The Witch's Wolf

The First Impression

Isla

My hand dangles awkwardly in the open air, waiting for the cowering wolf to take it in his hand. I've only met a few Alphas, but each one had an aura that immediately commanded the room. They stand tall, silently, and often speak with an annoying arrogance. This one, however, is unusually sweaty and continues to stare intensely at me from his hunched over position. 

"Um... is he usually like this?" Ama whispers to Conri. The Beta shakes his head and looks at the man with the same confused expression as the both of us. 

I clear my throat softly and start my sentence again, "Alpha Ezekial. It will be our pleasure to work alongside the Amber Moon Pack. We view this potential partnership as a message to both our kind that the animosity of the past will not join us in our future."

My words seem to trigger the Alpha, his golden irises turn dark and he suddenly straightens into a standing position. It's then I'm able to see his full height and I'm surprised to see he stands nearly a head taller than myself. His deep olive skin has taken on a sickly green undertone that's highlighted by the lack of color in his tightly pressed lips.

He looks down at my hand then back up to my face. I look to Ama for help, but she's still staring at the Alpha with a mixture of bewilderment and hilarity. The Alpha opens his mouth, as if to speak, then closes it with an audible snap before turning on his heel and sprinting through my open door down the hallway. He dives into the emergency stairwell and disappears as the heavy metal door slams behind him.

The three of us stand silently for a moment, mouths agape waiting for the emergency alarms to subside. Once the sirens shut off I turn to Conri wondering which out of the one million questions I have I should ask first, but Ama beats me to it.

"Um... Is he going to run down all fifteen flights?"

                                                                                        • • •

Ezekial

"GO BACK!"  Roan roars, his voice echoing off of the walls of my mind as I burst out onto the busy street. The rain pours down from the sky in sharp bullets that paint my clothes to my skin. I can barely feel the cold as I push through crowds of people running for cover in nearby buildings.

I have to fight with every fiber of my being not to let Roan take control and run back up the stairs. After a few blocks my sprint turns to a slow jog until I'm walking down the empty sidewalk. My heart is pounding in my ears, but all I can hear is her voice playing over and over again in my head. 

Ezekial. I close my eyes and visualize her perfect lips saying my name. Even now just the thought of hearing her say it again makes my stomach leap into my throat. That soft voice filled with the warmth of a sun soaked spring morning. 

A low growl bubbles up from my chest and tumbles past my lips. My first time meeting her and I'd run away like a coward. I can't even imagine what she'd thought of me running away from her like a scared pup from his mother. The Alpha of the Amber Moon pack, feared by every ranked member in the region turned to silly putty by her beautiful smile.

I need to go back. I need to have her in my arms and show her that she'll be protected as long as I'm alive. My body aches to bury my nose into her long, dark curls and breathe in her sweet chamomile scent. Roan howls in encouragement, his added energy vibrating through my veins. 

We start the walk back to the building and I feel the nerves start to set in again. Roan whimpers, thinking I've changed my mind about going back but I quickly put him at ease.

"I don't want to walk in empty handed, we should bring her something" I say scanning the street. My eyes land on a yellowed sign decorated in small painted flowers that have faded after years of enduring the Seattle rain. 

"Perfect." Roan and I think in unison. As I walk towards the nursery my feet feel as if I'm floating on air and not even the brisk autumn wind slapping against my soaked clothes can make me feel cold. A huge smile breaks out onto my face as it dawns on me. I've finally found her.