Untamed - Book 1

“So? How did it go?” I roll my eyes and sigh at his enthusiasm.

“She is here, so I guess we will see.” He looks out the door then back at me with his brow furrowed.

“Where is she?” I throw my hands up in defeat, knowing he will not like my answer.

“She took off into the woods.” He lets out a low growl before storming out the door, no doubt searching for the little witch. As much as I know I have important things to handle, I find myself following behind him, walking deeper into the forest as we follow the familiar scent of lavender and sage.

“We’re close.” Danny’s voice is barely a whisper as we reach a small clearing beside a stream. We both step cautiously, but freeze when we spot the woman sitting on a rock beside the stream, water swirling around her like a protective shield. The water is not touching her, but her dry strands of hair are flowing and swaying as if she were submerged in it.

“It’s rude to stare.” Her voice sounds as if it is coming from all around us at once and the water slowly flows back into the stream and her hair falls around her.

“We weren’t staring, we were just observing.” Danny spits out his response with a playful smile. I should feel concerned with how comfortable he is around this witch, but I can see why he is.

“Observing silently, from a distance, while trying to remain unseen. Yeah, that’s not creepy at all.” She stands up in one graceful, fluid movement and turns toward us with a smile on her face.

“We are the beasts of the night. We lurk in the shadows and are the evil in every children’s book ever written.” Danny retorts with a playfully wicked grin.

“According to Disney, I am a more formidable villain than even the big bad wolf.” She jumps down from the rock and walks over to us.

“Cora, I am glad you came back.” She smiles at Danny and pats him softly on the shoulder.

“I told you I would miss you, big guy. So, I will need to meet with you and the soon-to-be-mate within the next week. I need to get the final ingredients from both of you so I can begin my preparations. In the meantime, I have an amulet for you to wear. It will help to magnify your intentions and, as long as you are clear in your mind and heart about what you want, it will begin the creation of the bond. I have one for your aspiring mate as well.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out two amulets, one is a wolf howling at a moon that is made of opal and the other is a wolf’s tooth made of obsidian. I place the wolf’s tooth amulet around my neck and feel a rush of heat flow through me before slowly simmering down.

“Awe, no presents for me?” Danny playfully whines. Cora looks at him with sheer amusement. She removes a necklace from her own neck and reaches up, sliding it gently over his head.

“This will offer you protection from evil. It is warded against dark magic.” Danny looks fondly at the amulet around his neck then directs his gaze at the emerald orbs of the little witch.

“I was only playing. I can’t accept this.” He begins to remove the necklace when her hand quickly grabs his to stop him.

“It is a gift and I want you to have it. It belonged to my father, but I think it was never truly meant for me.” She smiles up at him, her actions only adding to my interest and confusion for the little witch.

“I have made arrangements for you to stay in a cabin on the edge of the main pack grounds. It will allow you privacy and keep you surrounded by nature. None of the pack will bother you. Danny, can you escort Lady Laurent to her room and I will take Cora to the cabin?” Danny raises a brow, but nods. I know he is questioning why I am having him handle my mate-to-be while I handle the witch, but I am asking myself the same thing. Danny rushes off to take care of Laurent, leaving me alone with the little witch in the woods.

“Shall we?” I motion in the direction of the cabin that is almost a two mile walk from where we are.

“Lead the way, Alpha.” We begin our walk in silence and I simply observe her, noticing the way she seems to marvel at the simplest things that nature has to offer.