In the days that followed, my nerves only grew. After the strange discovery of Flynn's aquatic ability, Asra knuckled down on the whole witch thing. It was only three days since the strange discovery, and a witch would be here by lunchtime.

So of course, I busied myself. I slept restlessly, aggravating Asra, and woke early to help prepare breakfast. Only to get kicked out for over-exerting myself. Anxiously driven, my nails torn to shreds, I wandered the house with no cause. It wasn't until the sun shone did I move back to my room to grab my belongings.

Can you guess where I went after that?

The lake, duh.

The water was nicely warm as it carried me across its soft currents. I was putting my skin at risk coming out here in the late hours of the morning; the august summery sun was brutal lately. However, there seemed to be plenty of tree coverage over the lake, with only a few spots left to bask in the rays. I allowed myself the pleasure of the sun before diving from the cliffs into the deep end.

A hum vibrated my body as I sank beneath the surface, the lake holding me softly as I peered around. I loved how my eyes didn't burn in its magical current, giving me the perfect opportunity to look around the crystal water.

But even that became too familiar after a while. So I threw myself into challenges. I practised my dives until I felt dizzy from the amount of falling. Then I tried laps of various swim strokes until I was tired from exhaustion.

I was halfway through another dive that would lead into how fast I could breaststroke to the far end, when a strange shape appeared at the far end. I barely glimpsed it, my surprise faltering my dive and causing a flailing sack of limbs as I hit the water.

Sinking down, I frowned as curiosity forced me to resurface. Brushing my hair out of the way, I inhaled sharply as I looked to where I once saw the figure. Whatever it was, must've created the sudden absence of life in the treeline.

I frowned when my stomach twisted with a strange sense of unease. I could've sworn I saw someone right there...

"Your father enjoyed swimming, too."

A sharp scream escaped my throat, my panic causing me to slip back into the water. The voice came from behind me, and with a strangled breath, I turned and looked up.

There was a woman standing on one of the smaller ledges, her feet dangling over the edge as she peered down at the water. I blanked, staring at her with utter confusion. I have never seen this woman before. How did she even get here? How did she move so fast? I knew wolves were quick, but that was supersonic.

She didn't even have shoes on!

Her hair was a soft golden colour, casting in waves down to her hips. She was short in stature, with thick hips, thighs and a well-endowed chest. She was gazing down at the water beneath her, her lips curled into a soft smile as her hands gripped the edge.

"Who are you?" I gasped.

"I thought I'm here to answer that question for you." She raised her head, golden eyes staring back at me.

My eyes widened with understanding.

The witch.

What time was it?

Was I late for the meeting?

"I was heading toward your mate, but I noticed you were out here trying to drown yourself." She laughed gleefully. "Figured I would come and see who you were. You must be someone important for a miscellaneous visit."

"He didn't tell you?" I wondered.

"He did not trust the phone line." She pursed her lips. "Said it was highly important."

I mulled it over, drifting myself further into the middle of the lake. I doubted I would be faster than a witch, and this one seemed docile for now. But for a being filled with so much knowledge and magic, I dread to think about what she could do.

"That lake protects you." The witch raised an eyebrow. "I cannot bewitch you. Not that I would anyway. You already have enough magic in you."

"I do?" I wondered.

She grinned; lips pulled back to show bright white teeth. "Now, shouldn't this be spoken of within thick walls?"

I swallowed, glancing toward my towel. "How did you get past my guard?"

I know Asra always had at least one person watching me. They hid in the trees, and although I never saw them, I felt their presence like a breeze.

"I will not harm you." The witch preened, scaling down the waterfall. "The guard is merely asleep for a moment. A simple snap of my fingers and he shall awake."

I eyed her sceptically. "Give me your word."

"My word?"

"That you shall not harm me."

"Why would I do that? The alpha would have my head."

"You are a witch. I was taught to not trust witches."

"Were you?" She cocked her head, grinning.

Goosebumps raised on my skin, and the waterfall seemed to quicken its pace. I looked at it nervously, wondering what it was trying to tell me. The last time the waterfall changed its course, something was to happen.

Of course, witches were wicked. Mother always said so.

The witch sighed. "Fine, I shall alert your guard. But I shall let you know my magic cannot touch you."

"Why not?" I probed, rolling my eyes.. "Are you not strong enough?"

She smirked. "Wow, what a resemblance."

What was she even talking about? First speaks on my swimming, and now my appearance. I glared at her, but she just grinned.

Time to show some courage. I was luna of these lands, after all.

"Fine. I shall get out." I huffed, swimming to the edge. "But I will smack you right out of here if I have to."

"I wouldn't have guessed otherwise, Ailia."

Great, now the strange witch somehow knew my name.

"I shall get your guard."

