Chapter 5
1033 Words
JAKE
"Oh enough already," Elena snapped at me.
"What? What did I do?" I demanded, looking over to my side to stare at her in confusion.
Elena had met me at the edge of the woods after my run. She had wanted to make sure I was in the right frame of mind to see the witch.
Which begs the question, why?
Why would she think that I would ever be in the frame of mind to welcome a witch?
Anyway, we are walking towards the mansion and she has been giving me cautious side eyes as if she is worried I would wolf out and go on a rampage.
Ridiculous.
It has been years since I have done that.
When we were killing our enemies.
"You have been grumbling under your breath for the past five minutes. It is not like I am in love with this idea either. It is a necessity." She said.
"I know," I snapped before controlling my temper. "I know, I am sorry," I said gently this time.
She just harrumphs in response and walks ahead of me.
I can't blame her.
We were supposed to be bonded today, but instead, we are meeting up with a witch.
In my pack.
What the hell is wrong with the world today?!
"So dramatic," my wolf scoffed.
"Don't start. Not now."
"Why not?" he growled. "Our mate is hurt and alone in the pack clinic and you are here going to see a witch with your wannabe Luna."
"Hey! No. You don't talk about Elena like that. She deserves our respect. Your respect."
He was silent for a few seconds before I hear him rumble faintly. "Sorry."
"You are forgiven."
I look up to see Elena standing at the entrance of the mansion, with a blank look on her face.
"Great," I sighed.
I jog up to her and reach for the door.
"Were you talking to your wolf just now?" she asked, freezing me in my spot.
"Yes."
"What… what does he think about the whole thing?" she asks quietly.
I stare at her for a few seconds before answering.
"He thinks this whole thing is stupid," I said before walking in.
I didn't miss the relieved sigh that came from her.
I am an asshole.
"You are a liar," my wolf screeched, causing me to wince.
"Are you okay?" Elena's voice came.
"Yeah, Elena. I am good." I lied.
"You are a bloody liar." My wolf screeched again.
"I didn't lie. I just misdirected." I defended.
"Liar. You are playing with fire."
"What?" I asked, trying to know what he was talking about.
"You say she deserves our respect and you lie to her. You are only setting her up for heartbreak. Again."
That was cold.
If it turns out that the woman is my mate, that will mean I have to let go of Elena.
She had already had her heart broken when she lost her mate, can I hurt her again like this?
I shake the thoughts out of my head, refusing to reply to my wolf's taunts, and stepped into the living room.
There, seated on the couch is the witch. She is being guard by three warrior wolves.
Two by her sides and one at her back.
Smart.
"Alpha," she said as she stands up to bow.
I ignore the salute and got right to business. "What have you been told?" I asked.
I am sitting on the table facing her with Elena by my left.
Five wolves, one witch.
Enough to make her think twice about messing up.
"That there is something wrong with your... the tattoo and that I will be treated with honor if I come to help."
I cut a look at Elena who just continued to stare straight ahead.
Without saying much, I stretch forth my wrist for the witch to examine.
She reached forward to first stare at the fading petal, before she grabs it with her hand.
Everyone moves to attack but I stop them with a growl.
I watch the witch as she trails her finger up and around the tattoo before gripping my wrist tighter and throwing her head back.
In an instant, her eyes went stark white and blue veins crawl up her throat.
"You have met your mate," she said, her voice echoing in the room.
It was as if there were different people with different voice speaking through her.
"My mate? I was cursed to not find her," I remind her.
"Don't lie to me, boy. The spirits see everything. Your mate is here. She found you."
I looked over to Elena and saw that blank stare again. Even more frigid than usual.
"Do not mourn for your friend, child," the witch continued in that eerie voice, bringing my attention back to her.
"What?"
"Do not mourn, for your own time is running out."
"My time?" I questioned, getting even more confused.
"Yours and your mate. The curse was clear, you shall not find your mate. She found you."
Oh.
I didn't think like that.
"And now the clock has begun. When all petals are gone, you two would cease to exist." The witch said.
"Excuse me!"
The words came from Elena but I identified with it.
"What do you mean by that?" I snarled, ripping my wrist from her grip.
It is like a switch coming on. The blue veins retracted, her eyes clear up and blood flowed through her skin again, giving her color.
Witches freak me out.
"Exactly what I said," she said panting, clearly the trance took a great toll on her. "Once those petals fade, both you and your mate will die."
"Why? Why are you witches so against us?" I demand.
"It is not us witches," she snapped in offense.
"It is one witch, one not welcomed amongy our society. Be careful who you rage on, you are not very innocent yourself."
Elena growled at her in defense, but I pull her back from tearing the woman into two.
She did promise the woman to be treated with honor.
"Very well, how do we stop this countdown?" I ask.
"Simple. Kill the witch and live."
- Writer
