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Prologue
Haxa could smellthe old wolf just outside her home. His guards' heavy footsteps thumped against the soft forest floor and echoed throughout the floorboards of her home. They were purposely loud, alerting the surrounding wildlife of his presence and forcing her attention from her book.How could a predator be so damn noisy?
"Witch!" a loud voice boomed.
Slowly, she closed her book and set it softly on the table, closing her eyes for a moment before getting up. She wrapped her shawl more tightly around her to help ward off the cold winter air as she made her way across the room.
"Witch!"
With great reluctance, Haxa peeked outside. Her home was set deep inside an old, cracked willow tree, making it well hidden and secluded. She wasn't fond of visitors.
An old wolf dressed as a man stood before her. He was much older than the last time she saw him. His black, thinning hair showed a shiny circle of dark skin along the crown, and his beard was filled with silver streaks of grey.It contrasted wildly with his deep, brown skin.
His attire for such a trip was needlessly extravagant. Dark blue, flowing robes, a thick leather overcoat, and a golden breastplate. He rested a massive hand on a heavy sword slung from his hip with polished rocks and gems encrusted in the handle.
It was all a little much.
“Ares,” she nodded from the safety of her hovel, tucking her frizzy blonde hair behind her ear.
"I need to speak with you," the Alpha leered at her, his teeth flashing violently despite the smile on his face.
Haxa opened the door and glanced around at the dozen or so guards flanked at his sides. She wondered what could be so important that bringing such a show of force was necessary. She briefly thought of denying him entry, but it was pointless. He'd order his guards to break down her door, destroy her home, and so much worse.
"Only you," she said firmly. "No guards."
"That will not do, and you know it," Ares said, a low growl rolling off his chest to convey his displeasure.
"I think putting myself in the presence of one werewolf is more than enough. Besides, what can one weak woman do to an Alpha such as yourself?"
Ares’ chest swelled, and he smirked. "Only us," he nodded.
She opened her door, allowing the wolf entry. His anxious guards shifted and glared at her, a few even baring their teeth. Smiling, she reveled in the faint scent of fear that drifted through the air around them. She might have posed no physical threat to the werewolves before her, but her powers were undeniable even to them.
"Witch," the old wolf said, dropping his heavy body into her chair. It creaked under his weight. "I have found myself in need of your services."
He grabbed her book off the table and thumbed his dirty fingers through the pages, leaning his head slightly to the side as he squinted at the writing.
"What can I do for the King of Wolves?" she said, placing her hand on the book and gently pulling it from his hands.
"A prophecy —"
"I don't do prophecies," she interrupted. "That kind of magic isn't for me."
The wolf shifted, and his eyes narrowed. It was interesting the things that would drive such beasts over the edge. For creatures so obsessed with control and dominance, a simple interrupted thought had the effect of a sword through their gut. It always brought a smile to her face.
"I don't give a shit what magic is for you," he seethed. "I need a reading."
"I simply don't do that. Witches pull themselves to certain spells, and those never have —"
The old wolf launched himself across the room and grabbed her by the throat, pulling her feet off the floor. Desperate for air, she swiped at his face and dragged her nails over his hands, drawing blood. The skin across her face became hot and tight as she gasped over and over again. Her chest constricted and tears blurred her vision.
"I didn't ask what you could or couldn't do, Witch!" he roared in her face, spit flying out around his growing fangs. His eyes glowed a deep red, like the blood trickling down his arm. "I suggest you pull out one of those books you love so much and figure it the fuck out."
He released her, letting her smack hard into the floorboards. She reached protectively for the raw skin of her throat as she gagged and coughed, sucking in as much air as her lungs would allow.
Pushing herself into the wall, she used it to help her stand on shaking knees. Ares settled back into the chair, a look of pure satisfaction on his face. She wanted to claw his eyes out.
"What exactly is it you need?" she spat, her voice rough.She brushed a hand through her greying, blonde locks, moving it out of her face.
