Page 9

I had just stepped out of the bath when I noticed the firefly lamps illuminating in the distance.

Well. At least I will not be coated in grave dirt when the guests arrive.

I sat at my vanity and carefully applied my makeup as my hair dried, framing my eyes in shades of grey and black, my lips filled in with a deep red.

It would take the wolf men a half hour to reach my home.

Smiling softly I snapped my fingers, dress appearing on my form as I stepped outside and slid into the woods.

~~

He was tall, not as tall as the Alpha though, with tawny blonde hair and bright blue eyes I would consider him classically handsome.

He looked strong enough for his body to have a few good parts.

And better yet the wolves must have split up to examine my property.

This one seems to have found my bone tree. "What the fuck..?" He murmured.

Clearly this one has only seen witches of the city. Slowly, a slid from the shadows walking up behind him, "bones must bath in the light of the moon to be purified of their original owners."

He spun, snarling, "you-"

"Hello." I waved a bit at him, "who might you be?"

He didn't answer, poised to attack.

I gazed at the stars between the treetops, "Mason...." I squinted at them, "hmmm. They are unwilling to reveal more to me. You must be in favor with the universe."

My eyes slid to him, his skin paling.

If he was favored by the stars and the gods, his heart would be excellent. "Where is your alpha?"

His eyes flickered to where he came from.

I followed his gaze to a group of wolves, standing at edge of the trees, my lips parting when I noticed the Golem head in the hands of who I assumed to be the alpha, half hidden in shadow, "Hello. I am Noviana Nivara. I see you have brought back Grug."

Ignoring Mason I strode past the group of wolves toward my home.

"This way." I motioned to them. "I shall pay you in kind for the return of Grug. Would anyone like tea?"

They did not respond, instead following me cautiously.

~~

The scent of morning dew and forest drifted on the wind as she walked by, nearly concealing the slightest hint of rose.

It reminded me of moonlight.

I watched her form walk through the trees for a moment, the long lace dress she wore concealing nearly nothing, pale blonde hair cascading down her back, strewn with raven feathers.

Her long limbs moved fluidly with a deadliness most people would overlook. "This..." her soft voice rang out, "is my cemetery."

I didn't miss the fact that several of the graves were freshly dug.

She snapped her fingers.

The golem head suddenly wasn't in my grip but hers. Scrapings a symbol inside its mouth once more she tossed it into a mud pit, muttering to herself.

Laughter boomed through the night, "Lady Nova! Grug home!"

"Yes Grug." She soothed, "I know. You failed."

The Golem slowly grew before sitting in the mud, frowning, "but pretty eyes here."

"True." She turned back to one of the graves, "as a reward you all shall see something beautiful."

I didn't like this one bit.

I motioned to my wolves to be cautious.

Noviana's blood red lips curled slightly into a smile as the dirt in the grade rumbled, the muffled sound of groaning.

A few wolves swore as a zombie pulled itself out of the grave.

My stomachs sank.

I recognized her.

I could feel the witches gaze on me as I took in the sight of it, "you are welcome wolf king. And I thank you."

"Thank me?" I spat, "for what?"

"For the materials I harvested from her before she unfortunately died while having a lung removed." The woman pulled a bottle out of her satchel, "the seed of an alpha is a powerful thing, an alpha king even more so."

I heard Mason growl lowly, "alpha please tell me that zombie-"

"She was perfectly alive and well this morning. Very alive and very sated." The blonde witch approached us slowly, fingers skimming my chest, causing tingles to shoot up my spine and my hair to stand on end. "Interesting.." She murmured, fingers skimming my abs, "let me see my future eyes."

Her future what?

Her blue gaze lifted to meet mine.

Everything stopped.

My heart sank.

No.

"Interesting." She murmured, deep blue eyes glittering with amusement.

At the exact time I snarled lowly, "Fuck no."

She watched me stumble back, eyes not once faltering from their inquiry.

I felt bile rise in my throat. "Mase." I rasped.

"Yes Alpha?"

I shut my eyes, "Kill her."

"Me?" He questioned, "Alpha you said..."

Noviana's laugh was light, like a feather on the wind, "he cannot. Interestingly enough." She looked up at the moon, "what did you do to offend the goddess Luna that she would make you executioner to your... cure."

"Alpha?" Mase questioned wearily.

I just shook my head.

"The stars tell me.. Mase." The witch began, "that you wish to save him."

"Mason." I pressed.

"You kill me, there is no hope."

I snarled, striding to the woman, fingers wrapping around her thin neck.

Her wide eyes looked utterly unimpressed, "may I ask a favor of you destined one?"

I kept growling.

"Before you have your second hand attempt to behead me." Her eyes flickered to her house, "I would enjoy trying out bed sport with you. Wolves are renowned for their sexual prowess and from what I saw..."

Saw? "You..."

"You," she whispered, "are very naughty but in very good shape. Besides I have read between mates it is especially divine."

"I wouldn't touch you if it was my last option." I snarled.

"It is." She arched a pale brow, "you will die otherwise."

"Better I die than tie myself to a woman who whores herself for demons in exchange for power."

Confusion crossed her face for a moment before she shrugged.

One of the guards in the distance screamed.

"Oh my." She murmured, "it looks like we lost track of your lover."