She strutted through the hedges, disappearing behind some trees. I took it as an opportunity and clambered out of the lake to secure my towel around my waist. My hair dripped down my back, so I quickly squeezed out the water before securing it into the hair clip I discarded earlier.

"Come on then! Let's go!" The witch cackled.

"You are trespassing!" My guard growled.

It was Sebastian. The man Asra often designated to babysitting duty when I swam. I wasn't sure why at first; the man wasn't exactly humongous, and I saw Asra as the crazy, over-protective type. But then I realised; Seb was gay and happily mated. My damn mate assigned me a guard who wouldn't care for my nudity in the lake.

"Oh, hush. I have permission to be here." The witch patted his nose with a short, yet well-manicured finger.

The wolf growled, but she didn't care and walked back toward me. "Lead the way, wolf!"

"Luna..." Sebastian growled.

"I'm okay." I sighed. "Does Asra know?"

"I have informed him." He nodded.

"Good." I mumbled. "Is he on his way?"

"Yes, Luna." He smirked. "Let's move."

The witch was watching us with an amused smirk, and I eyed her sceptically as we passed her. I wasn't a fan of having a witch at my back, but Sebastian put himself between the two of us. It made me feel a little better. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed man was tall.

We barely made it half-way out of the forest before awareness pebbled my skin. I tensed as Asra's furious form hurtled through the trees, barely slowing down before me. My hands reached out instinctively as he pulled me into his embrace in a flurry of colours. A strangled squark escaped me as he crushed me in his bare arms. My towel slipped slightly, and my hair dampened the soft fabric of his silk shirt.

I huffed, pushing out of his grip so I could breathe. "Asra..."

He grumbled, ignoring me as he raised a finger to the witch. "You were told to be at the border in half an hour."

I couldn't see the witch's expression, but by the soft snort of laughter, I could imagine her grin.

"I was just detouring."

"You knew the deal. You were not to walk my lands without an escort." He growled. "Why did you come here? To single out my mate?"

"Asra..." I grumbled, and he slackened his hold.

Slithering my arms through his, I adjusted my towel with an annoyed huff. He was still tense, not letting me leave his side, one hand firmly secured on my waist.

"Your mate's mind was running rampant. It called to me."

I tensed, blinking at the witch. I couldn't decide if she was creepy or evil. Her ability to know who I was and to say so many strange things created an unusual feeling in my gut. She may look innocent and dainty, but I bet she was the devil beneath it all.

Asra was visibly shaking, the bond thrumming with emotions. He was equal parts furious and anxious, and I settled my hand on his chest to comfort him. It was subtle, but it drew his gaze from the witch. My forehead crinkled with a frown, and I gently shook my head. Asra sighed, squeezing my side before meeting the witch's gaze head on.

"This is your first warning." Asra snarled. "You step out of line, and I will be happy to escort you off my land."

The witch raised her hands, dropping her eyes. "Of course, Alpha. No more games."

Asra eyed her further before nodding, pulling me tighter into his grip. Before I could blink, he lifted me and I wrapped around his front like a toddler. I frowned, locking my ankles into his lower back before securing his chin in my hand.

I was sure my towel was fully exposing my ass. I should really bring a robe...

"What are you doing?" I muttered, squeezing his cheeks.

His eyes were dark as he gazed at me. "Nothing."

I nodded, sealing my lips shut when I recognised the agitation in his tone. Settling my head onto his shoulder, I let my breath fan down his neck as he carried me home. I mean, why not? Saved me walking.

Asra didn't waver in his pace once. His tight grip was on my ass the entire way. Not once did he stumble, not once did he pant, and I found myself, yet again, admiring how strong he was. My body warmed with the thought, a soft, happy hum in my chest that told me I was safe.

Breaking the tree-line, I turned my head to glance behind us, all too aware of our extra companion. Sebastian was behind the witch, watching her every move, but she didn't seem to care. She was looking around the pack, her bright eyes flickering in every direction as we approached the pack house. Noticing my gaze, she looked at me and her lips curled into a broad, teasing grin.

I shrivelled back into my mate, taking his fear and anger heavily. He didn't like the witch and especially didn't like how she approached me alone.

Why else would Asra be so against her? He has never acted in such a way with me; grabbing me and carrying me like a parcel or child. I could feel his heart racing!

She must really affect him if he is so against her being here.

I'm just glad he hasn't harmed her yet. I didn't want a witch's dead wrath breathing down my shoulder.

Asra came to a stop at the foyer of the house, the witch hanging in the entryway. She pursed her lips when he turned around and it forced me to face the opposite direction.

"To my office. No messing around." He warned.

The witch's voice was light, the hint of her smile in the tone. "Of course, Alpha. We are here for business, after all, and I must say, I am rather intrigued already."