The Wolf In Me
Chapter 24 Enchantress

Part 1 Bonded mates

Melody's POV

"She is an ex," I said shortly, avoiding the awkward moment of long silence that was already tensing around us.

"Please, don't make me explain any further. She is a good woman with a gentle attitude. As a witch, unlike wolves, I wouldn't have known I was destined to have a mate, so as soon as I found out from a vision had, I stopped our relationship to be faithful to you."

He looked at me with a smile, "No need to explain further. She is welcome here as long as she sees you as a friend."

I cuddled myself around Jake, feeling his warm chest on my face as I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat.

He was silent for a long while so I whispered his name to confirm he was asleep. Looking up at him he looked like he was dreaming. He was such a handsome one, and lucky was my middle name. Through the faint light of the moon, I watched him breathe softly, sensing his feelings through the mate bond. He must have been dreaming something that was taunting him as fear started to emerge out of me, us. I breathed deeply to calm us down, resting my right hand gently over his chest.

"Hey, it's ok darling. I'm right here. No one can scare you as long as I'm around."

With one finger I touched his head, sending him good energy, hoping he would dream of something good. I could now feel happiness surging through him that brought a smile on my face. My small plan must have worked.

Luka's POV

My eyes drifted out of the window, watching the storm raging in front of me in the darkness as I walked calmly towards the reflecting glass. Mei and Mason were fast asleep so the room was very quiet, other than the faint snoring of my son and the sound of the claps of the thunder. I looked up at the sky, thinking of a memory I had with my father where he was looking out of this same window, in the middle of the night, but unlike Mason, I was fully awake, watching his excited face observing the storm.

"Papa," I called with a squeaky voice, raising my arms, asking him to lift me from the bed and allow me to watch too.

He hushed me, not to wake up mama as he lifted me, resting my but on his strong arm. I tucked my hands around his neck, placing one hand under the backside of his neckline, making myself comfortable. It was a habit I did as a child, and I could remember his skin warming my tiny chilled fingers. I smiled at the storm, knowing that my dad was watching me from above and I could feel that he was smiling back at me, feeling proud of all my achievements.

It was late afternoon when I heard some fighting as a scream coming from the woods. My alpha wolf ears heard the commotion from the kitchen, where I was nibbling over some lemon meringue, feeding my addiction to sugar. My eyes widened as I hushed everyone that was making clattery noises around me, trying to listen carefully to detect from where the screams were coming.

"Steph, can you hear it?" I looked at her with a tense expression.

"Hear what?" She asked confused.

I rushed outside only to see Mei and Melody chat quietly a few meters away. They stopped to watch me approach them and I knew Mei could feel my tension.

"What's wrong dear?" She asked, looking up at me.

"Can you not hear the screams coming from the woods?" She looked at the forest and listened carefully.

I could tell she could hear it too as her eyes dilated.

"Run Luka, run! Save her!"

Melody was already off to inform Jake to join me in my search. Not waiting for my beta, I fled to the forest, shifting halfway, tearing my favourite t-shirt and my black tracksuit trousers.

Jake's POV

I was rushing down the stairs chuckling after watching one of the omegas tripping over his son's toy truck and swearing his head off when I heard Melody's voice shouting from afar. "Hurry Jake! Luka is out in the forest, trying to replace the screaming lady. No time to explain further. Now go!"

Watching the urgent look on her face, my wolf triggered and my legs started to run as fast as I could towards the packhouse's exit. I lifted off my shirt, still running but I had no time to remove my trousers, so I shifted, managing to let my thinner wolf legs release my trousers as I jumped in mid-air. I pushed my wolf to run faster and faster, sniffing the air, following the Alpha's scent to guide me to his direction.

As his scent was getting stronger, I picked up a few other scents that were getting strong too. Finally, I could see some movement a few meters away from me and I managed to reach Luka that was already on the site. He turned into human form again, watching him lifting a woman's weak body from the cold forest soil. She was dressed up in a very traditional witch dress and the green skirt was covering half of the area full of her blood.

"Luka!" I shouted with the mind link, approaching them.

"Jake, we must take her to the packhouse. No more deaths for this week."

I nodded, still in wolf form, turning my tail towards them, allowing Luka to place the woman on my back gently, avoiding to touch the gush she had on her side. He turned into wolf form again and with a nod, we started to make our way back to the packhouse.

Melody's POV

I was in my room brushing my hair when I felt a tense feeling of powerful magic very close to me. The only time I felt such resilience was when I was sent to visit the great and significant enchantress to bless me and acknowledge me as a new which. She had chosen the best coven for me to learn and become stronger and more in control of my witchcraft.

I placed the brush down on the dressing table, now feeling everything more intense.

"It must be her!" I mumbled under my breath.

I rushed out of the room and into the hall where I found both Jake and Luka in wolf form with a bloody woman that has just been placed down on the floor.

"Enchantress! It's the enchantress! What happened? Is she still alive? I mean, she must be, I can still feel her strength."

Rushing to her side I hesitated to grab her hand for a moment, knowing that it is forbidden to do so without her permission, but instead, she deliberately turned her head towards me, reaching for my hand. "Enchantress, what happened to you?" I asked, engaging my hand around hers.

"I was " she looked into my eyes, staring for a good minute before she explained further.

"I was chased. Some guy with a wolf tattoo on his left arm. Stabbed me, removed my, my."

losing consciousness, I rushed to the pack's hospital to get someone to bring her in, but by the time I found a nurse, Luka was already behind me with her on his arms, as naked as can be.

I couldn't leave her bedside. After all, she was my master. Everything I learnt about myself and who I am was all thanks to her. My mind drifted to the day I was presented in front of her. The woman with no name but a high title. She was as beautiful as I was told and as powerful. Her steady, yet fruity voice made me feel welcomed by her and her gentle smile was what completed my trust towards her. Somehow she made her way here, but I wondered what drove her to walk this far. The enchantress has been resting in bed for hours after she was brought out of the surgery room.

"Dr Price said she had one kidney missing. They stitched her properly to help her heal. She will live, but who did this to her will not have the same fate! We must replace the person responsible, without any time wasted."

Jake walked by my side, knowing how important she was to us witches. He looked just as upset as I was and as much determined to fulfil his promise.

"I am glad she will be fine, but one thing for sure is that whoever did this to her knew who she is before doing his move towards her. Touching her without her approvement would result in something...well... Something bad they say. But of that, I am not certain."

I looked down at her and wished I could have another witch around to help me figure out a plan to catch the person behind this. Without wasting time I was already texting Lylah and Nelly to return as fast as they could, but before I could send the texts I heard the familiar voice, stopping me.

"Oh, enchantress, you are awake!" I uttered in a brittle voice, feeling content she has spoken.

"The others are already on their way. I can feel their return, Melody Aura Grey."

She slowly opened her deep green eyes and looked down at her wound, gently placing a hand over the covered patch. Her face looked like she was in pain, yet she didn't whimper or express any discomfort. She was after all the strongest witch, strong enough to enchant all men, and all the world, more powerful than anything one can imagine. There was no place for weakness, but she bared the obligation to keep us safe on her shoulders.

"Do you remember me? It has been so long," I mumbled, stunned she was able to remember my full name.

"I can never forget my children. To me you are all very special."

She lifted her arms to reach my face, cupping my cheek, like a gentle mother would, smiling up at me the best she could. I looked down, almost shy to be allowed to be by her side, another time.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