I freeze in fear at the sight of the wild wolves watching me, hunger in their eyes.Wild wolves usually stay clear of wolf shifters out of fear of the bigger predator but they don’t submit to them. Wolf shifters and wolves steer clear of each other. But wild wolves in a pack are dangerous to a lone shifter.I feel a sliver of fear crawl up my spine as I realize that I wandered off a little too far away from the campsite. Considering that I can't even shift, I'm more vulnerable than most shifters.I take a step back, my eyes on the small pack of wolves and one of them growls, making me freeze. A slow awareness unfurls within me and I know that it is Lucas. I don’t know how this bond between us works but I hope he can feel my fear and follow my scent. Running rom wolves is never a good idea but if I don’t do anything, they’ll jump on me anyway. Taking a deep breath, I dart into the tree line, aiming for the camp site. In my panic and fear, I don’t even know if I’m going

“It’s not Aliya.”Lucas sounds adamant.“She doesn’t mingle with anyone especially wolves. She has a particular hatred for shifters. She won’t give one wolfsbane.”“What if Valerie stole it?” I ask.“Stole it?” Lucas give me an amused look. “Do you know how protected Aliya’s home is? Only sprites and faeries are allowed entrance. Aliya is protected by the forest itself. Nobody can invade her home. Valerie got it from somewhere else.”But who?I wrack my brains. Usually Others live together in some sort of harmony, humans being their biggest enemy. Or at least they used to. The witch hunt that began was a vicious one. Witches are the strongest of all the existing Others since they have a direct link to nature. When they were targeted, wars erupted amongst those who wanted to protect the witches and those who wanted them wiped out from existence. This was centuries ago so when I had learnt from Lucas that a coven had existed in harmony with a wolf shifter pack

Valerie immediately stopped in her tracks and she makes a sobbing sound, "why are you acting like this? I know a lot has happened but I'm so happy to see you."As if I’ll buy that crap.“How are you still alive?” Hunter demands, his voice cold. I always wondered how I would feel when I see him face-to-face but aside from disgust, I feel nothing.“That's hardly any of your business,” I narrow my eyes. My wolves surround me and one of them begins to howl, a call for battle and I place my hand on his neck, calming him.Lucas is already on his way. I can sense his anger and worry.He might not know what's going on but he’s not going to take any chances.Valerie frowns as she sees my interaction with the wolves, and her voice is hesitant and wary, “those are wild wolves. How are you controlling them?""Wouldn't you like to know?" I say, scathingly. “Maybe the wolfsbane you gave me had some other side effects.”Hunter growls, “Enough of your ugly lies-““O

Lucas glances at me and then says, “Even if she does have her mating ceremony, she will stay here with me while we wait for that event.”Valerie makes a clicking sound of disappointment, “That's not how this works. She has to live with her family before the mating ceremony.”I don't know what the two of them are planning but I don't want to leave Lucas.“You’re now a part of this pack again, Sarah,” Hunter says, coolly. “I hope you don’t disappoint us again with your actions.”“I don't want to be part-“Lucas squeezes my shoddier, forcing me to fall silent. “If she has to go back to the pack, then I’ll come with her,” He says, calmly. I see the rage in Hunter’s eyes as Lucas his arm around my waist, yanking me into his chest in a possessive move. “You-“ Hunter takes a step forward, angrily and Valerie intervenes, her voice sweet as always but her eyes hard.“I'm afraid that's not going to be possible,” She said. “You’re the pack hunter. Other packmates are

“I have nothing to say to you,” I walk over to the armchair and sit down, refusing to let him see my fear at being alone with him. Hunter ignores me, “How long has this thing being going on between you and Lucas? He was obviously courting you while we were together. Why else would he mate you so quickly?”His voice is hard and I narrow my eyes at him, “Why do you care? You banished me, remember? You and Valerie had made that perfect little plan of yours.”I can see the anger in his eyes and he hisses, “There was no plan! You’ve been harassing Valerie for a long time now! I saw the marks on her body where you hit her! Despite everything, she still protected you-““Marks?” I echo, a mocking laugh on my lips. “She’s a wolf, Hunter! You of all people know about our healing abilities. What marks are you talking about? And I never touched that girl!”I see his face falter but I ignore it.I get to my feet, “I don’t even care. I just want to leave this hell hole. I don’t wa