. Then, just when I started to take a step back, a menacing howl pierced through the night air - sending chills down my spine and freezing me completely in place.

My heart stopped at the sound of the howl, and for a few moments, I could not move. Then, as if driven by some unknown force, I slowly turned my head toward the source. In the darkness of night, I could make out a mass of shadows looming closer to me. As it drew nearer, the shapes began to become more distinct until they finally stopped in front of me.

The shadow seemed to take form before my eyes; it twisted and contorted in a macabre dance that sent chills up my spine. Suddenly, what had been a mass of nebulous shadows was now taking on the shape of a massive grey wolf with its snout tinted red with blood.

Horror and recognition dawned on me at once as I watched him panting heavily and his amber eyes searching mine desperately. I gasped when he took a step forward only to see that his fur was tattered and matted with dirt and leaves; his muscles were tense with pain and exhaustion as he limped and moved forward painfully.

"Vladimir!" I exclaimed as worry flooded through my body. "What happened to you? Are you alright?"

He remained silent, his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched as he growled. His fur stood on end and his entire body was tense. I could feel the powerful vibrations of his barks through the forest floor and saw the pain etched into his face. A wave of concern washed over me as I watched him.

The air around him grew thick and charged with electricity, as his bones cracked and shifted under his skin. His fur rippled as if it were some sort of living creature, and then, with a thunderous sound, the transformation was complete. He stood before me in all his naked glory, dripping with blood and with eyes still burning yellow with a wild, feral intensity. Fear surged through me but I also felt my heart swell with compassion for him, an emotion that was as powerful as it was unexpected.

"Vladimir!" I gasped in surprise. "What is happening? What's wrong?"

I watched, my heart pounding in my chest, as Vladimir closed his eyes, his growls dying away. Silence descended like a curtain and I felt my throat constrict with fear as I stared at him. When he opened his eyes again, they were back to their usual blue color.

"It's alright," he said softly, "nothing is wrong." His voice was calm and reassuring.

"But whose blood..." I started but he cut me off before I could finish.

“Not mine." He stepped closer to me, his gaze smoldering. He reached out and ran one hand through my hair before pressing his lips against mine in a passionate kiss that sent a jolt of electricity through my body. We kissed for what seemed like hours and I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin as our tongues began to explore each other.

Vladimir's hands moved around my body in a gentle, passionate caress as we lay there beneath the stars. I felt a deep connection to him, stronger than anything I had ever experienced in the waking world. His touch was electric and filled me with an intense pleasure that made my heart race with anticipation.

As we continued to move together, our pleasure increasing with each passing moment, the dream world around us began to fade away until nothing remained but our shared bliss. Our movements became more urgent and insistent as he stripped away my clothing until all that remained between us was a thin layer of sweat. My head spun with desire as his hands explored my body, bringing me closer and closer to the brink of ecstasy.

Finally, we both lay spent in each other's arms, our breathing slowing and deepening with each passing minute. I felt so safe in his embrace that I could have stayed there forever; feeling contentment wash over me like a wave along the shoreline.

I looked up at him, watching him almost fall asleep. He looked peaceful, vulnerable, even. But I could not shake the feeling that something was off. "What has gotten into you? Is there something wrong I should know?"

Vladimir smiled a sad smile at me and shook his head. "Nothing is wrong." He took a deep breath. "I love you."

My heart melted at that moment and I could feel the tears prick my eyes. "And I, you," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

He reached out and helped me to my feet. Taking his hand, I stood up, a little bit unsteady, and he started to lead me away.

"Where are we going?"

He paused for a moment before turning back to look at me with an expression of sorrow on his face. "To your grave."

Without warning, Vladimir spun around and drove his clawed hand into my heart.