The Witch's Wolf

The Invitation

Isla

Ama's laughter fills the office, tears streaming down her rosey cheeks. Conri's face glows a bright red as he stands awkwardly next to her, unsure of what to do next.

"I apologize deeply for Alpha Ezekial's actions. This is in no way a reflection of how we hope to move forward working with the great Sorceresses of the West," He says nervously. It takes me a minute to work through the shock of the moment and find my voice.

"That's alright, Beta Conri. It seems that both of our partners have decided against professionalism today," I respond shooting Ama a dry look. She quiets with one last giggle, but a small continues to tug on the side of her mouth.

I gesture to the chairs in front of my desk, inviting the pair to sit down. Conri sits in the chair closest to the window and nervously hands me a portfolio. As he is leaned over, his eyes travel past my shoulder and lock onto Xena. She has barely moved since all of the commotion started, but stares back at him with a quiet intensity.

"You carry your natural companion with you?" He asks, "I've never met one in person."

At his voice, Xena stretches out her front paws and slowly moves towards him in curiosity. He leans back into his chair, watching her warily.

"She's friendly as long and she doesn't sense a threat," I say in an attempt to comfort the wolf, "Xena doesn't take well to being away from me. And she is larger than most companions, so I rarely have to worry about her being harmed."

Xena's dark takes in Conri's scent and she regards him for a moment before deeming him uninteresting and crawling back to her bed.

"Well, Beta. It looks like you've passed her test. Shall we?" I spread the presentation on the desk in front of us and encourage him to begin.  

"Yes, thank you," He says with a relieved breath. He continues to watch Xena out of the corner of his eye as he dives into the inner workings of the ACF. 

After the great war, to recover economically, many creatures found ways to integrate themselves into the human world. The Amber Moon pack had found a particular inclination towards the medical field. Many served as field medics in the war and easily transitioned to training as doctors. Eventually, their influence and wealth grew until they were able to expand into foundation work. Their individual net worth far surpasses ten digits, I can hardly imagine what their pack's resources entailed.

Conri and Ezekial serve as the heads of the foundation after recently inheriting the company from their fathers. I see Ama raise her eyebrows slightly at the realization that these two young men, barely in their 20's, were in charge of the entire pack. A wolf's lifespan is a blink compared to a witch's, but still they seemed so young. I suppose, in relation to our timeline, Ama and I are considered as young as the wolves by some. 

We let him speak for some time, only stopping to ask a few clarifying questions. Conri starts to move into our partnership when my office door is thrust open.

Alpha Ezekial stands in the doorway, water dripping from his clothes and hair. In his hands he holds a clay pot with a small green stems sticking up from the dirt.

"For the love of the moon, Zeke," Conri shouts in disbelief, "What is wrong with you? And is that a r****h plant?"