5

VICTORIA

It was my birthday today, and I was so excited to see Damon and my little sister Hanna I had only met her a few times as she was a few years younger than me. Thadeus was driving us to the packhouse. I was forbidden to see Esmerelda. He said there would be consequences if I tried to reach out to her in any capacity. I was just happy to be free of Artamas for a week. For a whole week of freedom, I just had to stay away from Thadeus when he was in a mood. He was an excellent faker, pretending to be this loving, caring grandfather and Alpha around the pack, but people inside the packhouse knew. I was shown to my new room. It was in the tower on the other side of the castle-like packhouse, far away from Damon and Hanna. I knew it was because he had spelled it so that I couldn't use any magic. Also, I couldn't escape. It was the same as the last time I visited. Thadeus and told everyone it was because school was so intense I needed the silence, a break far from everyone. The one nice thing was the moon shawn right down into my window, recharging my magic and somehow healing my mental anguish.

I had borrowed a book from the library about the lineage of the Great White witch. She was everything good about witches. She was more powerful than a coven of dark witches, and she loved more fiercely than any being there ever was. There was a prophesy years ago that she, one of the Great White witches, would be mated to a werewolf. She would give birth to twins, and the firstborn would save the world. She had to complete three trials to prove she was worthy of the deep magic deep in her lineage. I loved this almost folk tale. I often pretended she was me, and when the time was right, I would get my great power. I had felt my wolf beginning to come alive in my mind. I couldn't communicate with her yet because I still had four years before I could shift, but I heard of Alpha pups getting their wolf early, and I begged the moon goddess it would be me. I decided to take a nap before dinner. I wondered if I would get a special dinner for my birthday. Damon never forgot, but there were years when Theo and Katarina would be out of the territory, and nothing would happen.

I woke to a note on my bedside table. I hadn't heard anyone come in, and the door was locked. Only Thadeus could open it. I opened the folded paper that had my name on it.

Meet me by the wishing well at midnight.

Esmerelda! Yes! I could just accidentally see her. The wishing well is our secret spot. It's an old well that I used to hide in from Thadeus when he was angry. I just had to keep Damon with me until then, so I didn't get locked in my room. I heard the steps before the lock in the door. My senses were definitely getting stronger. That must be my wolf. The door opened to my grandfather glaring at me. I slid the note into my jeans pocket casually while he looked at my bare room. No pictures, no tickets, nothing he could ruin to hurt me.

"You remember the story you prepared. No one is to know about your training or your witchy abilities. I had a magic dampening spell placed on this room. No magic, can you behave? or do I need to keep you locked in here studying the whole week?"

"I can behave." He gave me a pointed look as if seeing if I was lying.

"I won't lie, Victoria. You have quite the potential. We could be good partners if you do as I say. You would be wise to learn from your friend Oliver. He is my top soldier."

"Yes, sir, whatever you need, you can count on me." Any lie I told had to be believable> Oliver played the part, and he had total freedom. If he trusted me to go on missions, I could leave and never return. I just had to get my wolf and make it my first few missions. He looked me up and down again.

"Very well, dinner is almost ready. Get dressed and come downstairs. I will leave the door unlocked.

"Thank you, sir." He left, and I blew out a breath. Walking over to my closet, I grabbed an overall dress and a pink t-shirt. I had to try and look like a seven-year-old. I could play the part. After getting dressed and washing up a bit, I made my way downstairs. The smell of lasagna and garlic bread wafted through the main area. I knew that was Damon's doing, telling the kitchen what to make. He was the only one who ever cared about me. I walked into the dining room, and Katarina walked over, giving me a fake hug making it look motherly. I hugged her back.

"Missed you, mum."

"Tell me, how is school going? Making a lot of friends?"

"Happy Birthday, Squirt!" Damon walks in, ruffling my hair before hugging me tightly. My father sat at the head of the table drinking his usual amber liquid. Hanna was seated at the other end with her nanny.

"Hello, father," I nodded to him. He just shakes his head. I don't think there was a single day in my life my father was sober. I felt bad for Katarina. She might not actually love me, but she tries not to hate me. Hate what I stand for, what I am a reminder of.

"So I heard you are top of your classes? Are you getting summer break off? I convinced Dad to let us stay at the lake house all summer!!"

"I am doing well in my classes. Suppose I pass all my tests. I think I can have summer off."

"Yes! It will be the best! Garret and Tyler want to come too! They said they would bring Thea and Amelia. We have already started re-building the treehouse we started. " I pretend to be excited, knowing they'd never let me come here the whole summer, maybe a week or two.

"Ya, that sounds so fun!" We ate dinner, and I repeated the story I was told about my classes and fake friends and cheer quad. What is even a cheer squad? They ate it up. All except Damon, who looked at me like I was on drugs. He knew who I was. I loved reading, not being with people.

"So I have a new call of duty record you need to beat!" Damon said, changing the subject.

"YES! I accept your challenge, brother!" Now, this would be my excuse for why I was up late. Then I could sneak out to meet Esmerelda.

We finished dinner, and to my surprise, there was even cake. Damon, again I assume. We took our cake to the rec room and played call of duty until I yawned and pretended to take a walk before bed.

I strolled through the garden pretending to admire all the flowers. I hated flowers. They always made me sneeze. I slowly slipped into the tree line and checked my watch. It was 11:55 pm, perfect. I could make it to the well in time. I made it look like I was still wondering, enjoying the evening when I reached the wising well. I seated myself on the ledge and looked up at the moon. It was a beautiful evening. The wind was quiet, and all you could hear were the bugs in the trees and the rustling of small animals in the brush.

"You've grown, girl."

"Thank you, Aunty. I have been doing a lot of... exercise." I don't know why I lied. I could tell her the truth.

"You forget I can see all you do, my sweet child."

"Ha, sorry, habit." She places her hand on my arm and brushes her fingers down my cheek.

"What is wrong, aunty?"

"I need you to trust me. I need you to awaken your wolf."

"But I am only seven. I am too young."

"You are Alpha blood. You can do this." I mean, I wanted my wolf, but I was suddenly feeling unsure.

"Why, though, shouldn't I wait until she matures? I only started feeling her this week."

"Drink this," she handed me a drink and took my hand in hers and started chanting.

"You must kill him tonight."

"What? Kill who?"

"Listen to your wolf. Her name is ZARINA." As soon as she said her name, the barrier in my mind broke, and I let out a scream. She clamped her hand down on my mouth, looking around.

"Aunty, what is happening?" I fell to my knees, my body feeling like I might die.

"I can not tell you everything. Somethings you need to learn." It made sense now. She had a vision. She was never allowed to reveal her visions. She could help but not tell it was a weird oracle rule.

"Aunty, it hurt so bad I can't do this." She held her hand over my eyes and chanted something, and the pain was gone.

"Remember everything I ever told you about wolves and healing. Remember your training and magic. You are stronger than you know." Before I could say anything else, she was gone. I was lying in the grass panting. The pain was gone but I could tell whatever she gave me, was forcing my wolf to shift under the fullmoon.