Mystic Mountain Fate

Dark Magic

Jay’s POV

I had so much on my mind in preparing for this trip. Being Alpha everything needs my final say to get things going, and I needed this break as much as anyone else. If not more. The mountain lions in this range had gotten out of control and some were even rumored to be bewitched by some hybrid rogues.

When I told my brother the real reason we were here he just listened intently. I could always count on him for that, he and I shared the same mother with an alpha bloodline, but he was lucky his dad was not the same as mine, though he didn’t know it. My mother had only told me stories of the dark magic my father practiced, and always reminded me that just because that was my bloodline didn’t mean I had to be evil. Sometimes I could feel it creeping up on me, but I tried to remember my pack and who I represent. I had to move forward in life.

I was happy that my brother was happy, but I knew better than to blindly accept his mate. She hadn’t even let him mark her. What kind of person do you have to be to deny a man that pleasure?

I was also skeptical of her because of the offchance that she may not be his mate after all. Around when my powers began to establish, I had looked into some magic and practiced basics to better keep my pack, and my family safe. I was only 13 at the time but I understood my role as my mothers oldest son.

I saw the heartbreak in her eyes when my brothers father passed away when he was just a pup, and I vowed to never take a mate. I was so stern about this that I created a masking enchantment that would hide my scent from my fated mate. I guess I was just paranoid of the cost having a mate would have on my pack, knowing one day I would need to be the protector and alpha. I could never see myself falling victim to that way of life and more than anything, I recognized the need for a strong and independent alpha. And that’s what I would be.

I was getting ready to go scope out the valley alone when my brother came up to me.

“You’re going solo?” He asked. I knew he wasn’t doubting my capabilities, I was Alpha of our pack and had spent my entire life training.

“Yes. Less of a threat, just in case.” Less of a threat to the enemy, I meant.

“No way. I’m coming with you.” Bry stated.

“And leaving our pack alone?” I said seriously. “I don’t think so. You’ll stay here and protect them while I get a better idea of what we are up against.”

“That’s dumb! I mean… I’m not an alpha like you so what could I possibly do that you can’t do better?” Bry said , looking defeated.

“Hey. I’m only alpha because I was born first. We have the same alpha bloodline. You’re just as capable as me” I told him and punched him in the shoulder.

He just nodded. I knew he understood me.

“Ready?” I asked Rolland, my wolf. “f**k ya I am” he said back. I shifted into my wolf. My coat was black but sometimes when the sun hit me perfectly, the ends of my fur would appear to encompass my form in a glowing red tint. Today was one of those days.

I purposely jumped in the stream, splashing my brother. He shook his head then finally laughed. I looked ahead and ran up toward the mountain, my senses fixed on taking in everything I could. Bry and i both grew up coming here so we knew the area really well, save the differences that come with the change in season. Sometimes the trees bore more fruit, sometimes the streams were fuller.

I looked forward to the changes. This land was so precious to me. It was one of the few good memories i had as a child.

I got halfway up the closest mountain and saw a mountain lion tending to her pups. “Got ‘em.” I thought, when suddenly a breeze hit my nose with the most intoxicating powerful thing I’ve ever smelled. It made me feel the way I imagined drugs made junkies feel. I instinctively looked across the valley and saw two wolves hunting a pack of elk.

“Mate.” Rolland said. Wait, what? The f**k?

Right then in my moment of distraction I was taken out by the mother lion. She was growling ferociously as she tried to pin me down. I managed to keep my composure and left Rol to do his wolf thing. He jumped up barely dodging the knashing teeth coming towards us, and with a twist, accidentally let our back Before leaving I reinstated my enchantment to continue to hide my scent. I walked back to camp with my ears perked up to Sages every word. I couldn’t believe Rolland had just said she was our mateget shredded by the claws of the mountain lion.

“f**k!” I screamed internally. Something was different about these creatures. I saw the mother lions eyes flash purple and felt her laughing in anguish at laying her claws in us. We quickly threw her down the west side of the mountain.

“Run Rolland.” I said.

“Already running chief.” He grunted back as we made our escape. I could feel our back open and cold to the elements. I heard blood dripping from our coat when we finally found some trees to recover in.

We were lucky. This was definitely a warning wound. Next time I would be torn limb from limb by those pups, too. I could feel that the magic in her claws was making it hard for me to heal myself in a timely manner. I thought for sure I needed to clean this the best I could.

I crept back to camp in my human form, and snuck into the camp showers putting on some trunks I had stashed there for times like this. f**k, that hybrid lion really got me. I showered and applied some ointment i prepared prior to the trip. I turned to get a good look at it. Nothing a little magic couldn’t fix. I began to carefully whisper some ancient spells under my breath in the hopes of breaking whatever hex was against my healing capabilities. Just then I heard the door knob turn, how could I be so stupid not to lock the door? It could be the lion again back to finish me.

I looked to the door only to see it was just my brothers mate. That’s when the scent hit me. The scent from the mountain.

“Mate.” Rolland said. And this time the scent was ten times stronger. Had my hex-removal spell taken down all the magic I had built up around me? Even my masking spell?

“Go.” I told sage. Her eyes silently spoke to me, within them were a thousand questions I could never answer. I knew she must be just as confused as me. She was mated to my brother after all.

“But your back.” She said while reaching for me.

“I said GO SAGE!” I said letting my aura really sink into her. I stopped her hand and that’s when I felt myself tingle. I could feel my gash start to close and while it was so intoxicating to be drinking in her scent, I tried my best to come off as scary as I could.

When she left she looked so scared. Rolland was whimpering at the thought of hurting her feelings. “I know Rol but she is already mated to Bry.” I reminded him.

“Bull s**t, they haven’t marked each other.” He responded. Why did that put a smile on my face? Was I really considering stealing my brothers girl? I was the alpha so I could easily do it, but it was wrong. I felt the tingles make their way down to my -

Okay, no. I needed to focus on my wound!! I turned to see it once again in the mirror but it has healed completely and in its place was a light purple glimmer that reflected in the light. I could hear the echo of the mountain lions laughter and looked around the room. When i caught a glimpse of my back, it was as if nothing ever happened. Was it all in my head?

Before leaving I reinstated my enchantment to continue to hide my scent. I walked back to camp with my ears perked up to Sages every word. I couldn’t believe what Rolland had just said. She was our mate?