The Witch and the Wolf

The Scent of Blood

**Trigger Warning!**

[Max]

I quickly surveyed the area. The campsite only had 5 bedrolls, 5 bowls, and 5 piles of plunder. I took that as a sign that there were only 5 of them. I did a quick look over to make sure I was not missing anything and then headed back to the inn.

The run back was longer than the one there. I missed her and longed for her to be by my side. "I can't wait to see her again." I tell my wolf.

"Mmm... You tell our mate she is mate, today?" My wolf asked.

I sigh deeply knowing that was not an option at this time. I needed time to ease her into our world, let alone the fact I am a werewolf. I don't see it going over well if I spring it on her.

"Not now. In time we will tell her." I explained to my wolf.

He was not happy to hear that as we continued to run towards the inn. The sun was beginning to set. My wolf was becoming anxious to see her again, and so was I.

I reached the treeline by the inn, and smelt the slight scent of blood. I shifted back to my human form and ran inside. I looked around and saw Brenda crouched over the bar with a rag in her hand on her head. She looks up to see who entered and sees me. The look of shock, disappointment, sadness, and anger was all on her face. Seeing this, I begin to look for Emilia. She wasn't there.

"What the hell have you done with her?!" I demanded in a deep, vicious growl.

"Alpha." She whispered as she hung her head lowly.

I reached across the bar and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to the other side of the bar. As soon as she reached the side I was on, I threw her to the ground. "I said where, b***h? Do I need to ask again?" I was ready to kill. My alpha tone seeping from my growl.

"I'm not sure, Alpha. No, you do not have to ask again, Alpha. I apologize, Alpha." She sobs. She then began to explain that Emi had tricked her and knocked her unconscious.

'That's my Luna.' My wolf said to me. He couldn't help but smirk. That is exactly what we would have done if we were her. I shake my head trying to get the thought of her over powering me out of my head. I had no clue why that was my thought. I had done so well not thinking about anything like that since I discovered her.

"You will be punished. Severely. You had one job and that was to keep her here, and you couldn't even do that. You are very lucky that you birthed me and my kin or your head would be on a platter." I said in an arrogant, but stern tone.

"Yes, Alpha. Thank you, Alpha." She said as she wept at my feet.

I looked around the bar and noticed that one of my pack members had been sitting a few tables away drinking.

"Malcolm." I called for him to come to us.

"Yes, Alpha." Malcolm stands and walks over to me. Reaching me, he kneels before me.

"Rise." I told him. "I need you to take her out back and punish her." I paused momentarily. "40 lashes should be sufficient."

Fear struck her face. "40, my Alpha?" she stutters.

"You think there should be more?" I barked back.

"NO ALPHA. 40 is just and is fine. Thank you, Alpha!" She quickly retorts.

"That's what I thought. Now go. Off with you. Do not question me or fail me again." I growled.

Malcolm took the lead, pulling Brenda out back. I followed close behind.

As he secures her, I find the closest birch tree and cut down a few thin, long branches. I proceeded to the singular willow on the side of the building. I locate a few branches that seem durable and flexible. I cut them down and place them with the birch branches. Next, I make sure to remove the leaves and extra little stems towards the bottom of the branches, being sure to leave some at the top.

I looked around to make sure I didn't see any more suitable branches, then held them tightly together trying to ensure that they were all about the same length. I bonded them tightly with a bit of rope I had in a pocket.

** AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please do NOT do this at home unless you know the risks and are educated! I am not responsible if you make one on your own nor do I claim any ownership of this method! Do it at your own risk! **

[Max continued]

I gave it a few swings to make sure that it had good stability and that it had a nice whoosh noise when swinging. It was ready.

I handed the switch to Malcolm and nodded. He took it from me and walked over to her. As he raised his arm to deliver the first of many lashings, I stopped him.

"Wait."

He looks at me mid swing.

"Which way did she go?" I asked her.

"To the north, Alpha." She said with tears in her eyes while she tried to prepare herself for what was about to come.

"Very good," I said to her. I look at Malcolm, nodded, and said, "You may continue."

Without a second delay, he began lashing her. Screams began to echo through the treeline after the 10th lashing. At that point, I knew I could leave. I turned on my heels and walked to the edge of the trees. I sniffed around for a moment, then caught her scent.

My wolf growled and I shifted, letting him take over. There was no sense in fighting him because we both knew he was a better tracker. We ran for what seemed like forever. Time went quickly and before I knew it the stars were bright in the sky.

Her scent was becoming stronger, but something was different. It was her for sure, but the scent of strawberries mixed with her. I walked closer,6 shifting back into my human form. Treading carefully not to be seen or heard.

I reached the edge of the forest and saw an old house. I looked around the property and there she was in all of her beauty. Someone is there with her though. I sniffed the air again. A gifted one? What was she doing with a gifted one?

Next thing I know, Emilia is taking her clothing off. She hands the clothes to the old woman. There she stands in all of her glory. She was stunning. It took every ounce of my being to not walk over to her and take her. I could feel myself becoming erect. She was so stunning.

I watched intensely. Emilia began to put on a white, silky gown. I can smell her arousal. It was intoxicating. With every inch of coverage of the gown, small whimpers and moans are coming out of her body. Her scent is becoming more and more powerful. I can feel my wolf fighting me. I can't let him win. I shove him down as deep as he can go.

It wasn't enough to reduce my arousal. I was painfully erect now to the point I had to untie my pants partially. I didn't think it would get any worse until one of the elders showed up. The old woman, then, handed Emilia a small vial of something. Emilia began rubbing the contents all over her body while repeating the words that the old lady was saying.

At that point, I knew exactly what was going on. Emilia was a gifted one. She just got her element and they are closing it. How did I know this? Well, very simple. My mother was a gifted one. I was born male, so I took on the wolf traits from my father. My sister, on the other hand, was different. In a relationship like that of my parents, there was a 50/50 chance that she would have been wolf or gifted. It just so happened she took after our mother.

Because of this, I knew that I couldn't stop the prayer. If I did, I would lose her forever, so I decided to stay hidden and just watch.