Untamed - Book 1

I feel every cell screaming in agony until the screams rip free and shatter the peaceful ambience around me. My bones begin to break, reform, claws extending and gums bleeding as my sharp canines tear free from their confines. I feel myself giving in to the change, unwilling to fight the pain any longer. I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, static charge erupting from the touch. The pain slowly subsides and my body returns as my control takes hold once again, leaving me a panting, crumbled heap on the forest floor.

“What’s happening?! What can I do to help you?” The panic in his voice helps chase away the fog in my mind.

“I’m okay, I’m fine.” I slowly stand up and he keeps his hands on me to steady me, the warm static charge still present from his touch.

“That, that was not okay. That was not fine.” I keep my eyes lowered, unwilling to let him see my weakness.

“I told you the enchantment is weakening.” He lets out an exasperated sigh and runs a hand through his hair.

“Okay, so you need to make a better enchantment, right?” A bout of nervous laughter slips past my lips before I can stop it.

“It’s not that simple, alpha.It takes a witch more powerful than me to create an enchantment like this and the only ones who are alive to do it, well, they work for the council.” He steps closer to me and places a hand on my shoulder, prickling static energy erupting from his touch.

“What about the witch who made the one that you currently have?” My breath catches in my throat and my heart clenches at the thought of her.

“My mother enchanted this ring for me. She made it as soon as my beast first emerged. It was her way of preventing the council from discovering what I am. Luca came out with no trace of the Lycan abilities so if they made me look like a normal witch, I would be safe. The enchantment suppressed my beast, but not all of my abilities. The council never questioned my unusual strength and speed because it benefitted them…until the day it didn’t.” He squeezes my shoulder gently before hesitantly removing it from my shoulder.

“How long have you been wearing that?” He gestures to my ring that I have been absentmindedly twisting around my finger.

“Since I was 6. It was my mother’s and I wore around my neck until it fit my finger.” I look up as he runs a hand over his face.

“Your wolf first appeared when you were 6?!” I nods, my brow furrowing at his surprised tone.

“Yes. She made herself known when I was 5, but I shifted for the first time just after my 6th birthday.” His eyes widen as he stares off into the forest.

“That must be a Lycan thing because werewolves don’t begin shifting until after their 16th birthday. So, your wolf, do you ever let her run?” I tilt my head and smirk at him.

“Sure, because a giant white beast running through the woods would help to hide my identity SO well. No, I can’t let her free without risking being caught. The incident with the rogues my first day here, that shouldn’t have happened. That was when I realized my control was beginning to slip.” He chuckles at my sarcasm and shakes his head before his face becomes more serious.