SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Twenty
Amethyst’s Pov:
It’s been twenty-five long, lonely years since Timothy almost marked me. I never went to finish the conversation as he wanted that night. For me, there was nothing left to say.
Although wanting to be mated with the one you loved was normal, it was the want which I carried for my future daughter, which burned the brightest. I readied myself in the Cheval glass as aid has been called for by a small pack. Who found themselves under attack by a band of witches, who split from the coven when the Goddesses joined.
While I was by my blood a witch, I was to be presented as the High Priestess of the Moon. Because too many wolves in the outside world became leery and fearful of witches.
These dark witches formed their own coven after denouncing our goddesses and took a new God. Thanks to this, our covens no longer resembled each other. Perhaps during this assignment, I could sway the minds of these wolves that not all witches were bad.
I’ve spent years training girls to take my place, but none have been able to reach the level of magic required. They’ve all become priestesses under me, and together we aid the Elders. Normally it is they who journey out with the Elders. This time, Timothy sensed something strong. He’s worried my underlings would not be enough.
“It is time to leave. Are you ready? The wolf is getting his fur in a knot,” Madeline beamed. Timothy has kept his distance since that night. While I accept it’s for the best, it didn’t change the fact I hated it so. “Madeline? Why do you call Timothy a wolf when we both can shift?” I asked.
She shifted her eyes to mine as we exited my room. “He is only a wolf, and we are so much more. You are a witch. You choose to engage your enemies with your greatest strength, magic. Me, I choose to fight in this form. I am a great warrior in both of my forms, but I prefer this one. The wolf has no choice but to fight as a wolf. Thus, I call him the wolf,” she explained.
We walked together in silence as I tried not to let my nerves get the better of me. I was four when we arrived on the island. “Thyst are you well? You look a little pale,” Timothy asked with concern. Madeline’s eyes darted quickly between us. “I will ensure they are ready for our departure,” she announced abruptly before scurrying off.
“Yes, there is just this unexplained fluttering in my stomach. I am trying to rationalize it, as I am leaving the isle for the first time since we came here. But something is whispering to me this is so much more,” I explained.
“As long as you are alright. Just remember Thyst, no matter what you may ever need, I am just a mind link away,” Timothy assured me as we headed for our departure. I tried to smile, still uneasy. My soul was acting as if something vile and foreboding was about to enter my life.
“Ok Thyst, I need you to portal us out of here,” Timothy instructed. We all joined hands; Timothy closed his eyes and focused on the pack lands we were to visit.
The images flooded my mind. They were so clear I could almost sense the wind in the trees, or the songs of birds. “Amethyst, are you going to open your eyes soon?” Madeline teased. To my amazement, I ported us without trying.
Timothy’s arm snaked around my waist thanks to my legs wobbling a bit. His heart rate picked up just slightly because of our sudden contact, causing me to blush ever so slightly.
“The punishment for trespassing on Eclipse lands is death,” the unknown voice growled. Timothy tightened his grip on my body. Although I wasn’t able to hear it, I certainly felt Timothy growl.
“I am Madeline Clark, this is High Priestess of the Temple of the Moon, Amethyst, and Elder Timothy White. We came here on the orders of the Council. We are expected. Take us to your Alpha,” Madeline snapped.
Suddenly realizing Timothy’s hand was still on my waist, I pushed him away. Although I wasn’t sure why, it now seemed wrong. “I am fine, truly Timothy. I am,” I assured him over our link.
Our eyes met for a moment. “Of course, I didn’t mean to overstep,” he replied. The hurt in his voice flooded me with an immense amount of guilt.
“Forgive us Madame Clark, with your armour you look more like a warrior than a priestess,” the scout scoffed. A grin of satisfaction crossed his face as a group of wolves appeared from within the dense brush.
“That’s because I am a warrior. She is the priestess; but if I were you, I would fear her more than I. While I’ve seen a great deal of powerful warriors, none of them compare to her,” she winked.
“I believe we are getting a little off topic here. I am Elder Timothy White. Amethyst is, as my companion said, the High Priestess of the Temple of the Moon. Favored by the Council, she also is my Beta, Madeline is my Gamma,” Timothy smiled. A cocky grin flashed across his face.
“Your Alpha is expecting us as we unfortunately got here a little later than the appointed time. My Beta requires rest before we can go into too much detail with your pack’s current issue,” he stated.
I opened my mouth to protest. Without so much as a glance in my direction, Timothy put his hand up to stop me. All before I could utter a word. While he held a glare at the ever-approaching wolves.
“Never heard of a Beta and Gamma within the ranks of the Elders. Have any of you?” another spat, their voice filled with venom. All of a sudden, a tall man slinked out of the shadows with arms crossed. Slowly, he pushed his way to the front of the wolves. “No Sir, we never.” A group of freshly shifted wolves agreed.
“Perhaps she is a witch and managed to mind jack these two. If you ask me, she has come to finish the job that the others started,” he continued. The unshifted wolves growled menacingly as their eyes lock to me.
“Timothy, you listening to this? Perhaps we should return, allow them to deal with their witch problem on their own,” Madeline hissed. She locked her eyes on to the man as she pulled her sword from its hilt, moving herself in front of me.
“Madeline, hardly necessary,” an unfamiliar voice sighed. “All of you, stand down at once. I assure you; this man is an Elder. Don’t let his young appearance fool you,” he ordered. “Back to your patrols." In the blink of an eye, the wolves dispersed. “Not you, Sanders!” The man hollered, causing all wolves within ear shot to flinch.
“Alpha Jennings, a pleasure to see you. Allow me to introduce my Thyst to you,” Timothy greeted the newest arrival of our welcoming party. “Ah, the High Priestess, please accept my apologies on behalf of my pack. Especially my Gamma, Sanders. You must understand everyone is a little on edge with the coven running about,” Jennings smiled.
“I assure you that this is not the work of the genuine witches’ coven. These are the offspring of those who left, or we kicked out,” I informed them. Sanders’s dark eyes burn deep with hatred into mine. “How can you be so sure?” he spat.
Timothy’s Pov:
“Because she is the head of the true coven,” I hissed back, annoyed by the treatment of Thyst. Sanders’s behavior was uncalled for. His eyes lit up with shock and disbelief. “She is far too young to be the head of the coven,” he blurted out.
I glanced at Amethyst and burst out laughing. “I take it my suspicions on Thyst are correct.” Jennings winked. “Not quite,” I replied. “But that is a story for later. Were you able to gain one of the attacking witches, as I requested?” Amethyst asked.
“How in the Goddess’s name do you think we could accomplish such a thing?” Sanders snapped. Alpha Jennings shot him a nasty glare. “No, my dear, we can’t get close to them,” the alpha spoke softly to her.
“I sent word on which herbs to you to weaken them. Did you implement any of this?” She snapped at Sanders, moving angrily towards him. All our eyes fell on him. “Why would I trust someone that admitted she is a witch?”