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“Stop that,” I snap. “No matter how angry you are at someone, you should never wish them to be drained of all their free will. You are not that cruel.”

I didn’t mean to be that harsh with her, but Marley has no idea what a simple thought like that could lead to. Markis recruited many of his followers and disciples for that simple train of thought. One wolf or witch wrongs you and now you’re ready to condemn all beings for the actions of one. It’s a dangerous thought process. One I’ve seen turn many people cruel.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

Sliding closer to her, I wrap my arms around her and pull her into a hug.

“I know this is hard. And I’m sorry I got you into this.”

She pulls back, looking up at me. “It’s not your fault.”

If only that were true.

“Come on,” I say, standing to my feet. “Let’s find something to eat.”

We head into the kitchen to prepare our meal.

“Please, Huntress.” The woman before me pleads. “Don’t do this. I have a child.”

Her words have the desired effect on me. My heart softens and the anger slowly wains.

“She has a child?” the deep rumble of the voice behind me mocks. “The witch has a child.”

I turn toward Markis. His short locs hang to his shoulders. His dark skin glistening under the summer sun.

He squats down in front of the witch. She tries to put as much space as she could between the two without actually moving away.

“You think we care you spit out a useless crumb snatcher from your tainted cunt?”

His usual disciples are with us tonight. There are twelve of them: Muza, Alexander, Colin, Denisa, Raoul, Davorin, Florin, the twins Kozani and Kavita, Torya, Talon, and Venette. All twelve of them stand around with disgust painted over their features.

“No one cares, witch,” Florin taunts.

They all laugh.

“And you have the nerve to throw your evil spawn in my mate’s face.”

He looks over his shoulder at me, his eyes softening. No matter how hard we try, my womb remains empty. A constant reminder of my failures as his mate.

“You’re mocking her.” He turns back to the witch.

“I…..I didn’t know. I’m… I’m sorry,” she pleads, cutting her eyes to me.

Her remorse means nothing. I tell myself.

“Your kind are pathetic,” Markis spits out as he stands to his feet. “You hide behind your powers and family ties. Contributing nothing but demanding our respect. You are the weakest members of our society. Hell, we benefit more from humans than you.”

Once again, the ones around us laugh. Markis walks over to me, lifting my hand, he kisses the back of it. My heart beatsfaster every time he is near me. It’s been that way since I first saw him.

He lets my hand go and turns back to the witch. “Give me the location of the key.”

“I don’t know it,” the witch cries.

“Your family is the keeper of records. You are the oldest child,” I tell the witch. “Only you would know the location.”

“Tell us, and we will leave you alone,” Markis lies.

The witch bares her teeth. “I will never give you what you seek.”