Alpha King Has Requested Your Presence

“Dragana”… I heard the voice of beta Artemis outside my door.. “Come in” I said, my hands still mixing the herb pouches, looking like a mess, my hair all over the place.. It was that time again, the warriors needed the protection spells and we also needed cleansing ones. My hands were all covered in dirt and herbs, and I even have forgotten time – it took me a whole day, but I was making excellent progress. Some of the ladies in the pack have offered their assistance, but they had no powers, no magic. For the best potency, only magic laden hands should touch and mix everything, before they are sealed in the pouches.

A tall, very handsome, dark skinned man with eyes of hazelnut, long thick black hair and chiseled face walked in…Dressed in plain black shirt and jeans, his huge, ripped muscles were obvious and his arms looked like trees. His face was serious, but there had always been kindness and flicker in his eyes. It is much more then I could ever say for anyone else in this pack – they were not abusing me in a traditional sense – this abuse was more emotional and taunting – every day – every single day, for as long as I could remember.. There were some good days in my very young days but those were far gone, far few and in between. Alpha King was only nice when he needed something, which I presume was the case now.

“Alpha King has requested your presence,” Beta Art he said sternly, his face expressionless...Something was off, I could sense it.. “And he sent one of his strongest warriors, his Beta, I said arching my eyebrows”.. my silver eyes locked and diving into his.. “You do me a great honor Beta Artemis”, I said mockingly - to come and personally escort me”… He squirmed uncomfortably for a second.. “Dragana, since the last time, he has”.. “Yes, yes, I know, I waved my hand dismissively.. “What kind of a witch do you take me for”?, not to be able to read your mind, I said chuckling at him..

Art liked me and wanted me, I always could feel that. I knew that he also felt protective of me – that much was evident only few days ago, when I found myself in crosshairs of Alpha King, which as of late happened more and more frequently. In few rare occasions when Beta Art as he was commonly known were alone, I would catch his gaze on me.. I felt no mate pull, towards him or anyone really, but was grateful for the attention. Being held captive, no friends, my mother dead was a very lonely existence.

Long ago I denounced my were wolf half – it was completely dormant. I was a witch, belonging to one of the oldest Slavic clans, my blood ancient and royal. I looked exactly as my mother, the Princes Dzana, with long brown hair, silver eyes, plump lips and porcelain skin. My father, I did not know much about except that he weas a werewolf. Mother was expected to marry witch royalty, but she found herself in love with a were.. This was not forgivable according to my grandfather, nor in our traditions.

While ware community did not exactly welcome mixed unions, they were accepting of love and mate bonds more than my mother’s kind. To the wares, my father simply recognized that his mate was non wolf, and they respected that. Rumors of what happened to him were many.. I do know he died defending me and mother, but do not recall the attack. Thinking back as I often did on that day, more and more I was convinced that attackers had to be witches. Mother was extremely powerful and whomever attacked us broke through her enchantments and protections. One day, I will find out who took my family from me, who made my life this, I thought to myself walking behind Art through familial halls.

However, we were not going to Alpha King’s office. Beta turned to the left this time..

”Art???“Are you sure this is the correct way – Alpha’s office is in the other direction”.. “We are not going to Alpha King’s office”, he said sounding weird.. I tried to read his mind, but he was really not thinking about much, except that he had to deliver me as requested. “Where are we going?” I insisted.

Alpha King has asked that I bring you to his chambers.. “What? Why”.. Then fear struck me … “Is Alpha King unwell? Is he injured?”.. “Not exactly”, he spat back.

We approached a large, dark oak arched door, entrance to what I at this moment could only guess are Alpha King chambers.. Beta Art knocked once, and in response we heard a deep booming voice.. “Come in”..