Untamed - Book 1

“Why did you separate from the council?” Her steps falter, but she quickly resumes walking, though her pace is slightly slower.

“They had tasked me with something that I refused to do. When I refused, I was put on probation and a week later, I found out that they had another coven take care of the task they had tried to force on me. I reacted violently and ended up doing things that I would be punished for, so I ran.” I lower my gaze to the ground, soaking in the information as we continue walking.

“What about your family? Did you just leave them behind?” She stops and when I turn to face her, her deep green eyes are staring at me, studying me in a way that seems almost intimate.

“My mother died in service of the council. My father, he died shortly after.” I see the glistening of tears in her eyes, but she quickly blinks them away then resumes walking.

“That must have been hard.” I immediately want to kick myself for saying something so obvious and careless.

“They died doing what they thought to be the right thing just as I lived because I did what I thought was right. Life is all about choices and we all must bear the burden of those choices. They bore their burden just as I bear mine.” Her response is cold and rehearsed, but the emotion in her eyes betrays her.

“And what choices do you bear the burden of, little witch?” She smirks and it makes her look adorably devilish.

“If I told you, I would have to turn you into a toad to ensure your silence. So, I get that you have to find your mate and make little wolf babies to continue your family line, but why are you taking a mate that is not your fated mate?” I am stunned momentarily by her question, but manage to recover and respond quickly.

“It is my duty as the alpha to ensure that I am at my strongest and the only way to be at my strongest, is to have my luna at my side. The Were Council requires that I take a mate and produce an heir within the first decade after ascending as alpha. It is all political bullshit, but it is what it is.” I was so lost in my own frustration over my situation that I hadn’t realized that she had stopped walking.

“So, you are taking someone who is not your fated mate. Won’t that mean that not only you don’t get your fated mate, but that your fated mate will never be able to find his or her mate either? It is one thing to condemn yourself, but it is an entirely different story when you are dragging someone else into the fray with you.” I can hear the pained tone of her voice, but my irritation at her words overshadows it.

“I tried finding my mate. I put my needs before those of my pack. What would you know about the choices I have to make?! Witches don’t have to deal with the struggle of searching the world for their mate. Don’t lecture me about things you know nothing about!” I turn my back to her and begin walking when a loud, soul shaking growl erupts from behind me. I whip around so fast that I feel like my head is spinning, or maybe it is the energy radiating off of the giant, white beast that stands where the little witch was that causes it. The beast stomps its front paw into the ground and growls softly as it slowly shifts and morphs back into the little witch. I watch as she slips a ring onto her finger and gives me a look that is weighted with sadness and suffering.

“I know more than you think. Run home, alpha. I can find my way from here.” She walks past me and disappears into the trees and, for a brief moment, it feels like all of the air left with her. Does her beast have a mate? Is it even possible? I plan to go back to the pack house, but I feel the need to make sure she arrives at the cabin safely. I storm off after the witch, letting her scent guide me. I slow my pace as I hear voices up ahead, slowly making my way closer so I can get a better look at what is going on.