Finn, the most feared lycan warrior in the south, watched the beautiful alchemist slipping through the crowd like water while he absently waved a hand to disperse proof of his release. Her actions were lithe and elegant as if this weren't her first time having to flee. Pearl. That was her name, and Finn thought it was gorgeous and she deserved such a name. However, there was something strange about his little beauty, something undeniably mysterious but equally alluring. Finn hadn't realized his companions had already spotted her before he approached, but once he'd seen her, he couldn't have turned away, and they were just as spellbound. Even though the patrons were packed tightly together on the dance floor, he'd noticed her pale blonde hair. Pure and brilliant, it was as lightly colored as a pearl from the shores of the Fire Kingdom, a color no ordinary creature could attain naturally. Then, the bodies parted for just a moment, and he saw her. Once Finn laid eyes on her ealier, h

Strolling to his Ducati, Vergel got on and started it up, then drove into traffic. He didn't wait for a gap, barely missing being run over, ignoring the blaring horns as he turned left. Putting in his earbuds one-handed, he cranked up the music and sang along to the song as he let his mind wander back to her. Always back to her. The hunch he'd had weeks ago now—of glass-green eyes, of power like gilded shadows washing over him, through him—filled his mind. Aside from his brother Ethan and best friend, Finn, Vergel had never cared about anyone and had never felt protective of anyone. But, he felt protective of the little alchemist and had from his first, tiny vision. He wanted to hold her and keep her safe and help her. He may not understand why, yet, but she was important to him—to all of them. That he'd had to tell a little white lie tonight to get his brother and his friend to the club, luring them there under the pretense of capturing the little beauty, barely bothered him. It h

"My name is Pearl," she introduced herself, her tone tinged with affection. She expected less, but this werewolf was magical and powerful. It didn’t acknowledge her at all as it continued to devour its dinner. "Time for your pals."With care, she cradled the red box in her palms. The heat of the flames nipped at her skin as I pushed it into the hot embers.The second one came out just like the first. From a magical mist to a solid wolf form,It climbed out with more strength than the other wolf. Scarlet fur captured the light of the fire in gleaming magnificence. It was just as deadly and beautiful as the other one, ethereal and massive. It growled and seemed to wink at her, but it was not nearly as trusting. Peal couldn't even get close enough to offer the beast a strip of meat without the beast snapping its traitorous snout at her. She tossed the food to the floor, and its paw pulled the meat closer. Low growls emit from its throat with every move she makes. She smiled. "Aren’t you

Long claws dig into the dry dirt. The three massive mystical wolves meet the astonished gazes of the villagers. Pearl sighed at the beautiful landscape to her right. The river appeared still, yet she flowed under the thinnest of ice, awaiting the gentle touch of the sun. Though the air bore only coldness and the ground was almost frozen once more, they glittered with the gift of each nascent ray. It was something you never really got used to—after all, ordinary werewolves weren't as big as the three, and seeing a rare creature like a warrior wolf was out of the question. Even Pearl was impressed with them when she looked their way. The men and women halt in their tracks, backing up just slightly to make way for the three not-so-ordinary wolves who circle their every step. Rumbling growls tear from the wolves’ throats each time they pass someone. Pearl offered the villagers pleasant smiles. Of course, no one smiled back. No surprise there. They loathed her. They hated her confidence.

"Guard," Pearl summoned the massive guard, who took uncertain and slow steps toward them. "Guard, your boss needs you to run and bring me what I asked for. Can you do that?" She nodded as she spoke quickly. "And plus the money that I need, and if you could get that in small, spendable bills, that’d be really appreciated, big guy."The guard’s dark eyes shifted from Pearl to Alec and back again."Come one, Pearl, I can’t just give out that kind of spell book and that sort of money. The cost will have to be approved. It’ll take a day or two at least, and you know that."A few days? Pearl didn't have any food at home. She has three wolves who might eat me themselves if she doesn't have food for them.Surely. Alec didn't notice that these three wolves were not just ordinary warriors but the souls of someone very powerful, right? How could he be this naive to never notice that? She thought of how pathetic the alchemist was."Oh." Pearl said instead and bit her lip as her eyes shifted towa