White

LAKE

“For the last time,” I growl, “let me pass!”

I’m standing nose to nose with the guards stationed at the back gate. Their beefy arms and overrated strong demeanors let me know they used to be warriors in their past packs.

The two men just roll their eyes and try to dismiss me. I roll my tongue behind my lips and sigh angrily. I try to keep my composure as I push one of them to the ground.

Both men are shocked by my strength. I must admit, I’m kind of surprised by it myself. I shuffle my way between the guards and go through the other side of the viny entrance.

The cold air hits my skin as I take in a deep breath. Fresh snow and hints of pine fill my lungs. Lynne is begging to be let loose.

I begin to run through the forest and thick feet of snow. My adrenaline keeps the cold away the more I run and jump.

The sky is gray with the sun peeking through the clouds every so often. All the animals have begun to hibernate. Food will be hard to come by now.

I stop on a fallen tree trunk to catch my breath. Something is off—the forest is too quiet.

“Well, well, well…,” a voice rings. “Lake Mavris.”

I turn to see a female figure cloaked in white. She holds a large walking stick with jewels embedded in the top that reaches just above her head.

“You,” I growl.

The woman chuckles softly. Her face is hidden behind the huge hood of the cape she’s wearing.

“My, my,” the woman sighs. “You wolves never have any kind of manners, do you?”

I growl furiously and jump at her. Before I can land, the woman disappears and reappears where I once stood.

“I see that pathetic excuse for a wolf, Jake, couldn’t keep you under wraps…,” the woman scoffs. “That curse cost me a pretty penny, and he couldn’t carry it through…”

My eyes narrow. Lynne is scratching to be released from the barriers. She wants her revenge.

“You’re going to suffer for what you did to me, witch,” I snarl, my animalistic senses taking over.

The witch laughs hysterically. “You wolves are always so desperate for a partner! It’s sad for you, really. Fun for me, though.”

~That’s it.~

~

Lynne erupts from my body, her fangs showing furiously and her hackles up.

My wolf launches herself at the woman. We come close to her throat before being thrown midair into a tree.

“I’ll tell you a little secret, Lake.” The witch removes her hood. She has striking red hair and white eyes. Her pale skin is almost like snow.

“Your little mate—what was his name? Ah! Lucas! That was my doing as well. You never found your mate, and you probably never will.”

A string of pain stings my heart.

How can I believe her?

“If you don’t believe me, ask your little mommy and daddy.” The witch takes steps toward Lynne as my wolf struggles to her feet.

“They knew that as an Alignment, you’d never have the chance to have a mate.”

Lynne’s growls rattle the ground before she tries to pounce once again. The witch whispers a strange chant, and Lynne stops midair.

“Listen, you’re too valuable to him for me to kill you.” The witch pets my wolf’s chin.

“So I’ll let you off easily this time. Just know...the Day of Prophecy is upon us, my dear. My master is looking forward to it.”