Untamed - Book 1

Coralie

‘You can’t run forever. The past has a way of catching up with you.’

‘It isn’t the past I am worried about, Luca.’

‘Cora, if he finds out what you did, he will kill you.’

‘He should have known better than to fuck with a witch then.’

‘Damnit, Cora! This is no laughing matter!’

‘Then why, dear Luca, am I laughing?’

‘Insanity? Stupidity? An unhealthy and lethal combination of both maybe?’

‘I am not going to be used as some pawn in the elder’s fucked up game of chess. If they wanted an obedient, submissive puppet, they picked the wrong witch.’

‘Where will you go?’

‘I am going to the states. Putting an ocean between me and the elders doesn’t seem like enough, but it is a start.’

I shake off my memory when the sound of the bell on the door to the shop dings, signaling that I have a customer. I have been running for almost 20 years and been in California for almost 3 years and, so far, have stayed off the council’s radar. I opened a small shop that, to most, is a flower shop, but my more targeted clientele know of all the less common things sold in the back room. I cater to those of my kind such as witches and even a few Fae. I watch curiously as an old woman scans over the shelves of vases before finally stopping to acknowledge me. I knew from the second she walked in what she was. She is not a usual customer and clearly her magic is much darker than my own, but I do not discriminate.

“Can I help you find something, Miss?” Her lips curl into a sinister smile.

“I was hoping to find some rare herbs. Belladona, Hemlock and wolfsbane to be precise.” Her stained, raspy voice has goosebumps forming on my arms and I quickly try to shake off the unease.

“I’m sorry miss, but we do not have any of that here. I believe there is an apothecary on west 6th street that may have what you need.” Her smile falters, but she quickly recovers and gives a slight nod before leaving. Sure, I have exactly what she was asking for, but the three specific ingredients are used for sedating and killing werewolves and that is something I won’t tolerate. I know that most wolves would happily kill me without question just for being a witch, but I am not so willing to do the same. I have worked with several packs in the past, offering healing services and even helping with fertility issues. In my eyes, the wolves and vampires are no different than the witches and humans. There are good and evil among us all and neither is race specific.

I am cleaning up as I prepare to close the shop for the day when the bell chimes again and is swiftly followed by the smell of cedar and cinnamon filling the entire store.

“Is there something I can help you with?” I watch the man’s movements cautiously as he walks toward the counter in front of me.

“You are the witch who helped the North Ridge Pack, yes?” I raise my brow and smirk, knowing his question is more of a statement. He knows exactly who I am, but wolves love their games.

“I believe you already know the answer. What brings you here?” His lips curl slightly as his eyes quickly scan me over, sizing me up.

“We have an issue that we need your particular kind of assistance with. If you are successful, you will be well rewarded.” I lean back against the back counter and fold my arms over my chest.

“If you spoke to Alpha Reynolds, then you know that I require my fee be paid up front.” He reaches into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out an envelope then sets it on the counter.

“$50,000. If you are successful in your task, we will pay you an additional $50,000.” My eyes go wide as I allow everything to sink in.

“So, you are saying that I will get paid $100,000 if I succeed…succeed at what?” He straightens up, making his already overwhelming height seem even more overbearing.

“My alpha requires a mate in order to produce an heir. His father had already arranged the marriage when he was a child, but we require your assistance to create an artificial mate bond. It must be strong enough to allow her to go into heat once they are mated.” This is not an impossible request, but it certainly is not an easy one.

“Okay, so $100,000 for an artificial mate bond?” He nods and slides the envelope closer to me.

“We will also handle travel, a place to stay and meals.” I grab the envelope and set it on the counter behind me.

“How soon does the bond need to be created?” I can see the victorious look in his eyes as he realizes that I’m agreeing to do what he has asked of me.

“Five weeks. How soon will you need to begin preparations?” I sigh and push off the counter behind me, walking to the door, locking it and flipping the sign to closed.

“As soon as possible. Let me grab a few things and we can go.” It takes me less than ten minutes to throw the necessary items into my duffel bag, grab my grimoire and return to the front of the store where the wolf is standing with a strange expression on his face.

“Lead the way.” He begins to turn, but stops as if he is going to say something before shaking his head and unlocking the door and exiting the shop. I make sure to lock up when I leave, finding him standing next to a black town car, holding the door open for me.

“We will be driving so it will take around a day to get there.” I slide into the car and he slides in beside me, sitting as close to the door as he can. The car pulls away and I take a deep breath before settling into my seat as I mentally prepare for the long drive ahead of us.