A Witch Among Wolves.

Winter's POV:

Two weeks.

Fourteen days.

That's how long it has gone without Keon’s silhouette looming behind me like a shadow, how long since his voice made my skin dance with nerves.

I can't tell if I love that he's actually respecting my demands and giving me space or upset he didn't just barge in and beg for forgiveness.

To make everything worse, Derrick has been off and on lately. An issue up North with vampires sprung up and he's been travelling back and forth for nearly a week now. I'm basically all alone now.

One torn witch in a pack house of wolves.

Great.

Just great.

But it's not like Keon leaves me to fend for myself. Sometimes, when I'm in the halls, and a wolf or maid throws a snide comment at me, I don't see them anymore for days or several hours. And when I do, they run away from me like they're terrified of me.

And they are. One time a servant who used to make fun of me dropped something and when I wanted to help him pick it up he ran away from me with tears in his eyes.

Of course, only one person would be behind something like that.

Keon.

Only Keon would do something like that. He probably did something brutal that made them terrified and scared them the fuck away from me.

It sounds ridiculous.

Scare away everyone from hurting me and punish those who did?

Yet my heart flutters in disagreement.

Still, I don't like the fact people are getting hurt. I want to tell him to stop, but I also want him to break and come to me first.

Petty? Maybe.

Seriously though, Keon confuses me.

He doesn't sneak into my room, avoids the part of the garden I frequent during the day, and during pack dinners he rarely joins, and when he does, he just avoids me completely. The only person who keeps me company is Sabrina. And Rowan sometimes.

Ugh.

On a good note, it's my two weeks wedding anniversary? Derrick's note feels heavy in my pocket.

Imagine my surprise, when in the middle of all this tension between me and Keon, a guard delivers a note Derrick sent over to celebrate the occasion.

The note reads;

Hey Winter ;⁠-⁠)

I'm sitting here in a room full of vampires wondering when the fuck can this be over so I can see my mate?

Anyways, it's our two week anniversary today, and yes, I know it's supposed to be a year anniversary but I don't care. Happy two week anniversary? ⁠:⁠-⁠)

Regardless, I can't wait to come back, then I can teach you how to use the mind link :⁠-⁠D

Also. I miss your ass.;⁠-⁠);⁠-⁠)

Am I allowed to say that?

Just kidding, you're my mate, I can say whatever I want.

The last line is just a bunch of different faces.

His words made me laugh. And blush.

I miss your ass.

Okay Derrick. Fair. I do have some junk in the trunk.

I chuckle.

I don't even notice the person on the other side of the corridor I'm on until it's too late.

We collide, and my shoulder aches in pain.

Okay, so that didn't feel like a bump, more like a shove, but nonetheless, I try apologizing, more a reflex action if anything.

“Sorry I-”

“Watch where you're going bitch.”

Oh. Oh.

I immediately retract my statement. I look up, only to see it's the maid from earlier. The one that tried to seduce Derrick during our time in the garden. She has a nice rack, maybe bigger than mine, but it's my ass Derrick wants.

Ha.

Okay, so I'm definitely petty.

“Watch your tone.” I say to her,

She snickers, her eyes shining. “No.” “You think you're so special don't you, but everyone knows what you are. A dirty, old, hag. Derrick deserves better. Not forever bound to the likes of you.” The disgust in her tone is clear.

Meanwhile, a little crowd of wolves have gathered to get a look of what's happening.

I roll my eyes, turning away.

She blocks my way, her voice louder now.

“You, your people, the whole lot of you are nothing more than treacherous beasts. You parade yourself around like you're someone we're supposed to bow to but everyone knows the truth about you. You're all a bunch of murderers.”

Yeah right. Like she knows a damn thing about witches.

My blood boils. I want to smash her face in. The crowd watches on, waiting to see my reaction. My magic hums faintly behind the scenes, and I know the slightest trigger will release it.

Don't give her the satisfaction she desperately wants.

“Step aside.” I say, my voice low but firm. Sparks flare at my fingertips, just enough to make her step back. The other servants glance nervously, whispers brushing the walls. I feel their eyes, judging.

Not good. Not good.

“You think you’re better than me? Disgusting freak”

Her words hit deep. And my control slips.

I temporarily lose it. The energy in the air vibrates around me, my arms glowing.

Gasps ring out in the air.

I can see the judgement, the words their mouths refuse to say clearly written in their eyes.

“Monster”

“Killer”

“Evil”

I get hit, insulted, and embarrassed but somehow I'm the bad guy?!

I walk out of the halls, using my magic to push me out on the other end.

Fuck.

I hate this.