Page 38

I watched Noviana float through the tombs, caskets of my ancestors around her.

The entire place littered with gold and animal bones, traditions long left behind.

She seemed to know exactly where she was going, the temple elder and I trailing behind her as we took in part of our kinds history that had been sealed for centuries.

We stopped at a large altar, a gilded and marble statue of Luna nearly touching the ceiling, painted like the nights sky. Wolves at her feet and wrapped around her legs.

"Goddess..." Elder Cardinal muttered, "it is glorious."

I nodded silently, watching Nova approach the alter, hands skimming various artifacts I assumed were worth more than my weight in gold.

She paused on a book in the center, fingers resting on the glittering cover.

The moonstone in the center glowed at her touch as if reacting to her very presence.

She picked it up and flipped through it before she handed it to Grug. "Our deal, has been completed."

"Wait!" The elder called, "you cannot remove an object from the temple."

She stared at him for a moment before gesturing to grug, "that belongs to my kind. It can only be opened by a spirit class witch."

"Nonsense." He scoffed.

"Grug." She murmured.

The golem handed the elder the book. "You careful with Lady Novas book."

The elder snatched it, attempting to open it.

And failing.

Repeatedly.

"You must have cursed it, the alphas would not have-"

"The Alphas took what was not theirs now their ancestor is returning it." She stated, taking the book as she glided past us, her midnight eyes meeting mine, "is he not?"

"This will be the only thing you remove from the temple." I replied.

She frowned a bit but agreed, "very well."

"Alpha..." Cardinal began.

"I am. Sure the head she provided is much more valuable Elder, besides what use is a book you cannot open."

"Forgive me Alpha, but I am more concerned with what use she has for it."

I frowned at bit at Novas retreating form, "I will keep an eye on her."

He bowed deeply, "Thank you Alpha Sebastian and may Luna bless you."

I thanked him before following the witch from the temple.

The book was levitating in front of her as she walked, reading, Grug trailing behind in his waddling gait. "Noviana!" I called after her.

"Nova." She corrected, the page flipping before her.

"What is that?"

"A book belonging to-"

"Your kinds yes, but what is in it?"

"Many things."

"Like?"

She didn't bother to even glance my direction, "many things."

"Noviana." I growled.

"A bit of history, a bit of spells." She replied, "are we going to have sex?"

Well that was random as fuck, "is there something about sex in your book that you want to explore Nova?"

"No."

"Then why are you asking about sex?"

"Because you are very attractive and I desire your body on mine."

I barked out a laugh, "I have to work Noviana."

She frowned a bit but said nothing on the subject.

"As I work why don't you work on editing the mating ritual. You dangled the option of life in front of my nose, I intend to see it through."

"You intend to take life so long as the side effects all your people have when mated do not occur."

I didn't like her tone, "I would be more than happy to have those side effects if I were mated to another wolf."

I had always wanted the bond only our kind can share. The protective instinct always within me. I wanted to know what it would be like to feel so utterly content and connected to one person when I returned home to her.

I was already feeling the weight of that loss in the pit of my stomach.

But I had generation's of ancestors protecting mortals from beings like her.

It was my sacred duty as a wolf.

The very reason I exist.

Noviana had stopped and was now looking me over quietly, "you are in conflict."

"I am."

"I had assumed finding this solution would please you."

"This may be nothing to you Noviana but to me.

.. to my kind it is everything. We are taught two things starting from when we are pups, our duty as wolves is to protect the mortals and our goddess has given us our perfect match we will someday find and spend the rest of our lives together.

Our very long lives." I swallowed hard, "and then I was given you.

The woman I was meant to spend my life with is the type of creature I am meant to kill. "

"That seems less than ideal." She replied. "But I am not some common witch"

"You still slaughter mortals Nova."

"It is the balance of things, predator and prey."

"You're my prey Nova. Predators don't fuck prey."

She arched a brow, looking almost amused, "you assume you are at the top of the hierarchy, that you know all there is to know about creatures of the night. But you,Alpha king, know nothing of what was given to you. Of exactly what it is I am."

"A witch."

"Spirit class witch." She corrected, "I was born as I am. Much like mortals are born mortal and wolves are born wolves. Unlike vampires and other creatures, my bloodline has never consorted with demons."

Never consorted with demons?

Thats how witches are made, somewhere in her bloodline there must have been someone who gave their purity to a demon. "That isnt-"

"It is true Sebastian. And is the demon blood and spawn not what your kind are meant to kill?"

"Well, yes but because we are to protect mortals, beloved by the goddess Luna."

Nova hummed a bit, "The gods needed soldiers for their battles against demons, Luna used such to her advantage. She left wolf people as one method to balance this world."

"Is there a point to this?" I rumbled.

"Yes. But you are still blind. Enjoy work."

Without another word, she sashayed away, back towards my home.

I growled a bit under my breath wanting to press for answers on that strange conversation but knowing full well I had let my work pile up since meeting her.

Sighing heavily, I walked towards the palace where I knew my Beta would likely bombard me with questions before handing me my schedule.

I could question Nova, later.

For now, I have to be both alpha and king.

Another grand piece of my destiny.